Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics/Genomics of Marine Mammals

Current sequencing technologies have revolutionized the fields of molecular, evolutionary, and ecological genetics. The ability to generate an entire genome worth of sequence data in a single instrument run allows us to study whole genomes in a variety of non-model organisms. We will use the genomes of marine mammals to explore the field of genomics. We will begin with basic genomics (i.e. Genome-101), sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, and explore conservation, ecological and evolutionary genetics of marine mammals using literature and publicly available datasets. Biology 201L is recommended but not required. Offered at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort.