Plant Breeding

Year
1
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
02032114
Subject Area
Biology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Other Languages of Instruction
English
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
2nd Cycle Studies - Mestrado

Recommended Prerequisites

Genetics.

Teaching Methods

The theoretical contents of the curricular unit will be presented through lectures illustrated whenever possible with practical cases. Students are encouraged to apply the competences acquired through practical activities, including the analysis of case studies. They will also be encouraged to participate in a debate, where they can expose their opinion about genetically modified organisms. The evaluation includes the presentation and discussion in groups of a topic of interest using several articles from international journals.

Learning Outcomes

In this course, students will learn and understand the different techniques used for molecular plant breeding, including mutagenesis, polyploidy induction and molecular changes in order to obtain genetically modified plants. In the practical component, students will learn the different procedures for inducing polyploidy in various types of plant explants, and to genetically transform model plants, as well as, to understand how the the analysis of the genetic stability of these organisms is made, using various methodological approaches. In this course students should have acquired skills to analyze different aspects autonomously related with plant breeding:

1. Learn concepts related to the improvement of plants and apply these concepts in the area of plant biotechnology.

2. Apply concepts and methods learned in this course in resolution.

3. Analyze information and be able to transmit clearly.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

THEORETICAL PROGRAM: Introduction to Plant Molecular Breeding; Classic Genetic Breeding; Classic Molecular Methods of Plant Breeding; Polyploidy and Plant Breeding; Genetic Transformation methods; Applications of Genetic Transformation; Public Acceptance of Plant Biotechnology; Regulations; Future of Molecular Breeding in Plants. PRACTICAL PROGRAM: Genetic Transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana; Polyploid induction using Various Plant explants; Detection and analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants obtained by genetic transformation; Analysis of genetic stability of the mutants by molecular markers and flow cytometry.

Head Lecturer(s)

João Carlos Mano Castro Loureiro

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Research work: 40.0%
Exam: 40.0%

Bibliography

Bibliografia principal/Main bibliography:

Slater A, Scott NW, Fowler MR (2008) Plant biotechnology: the genetic manipulation of plants. 2nd Ed. Oxford University Press, New York.

Mao Y, Botella JR, Liu Y, Zhu JK (2019) Gene editing in plants: progress and challenges. national Science Review 6 (3), ISSN 2095-5138, EISSN 2053-714X

Glick BR, Pasternak JJ (2009) Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA. 4th Ed. American Society for Microbiology. ISBN: 1555812694

Canhoto J (2010) Biotecnologia Vegetal – da Clonagem de Plantas à Transformação Genética. 1ª edição. Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra.

Para cada tópico a ser investigado é fornecida bibliografia específica no formato de artigos científicos / For each topic to be explored, specific bibliography in the format of scientific papers will be provided.