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I. Catalog Description

Topics will be covered in the field of in vitro plant biology, transgene genetics and crop genetic engineering. Concepts and applications of transgenic plant technology will be discussed, with the emphasis on the strategies for crop improvement and gene discovery. Lecture: 3 hours. Prerequisite: consult with the instructor. Spring semester, even year.

II. Method of Grading

Three long examinations

Three Quizzes

Group discussion

Final examination

III. Attendance Policy

Full attendance is very important for the student to keep up with the course. Students who missed a quiz or long examination for valid reasons will be allowed to take a make-up test. No make-up final examination will be given except for extreme or special cases.

V. Course Outline

Broad Objectives

1) To provide in depth knowledge of the science behind transgenic plant (GMO) technology.

2) To introduce students with the developments in cutting edge crop biotechnology and the changing trend of plant genetics.

Teaching Units: the course is divided into 3 units.

Unit I. In Vitro Plant Biology and plant transformation

Overview of plant tissue culture. History of in vitro plant biology, Culture media, plant hormones, Differentiation/ Regeneration.

Plant Transformation: history, protoplasts isolation, fusion; haploid technology.

Agrobacterium biology: Virulence genes, T-DNA transfer mechanism.

Plastid Transformation.

Fate of foreign DNA in plant cell: Mechanisms of DNA integration.

Transgene expression and inheritance: Stability of the transgene, patterns of integration.

Discussion on 2-3 selected articles

Unit II. Transgene genetics

Topics:

Site-specific recombination systems

Molecular biology of transposons

Homologous Recombination

Emerging technologies for improvement in plant transformation.

Gene Silencing:

Molecular strategies to prevent gene silencing

Transgenic approaches functional genomics:

Gene tagging

Discussion on selected articles.

Unit III. Crop Biotechnology

Thrust areas in biotechnology

Metabolic manipulations

Fatty acid genetic engineering

Tree biotechnology

Plastics in plant cell

Environmental Impact of crop biotechnology

Transgene containment strategies

Discussion on selected journal articles

 


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