Plants as Biofactories
A.Y. 2021/2022
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.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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
We will continue to monitor the health situation related to the COVID emergency. If necessary, the lectures will be rescheduled in time and you will be provided with all the necessary information promptly.
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). Hints of PMF business.
Plant nutritional properties improvement: ME applied to nutritional properties; examples: phytonutrients; carotenoids; anthocyanins. Hints of business of food quality improvement.
Engineering yield: modifying photosynthesis; engineering lignin and biomass.
Engineering the response to climate change: biotech strategies for climate change challenges.
Engineering with CRISPR: an introduction to the CRISPR world.
Depending on the interaction with the students, the program may be slightly different.
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). Hints of PMF business.
Plant nutritional properties improvement: ME applied to nutritional properties; examples: phytonutrients; carotenoids; anthocyanins. Hints of business of food quality improvement.
Engineering yield: modifying photosynthesis; engineering lignin and biomass.
Engineering the response to climate change: biotech strategies for climate change challenges.
Engineering with CRISPR: an introduction to the CRISPR world.
Depending on the interaction with the students, the program may be slightly different.
Prerequisites for admission
PLEASE CHECK THE SYLLABUS OF THE COURSE ON THE MOODLE PAGE!!!!!
Your capacity to attend and understand the course will be greatly facilitated if you'll master the following topics:
-biochemistry and plant physiology
-genomics (see course Methods in Biotechnology)
-genetics and plant breeding.
More in details: BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
-water physiology and molecular biology in the plant and its transport (i.e. water potential etc.)
-plant tolerance to stresses (abiotic and biotic)
-signal transduction and signaling cascades-fundamentals in primary and secondary metabolism
-fundamentals in cell trafficking
GENETICS & GENOMICS
-molecular maps and their use in mapping traits of biotech interest
-candidate gene strategies -forward and reverse genetics
-gene silencing and applications -basics in mapping, including QTL mapping PROTEOMICS
-post-translational control of proteins: glycosylation and other protein modifications
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
-cloning techniques
-vectors and constructs
-transcription factors: molecular structure and cellular functions
Your capacity to attend and understand the course will be greatly facilitated if you'll master the following topics:
-biochemistry and plant physiology
-genomics (see course Methods in Biotechnology)
-genetics and plant breeding.
More in details: BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
-water physiology and molecular biology in the plant and its transport (i.e. water potential etc.)
-plant tolerance to stresses (abiotic and biotic)
-signal transduction and signaling cascades-fundamentals in primary and secondary metabolism
-fundamentals in cell trafficking
GENETICS & GENOMICS
-molecular maps and their use in mapping traits of biotech interest
-candidate gene strategies -forward and reverse genetics
-gene silencing and applications -basics in mapping, including QTL mapping PROTEOMICS
-post-translational control of proteins: glycosylation and other protein modifications
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
-cloning techniques
-vectors and constructs
-transcription factors: molecular structure and cellular functions
Teaching methods
Lectures; active learning; interactive didactic workshops
Teaching Resources
Pdf files of the lectures, available on MOODLE platform; papers and textbooks (provided by the teacher), additional online resources.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The student is offered to take the exam in an oral or written form. The written exam will be offered only if allowed by current health regulations. In general, written form requires at least 4 enrolled students. It is composed of 6 questions (open) and lasts for 2 hours. The oral exam is composed of 6 questions (during 30 minutes), the first of which is a choice of the student.
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied also for telematic exams. Here the complete information:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-disabilities
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld
In case you need specific procedures, please inform the teacher by mail at least 10 days before the exam, including in the addresses [email protected] or [email protected].
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied also for telematic exams. Here the complete information:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-disabilities
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld
In case you need specific procedures, please inform the teacher by mail at least 10 days before the exam, including in the addresses [email protected] or [email protected].
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS - University credits: 6
Computer room practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Pozzi Carlo Massimo
Professor(s)