Molecular Biology of Plants

Code:

BIOL4009

Acronym:

BIOL4009

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2021/2022 - 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	Official Study Plan until 2023/2024	1	-	6	42	162
M:BFBP	14	Plano de Estudos M:BFBP_2015_2016	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 and how to apply molecular and cellular concepts and strategies: i) to the identification of biological questions, ii) to the design of research and iii) to the interpretation of results. 

More specifically, the student should acquire competences to:
i) interpret and understand the molecular processes involved in plant biology;
ii) survey and deepen specific aspects of plant biology, knowing how to use the available tools;
iii) formulate experimental strategies involving molecular methodologies for the study of problems from plant functional biology and for biotechnological applications;
iv) perform an analyze with criticism experimental approaches and respective interpretations in the area of plant functional biology;
v) understand and analyze with criticism plant biotechnological applications.

Working method

Presencial

Program

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


2. Molecular methodologies for the study of plants. Transformation methods specific of plants: Agrobacterium, biolistic, protoplast transformation. Stable and transient transformation. Techniques for in vitro culture associated with the production of transgenic cells, organs, or plants. Reporter systems used in plants: GUS, LUC and fluorescent proteins. Methodologies for inducible expression, tissue specific expression, overexpression and silencing of genes. "T-DNA tagging" and "transposon tagging" to obtain insertion mutants. The use of model plants. Forward and reverse genetics. Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas.


3. Omic approaches to the study of plant functional biology.


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


5. Case studies presented by faculty and/or invited researchers.

Mandatory literature

Taiz Lincoln; Plant physiology. ISBN: 978-0-87893-831-5
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 carrying out research in the area, with the transmission and discussion of the latest advances in knowledge, research strategies and methodologies in the area. Presentation and discussion of articles and of research strategies and tools. Evaluation includes: i) an oral presentation ii) a writen report, iii) a formal exam about part of the contents. 
A practical work leading to the identification of transgenic events in plant foods will also be performed.

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 with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Exame	60,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	45,00
Estudo autónomo	42,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho escrito	27,00
Trabalho laboratorial	6,00
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

A - Oral presentation of a paper - 30%
B - Exam - 60%
C - Written report - 10%

Classification improvement

The component B can be repeated for improvement within the legally defined conditions and periods.

Observations

Coordinator: Jorge Teixeira