- Docente: Marco Maccaferri
- Credits: 3
- SSD: AGR/07
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Land and agro-forestry Sciences (cod. 8525)
Learning outcomes
Attending the course the student will receive the basis to understand the mechanisms that regulate the genetic inheritance of traits in plants and animals and the related molecular tools developed and used to evaluate and manipulate the genetic structure of natural and artificial plant populations
Course contents
Summary program:
-Cell biology, haploid-diploid developmental cycle, mitosis, meiosis. Polyploidy
- Mendelian genetics
- Chromosome, nuclear, chromatin structure
- Sex determination
- Dominance, semidominance, codominance. Different meaning in authogamous and allogamous species
- Gene interaction: epistasis and pleiotropy
- Gene association, crossing over, recombination, genetic linkage maps, physical maps
- DNA and RNA, gene structure, gene expression,transcription, translation
- Molecular markers, use of molecular markers in linkage mapping, gene isolation, estimate of genetic relationships, next-generation sequencing
- genetic basis of sex-determination in plants, self-incompatibility
- quantitative genetics, multifactorial genetic basis of complex traits
- Heterosis: definition, practical use in breeding
- Mutations: types, polyploidy
- domestication. Example in Triticum, domestication + polyploidy
- Genetic engineering. Genetic transformation basis. Genome editing
Readings/Bibliography
Genetica Agraria (Lorenzetti, Ceccarelli, Rosellini, Veronesi) , Patron editore, 4a edizione, 2011.
Genetica Agraria (Russell, Wolfe, Hertz, Starr, McMillan), EdiSES editore, 2016.
Genetica e Genomica Vol. 1, Barcaccia e Falcinelli, Liguori Ed.
Teaching methods
The basis of the course is provided by direct lessons based on power-point presentations.
As a complement a range of plant materials representing different steps of domestication and genetic improvement of wheat are provided in the Faculty Garden
Assessment methods
The exam is based on an oral exams of 20-25 minutes with three questions related to the program
Teaching tools
power-point slides, discussion of scientific manuscripts, direct observations in the botanic garden
Office hours
See the website of Marco Maccaferri