Studying at the University of Verona

Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.

Study Plan

Queste informazioni sono destinate esclusivamente agli studenti e alle studentesse già iscritti a questo corso.
Se sei un nuovo studente interessato all'immatricolazione, trovi le informazioni sul percorso di studi alla pagina del corso:

Laurea magistrale in Biotecnologie agro-alimentari - Immatricolazione dal 2025/2026.

The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.

Modules Credits TAF SSD
Between the years: 1°- 2°
8
D
-

Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)

TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.

A Basic activities
B Characterizing activities
C Related or complementary activities
D Activities to be chosen by the student
E Final examination
F Other training activities
S Placements in companies, public or private institutions and professional associations

Plant molecular technologies (2023/2024)

Teaching code

4S008249

Credits

6

Coordinator

Barbara Molesini

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Courses Single

Authorized with reserve

MoodleMoodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

teoria

Credits

4

Period

Semester 1

Academic staff

Barbara Molesini

Lessons timetable
laboratorio

Credits

2

Period

Semester 1

Academic staff

Barbara Molesini

Lessons timetable

Learning objectives

At the end of the course, the student will acquire the theoretical and practical basis for the design of various types of genetic constructs aimed at developing transgenic, cisgenic, and intragenic plants. In addition, genome editing tools will be covered. Attention will be paid to the application of these strategies for qualitative and quantitative crop improvement.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Basic knowledge of molecular biology and plant biotechnology are required.

Program

Molecular mechanism of stable transformation via Agrobacterium: current knowledge of the process of T-DNA integration into the plant genome; transgene integration, stability, methylation and silencing; strategies to avoid transgene silencing; promoters used for genetic construct preparation (constitutive, spatiotemporal, inducible, synthetic); cis–trans engineering; synthetic circuits (e.g. hormometer); multigene engineering; artificial miRNA and target mimicry; cisgenesis and intragenesis; cisgenic and intragenic genetic constructs; strategies to remove marker genes from transgenic plants; artificial programmable DNA nucleases (ZFNs and TALENs) and RNA-guided DNA nucleases for genome engineering; type II CRISPR-Cas9 mechanism of action; prime editing; single-base editing; sgRNA design; minimization of off-target activity; dead Cas9 and nickase Cas9: application of the CRISPR-Cas system beyond genome editing; (CRISPR)-based tissue-specific knockout system; genetic constructs for genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, screening of mutants generated by CRISPR system.
Supplied educational material:
Power point lessons, relevant research articles and reviews.
Lab. experience:
1) Design of guide RNAs employing bioinformatics software; molecular analysis of transgenic tomato plants previously transformed with the gene construct of interest for editing in the target gene, amplification and sequencing of the target region, analysis of results.
2) Stem-loop RT PCR for the expression analysis of target miRNAs

Didactic methods

Classes will be held in the presence in the classroom.
Video recordings of lectures will be provided for students who are in special situations of fragility due to disability conditions or learning disorders and for those who find themselves in situations of limited travel due to COVID.

Learning assessment procedures

The purpose of the exam is to ascertain the student's knowledge of the topics covered during the lessons and workshops. The exam will consist of an individual written test, containing 3 open-ended questions. In addition, each student will present at the end of the lectures a scientific article, chosen from a list of articles proposed by the teacher. The evaluation criteria for the presentation of the article will concern the general comprehension, the deepening of the topic at the state of the art level, the property of language, the ability to analyze and critically discuss the results. The final grade, expressed in thirtieths, will be given considering one third for the presentation of the article and two thirds for the written test. The method of examination will be the same for attending and non-attending students.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), who intend to request the adaptation of the exam, must follow the instructions given HERE

Evaluation criteria

The assessment criteria for the presentation of the paper will concern general comprehension, in-depth study of the subject in relation to the state of the art, linguistic property, and the ability to critically analyze and discuss the results.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade, expressed in thirtieths, will be given considering one third for the presentation of the article and two thirds for the written test. The examination method will be the same for attending and non-attending students.

Exam language

italiano

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