Download Learning outcomes and competences

Course description
Name of course:
AU summer university course “Advanced methods and techniques in plant science and biotechnology”
ECTS credits:
5 ECTS
Course parameters:
Language [e.g. Danish, English]: English
Level of course [e.g. PhD course]: PhD and Master level
Semester/quarter [e.g. Q2 2012]: Week 24 and 25, 2013, August 19-30, 2013
Hours per week: 50
Capacity limits [e.g. 20 participants]: Minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 participants are allowed on the
course. (first come first served)
Location: AU Research Centre Flakkebjerg, situated in Southwest Zealand
Objectives of the course:
General description
The Danish and global plant production is facing major challenges. The rapid population growth, the
increased consumption of animal products and the use of crops for energy purposes demand an increased
production. In addition, climate change is expected to have pronounced effects on plant production. At
the same time there is also a strong wish among the public that future plant production can take place
with minimal applications of pesticides and fertilizers. In effect, plant production is developing into a far
more dynamic and demanding scenario in the food-, feed-, non-food-, and bioenergy area. Plant
biotechnology is expected to play a major role in meeting the demands created by this scenario through
knowledge on plant genomes, advanced molecular breeding and development of genetic modified
organisms (GMO).
The course intends to provide the students with experience in advanced molecular techniques used in
modern plant science and biotechnology through an intensive two week course.
Objectives
The course will cover state of the art techniques and methods within plant biotechnology research,
including the genetic basis of several important plant properties and the use of molecular genetics and
genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Through the course, the student will gain an understanding of the practical use of and theory behind the
newest techniques within the field of plant science and will be able to employ that knowledge to solve
problems within agricultural plant production through biotechnological approaches.
The course will be relevant for students who wish a practical introduction to the newest techniques and
theory within plant science and biotechnology, and who wish to understand the potentials of these
techniques in future plant production.
Learning outcomes and competences:
Completing this course, the student is expected to be able to:

Understand and employ advanced technologies in plant biotechnology such as genetic
modification and molecular genetics.

Have gained practical hand-on experience with advanced techniques and equipment within plant
science and biotechnology.

Understand and employ bioinformatics and statistical tools in plant biotechnology.

Plan and conduct experiments within plant biotechnology.

Develop strategies and models to solve problems relating to plant biotechnology by using
fundamental principles in plant biotechnology and genetics.

Explain the use of biotechnology in plant breeding.

Put into perspective and discuss the potentials of plant biotechnology and breeding for achieving
a sustainable agriculture, nationally and internationally.
Compulsory programme:
A maximum 15 page report based on the practical exercises will be compulsory to the course. The report
is assessed based on the Danish 7-point grading scale and has to be handed in no later than two weeks
from the end of the course.
Course contents:
The course will cover the following elements:
Technologies
Practical exercises will include:

Transformation/genetic modification of crop plants, including
o direct (particle bombardment) and indirect (Agrobacterium) introduction of
DNA,
o tissue culture and selection systems,
o characterization of genetic modified plants using advanced PCR, western
blots, enzyme assays and analysis of offspring.

Microdissection of plant tissues including:
o cryo sectioning
o laser-based ablation.
o DNA and RNA isolation from micro dissected tissues.

Advanced gene expression studies including:
o RNA isolation.
o cDNA synthesis.
o qPCR using SYBR Green and TaqMan probes.
o Data analysis.

Practical use of reporter genes for localization of gene products.

Plant protein expression, purification and characterization including:
o
theory and practice on transformation of Pichia pastoris.
o
fermentation.
o
biochemical purification from native and recombinant sources.
o
biochemical characterization.
o
UPLC/MS and interpretation of mass spectra and peptide
mapping.
Technologies that cannot be covered by the practical exercises will be treated in lectures
and theoretical exercises, e.g.:

Metabolic engineering of plant quality traits such as mineral- and protein content,
carbohydrate composition.

Cisgenesis, where only the plants own genes are used in developing GMO.

Molecular based breeding methods, including selection based on phenotype and
genotype.

Mutagenesis using the TALEN system.

Molecular genetic methods within genomics and transcriptomics, and development
of DNA markers, including functional markers.

Bioinformatic and statistical tools to handle complex parameters and dataset in
plant genetics and breeding, including genetic mapping, QTL-analysis and
association studies.

Genomic selection in plant breeding.
The theoretical parts of the course will cover the following aspects of modern plant science and
biotechnology:

The plant genome and the genetic basis of different characters.

Goals for plant biotechnology.

Aspects for society
Prerequisites:
The students are expected to have to have a basic theoretical and practical knowledge in molecular
biology, genetics and biotechnology.
Name of lecturer[s]:
Course responsible: Søren Borg
Per Gregersen
Henrik Brinch-Pedersen
Kim Hebelstrup
Torben Asp
Eva Vince
Inger Holme
Giuseppe Dionisio
Additional teachers to be announced
Type of course/teaching methods:
The course will be planned as a mix of practical and theoretical exercises and lectures
The teaching will exploit problem-orientated teaching based on case studies within plant biotechnology
and breeding.
Literature:
To be announced.
Course homepage: None
Course assessment:
A maximum 15 page report based on the practical exercises will be compulsory to the course. The report
is assessed based on the Danish 7-point grading scale and has to be handed in no later than two weeks
from the end of the course. A minimum of 90 % presence at the theoretical and practical lessons is
required to obtain the course diploma.
Provider:
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Special comments on this course:
Help for accommodation will be organized
Social program will be included
Time:
Semester/quarter
Summer 2013 August 19th –August 23th (Week 34 and 35)
Place:
The course venue is Research Centre Flakkebjerg, situated in Southwest Zealand, 10 km south of
Slagelse and 100 km west of Copenhagen. Direct phone number Søren Borg +45 87 15 82 83
Registration:
For registration: Use AU summer university site:
http://www.au.dk/en/summeruniversity/ausummeruniversity/
PLEASE NOTE
Deadline for registration is – May 2013.
If you have any questions, please contact Søren Borg, e-mail: [email protected] , Phone +45 87 15
82 83