3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1015373CNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (C) Bachelor - specialised level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Students who want to enroll for this course, must have passed for "Genetics" and must have passed or enrolled for "Functional Biology of Plants, Fungi and Protists". Students bio-engineering who want to enroll for this course must have passed for "Algemene en moleculaire genetica, incl. seminaries bio-ethiek" and must have passed or enrolled for "Functional Biology of Plants, Fungi and Protists", and must also have acquired 110 SP in the Bachelor BIR.
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Bio-Engineering Sciences
Educational team
Bram Vancompernolle
Geert Angenon (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
13 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

If requested by the students, the first 6h of the course will consist of course specific English language support.

× Plant genome analysis: sequencing and annotation of genomes, genome evolution, gene duplication, repetitive DNA, transposable elements, dynamics of chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear genome

× Functional genomics and transcriptomics

× Transformation of plants:
Introduction of DNA in plant cells: Agrobacterium mediated transformation; direct gene transfer
Generating transgenic plants and the use of selectable markers; regeneration; meristem transformation, in planta transformation, microspore transformation;
transient expression systems    
Legislation on GMOs

× Silencing and epigenetic mechanisms in plants and applications for research and molecular breeding: paramutation, transcriptional gene silencing, RNA silencing, siRNA and microRNA pathways and their biological relevance, co-suppression, VIGS 

× Applications of plant biotechnology:
Quality traits (nutritional quality improvement: proteins, starch, lipids, vitamins, etc.; ripening processes; ..)
Agronomic traits (resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress, herbicide resistance, etc.)
 

Practicals: Transient gene expression experiment and analysis of transgenic plants
 

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Course notes, schemes and figures as well as some relevant review and research papers are provided.
Handbook (Recommended) : Plant Biology, Alison Smith, George Coupland, Liam Dolan, Nicholas Harberd, Jonathan Jones, Cathie Martin, Robert S, Garland Science Textbooks, 9780815340256, 2009
Handbook (Recommended) : Principles of gene manipulation and genomics, Primrose and Twyman, 7th ed., Blackwell Publishing, 9781405135443, 2006
Additional info

Particpation in the practicals is obligatory

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

Students will have obtained an overview of plant molecular genetic research methods and technologies and understand the potential of these techniques to investigate how plants function and how crops can be improved (“molecular breeding”). The course is also meant as a basis for those who want specialize in molecular (plant) biotechnology in the master program. 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 85% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 15% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • oral examination with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 85% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral examination with written preparation. Every student is asked to answer two questions on the main subjects of the course. The examination aims to assess insight and understanding the student has gained and the ability of the student to apply knowledge on the techniques discussed during the course. Knowledge of details is not required.

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • WPO report with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 15% of the final mark.

    Note: The students make a a report with a short introduction on the background, the methods used, the results obtained and a conclusion.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Partial marks for ‘Practical exam’, if the student obtains at least half of the score for this part, are transferred to the second session and to the next academic year.

Students may not relinquish partial marks.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Biology: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Profile Cell and Gene Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Biology: Standaard (53 SP) (only offered in Dutch)