Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Molecular Plant Biology
Code: 44781Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Biology, Genomics and Biotechnology | OP | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- David Caparrós Ruiz
- Email :
- david.caparros@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Laia Armengot Martinez
- Narciso Campos Martinez
- Jordi Moreno Romero
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
Although there are no official prerequisites for studying this module, it is recommended to have previously
acquired basic knowledge in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics, preferably in the area of plants.
Objectives
The overall objective of this module is to acquire solid and updated skills in Biology and Plant
Biotechnology, to be competents in the knowledge of relevant aspects of plant molecular biology and Genetic
Engineering, and their applications in research, encouraging at the same time an active participation of the
students and their critical spirit.
The specific objectives of the module are:
- To understand and to be able to identify the main characteristics of the plants which are applied in plant
molecular genetic studies.
- To understand the main characteristics of plant gene structure and expression.
- To describe the techniques of manipulation and production of genetically modified plants.
- To understand the process of genetic transformation of plants and the related concepts of cisgenesis and
transgenesis.
- To understand and to be capable of using tools for the study of the genome, proteome, transcriptome and
metabolome.
- To integrate the acquired knowledge to solve practical subjects on the context of a laboratory of Molecular
Biology and Genetic Engineering
Learning outcomes
- CA03 (Recognise the ethical, social responsibility and legal considerations in the use of genetically modified plants, assessing the social, economic and environmental impact in order to apply them to the scientific and professional environment in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.) Recognise the ethical, social responsibility and legal considerations in the use of genetically modified plants, assessing the social, economic and environmental impact in order to apply them to the scientific and professional environment in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.
- CA04 (Assimilate knowledge of molecular biology and face the complexity of making judgements based on incomplete or limited information, including reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of your knowledge and judgements.) Assimilate knowledge of molecular biology and face the complexity of making judgements based on incomplete or limited information, including reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of your knowledge and judgements.
- KA03 (Recognise the most appropriate processes for obtaining genetically modified plants and their uses.) Recognise the most appropriate processes for obtaining genetically modified plants and their uses.
- KA04 (Identify the results of research into plant genetic engineering in terms of obtaining new viable products or processes, at an industrial and commercial level, to transfer to society.) Identify the results of research into plant genetic engineering in terms of obtaining new viable products or processes, at an industrial and commercial level, to transfer to society.
- SA05 (Manage bibliographic information and computer resources in the field of gene structure, expression and regulation.) Manage bibliographic information and computer resources in the field of gene structure, expression and regulation.
- SA06 (Critically discuss problems derived from research into plant molecular biology.) Critically discuss problems derived from research into plant molecular biology.
- SA07 (Apply knowledge of plant molecular genetics in different scientific and industrial fields.) Apply knowledge of plant molecular genetics in different scientific and industrial fields.
- SA08 (Apply bioinformatics tool to the genetic, evolutionary and functional study of plants and the processing of plant omics data.) Apply bioinformatics tool to the genetic, evolutionary and functional study of plants and the processing of plant omics data.
Contents
The subject is divided into two parts. the first one (genetic transformation of plants), is constituted of more
theoretical concepts related to functional tools, and it is given just before the subject of Plant Genomics. The
rest of the course is given after Plant Genomics.
The general concept of the first block of the subject corresponds to the functional tools of plant genetic
transformation:
-Nuclear transformation: the biology of agrobacterium, agrobacterium as a transformation vector,
bombardment transformation, stable transformation to transient, selection of transformant plants and regulation
of transgene expression (constitutive, specific and inducible promoters)
-Transformation of plastids: integration of exogenous DNA in the genome of the plastid, vectors and genetic
design (genetic markers), nuclear transformation to plastid, applications.
The second part of the course consists of the following parts:
-A first session of general knowledge is carried out, all of them related to molecular techniques or tools.
-A bioinformatics session is held in the computer classroom of the faculty. This session aims to introduce
students to computer programs related to molecular biology. We don't deal with -omics.
-There is an internship exercise in the classroom. It is based on working with mutants and GMOs. How to make
them, which ones are appropriate and which ones are not. Several phenotypes will be given and it is
necessary to discuss which alterations are logical and which are not. This exercise is a good complementation
of what it is given in the first part of the course.
