90814 - BIOTECNOLOGIE VEGETALI PER LA PRODUZIONE DI BIOENERGIA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the lectures, the student acquires current and detailed knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying that part of plant physiology mainly subjected to biotechnological applications. Through the study of the most recent biotechnological applications in the plant field, the course provides the knowledge to develop a critical and in-depth view of the possibilities offered by the new technologies for the improvement of plant productivity.

Course contents

1. Course Introduction and Global Context

· Why study molecular plant physiology and its biotechnological applications?

· Population growth, food security, and pressure on natural resources

· Introduction to plant biotechnology: definitions, fields of application, and transformative potential

2. Technologies and Tools in Plant Biotechnology

· Study of plant genomes: nuclear and plastid genomes

· Genetic engineering: GMOs, genome editing (CRISPR), RNA interference

· Genome editing (CRISPR) vs traditional GMOs: advantages, limitations, and regulatory aspects

3. Food and Nutritional Applications (Food & Feed)

· Yield improvement

· Resistance to abiotic stress

· Biofortification and nutritional quality

· Public acceptance, food safety, and ethical/social impacts

4. Plant Biotechnologies for Energy Production

· Photosynthesis and carbon metabolism: optimizing biomass production

· Energy crops (maize, sugarcane, miscanthus, algae)

· Lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol; oilseeds for biodiesel

· Genetic manipulation of starch for industrial (food and non-food) uses

Readings/Bibliography

Throughout the course, students will have access to high-quality, regularly updated learning materials, including original scientific publications, review articles, and carefully selected digital resources.

All content – from lecture slides to recommended readings – is accessible via the Virtuale platform of the University of Bologna, using your university login.

Teaching methods

The course, worth 6 CFU, is organized as lectures, all accompanied by the projection of images and diagrams, which are available on the University of Bologna’s Virtuale platform.

Subject to students’ approval, flipped classroom activities will also be introduced to make learning more active and engaging. Students will also be invited to participate in a dedicated seminar, followed by an open discussion to jointly explore specific scientific topics.

Questions and clarifications are always welcome, both during and at the end of the lectures, to encourage open and constructive dialogue.

Assessment methods

The purpose of the learning assessment is to evaluate achievement of the learning objectives. This will be conducted through an oral examination consisting of three questions, two of which will be chosen by the lecturer and one by the student.

Students may replace one of the three questions with a short oral presentation on a topic agreed with the lecturer, if they wish.

Students have the right to reject the proposed positive grade once (in accordance with the University Teaching Regulations, ART.16, paragraph 5).

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Students recognized as “working students”: please consult the dedicated website (https://www.unibo.it/en/study/guide-to-choosing-your-programme/balancing-study-and-work) to apply for this status and to learn about the available measures.

Teaching tools

The course takes place in classrooms equipped with PC projection, and lectures are supported by PowerPoint presentations. The presentation files will be made available to enrolled students through the University of Bologna’s Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Sparla