Teaching code

4S010505

Credits

6

Coordinator

Luca Dall'Osto

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Courses Single

Authorized with reserve

Moodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

The course is intended as a match between the contributions of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology in understanding the physiological processes that regulate plant growth and development, in relation to the applicative aspects concerning agricultural production. Moreover, the course includes the study of the common characteristics of environmental stresses, to understand the effect these have on the agricultural productivity and the methods for the identification of resistance phenotypes. The course aims to introduce strategies for increasing productivity and sustainability in agriculture through genetic engineering, developing skills in the definition of biotechnological approaches for improving crops yield. The course will deal with the integration between traditional strategies and innovations (agriculture 4.0) aimed at generating a management system integrated by observations, measures and actions, with the aim of optimizing the efficiency of agricultural production, the quality of products, profitability and environmental sustainability.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The prerequisites may include the basic notions, knowledge and skills acquired by the student by attending the first year courses "Secondary metabolism and metabolic engineering", "Genomics", "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:
Plant growth analysis; adaptation and acclimation; environmental factors that modulate crop productivity; biomass production, light interception, photosynthetic efficiency; potential and actual productivity.
Methods for the prediction and quantification of productivity in the field.
Introduction to environmental stresses: definitions and limits of the problem.
The molecular mechanisms of acclimation to the environment.
Methods for the identification of stress-induced phenotypes and gene products.
Possible effects of the increase in atmospheric CO2 on agricultural production.
Strategies for improving photosynthetic efficiency: engineering of the Calvin cycle, photorespiration bypass, carbon concentrating mechanisms, improving the use of light.
Salt and drought stress; freezing stress; stress from lack of oxygen and submersion; thermal stress; stress from toxic compounds.
Oxidative stress: origins, structures and molecules involved. Biophysical and biochemical analysis of oxidative damage. Mechanisms of thermal energy dissipation, detoxification processes.
Integration between traditional strategies and innovations (agriculture 4.0) aimed at generating a management system integrated by observations, measures and actions, to optimize the efficiency of agricultural production, product quality, profitability and environmental sustainability.
All topics will be treated with reference to examples of biotechnological applications aimed at improving productivity.
LAB PRACTICE
This part of the course aims to provide practical knowledge and to apply the knowledge acquired, in order to conduct a correct planning, implementation and interpretation of a phenotypic analysis, through a path that starts from the production of Arabidopsis lines engineered in the genome, and is subsequently developed in the methods of characterization and phenotyping of the genotypes obtained. In particular, students will have the opportunity to:
- produce genetically modified plants through targeted genomic deletions
- select the lines for a specific phenotype
- characterize the identified individuals
- conducting a phenotyping of growth under sub-optimal lighting regimes

Didactic methods

The teacher will use lectures, seminars held by external experts, individual and group laboratory experiences.

Learning assessment procedures

The assessment of learning outcomes involves an oral test to verify the knowledge acquired. To access it, it is necessary to deliver, at least one week before the test, a report on the practical activities carried out in the laboratory.
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 plants with improved traits. The final evaluation is expressed out of thirty.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade is determined by the combined evaluation of the final laboratory report and the oral exam, with the grade being out of thirty.

Exam language

Italiano

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