GEN-20806 Plant Biotechnology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Cell Biology I; General Genetics.

Contents:

Note: This course has a maximum number of participants. The deadline for registration is one week earlier than usual. See 2014/2015 Academic Year (www.wageningenur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Current-Students/Agenda-Calendar-Academic-Year.htm) -> Registration for Courses 2014-2015.

This course builds upon Cell Biology I (CBI-10306), the practical Biological Chemistry (BIC-10306) and the general tutorials Introduction Plant Sciences (NEM-10306) and Orientation in Plant Sciences (NEM-10806). It is a preparation for future courses in the BSc 2/3 and MSc wherein Plant Molecular Biology plays a key role. During the course lectures will be given to introduce various aspects of Plant Biotechnology. The first set of lectures outlines the techniques used in Plant Biotechnology and in the second set, specific examples of application of these techniques and the effects on science and society are provided. Guest lectures will be provided on Entrepreneurship in Plant Biotechnology. During the course a plant biotech company will be visited. Various laboratory techniques will be taught during hands-on practicals, to perform plant transformation and analysis of transformants. Bioinformatic approaches supporting plant biotechnology will be demonstrated and practiced in a computer workshop. Throughout the course period, students will work on an assignment focusing on one particular plant biotechnology case, which requires searching for and understanding of recent scientific literature. The results of this case study will be presented at the end of the course.

Learning outcomes:

The student is expected to gain theoretical knowledge on the plant biotechnology and acquired practical skills in basic plant biotechnology techniques. This means that after successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand the principles behind isolation of genes and transfer to plants, based on general understanding of gene structure and expression;
- describe the analysis of gene expression and ways to regulate this;
- understand the molecular biology of fundamental processes in plant cells;
- understand the complexity of cell metabolism and the consequence for genetic modification of plant metabolism;
- use genomic databases available through internet to collect and analyse plant gene sequences using bioinformatics tools;
- gather and interpret relevant literature on plant biotechnology topics;
- apply relevant laboratory techniques for gene isolation, plant transformation and analysis of gene expression patterns in transgenic plants;
- evaluate and discuss the (im)possibilities of plant biotechnology applications from a technical and a societal point of view.

Activities:

- lectures:
The first set of lectures outlines the techniques used in Plant Biotechnology and in the second set, specific examples of application of these techniques and the effects on science and society are provided. Guest lectures will be provided on Entrepreneurship in Plant Biotechnology.
- laboratory and bioinformatics practical training;
Various laboratory techniques will be taught during hands-on practicals, to perform plant transformation and analysis of transformants. Bioinformatics approaches supporting plant biotechnology will be demonstrated and practiced in a computer workshop.
- case study;
In the case studies the students can focus on a) study a specific Plant Biotechnology subject more in depth; b) risks of transgenes in ecosystems; c) public acceptation; d) patenting genes; e) work on a Plant Biotechnology subject as a consultant.
- excursion.
During the course a plant biotech company will be visited.

Examination:

- written computer-based test with 60 multiple choice questions on text book and lectures (50%);
- written computer-based test with 25 multiple choice questions on practical (25%);
- an assignment report and group presentation (25%);
- each component needs a minimum mark of 5.5 to pass.

Literature:

For this course the book Plant Biotechnology: Adrian Slater, Nigel Scott, and Mark Fowler. The genetic manipulation of plants. 2nd ed. 400p. ISBN 978-0-19-928261-6. Will be use, as well as a practical manual.
Both will be available for purchase at the WUR Shop.