Molecular methods in ecology and nature conservation

biological sciences

advanced

OB2_W02

OB2_W11

OB2_U01

OB2_U04

OB2_U08

OB2_K02

OB2_K08

basic knowledge of zoology, biochemistry, ecology, genetics, passive English

The lecture introduces basic achievements of molecular ecology. It presents methods of collecting and storing samples for molecular studies. It presents the most important molecular markers and their application in ecological and nature protection studies

Lecture:

1. The organization of classes. What does the molecular ecology aim with? Basics concepts of genetics and molecular ecology

2. Sources of DNA, methods of sampling, DNA isolation

3. Molecular techniques and molecular markers in ecology and nature conservation

5. Genetic relatedness between individuals, population genetic structure and gene flow

4-6. Molecular methods in population ecology – examples (relatedness between individuals, genetic structure of populations, gene flow)

7-9. Molecular methods in behavioral ecology – examples (reproductive systems, sex ratio variation, migrations of individuals)

10-14. Molecular methods in nature conservation - examples (population size, genetic variation, inbreeding, phylogeography)

15. Summary of activities. The final test of basic terms.

Laboratory:

1. Safety in the laboratory, acquaintance with equipment and standards of work in the lab

2-3. DNA isolation from blood and other tissues (various methods), determination of quality and quantity of isolated DNA (spectrophotometer operation)

4-5. Bird molecular sexing techniques - PCR preparation, principle of operation of thermocycler

6. DNA electrophoresis and visualization of electrophoresis products

7. Summary of results and discussion

1. J.R. Freeland 2008. Ekologia molekularna. PWN, Warszawa

2. M. Pilot, R.Rutkowski, A. Malewska, T. Malewski 2005. Zastosowanie metod molekularnych w badaniach ekologicznych. Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN, Warszawa

3. P.C. Winter, G.I. Hickey, H.L. Fletcher 2006. Krótkie wykłady. Genetyka. PWN, Warszawa

4. P.C. Turner, A.G. McLennan, A.D. Bates, M.R.H. White 2007. Krótkie wykłady. Biologia molekularna. PWN, Warszawa

5. J.C. Avise 2004. Markery molekularne, historia naturalna i ewolucja. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Warszawa

6. D.J. Futuyma 2005. Ewolucja. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Warszawa

Additional materials:

T.Beebee, G.Rowe 2004. An Introdiction to Molecular Ecology. Oxford University Press

Scientific papers in the field of molecular ecology (using of molecular methods in ecology and nature conservation) – given by lecturer and presented by students (mostly in English)

Review papers in Polish (e.g. from Kosmos, Wiadomości Ekologiczne)

a) Learning outcomes

1. Knowledge:

EK1 - student knows methods of molecular ecology and their usage in ecology and conservation of nature, describes and identifies types of molecular techniques and markers, defines concepts in the field of genetics and molecular ecology

EK2 – student recognizes the basic terms in the field of molecular methods used in ecology and nature conservation in a foreign language (English)

2. Skills:

EK3 – student is able to perform simple tasks in the field of molecular research and safely uses the devices in the laboratory

EK4 – student uses specialized terminology in the field of molecular ecology and conservation

EK5 – student is able to prepare oral presentations by various means of verbal and visual communication

3. Competences:

EK6 – student expands and improves professional skills in the laboratory research methods

EK7 - student cares about the reliability and credibility of their work

b) Description of ECTS

Student activity - hours of student work

Participation in lecture - 30

Participation in laboratory - 15

Preparation for the test - 30

Preparation of presentation - 15

Total of 90 hours [90/30 = 3]

Number of ECTS 3

Knowledge (EK1-2):

for 2 (ndst.) Student does not know methods of molecular ecology, does not know their application in ecology and nature protection; cannot describe and identify the types of molecular techniques and markers; cannot define concepts in the field of genetics and molecular ecology

The student does not recognize the basic terms in the field of molecular methods used in ecology and nature conservation in a foreign language (English)

for 3 (dst.) Student knows some research methods of molecular ecology, but does not know what is their application in ecology and nature conservation; can describe and recognize some types of molecular techniques and markers; can define some concepts in the field of genetics and molecular ecology;

Student recognizes some basic terms of molecular methods applied in ecology and nature conservation in a foreign language (English)

for 4 (db) Student knows some research methods of molecular ecology, knows what is their usage in ecology and nature conservation, but cannot give specific examples; Student well describes and recognizes most molecular techniques and markers; can well define the concepts of basic genetics and molecular ecology

Student recognizes most of the basic terms of molecular methods applied in ecology and nature conservation in a foreign language (English)

for 5 (bdb) Student knows methods of molecular ecology, knows how they can be used in ecology and nature conservation and can give examples; exhaustively describes and recognizes molecular techniques and markers; is able to comprehensively define the concepts of basic genetics and molecular ecology;

The student perfectly recognizes the basic terms of molecular methods applied in ecology and nature conservation in a foreign language (English and has no problem with understanding simple scientific texts

Skills (EK3-5):

for 2 (ndst)

Student has a problem with performing simple tasks in the laboratory and cannot use laboratory equipment; cannot use specialized terminology in molecular ecology and nature conservation - uses common vocabulary; cannot prepare oral speech using various means of verbal and visual communication. Student creates a multimedia presentation by copying fragments of texts from the internet, translated by Google translator without text verification

for 3 (dst.)

Student performs simple tasks in the laboratory but has problems with the equipment; student speaks poorly using specialized terminology - he inserts to much common vocabulary; creates a multimedia presentation based on the literature, but the presentation contains both important and unnecessary information, and the translation contains too much errors.

for 4 (db.)

The student performs simple tasks in the laboratory and correctly uses the laboratory equipment; uses a specialized terminology in the field molecular ecology and nature conservation; correctly creates a multimedia presentation based on the literature, but the translation of texts is not completely correct.

for 5 (bdb.)

The student perfectly performs simple tasks in the laboratory and very well uses the facilities in the lab; uses very well a specialized terminology in the field of molecular ecology and nature conservation; develops a multimedia presentation based on the literature, selecting the most important materials, and translated texts without errors.

Competences (EK6-7)

for 2 (ndst)

Student does not care about expanding and improving professional skills, not learning new research methods; performs tasks carelessly and does not care about safety in the laboratory, does not apply to the rules of the course

for 3 (dst.)

Student tries to broaden and improve professional skills by taking part in exercises; does laboratory tasks carelessly, but he cares about safety in the lab, does not follow the rules of the course sufficiently (often late, etc.);

for 4 (db.) Student extends and improves professional skills by participating actively in laboratory tasks, learning new research methods; tries to perform tasks well and takes care of safety in the laboratory; is responsible and applies most of the rules of the course (no more than one absence in a semester, attends lectures)

for 5 (bdb.) Student extends and improves professional skills, actively participates in lectures and laboratory, learns new research methods; executes commands excellently, takes care of safety in the lab; is responsible and applies to the rules of the course

Final evaluation

Laboratory

The activity/short tests and the compliance with safety rules during classes will be evaluated. Only one absence in the class (justified or unjustified) is acceptable.

Lecture

Assessment of the presentation of the article (mostly English) related to the topic or presentation related to the topic. The evaluation will assess the ability present a multimedia presentation (form, content and way of presentation), the ability to find suitable material for presentation -50% of final evaluation

Final test - 50% of evaluation

Prerequisite to take the final test: to complete the laboratory, to make a presentation, and to attend at least half of the lectures.

Attendance at the lecture will be checked.

Further detailed assessment criteria will be given to participants during the course.

The final grade is the arithmetic average of the presentation evaluation and of the final test.