Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Course manual 2022/2023

Course content

This course provides knowledge on recent developments in plant breeding and future prospects in plant biotechnology. A thorough understanding of plant breeding and genetic modification is linked to applications in various fields (crop improvement, functional food, medicines, soil remediation and biofuel production). After a general introduction into a field, recent papers covering new developments in biotechnology will be discussed by/with the participants. Students should get acquainted with technological challenges and possibilities of Plant Biotechnology. Through case studies, societal aspects of the application of current GM-crops will be discussed. Invited lectures from Plant Breeding companies will illustrate the state of the art in applied plant breeding.

The following subjects will be dealt with:

• Modern plant breeding (DNA markers, Targeted modification tools)
• Plant transformation, T-DNA integration and expression
• Epigenetics,RNAi methodology and application
• Plant architecture
• Genetics of Flower colot
• GM-Crops worldwide (including societal aspects)
• Plants as sources for food supplements and nutrients
• Production of pharmaceutical proteins and chemicals
• Biofuel production
• Phytoremediation

Study materials

Syllabus

• Selected book chapters, recent review articles, scientific papers

Objectives

• The student will be able to describe the role of plant (epi) genetics in crop domestication and how biotechnology can be applied in modern plant breeding.
• The student will have obtained the ability to read up on and master the current scientific research developments in the field.
• The student is able to summarise the major findings from scientific manuscripts in a written review.
• The student is able to present scientific results from contemporary manuscripts in a logic, understandable manner to their peers
• The student has the ability to formulate relevant open questions and engage in discussion.
• The student will be able to carry out a limited set of web-based analysis for gene annotation and DNA methylation.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Presentation/symposium
• Seminar
• Self-study

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance at lectures is highly recommended. Attendance of student presentations and group discussions/tutorials is mandatory. Attendance at computer practicals is mandatory.

Absence for any of the scheduled components is to be reported to the course coordinator in a timely manner and, if applicable, to the specific teacher(s).

Assessment

The exam is an "Open Book" type of exam. The powerpoints of the lectures, the paper reviews, the students presentation and the papers used in the assignments can be brought with you to the exam. You will have 8 question to answers that will test your knowledge and insight in the study matters.

Inspection of assessed work

The manner of inspection will be communicated via the lecturer's website.

Assignments

Presentation literature

• Students individually prepare a presentation of a scientific paper and discuss the results in a broader context. There are four sessions with presentations. Students give feedback and will grade the presentation, the lecturer will give the final grade and feedback.

Reviews literature

• Those students that do not present a paper will be asked to give a short review of one of the papers that are presented by their peers. They will summarize the major findings of the paper and critically evaluate the results in a one page review. In this review future prospects of the research line will be discussed. The lecturer grades the paper and provides feedback.

Computer practicals gene annotation and epigenetics

• Students receive a DNA sequence that they have to annotate (structure, function, on line data) and comment on with regard to the role of such a “candidate” gene in a specific process, for instance salt stress responses. Based on a tutorial students will fill in a report with regard to the gene under investigation. They work in teams of two students and hand in a digital report of their findings with regard to the gene assigned to them. 

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. P.M. Bleeker

Staff

• dr. P.M. Bleeker
• prof. dr. Michel Haring
• dr. F. Quattrocchio
• dr. M.E. Stam