Teaching code

4S02771

Teacher

Luca Dall'Osto

Coordinator

Luca Dall'Osto

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Period

Semester 2 dal Mar 6, 2023 al Jun 16, 2023.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course covers the main groups of secondary metabolites of plants and micro-organisms from a biochemical and biosynthetic perspective, with references to how genetic engineering can be used to manipulate the levels of secondary metabolites of economic value, as well as those of importance to the health and in the human diet. The secondary metabolism course aims to provide an integrated view of some fundamental aspects of secondary metabolism from the relationship between biological functions of secondary metabolites in defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. In particular, the reasons why such a large number of plant secondary metabolites have pharmacological activity will be discussed. The course defines the major classes of secondary metabolites, their biosynthetic pathways, methods for identification of genes coding the steps of biosynthetic pathways, and finally the main approaches for the genetic engeneering of plants and microorganisms to achieve a targeted production of high-value secondary metabolites, including the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The prerequisites may include the basic notions, knowledge and skills acquired by the student by attending the first year courses "Genomics", “Bioinformatics”, "Omics sciences". There are no compulsory preparatory courses in the Academic Regulations of the CdS.

Program

The teaching program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
1. Review of the major metabolic pathways, metabolic interconnections, activation of secondary metabolism.
2. Definition and systematic of secondary metabolites (SM)
3. Ecological function of SM and pharmacological action on mammals and insects.
4. Terpenoids: synthesis of IPP (isopentenyl pyrophosphate) in the cytosol and the plastid, role of terpenoids in the plant defense. Gum. Biotechnological applications.
5. Alkaloids: biosynthesis, functional groups and biological activity, definition of the main metabolic pathways. Biotechnological applications.
6. Phenylpropanoids: biosynthesis and ecological functions. Phenols, polyphenols and tannins: classification and biosynthesis. Biotechnological applications. Biosynthesis of lignins.
7. Flavonoids: biosynthesis, localization, ecological significance. Synthesis and modification of the color of flowers for commercial purposes. Biotechnological applications.
8. Sulfur-containing compounds: biosynthesis of glucosinolates and alliin. Environmental and genetic factors that influence the expression of glucosinolates. Metabolism and detoxification of the isothiocyanates. Anti-nutritional effects in animals and humans, beneficial effects of sulfur-containing compounds in the human diet. Metabolic engineering.
9. Psoralens and acetylenes: distribution in plants used as food, biosynthesis, prospects in relation to food security.
10. Polyketides, secondary metabolites produced by bacteria. Mode of biosynthesis, possibilities for biotechnology intervention.
11. Metabolic engineering: chloroplast transformation (plants and algae) and importance of this technique in the expression of SM.
12. Metabolic engineering: genetic resources from non-culturable microorganisms and symbiotics; metagenomics, metatranscriptomic, techniques for the detection of new enzymatic activities.
13. SM in major foods.
14. Biotechnology of aromas: aromas produced by yeast in the main fermented beverages and biotechnological interventions; production of vanillin by chemical, enzymatic and biotechvmethods; production of SM by plant cell cultures; metabolic engineering of food crops aimed to modulate the set of aromas.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The teacher will use lectures, seminars held by external experts, individual presentations of results of scientific research in the field of metabolic engineering.

Learning assessment procedures

The assessment of learning outcomes involves an oral test to verify the knowledge acquired. To access it, it is necessary to have completed the presentation of an article chosen from a list provided and a proposal for continuation of the research line.
The exam aims to verify the ability to analyze, synthesize, interpret / evaluate specific case studies, as well as the ability to reorganize the contents studied even in new situations (low-structured tests). The assessment test potentially covers all the topics in the program delivered to the student at the start of the course. The exam generally takes between 30 and 40 minutes. There are no ongoing tests. The examination methods are not differentiated between attending and non-attending students.

Evaluation criteria

The interview aims to verify the degree of knowledge gained, the analytical ability, the property of language, the ability to connect knowledge in a systemic way and in a precise and organic way, the ability to propose biotechnological strategies to obtain organisms with improved traits.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final evaluation is expressed out of thirty.

Exam language

italiano