240038 Plant Biotechnology

Detaljer
Inst. for Plantebiologi   60 %
Inst. for Jordbrugsvidenskab   40 %
Tidligst mulig placeringKandidat 2. år
VarighedEn blok
 
Pointværdi15 (ECTS)
KursustypeKandidatkursus
To be followed just before initiation of the MSc project
 
EksamenSluteksamen

mundtlig eksamen


Alle hjælpemidler tilladt

Beskrivelse af eksamen: Oral examination based on presentation and defence of the written project report and scientific literature relevant for the course.

Vægtning: Written report: 50% Oral examination: 50%



13-skala, ekstern censur
 
Forudsætninger for indstilling til eksamenCompleted project report
 
Rammer for undervisning80 % laboratory project work, 10 % scientific literature exercises, 10 % excursion abroad to outstanding biotech laboratories
 
BlokplaceringBlock 4
Ugestruktur: Outside schedule
 
UndervisningssprogEngelsk
 
Anbefalede forudsætningerMolecular plant biochemistry and physiology Plant genomics and molecular breeding
 
Kompetenceområder
Basic Science:
The student will be able to transfer theories and principles from published work to the problems under study.
Applied Science:
After fulfilment of the course the student has been acquainted with advanced modern methods in plant biotechnological research and molecular breeding. The student can apply principles to solve new questions posed by the research committee, industry and the society.
Ethics and Values:
The student will be able to evaluate critically the limitations and possibilities involved in finding new biotechnological solutions to current problems in agriculture and biomedicine.
 
Kursets målsætning
The aim of the course is to give the student a hands-on understanding for the possibilities in applied plant research and practical knowledge in solving important problems in plant biotechnology and molecular breeding. The course will also provide training in preparation and presentation of projects and results in an international form. The student will be trained in critical reading of original scientific literature in the field.
 
Kursusindhold
This thematical course forms a final synthesizing element of the M. Sc. program and is a preparation for M. Sc. projects. As such the course will comprise both theoretical and practical aspects.

Plant biotechnology is used as a working method within a number of many scientific areas at KVL. The theme course is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Plant Biology and Department of Agricultural Sciences. Teaching will take a starting point in ongoing research at these departments.

The laboratory project directly approaches current problems in plant biotechnology. The students will work in groups in research laboratories under direct supervision of scientists that have experience in solving related problems. The excursion will go to a series a outstanding laboratories in Europe. The aim is that students through these visits get inspiration that can be used for designing an international career in plant biotechnology. The literature colloquia are discussions based on the newest scientific literature. Examples of selected topics are:

1. The environmental impact of transgenic plants
What are the risks associated with growing transgenic crops?

2. Allergy and transgenes
Can allergenic epitopes in major crops be eliminated by molecular breeding or genetic engineering?

3. Improvement of resistance to insect attack
For environmental protection it is short-sighted to solve problems with insects by chemical strategies. What role can plant biotechnology play in solving these problems?

4. Improvement of resistance to pathogenic fungi
Can markers be identified to assist molecular breeding for the development of resistant crops?

5. Phytoremediation and biofortification
Heavy metals in soil pose environmental problems but some of the metals are essential for plant growth and human development. Can plants be developed that clean polluted soils? How to assure that edible plant parts have low levels of harmful metals and nutritionally optimized levels of beneficial metals?

6. Improvement of nutrient efficiency
The demand for fertilizers is increasing world-wide with potential environmental problems to be foreseen. The task for the future will be to develop plants that handle nutrients more efficiently but have to proceed further?

7. Cell wall products
The plant cell wall is a complex structure that has enormous biotechnological potential. How can we benefit from our current knowledge?

8. Biotech products for developing countries
How can developing countries benefit from plant biotechnology and what are the problems that remain to be solved?

9. Pathway engineering in plants
Can complex metabolic pathways leading to synthesis of valuable compounds be transferred among different plant species?

10. Engineering salt tolerant plants
What are the current bottlenecks for improving the ability of crops to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as drought and salt stress?
 
Undervisningsform
Mixture of invited lectures on actual topics, discussion classes on new journal papers and practical laboratory project work. One week excursion abroad to leading laboratories included.
 
Litteraturhenvisninger
Unknown at present

15-20 scientific papers will be part of the curriculum.
 
Kursusansvarlig
Michael Gjedde Palmgren, palmgren@life.ku.dk, Institut for Plantebiologi/Plantefysiologisk/Anatomisk Laboratorium, Tlf: 35332592
Sven Bode Andersen, sba@life.ku.dk, Institut for Jordbrugsvidenskab/Plante- og Jordvidenskab, Tlf: 35333444
 
Studienævn
Studienævn NSN
 
Kursusbeskrivelsesomfang
forelæsninger14
kollokvier14
ekskursioner35
forberedelse50
projektarbejde290
vejledning8
eksamen1

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