Molecular methods in ecology and nature conservation WF-OB-MOL

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

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:
What does the molecular ecology aim with? Basics concepts of genetics and molecular ecology
Sources of DNA, methods of sampling, DNA isolation
Molecular techniques and molecular markers in ecology and nature conservation
Molecular methods –relatedness between individuals, genetic structure of populations, gene flow, reproductive systems, sex ratio variation, migrations of individuals, population size, genetic variation, inbreeding, ect.

Laboratory:
Safety in the laboratory, acquaintance with equipment and standards of work in the lab
DNA isolation from blood and other tissues (various methods), determination of quality and quantity of isolated DNA (spectrophotometer operation)
Bird molecular sexing techniques - PCR preparation, principle of operation of thermocycler
DNA electrophoresis and visualization of electrophoresis products

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)

Selected chapters from:
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

Additional materials:
Bukacińska M., Bukaciński D., Epplen J.T., Sauer K.P., Lubjuhn T. 1998. Low frequency of extra-pair paternity in Common Gulls (Larus canus) as revealed by DNA fingerprinting. J. Ornithol. 139: 413-420.
Bukaciński D., Bukacińska M., Lubjuhn T. 2000. Adoption of chicks and the level of relatedness in common gull, Larus canus colonies: DNA fingerprinting analyses. Anim. Behav. 59: 289-299.
Bukaciński D., Bukacińska M., Buczyński A. 2020. Offspring Sex Ratio in the First and Replacement Clutches of the Mew Gulls (Larus canus): Breeding Tactics in the Riverine Population of a Sexually Size-dimorphic Bird. Waterbirds 43 (2): 174-185
P.C. Winter, G.I. Hickey, H.L. Fletcher 2006. Krótkie wykłady. Genetyka. PWN, Warszawa
P.C. Turner, A.G. McLennan, A.D. Bates, M.R.H. White 2007. Krótkie wykłady. Biologia molekularna. PWN, Warszawa
J.C. Avise 2004. Markery molekularne, historia naturalna i ewolucja. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Warszawa
D.J. Futuyma 2005. Ewolucja. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Warszawa

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)

None