Rationale
So much of the information that has come available to us in the past 10 years derives from genome sequences. It is important to appreciate the limitation of such information, and to that end, understanding the process by which genomes are sequenced may be helpful. We'll use as a driving force a search in the genome of Drosophila melanogaster for the gene encoding a specific protein, FMRP, related in humans to Fragile X Syndrome.

You can read the story here.

Readings, Tours, and Investigations
    Notes: Where genome sequences come from
    Exercise: Sequence Assembly
    Reading and Tour:
        A Whole Genome Assembly of Drosophila.
        Myers EW et al. (2000). Science 287:2196-2204 (+ tour)

Additional Resources

    Greenspan RJ and Dierick HA (2004).
    'Am not I a fly like thee?' From genes in fruit flies to behavior in humans.
    Human Molecular Genetics 13:R267-R273.

    Zhang YQ and Broadie K (2005). Fathoming fragile X in fruit flies.
    Trends in Genetics 21:37-45.

    Blake W (1794). Songs of Experience

    FlyBase - Everything you want to know about flies, particularly what can be gained from its genome sequence.

Problem Set
    Problem Set 3: Genome Sequencing

To Hand In
    12 Feb, end of day: Problem Set 3 (return by exam uncertain... Feel for Harry, who also has PS2 to worry about).