Transgenic plants, transgene expression, gene tagging, plant transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, reverse genetics resources, plant phenotypes, growth analysis, regulatory networks

The course presents the most commonly used methods for the investigation of gene function by the introduction of genetic perturbations into plant genomes and the analysis of the resulting phenotypes. The aim of the course is to prepare students for a research career in plant biotechnology.

Competence codes: Ma.WE.BB.1.1; Ma.WE.BB.1.2; Ma.WE.BB.1.4; Ma.WE.BB.1.5; Ma.WE.BB.2.1; Ma.WE.BB.2.4; Ma.WE.BB.2.6; Ma.WE.BB.3.2; Ma.WE.BB.3.4; Ma.WE.BB.4.3; Ma.WE.BB.5.1; Ma.We.BB.6.1; Ma.WE.BB.6.4; Ma.WE.BB.7.RES.1; Ma.WE.BB.7.RES.2

The experiments, demonstrations or discussions will be organized in consultation with the students on the basis of the following topics:

• Construction of a T-DNA vector, including VectorNTi
• Molecular characterization of the transgenic loci by DNA gel blot analysis
• Mining gene function with on line resources
• Expression analysis: expression profiles and in planta studies
• Growth analysis: whole plant, tissues, cells

1. Methods in plant biotechnology, Prof. Depicker
2. Tissue culture, somaclonal variation, Prof. Depicker
3. Plant transformation systems and T-DNA vectors, Dr. De Buck
4. Vectors for genetic manipulation, Dr. De Buck
5. Molecular characterization of transgenic plants, Dr. De Buck
6. Transgene expression and variation, Dr. De Buck
7. Gene targeting Dr. De Buck
8. Site-specific recombination Prof Depicker
9. The epigenome, Prof. Depicker
10. Gene silencing methods, Prof. Depicker
11. The functional elements of plant genomes, Dr. Hilson
12. Capturing the genome parts, Dr. Hilson
13. Introduction to reverse genetics resources (1), Dr. Hilson
14. Introduction to reverse genetics resources (2), Dr. Hilson
15. Plant transcriptomics, Dr. Hilson
16. Plant proteomics, Dr. Hilson
17. Plant metabolite profiling – Methodology, Dr. Kris Morreel
18. Plant metabolite profiling – Case study, Dr. Kris Morreel
19. Study of specific cell populations, Dr. Hilson
20. Qualitative analysis: phenotype and ontologies, Dr. Fiorani
21. Introduction to growth analysis at the whole plant and cell level – Methodology, Dr. Fiorani
22. Introduction to growth analysis at the whole plant and cell level – Experimental design, Dr. Fiorani
23. Introduction to growth analysis at the whole level and cell level– Case studies, Dr. Fiorani
24. Conclusion, question/answer session, Prof. Depicker

Previous education in the life sciences equivalent with the level of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, specifically good knowledge of Molecular Genetics, Molecular Plant Biology, and Gene technology.

The course will make the student acquainted with the methodology used in plant molecular biotechnology at an advanced level allowing to apply these methods in research and to evaluate new applications.
The student knows and understands the principles and concepts of plant biotechnology. The student can apply these principles allowing him/her to conduct plant biotechnology research independently, to plan experiments with controls, to analyze data critically, implement them and to relate them with each other. He/she can describe different forms of plant transformation systems and vectors. The student is able to consult databases and critically evaluate research papers on the basis of presented data and he/she has been trained in phenotypic analysis of plants. These competences allow the student to start a research carrier in the field of plant molecular biology.

The slide presentations will be available on line via Minerva. Articles, schemes and figures illustrating the different topics will be provided.

Selected research articles and reviews.

Apart from the lectures, the student has the opportunity to ask questions to the lecturers and his/her co-workers. This can go through the Minerva platform, e-mail or through personal contacts with the lecturers that will be framed in dedicated open office hours that will be listed on Minerva. During the practical courses and work seminars, several aspects of the course are further discussed and illustrated.

Classroom lectures (30 hours), work seminars and practical courses (20 hours). During the work seminars, different experimental approaches will be discussed interactively. Scientific articles will be critically evaluated in case studies involving all students. Practical work and demonstrations will illustrate the theory and will introduce the student with laboratory approaches in plant biotechnology.

The first examination will consist of 30 % non-period bound evaluation and 70% period bound evaluation. The non-period bound evaluation will be based on papers prepared and discussed by the students (20%) and on a report of the practical courses (10%). The period bound evaluation (70%) will be a proportional average of the 4 parts lectured by the different lecturers. To pass, the student has to obtain at least 40% for every part of the course.
The second examination will consist of only a period bound evaluation.

The period bound evaluation via a written and oral examination will be based on the answers on open questions and problems.