Course Description

This course introduces students to major features of gene expression and signal transduction in plants. Topics include strategies for generating transgenic plants and regulating gene expression, as well as the importance of signal transduction in plant growth and survival. Strategies on how to manipulate plant gene expression will be discussed in detail. As well, how plants sense and respond at the molecular level to environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, cold and disease, will be discussed. Recent examples from the original literature will be used to study how plant gene expression and signal transduction research is conducted. Finally, the application of this basic scientific information in biotechnological strategies for improving agronomic traits will be addressed.

Lecture Topics:
1. Generation of transgenic plants – technology and applications

  • plant regeneration
  • methods for gene transfer into plant cells
  • molecular techniques and strategies for the regulation of gene expression in transgenic plants (including gene targeting and gene knockout lines)

2. Signal Transduction and Stress Responses in Plants

  • Basics of plant signalling
  • Cytokinin signalling and growth regulation

3. Student Group Presentations

  • Primary research articles on plant biotechnology

Learning Objectives:

  • Acquire concepts and vocabulary associated with Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
  • Independently make connections and associations between different concepts
  • Critically evaluate research data from primary research papers in Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
  • Design experimental plans for investigating specific research questions in Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
  • Work cooperatively in small groups
  • Communicate and discuss plant biological research studies using appropriate scientific language

Prerequisite

BCH311H1 / CSB349H1 / MGY311Y1

Lecturer(s)

Prof. D. Goring
d.goring@utoronto.ca

Contact Hours

24L

Required text(s)/Readings

Articles posted in Quercus

Evaluation (Subject to change)

Mid-term Test: 30%
Group presentation: 20%
Individual written summary & annotated bibliography: 15%
Final Exam (scheduled during the exam period): 35%

Last updated on May 26th, 2023