B7012 - METABOLOMICS TECHNIQUES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCE

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student knows what metabolomics is, and how to approach a metabolomic study through different techniques, acquiring the preliminary knowledge to read and interpret NMR and MS spectra, and to handle and correlate data emerging from a metabolomic experiment. The student understands the experimental design, the potentialities and the limits of metabolomics applied to different fields, with particular attention to plant samples and with some hints also to human samples.

Course contents

-“Omics” sciences and metabolomics: definitions and basic concepts; importance of plant metabolites for humans and for the ecosystem

-Historical background, complexity and challenges of this approach

-Workflow for a project focused on metabolomic analysis

-Experimental design, sampling, sample preparation, pre-purification techniques, extraction

-Analytical techniques: NMR, LC-MS and other techniques used (advantages and disadvantages); general principles of these analytical techniques

-Management of metabolomics data through multivariate analysis, preparation and management of the dataset

-Applications of metabolomics in the plant field (quality control of botanical and food products, ecological studies, studies of active principles, studies aimed at understanding the function of secondary metabolites in plants)

-Other applications of metabolomics

-Practical examples of metabolomic studies applied to plants

Readings/Bibliography

The bibliography will consist of scientific articles that will be indicated during the course and made available on the slides.

All slides will be published and provided to the students in order to support the study pathway.

Teaching methods

Lectures supported by PowerPoint slide presentations.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of the presentation and discussion of a scientific article focused on metabolomics. The presentation may be delivered using Power Point slides.

The student will be assessed on the presentation, on the critical issues highlighted, and on the contents presented, as evidence of their mastery of the subject.

The student has the right to refuse the verbalization of the positive grade once (according to the University teaching regulations, Art. 16, paragraph 5).

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or with temporary or permanent disabilities: are recommended to contact the relevant University Office in due time
(https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ).
The Office will propose any accommodations to the students concerned. These must be submitted, at least 15 days in advance, for approval by the instructor, who will assess their appropriateness also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Students with recognized "student-worker" status are invited to consult the dedicated website
(https://www.unibo.it/it/studiare/guida-alla-scelta-del-corso/conciliare-studio-e-lavoro )
to request the status and the measures provided.

Teaching tools

On the virtual platform, all slides will be provided to the students together with the scientific articles of main interest for the study.

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Mandrone