BIOL 3366 Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Course Description
This course introduces students to plant transformation technologies and genetic engineering methodologies for the introduction of beneficial traits into economically important plants. It also introduces students to plant tissue culture techniques and the impact of this technology on preservation of plant species and plant tissue based production of proteins and secondary metabolites. Topics include, Tissue culture applications in plant biotechnology; Advanced study of Gene sources and Gene expression; Promoters, selectable markers and reporter genes; Plant Transformation systems; Biology of Agrobacterium - mediated transformation; Agrobacterium – mediated gene transformation – methodology; Direct gene-transfer methods, Particle bombardment; Transgene Integration; Evaluation of Transgenics; Management of Gene silencing; Genetic engineering of plants for novel traits; herbicide tolerance, enhancing pest resistance, disease resistance; resistance to plant viruses, enhanced product qualities; Marker aided selection and gene pyramiding; Biofarming and plant expression systems; Phytoremediation, Genetic engineering of biofuel crops; Genetically modified crops - ethical, social biosafety and environmental issues. The teaching and learning methods include lectures/tutorials, group discussion, journal paper discussion and lab sessions. The teaching and learning methods include lectures/tutorials, and lab sessions.
