Genetics Genes, genomes, and evolution

In the past, introductory biology courses based on evolution tended to give short shrift to molecular biology. Introductory molecular biology and genetics courses tended to ignore evolutionary principles altogether or included them as concluding chapters that were often skipped. Bacteria were usually treated separately from eukaryotes. Using the analysis of genomes as the organizing approach in Genetics: Genes, Genomes, and Evolution provides the opportunity to unite these topics in one narrative.

Genomic analysis is inherently both molecular and evolutionary, and in Genetics: Genes, Genomes, and Evolution, includes this unified perspective in every chapter. Thus, rather than relying on separate chapters on "genome analysis" or "evolutionary principles" and hoping that the student can synthesize them, these ideas are integrated into every topic.

Philip Meneely, Professor of Biology, Haverford College, PA,Rachel Dawes Hoang, Associate Professor of Biology, Haverford College, PA,Iruka N. Okeke, Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria,Katherine Heston, Instructor in Biology, Haverford College, PA

Philip Meneely (PhD, U of Minnesota) is a Professor of Biology at Haverford College where he has taught both introductory and advanced genetics for more than 20 years, as well as courses in genomics and bioinformatics. He previously was on the faculty of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. His research with C. elegans has included publications on chromosome rearrangements, polyploidy, meiosis, sex determination, dosage compensation, and gene interactions. He is also the author of Genetic Analysis: Genes, Genomes, and Networks in Eukaryotes (Oxford University Press), now in its second edition, which was short-listed by the Royal Society (London) in 2015 for Undergraduate Biology Textbook of the year.


Rachel Dawes Hoang (Ph.D. Cambridge University, UK) is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Haverford College. She has published research and review articles in the fields of developmental biology and evolutionary developmental biology. Her current research investigates the evolution of genes controlling cell shape changes as well as the interactions between endosymbiotic bacteria and host cells during embryonic development of insects. She regularly teaches courses in genetics, evolution, and development. She is currently the chair of the Biology Department. She is a former Helen Hay Whitney fellow.


Iruka N. Okeke (PhD, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria) taught biology at Haverford College, PA, USA from 2002 until 2014. She is presently Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and has also taught in other African and UK applied health programs. Her research on bacterial genetics and microbiology focuses on intestinal pathogens and on antimicrobial resistance. She is co-author of two books and about a hundred articles and chapters. She has been the recipient of Fulbright, Branco Weiss and Institute for Advanced Study (Berlin) Fellowships. Okeke serves on editorial, higher education, health policy and science policy advisory panels and boards in the US, Europe and Africa.


Katherine Heston (M.S. University of Wisconsin, A.B. Princeton University) is an Instructor in Biology at Haverford College. She has been involved in teaching undergraduates for thirty years at Lake Forest College (IL), Northwestern University, Villanova University, and Haverford College. Her teaching background includes botany, ecology, genetics, cell and molecular biology. Working closely with students in the teaching lab has developed her sense of the student perspective, which informs her development of effective teaching materials for her classes.

Prologue: Five Great Ideas

Chapter 1: Evolution, Genomes and Genetics

Chapter 2: The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Chapter 3: Genome Organization, Structure, and Variation

Chapter 4: Descent with Modification: DNA Replication and Mutation
A Human Angle: Telomeres
A Human Angle: Analyzing the Black Death by Phylogenetics

Chapter 5: Basic Principles of Single Gene Inheritance

Chapter 6: The Cellular Basis for Mendelian Genetics: Mitosis and Meiosis

Chapter 7: X-linked Genes and Sex Chromosomes
A Human Angle: How Do Organisms Count X Chromosomes?
A Human Angle: Sry, Testis Determining Factor and Sex Determination in Mammals
A Human Angle: X-chromosome Inactivation and Xist

Chapter 8: The Inheritance of Multiple Genes
A Human Angle: ABO Blood Types

Chapter 9: The Location of Genes on Chromosomes: Linkage and Genetic Maps
A Human Angle: Red-Green Colorblindness

Chapter 10: Human Genetic Mapping, GWA Studies and Complex Traits
A Human Angle: Exome Sequencing

Chapter 11: Exchange and Evolution

Chapter 12: Transcription: Reading and Expressing Genes
A Human Angle: Toadstools in the Way of Transcription

Chapter 13: Translation: From Nucleic Acids to Amino Acids

Chapter 14: Networks of Gene Regulation

Chapter 15: Genetic Analysis of Cellular Processes

Chapter 16: The Genetics of Populations
A Human Angle: Tracking Migration with Mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA
A Human Angle: The Sickle Cell Trait: Heterozygote Advantage

Chapter 17: Metagenomics: Genomes of Communities
A Human Angle: Transplanting Microbiomes
A Human Angle: Ancient Metagenomes
1. Darwin's Finches: Evolution, Genomes, and Genes
2. The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
3. Genome Structure, Organization, and Variation
4. Descent with Modification: DNA Replication and Mutation
5. The Inheritance of Single Gene Traits
6. The Cellular Basis for Mendelian Genetics
7. X-linked Genes and Sex Chromosomes
8. The Inheritance of Multiple Genes
9. The Locations of Genes on Chromosomes: Linkage and Genetic Maps
10. Human Genetic Mapping, Genome Wide Association Studies, and Complex Traits
11. Exchange and Evolution
12. Transcription: Reading and Expressing Genes
13. Translation: From Nucleic Acids to Amino Acids
14. Networks of Gene Regulation
15. Genetic Analysis of Cellular Processes
16. The Genetics of Populations
17. Metagenomes: Genome Analysis of Communities