Rediscovering Genetics

Genetics is taught in all life science related disciplines at the undergraduate level. This laboratory manual meant for beginners is an outcome of the authors attempt made in the last three years (2012-15) of designing experiments to teach the principles of transmission genetics using Drosophila as a model system. The purpose of Drosophila Resource Centre was to demonstrate the ease of learning genetics through experimentation. Wherever required the existing approaches have also complemented the new effort. The experiments are designed to teach the basic principles of genetics in a one-semester course. More than 90% of the exercises were conducted using a handful of Drosophila mutants. Most of the exercises are organized in a similar fashion covering 6-8 pages. Each exercise provides background information with supporting examples from literature; protocol; observations and calculations (if any) and finally results and discussion. Salient Features: It will bridge the existing gap generally faced in teaching genetics. It is user friendly. Students can independently initiate crosses, analyze and interpret the underlying genetic principle. The manual will serve as a starting point for those who wish to teach genetics through experimentation. Each exercise discusses actual data generated by students in the past three years.