Plants as Biofactories

A.Y. 2018/2019
6
Max ECTS
56
Overall hours
SSD
AGR/07
Language
English
Learning objectives
To acquire the knowledge necessary to apply the biotechniques to the metabolic engineering of plants; to develop base competencies on the management of scientific projects in the agro-sciences fields.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will develop the capability to plan and implement biotechnological experiments for the exploitation of plants in metabolic engineering related projects. The range of possible projects will span from vaccines production to metabolic pathways modification.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Plant genetic variability: from plant domestication to biotech; the biotechnologist as a trait-d'union between plant genetic improvement, "omics" sciences and the follow-up of the green revolution. Metabolic engineering (ME): aims, scope and pitfalls; molecular techniques used in ME; metabolic partitioning and ME; ME targets. Hints of ME business. Plant molecular Pharming (PMF): the plant system and optimization; methods used in PMF; PMF examples (antibodies, vaccines, VLPs, other pharmaceutical proteins); methods to extract and purify heterologous proteins produced in planta. Hints of PMF business. Plant nutritional properties improvement: ME applied to nutritional properties; examples: phytonutrients; carotenoids; vitamins; amminoacids and flavors and their improvement in planta. Hints of business. Biotech frontiers: artificial phosynthesis; synthetic biology; nitrogen use efficiency improvement. Principles of scientific project management (project phases, processes and management); rudiments of euro projecting for H2020.
Teaching methods
The slides (in English) will be timely provided during the course and will include explanatory text; papers and books abstracts will be posted on the Ariel website of the course.
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor(s)