Plant Molecular Biology

Code:

B4009

Acronym:

B4009

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2017/2018 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Cell and Molecular Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BCM	9	Official Study Plan.	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This UC addresses the molecular, genomic, biochemical, cell biological, and computational approaches to understand plant physiology and development at a molecular level. The biotechnological applications powered by molecular tools are also addressed. 

Learning outcomes and competences

Students will learn how to critically evaluate published work in the field and how to apply molecular and cellular concepts and strategies to: i) identification of biological issues, ii) research planning, and iii) interpretation of results.

More specifically, students should acquire skills to:
i) to interpret and understand the molecular processes involved in plant biology;
ii) research and deepen specific knowledge of plant biology, learning and knowing how to use the available tools;
iii) to formulate experimental strategies involving molecular methodologies for the study of functional biology of plants and for biotechnological applications;
iv) to carry out a critical analysis of experimental approaches and their interpretations in the area of functional biology of plants;
v) to understand and carry out a critical analysis of the applications of plant biotechnology.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Plants as study model - characteristics, issues under study and applications.


2. Molecular methodologies for the study of plants. Plant-specific transformation methods: Agrobacterium, biolistics, protoplast transformation. Transient and stable transformation. In vitro culture techniques associated with obtaining transgenic cells, organs or plants. Reporter systems used in plants: GUS, LUC and fluorescent proteins. Methodologies for inducible expression, expression in specific tissues, overexpression and gene silencing. "T-DNA tagging" and "transposon tagging" for obtaining insertion mutants. The use of model plants. Genome editing by CRISPR-Cas.


3. Omics approaches for the study of the functional biology of plants.


4. Plant biotechnology. Applications of biotechnology in agro-industry.


5. Case studies presented by teachers and invited researchers.

Mandatory literature

Taiz Lincoln; Plant physiology. ISBN: 978-0-87893-831-5

Complementary Bibliography

Buchanan Bob B. 340; Biochemistry & molecular biology of plants. ISBN: 978-0-943088-39-6

Teaching methods and learning activities

Interactive theoretical presentations by researchers who develop research in the field, with the transmission and discussion of the latest advances in knowledge, research strategies and methodologies in the area. Presentation and discussion of articles and strategies and research tools. The evaluation includes: (i) two to three tests on specific and global subjects; (ii) an oral presentation of an article; (iii) a project - written work on a biological question and strategy to answer this question.
A practical work will also be developed, leading to the identification of transgenic events in foods of plant origin.

keywords

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

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

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

Eligibility for exams

Presence in 80% of classes. Completion of all components of the evaluation process.

Calculation formula of final grade

A - Oral presentation of an article - 30%
B - Exam - 30%
C - Tests - 30%
D - Written report - 10%