METABOLIC ENGINEERING OF PLANTS
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
To fully understand the course topics, knowledge of plant biotechnology and molecular biology are required.
However, these topics will reviewed at the beginning of the course.
Oral test. The task of the oral exam is to verify the comprehension of
the course contents, evaluating:
1. the level of knowledge of the addressed topics
2. the ability to establish relevant links between the different aspects
covered
3. the ability to organize speech coherently and clearly
Grades are given on the basis of 30 points
This course intends to offer the student a critical view of how the genetic engineering techniques can be used for the production in plant of molecules with pharmacological, nutraceutical and industrial value.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
1. discuss how in vitro culture and gene modification technologies can be used for the production of secondary industrial metabolites of high industrial value;
2. explain how plant cells can be used as bioreactors for the production of drugs, biofuels, industrial products;
3. analyze the advantages and issues of the production in plant;
4. apply some techniques to measure nutraceutical compounds;
5. critically evaluate the scientific results in this research field;
6. communicate with appropriate scientific language.
Biofortification
- genetic engineering applications for biofortification
The secondary metabolism of plants
- main classes; biosynthesis and regulation; biological role
- plant bioactive molecules of industrial value
In vitro production of secondary metabolites
- regulation and turnover; selection of elite cell lines
Metabolic engineering in plant
- identification of key genes of the biosynthetic pathways of various secondary metabolites in different plant species
- metabolic engineering approaches for the production of secondary metabolites of industrial interest
Molecular farming
- plants as bioreactors
- plant of vaccines, antibodies, "biofuels" and biomaterials (silk, bioplastics, etc).
- Metabolismo e prodotti secondari delle piante. Massimo Maffei- UTET
All the material provided by the teacher can be downloaded from the
University's e-learning site
The course includes lectures and practical activities.
Lectures are supported by the projection of slides in English.
Practical activities include:
- laboratory activities. Students will work in small groups. For each proposed experiment, the student will receive a detailed protocol that allows to carry out the experiment independently, although always under the guidance of the teacher;
- reading and discussion of scientific papers. Articles are published in advance on the e-learning website of the course
- seminars on specific topics related to the course
- visits to specialized companies
Students can email the teacher using the University account for clarifying
their troubles and doubts: marcella.bracale@uninsubria.it