1. The Central Dogma Information flow in cells DNA RNA Protein Transcription Translation Language The cat sat on the mat THE CAT SAT ON THE MAT Le chat sest assis sur le petit tapis

2. Why DNA is the genetic material Can be replicated accurately Has capacity to carry information to direct organisation and metabolism in cells Can undergo mutation to enable change and evolution Averys 1944 study proved DNA = genes

3. Size & shape of genomes

4. Prokaryotic gene organisation PromoterGene 1Gene 2 Gene 1 RNA Protein 1 Proteins 1 and 2 (Polycistronic)

5. Eukaryotic gene organisation PromoterExon1Intron 1Exon2Intron 2Exon 3 mRNA Protein Primary RNA transcript splicing

6. Simplicity and complexity Genes code for proteins (simple) Genes cause phenotypes (complex) Pleiotropy: one gene affects >1 trait Epistasis: one trait is affected by >1 gene Interactions between genes & environment

7. Summary of next 4 lectures DNA is replicated when cells divide DNA is transcribed into RNA RNA is translated into protein Gene expression is regulated All this is covered (in more detail) in course BC2003