Molecular Biology of Plants

Code:

BIOL4009

Acronym:

BIOL4009

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Functional Biology and Biotechnology of Plants

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BCM	0	Study plan since academic year 2024/2025	1	-	6	42	162
M:BFBP	1	Plano de Estudos M:BFBP_2015_2016	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Plants are the basis of all terrestrial ecosystems, they are essential for the homeostasis of the biosphere and they are also the main and ultimate basis of human food. Our future and that of our planet, more than any other factor, depend on how we manage the plant world and therefore on our in-depth knowledge of plant biology. The UC Molecular Biology of Plants aims to convey the main methodologies and molecular strategies, namely transcriptomics and genomics, used to unravel the genetic determination of the physiology and development of plants, and how this knowledge can be used for the genetic improvement of plants of importance for humankind. The contents of the UC will also be worked in the context of case studies and practical cases (hands-on use of specific in silico tools), which will allow a better understanding and functionalization of the acquired knowledge.

Learning outcomes and competences

Throughout the UC Molecular Biology of Plants, students should develop a set of knowledge, attitudes and skills, including:
• consistent knowledge of molecular methodologies and strategies used in the study of plant physiology and development, including methods of transformation and generation of plants with precise genetic modifications, reporter systems, forward and reverse genetics strategies and the use of Arabidopsis thaliana as genetic model
• consistent knowledge about the use of transcriptomic strategies in the study of plant functional biology
• consistent knowledge about the applications of plant molecular biotechnology
• capacity to use and exploit useful in silico tools in the investigation of plant functional biology
• capacity to understand and interpret the molecular processes involved in plant physiology and development
• skills for search, understanding and critical analysis of scientific literature in the field of plant biology
• capacity to formulate fundamental and applied research questions in plant biology and to design appropriate experimental strategies involving molecular methodologies
• skills to communicate and discuss science at an advanced level
• capacity to apply a critical and ethical attitude to the analysis of biological problems and their implications for society
• critical thinking and curiosity about plant biology and science in general

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Plants as a study model – characteristics, questions under study and applications.


2. Plant-specific transformation methods: Agrobacterium, biolistics and protoplast transformation. Stable and transient transformation. Selection markers and progeny analysis. 


3. Methods involving regulation of gene expression. Types of promoters. Overexpression, tissue-specific expression and inducible expression. Transactivation assays to study transcription factor-promoter interactions.


4. Reporter systems used in plants: GUS, LUC and fluorescent proteins. Cell imaging methods.


5. Gene silencing. Genome editing by CRISPR-Cas.


6. Arabidopsis thaliana as a plant Forward genetics and reverse genetics.


7. Production of insertion mutants and germplasm collections of insertional Arabidopsis mutants.


8. Next generation DNA sequencing, transcriptomics and other omics.


9. Use of in silico tools in the investigation of the molecular processes involved in the physiology and development of plants.


10. Case studies integrating different strategies and methodologies to answer research questions in plant functional biology.


11. Plant biotechnology. Applications in industry and agriculture.

Mandatory literature

Lincoln Taiz; Plant physiology and development. ISBN: 9780197577240
Bob B. Buchanan; Biochemistry & molecular biology of plants. ISBN: 978-0-470-71421-8

Complementary Bibliography

Bruce Alberts; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 978-0-8153-4464-3

Comments from the literature

The bibliographic references will be accessible thorugh the moodle page of the UC.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes with an expository component and with a component of interactive teacher/student and student/student activities (use of peer-based learning strategies), including the guided and discussed resolution of training questions, the approach of case studies, and autonomous work of bibliographic search under guidance. Analysis and discussion of scientific articles in the context of case studies and the experimental methodologies addressed. Development of an original idea for a scientific project in interaction with teachers. Hands-on use of area-specific in silico tools in the context of the biological question defined in the project activity.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Molecular biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Botany > Plant physiology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Cell biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Teste	30,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	30,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	40,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Elaboração de projeto	30,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance to 75% of the classes. Accomplishment of all the components of the evaluation process.

Calculation formula of final grade

1. Article presentation (group work) - 30%
2. Test about an article - 30%
3. Report - 10%
4. Research project - 30%

Classification improvement

It will be possible to improve the three individual components, within the legally defined conditions and periods.

Observations

Coordinator: Mariana Sottomayor
Júri: Mariana Sottomayor, Herlander Azevedo e Luís Gustavo Pereira