Functional genomics

The aim of the course is to discuss the criteria and the methods to design or improve a biotechnological process exploiting plant cells or whole plants to produce biomass or substances of industrial or environmental relevance (e.g. biofuels, oils, detergents, vitamins, starch, sugars, biodegradable polymers). An 'on-site' visit to at least one company or research centre is envisaged to make the students aware about plant biotechnology outside the academic environment.
The course is ideally linked to those dealing with functional genomics and other "-omic" technologies, plant breeding, molecular enzymology, bioinformatics and data analysis.

Upon completing this course, students will acquire substantial knowledge on metabolic fluxes, on strategies that can be used to modify yield and on the tools available in plant biotechnology to achieve the objectives.