Methods in Plant Genetics and Biotechnology

Lectures will include a detailed analysis of the most recent technologies for crop plants transformation and protocols for the genetic and molecular analysis of the transgenic lines. The course will provide an overview of the different strategies used for altering gene function in planta including silencing and genome editing.
The cultivation, distribution and marketing of the most broadly diffused transgenic crops (herbicide-tolerant and Bt-crops) will be described, together with a critical analysis of their environmental impact. Finally, the most advanced application of the transgenic approach to food quality improvement (biofortification and functional food), environment protection (stress tolerance etc.) and to the production of biopharmaceuticals.


Reference Material
Teaching materials will be taken from recent reviews and original articles from major journals and also from internet sites.
Suggested text book: "Biotecnologie e Genomica delle Piante" Rosa Rao e Antonietta Leone, Ed. Idelson-Gnocchi


Procedure of examination
Evaluation: Final written exam (open questions/multiple choices).


Teaching methodology
Traditional mode of delivery (lectures)
Attendance: strongly recommended


Teaching Language
Italian


Program information
Please refer to http://ariel.unimi.it/


WEB pages
http://ariel.unimi.it/