-Familiarity with molecular biology techniques related to ChIP-Seq, ChIP-QPC, RNA-Seq and QPCR. Students
work in groups and have to elaborate an experiment.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminars | 16 | 0.64 | |
| autonomous studies | 90 | 3.6 | |
| lectures | 33 | 1.32 |
Training activities include the following elements:
-Conferences. There will be face-to-face classroom classes that develop the theoretical contents.
- Resolution of practical cases. Case studies from recent research articles will be carefully analysed.
- Bioinformatics sessions in which practical cases will be presented to train in the main applied bioinformatics tools
- Preparation and presentation of seminars by each student in relation to the contents of the module.
- Autonomous activities include autonomous comprehension and study of the contents of the module, bibliographic search and preparation
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| written report related to the classes | 35 | 2 | 0.08 | CA03, CA04, KA03, KA04, SA05, SA06, SA07, SA08 |
| Seminar presentation | 25 | 2 | 0.08 | CA03, CA04, KA03, KA04, SA05, SA06, SA07, SA08 |
| Seminar preparation | 20 | 4 | 0.16 | CA03, CA04, SA05, SA06, SA07, SA08 |
| Proactive attitude, class participation, scientific rigor in discussions, etc | 20 | 3 | 0.12 | CA03, CA04, KA03, KA04, SA05, SA06, SA07, SA08 |
The evaluation of this module will be based both on a continuous evaluation, in order to encourage the efforts of the student to the activities developed during the course, and on the elaboration of works related to the concepts treated. The course will be passed with a minimum grade of 5 out of 10.
In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution by the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.
Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (academic misconduct, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course syllabus) that may lead to a significant alteration of the grade will result in that activity being graded as 0. If the course syllabus stipulates that obtaining a minimum mark in this assessment is an essential requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who incurs any of these irregularities.
Bibliography
All the reccomended bibliography is avaliable at the UAB library.
- Biotechnology and plant disease management. Editor(s): Z.K. Punja, S.H. De Boer and H. Sanfaçon.
Wallingford: CABI, 2007, ISBN: 9781845932886.
- Handbook of Plant Biotechnology Online. Editors-in-chef Paul Christou, Harry Klee. John Wiley and Sons,
2005. Online ISBN: 9780470869147; DOI: 10.1002/0470869143.
- Plant Biochemistry (Fourth Edition). Editor(s): Hans-Walter Heldt and Birgit Piechulla. London Academic,
2010. ISBN 9780123849861.
- Plant Biotechnology: Current and Future Applications of Genetically Modified Crops. Editor(s): Nigel G.
Halford. John Wiley & Sons, 2006, Print ISBN: 9780470021811, Online ISBN: 9780470021835, DOI:
10.1002/0470021837.
- Plant biotechnology and genetics: principles, techniques, and applications. Editors: C. Neal Stewart. Wiley,
2008. ISBN 9780470043813.
- Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Markers. Editors: P.S. Srivastava, Alka Narula, Sheela Srivastava. Kluwer
Academic Publishers, 2004. ISBN: 978-1-4020-1911-1 (Print) 978-1-4020-3213-4 (Online).
Journals in the area of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Plants (the 10 journals with highest impact
factor in the area of \"Plant Sciences\" of the Journal Citation Reports):
- ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY, Publisher: ANNUAL REVIEWS. ISSN:1543-5008.
- TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE. Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE LONDON. ISSN: 1360-1385
- ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY. Publisher: ANNUAL REVIEWS. ISSN: 0066-4286
- PLANT CELL. Publisher: AMER SOC PLANT BIOLOGISTS. ISSN: 1040-4651
- CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY. Publisher: CURRENT BIOLOGY LTD. ISSN: 1369-5266
- NEW PHYTOLOGIST. Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL. ISSN: 0028-646X
- PLANT JOURNAL. Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL. ISSN: 0960-7412
- PLANT PHYSIOLOGY. Publisher: AMER SOC PLANT BIOLOGISTS. ISSN: 0032-0889
- PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL. Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL. ISSN: 1467-7644
- MOLECULAR PLANT. Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS. ISSN: 1674-2052
Student will find all the required theory information through the online tools that are available at the University.
Software
The required websites will be provided during the courses.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAULm) Classroom practices (master) | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEMm) Seminars (master) | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |