Aims & Learning Objectives:
Aims: To introduce the techniques used in Plant Biotechnology, discuss their applications in Crop Production and Protection, and consider public debate over GM plants. After taking this course the student should be able to:
* Understand the role that biotechnology and recombinant DNA techniques play in the development of novel plants and crop production methods.
* Actively participate in the debate over the deployment of GM crops.
Content:
This unit introduces the techniques and targets of plant Genetic Modification and provides background to conventional agricultural practices against which to judge this new technology. The process of GM plant production from construction of recombinant plant genes to their transfer to plants via Agrobacterium - mediated and direct transformation e.g. particle bombardment is described. Applications of plant genetic engineering are discussed with examples drawn from a wide range of Crop Production and Protection situations e.g. insect and herbicide resistance; manipulation of floral development; fruit ripening; golden rice and the synthesis of novel products such as pharmaceuticals. The role of patents and other intellectual property protection devices is also considered. The socioeconomics of Plant Biotechnology and the debate over the deployment of GM crops are discussed. Practical sessions provide experience in the use of tissue culture and transformation techniques in the study of Plant Development and Biotechnology.
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