PPH-90303 Plant Metabolomics: Plant Metabolites for Human Health and Food
Course
Credits 3.00
| Teaching method | Contact hours |
| Lectures | 12 |
| Practical intensively supervised | 16 |
| Tutorial | 16 |
| Course coordinator(s) | dr. ir. AR van der Krol |
| Lecturer(s) | prof. dr. RJ Bino |
| prof. dr. LHW van der Plas | |
| dr. ir. AR van der Krol | |
| Examiner(s) | prof. dr. RJ Bino |
| prof. dr. LHW van der Plas | |
| dr. ir. AR van der Krol |
Language of instruction:
English
Assumed knowledge on:
This course is especially suited for BSc (Third year) and MSc students Biology, Molecular Sciences, Food Sciences, Plant Sciences and Food Technology.
Continuation courses:
Thesis Plant Sciences, Food Sciences.
Contents:
Plant metabolites are an invaluable source of pharmaceuticals, drugs, health-promoting compounds, flavours, fragrances, biocides, chemicals and toxins. Plant botanicals belong to a wide variety of metabolic classes with many different carbon skeletons, functional groups and physiochemical properties. The development of high throughput technologies opens up completely new possibilities for investigating the molecular processes that determine the biochemical phenotype of living organisms. The course will provide the student an insight in current state-of-the-art technologies, the recent research progress and the new opportunities for the use of plant metabolites for our health and food.
Aims:
Aim is that the student develops a new way of thinking in which technology, bioinformatics and botanical discoveries are completely integrated. Students will analyze the metabolomic possibilities and challenges in plants, will learn new state-of-the-art technologies and will use and adopt new bioinformatical tools. The general aim is that the student will understand the possibilities of integrated genomic approaches and can oversee and discuss its effects on human life and future.
Activities:
The student will follow 3 course elements: I) theoretical course on metabolomics and bioinformatics. II) Technological course elements covering high throughput technologies and botanical identification strategies, and III) discussion on scientific, commercial and societal consequences of metabolomics strategies in small groups.
Examination:
The student will write a short report (max 10 pages) on a subject to be discussed together with the contact person.
Literature:
A recent literature portfolio (articles plus internet links) will be given to the student for personal study.