96961 - Agricultural and Environmental Genetics and Biotechnology

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you will have a basic understanding of plant biology and genome structure, including how genetic content and regulatory elements determine the phenotype of the plant organism and respond to environmental stimuli. You will have precise knowledge of the genetic basis of biodiversity in plant communities and how they evolve in natural and cultivated environments, for their management, use, and improvement. You will understand the basics of the mechanisms that regulate the transmission of qualitative and quantitative traits and the tools for evaluating the genetic structure of natural and artificial plant communities. You will know the main selective methodologies for self-pollinating, cross-pollinating, and vegetatively propagated plants. You will understand the genetic structure of cultivated varieties of self-pollinating, cross-pollinating, and polyploid plants. Additionally, you will have general and applied knowledge of genomic and biotechnological applications for the study, conservation, and use of genetic diversity, including molecular methods to estimate genetic diversity and population structure in natural and artificial populations. Characterization and conservation of germplasm using molecular methods. Population genetics. You will also be provided with the basics of classical genetic engineering and recent applications of cisgenesis and gene editing (CRISPR-CAS) in plants. Finally, you will be informed about the main techniques of genetic improvement of plants of environmental interest, biotechnological applications for productive and sustainable agriculture, and the use of plants as biofactories, biorefineries, and for bioremediation.

Course contents

PART I: DNA Structure and Organization. Lectures 1-3 

• Nucleic acids: composition, structure, and biochemistry.

• DNA replication.

• Gene structure.

• DNA organization and plant genomes: chromosomes, chromatin, repetitive sequences, transposable elements, and polyploidy.

• Transcription and translation of DNA into proteins.

• Regulation of gene expression.

PART II: Classical or Mendelian Genetics and Mutations. Lectures 4-7

• Developmental cycles: Mitosis and meiosis.

• Mendel's laws.

• Genetic variability: Crossing-over, random segregation of paternal and maternal chromosomes, zygote formation.

• Chromosomal theory of inheritance.

• Incomplete dominance and codominance, multiple alleles, penetrance and expressivity, epistasis.

• Gene linkage and genetic and physical maps.

• Genomic, chromosomal, and gene mutations. Polyploidy. 
  
• Genetic and molecular marker.

PART III: Genetics of Quantitative Traits and Reproductive Systems of Plants. Lectures 8-9

• Plant reproductive systems. Sexual and asexual reproduction, sex determination, and self-incompatibility.
  

• Origin and genetic diversity of cultivated plants.

• Introduction to quantitative genetics. Inheritance of quantitative and polygenic traits, inbreeding, and heterosis.

PART IV: Plant Biotechnology. Lectures 10-12

• Recombinant DNA techniques. Restriction enzymes, PCR, Nucleic acid manipulation, cloning methods, DNA/RNA sequencing.

• Plant genetic transformation. Transformation methods: biolistic method and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Selectable markers and reporter genes.

• Introduction to genetic engineering and New Genomic Techniques. 

Readings/Bibliography

Russell PJ et al GENETICA AGRARIA. EdiSES, 2016.

iGENETICA – FONDAMENTI (Peter J Russell, Edizione italiana a cura di Bellenchi, Gigliani, Ponti, EdiSES srl, Napoli).

Peter J. Russell . “GENETICA Un approccio molecolare” Edit. Pearson

Genetica. G. Binelli, D. Ghisotti. Edit. EdiSES (2023)

BIOTECNOLOGIE MOLECOLARI – PRINCIPI E TECNICHE. (Brown TA, 2017, Zanichelli).

MIGLIORAMENTO GENETICO DELLE PIANTE AGRARIE (F. Lorenzetti et al. 2017, Edagricole, Milano).

Review articles and slides presented during class are made available to students.

Teaching methods

The course consists of 10 lectures, including practical sessions in the classroom and greenhouse, and 2 laboratory practical sessions, for a total of 30 hours. The course content is organized into four teaching units, as outlined in the syllabus.

The laboratory practical sessions will cover Part IV, Section 1 of the syllabus.

Given the nature of the activities and teaching methods, participation in the laboratory practical sessions requires the completion of Modules 1 and 2 of the safety training course in e-learning mode, as well as attendance at Module 3 on health and safety in study and laboratory environments.

Information on the schedule and attendance arrangements for Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Programme website.

Assessment methods

This course is part of the Integrated Course 96959- Sustainable Field Crop Cultivation and Biotechnologies (I.C.), together with the course 96960 – Sustainable Field Crop Cultivation for Environmental Protection. Therefore, the assessment of the Integrated Course takes into account the knowledge and skills acquired by the student across the content covered in both courses.

Learning outcomes for the course 96961 - Agricultural and Environmental Genetics and Biotechnology are assessed through an oral examination lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the competent University Office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). This office will propose any necessary adaptations to interested students, which must be submitted for the teacher's approval at least 15 days in advance. The teacher will evaluate their appropriateness also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Regarding assessment and grading, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

For lectures, a computer and multimedia projector will be used. Practical activities will be conducted in the teaching biology laboratory and in the greenhouses. Lecture slides will be made available by the teacher and uploaded to the Virtuale e-learning platform. Bibliographic resources are available through the University Library System.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Camerlengo