Plants as Biofactories
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
General aim of the course is to acquire the knowledge necessary to apply the biotechniques to the metabolic engineering of plants. This general objective is achieved through the analysis of the processes used in plant metabolic engineering: the identification of the metabolism; the identification of the molecular targets; the choice of appropriate molecular methods and techniques; the analysis of the results. Moreover, the objective is to focus on market-ready applications.
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. The student will learn to set up experiments in plant biotech, from the design of the constructs to the choice of the experimental system. The students will learn to frame the experiments into an industrial/productive context.
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
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. (0.5 CFU)
Metabolic engineering (ME): aims, scope and pitfalls; molecular techniques used in ME; metabolic partitioning and ME; ME targets. Hints of ME business. (1 CFU)
Engineering yield: modifying photosynthesis; engineering lignin and biomass. (0.5 CFU)
Engineering the response to climate change: biotech strategies for climate change challenges. (0.5 CFU)
Engineering with CRISPR: an introduction to the CRISPR world. (1 CFU)
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. (0.5 CFU)
Workshop (1 CFU)
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. (1 CFU)
Engineering yield: modifying photosynthesis; engineering lignin and biomass. (0.5 CFU)
Engineering the response to climate change: biotech strategies for climate change challenges. (0.5 CFU)
Engineering with CRISPR: an introduction to the CRISPR world. (1 CFU)
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. (0.5 CFU)
Workshop (1 CFU)
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 MyAriel 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; didactic trip
Teaching Resources
Pdf files of the lectures, available on MyAriel platform; papers and textbooks (provided by the teacher and made available on MyAriel), additional online resources made available through the slides.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Exam Options
Students can choose to take the final exam in either an oral or written format. To better accommodate students, oral exam dates can be arranged directly with the instructor.
Generally, a written exam requires a minimum of four enrolled students. It consists of six questions (both open and closed-ended) and has a duration of two hours.
The oral exam is made up of six questions and lasts approximately 30 minutes. The first question is always chosen by the student. Students are evaluated based on their knowledge of the topics, their ability to deliver a roughly five-minute exposition on each topic, and their skill in connecting various subjects into a coherent, overarching scientific understanding of the field.
Special Provision for Current Academic Year
For the current academic year only, students have the option to divide the exam into two parts, the first being during the "didactic pause". The scope of the material covered in each part will be agreed upon annually. Both parts, in this specific case, will be written exams, each consisting of five questions. To be eligible for the second and final exam, students must successfully pass the first part.
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied. 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].
Students can choose to take the final exam in either an oral or written format. To better accommodate students, oral exam dates can be arranged directly with the instructor.
Generally, a written exam requires a minimum of four enrolled students. It consists of six questions (both open and closed-ended) and has a duration of two hours.
The oral exam is made up of six questions and lasts approximately 30 minutes. The first question is always chosen by the student. Students are evaluated based on their knowledge of the topics, their ability to deliver a roughly five-minute exposition on each topic, and their skill in connecting various subjects into a coherent, overarching scientific understanding of the field.
Special Provision for Current Academic Year
For the current academic year only, students have the option to divide the exam into two parts, the first being during the "didactic pause". The scope of the material covered in each part will be agreed upon annually. Both parts, in this specific case, will be written exams, each consisting of five questions. To be eligible for the second and final exam, students must successfully pass the first part.
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied. 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
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Pozzi Carlo MassimoProfessor(s)