Molecular evolution is the process of evolution at the scale of DNA, RNA and proteins. Molecular evolution emerged as a scientific field in the 1960's as researchers from molecular biology, evolutionary biology and population genetics sought to understand recent discoveries on the structure and function of nucleic acids and protein. Some of the key topics that spurred development of the field have been the evolution of enzyme function, the use of nucleic acid divergence as a “molecular clock” to study species divergence, and the origin of non-functional or junk DNA. Recent advances in genomics, including whole-genome sequencing, high-throughput protein characterization, and bioinformatics have led to a dramatic increase in studies on the topic. The aim of this course is to provide the student with the basic concepts necessary to understand the increasing number of scientific works in the field.

Syllabus:

1. Evolution: An Historical view

2. Evolution: Fundamental concepts

3. Genes, Genetic Codes and Mutation Nucleotide Sequences.

4. Evolutionary change in Nucleotide Sequences.

5. Evolutionary change in Amino Acid Sequences.

6. Molecular Clocks.

7. Molecular Phylogenetics.

METHODOLOGY:

The teaching methodology consists of:

1. Class sessions. Oral presentations by the teacher to cover the main topics in the program

2. Classroom activities. Activities in the class are designed to strengthen key concepts of the course and transversal skills. They will include the following activities: 1) The preparation of a Glossary, 2) Important names in evolution (seminar), 3) In-class debate.

3. Seminar. Each student will choose a topic on which to prepare an oral presentation at the end of the course

GRADING:

10% Participation in sessions, 25% Work in class, 25% Seminars, 40% Final exam



The evaluation is based on attendance and active engagement in all the activities of the course (class sessions, classroom activities, seminars).

Attendance at less than 70% of course activities, or failure to present the assessed essays directly prevents students passing the course. Partial grades corresponding to course activities are held over from one academic year to the next on student demand.

ASSESSMENT:

Each activity will include an assessment sheet evaluation criteria will be provided.

On line course, basic bibliography and class notes.

Bibliografía básica

1. HALLIBURTON, R. (2004) Introduction to population genetics. Pearson Prentice-Hall, USA.

2. HIGGS, P. & ATTWOOD, T.K. (2005) Bioinformatics and molecular evolution. Blackwell Publishing.

3. LI, W-H. & GRAUR, D. (2000) Fundamentals of Molecular Evolution. 2nd Ed. Sinauer Associates Inc., Massachusetts.

4. MOUNT, D.W. (2001) Bioinformatics. Sequence and Genome Analysis. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

5. NEI, M. & KUMAR, S. (2000) Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics. Oxford University Press, New York.

6. LEHNINGER, A. L., NELSON, D. L. & COX, M. M. (2000) Principles of Biochemistry. 3th Ed. Worth Publishers. Nueva York.

7. LEWIN, B. (1999) Genes VII. Oxford University Press. Oxford.

8. STRYER, L., BERG, J. M. & TYMOCZKO, J. L. (2002) Biochemistry. 6th Ed. W. H. Freeman. New York.

Bibliografía de profundización

- AYALA, F.J. & VALENTINE. (1983). La evolución en acción. Alhambra.
- DAWKINS, R. (2004) The ancestor's tale. A pilgrimage to the dawn of life. Weindenfeld & Nicolson.
- DOBZHANSKY, T.H., AYALA, F.J., STEBBINS, G.L. & VALENTINE, J.W. (1980). Evolución. Omega.
- GOULD, S.J. (1991). La vida maravillosa. Crítica.
- HEDRICK, P. W. (2000) Genetics of Populations. 2nd Ed. Jones and Barlett Publishers Inc.
- LÓPEZ-FANJUL, C. & TORO, M.A. (1987). Polémicas del evolucionismo. Eudema. Madrid.
- MOUNT, D.W. (2001) Bioinformatics. Sequence and Genome Analysis. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
- RIDLEY, Mark (1993) Evolution. Blackwell.
- SAMPEDRO, J. (2002). Deconstruyendo a Darwin. Drakontos, Crítica, Barcelona.
- STRACHAN, T. (1992). The Human Genome. Bios S.P.

Revistas

Science, Nature, Trends. Ecol. Evol., Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. S.