APPLIED BIOTECHNOLOGY - QUALIFICATION
cod. 1008159

Academic year 2024/25
2° year of course - First semester
Professor
Marta MARMIROLI
Academic discipline
Biologia applicata (BIO/13)
Field
A scelta dello studente
Type of training activity
Student's choice
52 hours
of face-to-face activities
6 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

At the end of the course we expect the student to
- have acquired new instruments and insights into modern Biotechnology principles and applications;
- be able to understand experimental procedures for in vitro and in vivo experiments in biotechnology;
- identify the best experimental procedure according to the case;
- interpret in terms of plant physiology and biochemistry the main genetic improvements
- critically read and understand scientific publications

Prerequisites

Prerequisites
Cellular biology, Genetics, Biochemistry

Course unit content

In Inglese
Modern Biotechnologies, “-omics” sciences and “System biology”, networks
Whole genome study and Comparative genomics
Genetic, Molecular and chemical databases
Notions of systems biology
Model organisms for Biotechnology studies - Arabidopsis thaliana L Heynn and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
In vitro colture and sterility
Micropropagation
Synthetic growth media and plant hormones
Epigenetic variability and somaclonal variations
Plant Calli colture
Somatic Embryogenesis
Preparation and culture of protoplasts
Haploid plants: androgenesis, ginogenesis
Ploidy: variation and phenotypic consequences, chimeric organisms
Triticaceae: T. aestivum and T. durum, evolution
Proteins of T. durum
Fruits without seeds, commercial fruits
Secondary metabolism in plants
Shikimic acid pathway
Plant alcaloids: characterisation, utilisation
Morphine: biosynthetic pathway, actions on humans
Terpenes and carotenoids, metabolic pathways and examples
Isoprenoids, examples (Gums and terpenoids and essential oils)
Phenolic compounds, examples (Lignin)
Phytoalexins
The example of the rubber as terpenoids biosynthesis and uses

Full programme

Modern Biotechnologies, “-omics” sciences and “System biology”, networks
Whole genome study and Comparative genomics
Genetic, Molecular and chemical databases
Notions of systems biology
Model organisms for Biotechnology studies - Arabidopsis thaliana L Heynn and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
In vitro colture and sterility
Micropropagation
Synthetic growth media and plant hormones
Epigenetic variability and somaclonal variations
Plant Calli colture
Somatic Embryogenesis
Preparation and culture of protoplasts
Haploid plants: androgenesis, ginogenesis
Ploidy: variation and phenotypic consequences, chimeric organisms
Triticaceae: T. aestivum and T. durum, evolution
Proteins of T. durum
Fruits without seeds, commercial fruits
Secondary metabolism in plants
Shikimic acid pathway
Plant alcaloids: characterisation, utilisation
Morphine: biosynthetic pathway, actions on humans
Terpenes and carotenoids, metabolic pathways and examples
Isoprenoids, examples (Gums and terpenoids and essential oils)
Phenolic compounds, examples (Lignin)
Phytoalexins
The example of the rubber as terpenoids biosynthesis and uses

Bibliography

Testi consigliati
Analisi Gentica Avanzata
Philip Meneely, edizione italiana a cura di R. Bernardoni e G. Perini
McGraw-Hill
ISBN-978-88-386-6519-6

Genomi 3
T.A. Brown. Ed Italiana a cura di P. Costantino
EdiSES
ISBN: -978-88-7959-431-8

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants, 2nd Edition
Bob B. Buchanan (Editor), Wilhelm Gruissem (Editor), Russell L. Jones (Editor)
ISBN: 978-0-470-71421-8

Plant Physiology 4th Edition
by Frank Salisbury (Author), Cleon Ross (Author)
Wadsworth Publishing Company
ISBN-13: 978-0534151621
ISBN-10: 0534151620

Biology of Plants
Peter H. Raven, Ray F. Evert, Susan E. Eichhorn
W. H. Freeman
ISBN-13: 978-1464117800
ISBN-10: 1464117802

Plant Secondary Metabolism
Authors: Seigler, David S.
Springer
ISBN 978-1-4615-4913-0

Plant Biotechnology and Agriculture , Prospects for the 21st Century
Edited by: Arie Altman and Paul Michael Hasegawa
ISBN: 978-0-12-381466-1
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Plant Biotechnology for Health, From Secondary Metabolites to Molecular Farming
Authors: Alvarez, Maria Alejandra
Springer
ISBN 978-3-319-05771-2

Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
By Denis Murphy
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Online ISBN:9780511619267
Hardback ISBN:9780521823890
Paperback ISBN:9780521530880

Teaching methods

Teaching methods
Frontal lessons will be either student-engaging within an active learning dialogue on specific topics or heuristics descriptions and explanations by the teacher on broader aspects of biotechnology.
For each topic under study many applicative examples will be provided and interactively discussed during the frontal lessons. When necessary the teacher will utilize computer aids such as programs and databases to show specific points of interest.
Power point slides used by the teacher during the lessons will be provided directly to the students weekly, when possible.
Moreover, scientific papers of relevance that are discussed during the lessons will be provided to the students ad pdf. Files
Students will be subdivided in groups in order to carry on research activities in literature and databases on important topics discussed in previous lessons.

Assessment methods and criteria

The written examination is divided into ten (10) open questions. It is important that the student demonstrates to be able to construct a systematic answer regarding a specific topic.

Other information

- - -

2030 agenda goals for sustainable development

Zero Poverty
Zero Hunger
Health and Wellbeing
Quality Instruction
Responsible Use e production
Objectives Partnership

Contacts

Toll-free number

800 904 084

Quality assurance office

Education manager:
Mrs Barbara Violi
T. + 39 0521 032296
E. Office didattica.sea@unipr.it
E. Manager barbara.violi@unipr.it

President of the degree course

prof. Marco Ferretti
E. marco.ferretti@unipr.it

Faculty advisor

prof. Donata Tania Vergura
E. donatatania.vergura@unipr.it

Career guidance delegate

prof. Chiara Panari
E. chiara.panari@unipr.it

Tutor professors

prof. Silvia Bellini
E. silvia.bellini@unipr.it

Erasmus delegates

prof. Maria Cecilia Mancini
E. mariacecilia.mancini@unipr.it 
prof. Donata Tania Vergura
E. donatatania.vergura@unipr.it

Quality assurance manager

prof. Giulio Tagliavini
E. giulio.tagliavini@unipr.it

Internships

E. tirocini@unipr.it