Seed Biotechnology

Code:

BIOL4050

Acronym:

BIOL4050

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2023/2024 - 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:ABBS	0	The study plan from 2019/20.	1	-	3	21	81
M:BCM	2	Official Study Plan until 2023/2024	1	-	3	21	81
M:BFBP	4	Plano de Estudos M:BFBP_2015_2016	1	-	3	21	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Provide current knowledge about seed biotechnology and the type of research that can be done to produce future seed industry leaders. It is intended that students master the biology of seeds; Structure, physiology and genetics so as to be able to present cutting-edge research projects in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, crop use and molecular biology.

Learning outcomes and competences

Training in writing a research project based on the knowledge provided in the theoretical classes.

At a practical level, students will become familiar with the technology of CRISPR-Cas9 DNA editing, and will conduct a CAS9 activity assay in vitro.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Important areas of basic and applied research will be addressed in detail: seed structure, development and maturation; Seed physiology, germination and dormancy; Seed technology (seed coating and granulation, artificial seeds, molecular agriculture) and genetic manipulation and agriculture.

Genetic engineering allows the biosynthetic capacity of plants to be harnessed for the production of agricultural commodities that are fundamental to an expanding world population.

Significant recent examples will be discussed and students will proceed with a simple genetic editing laboratory practice with CRISPR-Cas9; altering the genome at specific sites using nucleases. The use of the CRISPR / CAS system confirmed as simple, economical and versatile for genome editing has been widely used successfully in important genes of different types of organisms including human, bacteria, zebrafish, C. elegans, plants, yeasts, drosophila , Monkeys, rabbits, pigs, rats and mice.

Students will perform a CAS9 activity assay in vitro; For this they will synthesize the sgRNA and will have to draw primers, do PCR to purify the DNA and do the incubation reaction with the enzyme.

 

Mandatory literature

Bewley J. Derek 1943- 070; Seeds. ISBN: 978-1-4614-4692-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

In order to have advanced training in seed biotechnology, it is necessary for students to understand the biological processes involved, and for this the students will have expository classes, interactive theoretical presentations, but also discuss these subjects in group discussions of research papers. They will take hands-on classes to familiarize themselves with the latest genome editing techniques.

The evaluation will be continuous during the execution of the module, for participation, punctuality and integration in the team, autonomy, motivation, organization of working time. Group writing of a small research project and delivery of the respective written report (60%) and evaluation of an oral presentation, on one of the topics covered (40%).

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Prova oral	40,00
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

The students obtain frequency, by attending 75% of the classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Participation + Project (up to 12 values) + Oral Presentation (up to até 8 valores) = 20 values

Classification improvement

The student can repeat the written report