BIO244 Plant Biotechnology: Cell- and Tissue Culture and Genetic Modifications

The course is offered through lectures and laboratory exercises. The students will have somewhat uneven hours in the laboratory exercises depending on the theme of the week. The course is coordinated with BIO248 and BIO246 regarding the dates for hand-ins.

The lab exercises will be in smaller student groups. We expect the students to have read the chapter in the lab exercise book on the goal and methods prior to the lab. Some exercises require that the students have completed a quiz in Canvas with that weeks topic. The students follow their own tissue cultures through the semester and can take their own plants home at the end (except GM plants).

Lectures and practicals are given within the following topics: Cell- and tissue culture, in vitro propagation through adventitious and axillary propagation, somatic embryogenesis, genetic modifications with marker genes and gene expression and gene editing using CRISPR.

Lectures within the following themes: Chimeras and their importance in propagation and breeding. Mechanisms for gene silencing. Genetically modified crops: Current and potential role in plant production, potential and limitations of different types of transgenes, laws and regulations in Norway (and EU), internationally related to genetically modified (GM) crops. Disease elimination through meristem cultures (Fremavl) will be given as a lecture and the students will solve a "Case" relating to this topic.

There is a possibility for the students to expand the course with a thematic essay on a chosen topic (an extra 5 ects for BIO246). In BIO246, the students can choose to write on a topic from either BIO244 or BIO248.

Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE

• Students can account for - and have practice from - the following within Cell and tissue cultures: In vitro propagation using adventitous and axillary shoots (from different plant tissues) and somatic embryogenesis

• Students can compare the methods and know the importance for propagation of chimeras and somaclonal variation

• Students can account for both conventional gene modification and gene editing, as well as the use of e marker genes and gene expression in biotechnology experiments

• Students have knowledge of the following that are presented only in lectures: Disease free plant system in Norway (disease cleansing), Genetic modifications: Current and potential role in plant production (incl edible vaccines), potential benefits and risks in various types of transgenic plants and when using gene editing (CRISPR), Norwegian and international legislation related to gene modification (GMOs)

SKILLS

• Students have practical experience in various methods within plant biotechnology and their role in biological research and in the production of food and other plant products.

• Students understand how biotechnology can supplement or replace traditional methods of propagation and plant breeding

• Students can explain how legislation regulates genetically modified organisms in Norway/EU and know about other countries' approach to conventional gene modification and gene editing

GENERAL COMPETENCE

• Through the writing of the lab reports, the students have knowledge of how to structure a scientific article: with an introduction on the purpose of the experiment, material and method descriptions, results and some discussion about the results in relation to expected results.

• Students can correctly refer to their sources and set up a reference list