2025
Plant Biotechnology
Name: Plant Biotechnology
Code: FIT13557L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Agronomy
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The students should learn and use the most elementary techniques of in vitro plant tissues culture.
They must know how to apply genetic transformation techniques of plant cells.
They must have a personal opinion on the GMOs and be able to argue on the subject defending its opinion.
They also should understand what molecular markers are and to know their potentialities for plant biotechnology and plant breeding.
They must know how to apply genetic transformation techniques of plant cells.
They must have a personal opinion on the GMOs and be able to argue on the subject defending its opinion.
They also should understand what molecular markers are and to know their potentialities for plant biotechnology and plant breeding.
Contents
- Plant Biotechnology: Theoretical definition, main proposes and basic concepts.
- Laboratory infrastructures and equipment: Special details of a plant biotechnology laboratory; Main equipment and its use.
- In vitro culture techniques: Micropropagation; Haploidization; Somatic Embryogenesis; Suspension Cells Culture; Protoplast Culture.
- Genetic Transformation: Genetically Modified Organisms; Notion of genetically modified organism; Gene transfer methods; Selection of transformed plants; Stability of the transferred gene; Ethical aspects of the recombinant DNA technique.
- Genetic and Molecular Markers; Kinds of markers and its use; Singularity of the DNA-markers.
- Laboratory infrastructures and equipment: Special details of a plant biotechnology laboratory; Main equipment and its use.
- In vitro culture techniques: Micropropagation; Haploidization; Somatic Embryogenesis; Suspension Cells Culture; Protoplast Culture.
- Genetic Transformation: Genetically Modified Organisms; Notion of genetically modified organism; Gene transfer methods; Selection of transformed plants; Stability of the transferred gene; Ethical aspects of the recombinant DNA technique.
- Genetic and Molecular Markers; Kinds of markers and its use; Singularity of the DNA-markers.
Teaching Methods
The teaching methodologies aim to prioritize both direct contact with the student and independent work. It is considered the delivery of theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to support autonomous work within the scope of the syllabus covered by the curricular unit. The methodologies that promote independent learning followed by an oral presentation, will allow the professors to assess whether knowledge transfer has been achieved as intended and whether the learning outcomes defined for the course unit have been met. Visits and classes will also be held at the Plant Breeding and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory and the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the University of Évora, where research is carried out in the scientific area of the course unit.
Assessment
I. Continuous Assessment Scheme: This scheme consists of two mid-term tests and one group assignment. Each mid-term test accounts for 40% of the final grade, and the group assignment accounts for 20%. The grade awarded for the assignment may differ between members of the same group. The minimum passing grade for each mid-term test and the assignment is 8.0 (on a 0?20 scale). To pass the course unit, the final grade must be equal to or higher than 10.
II. Final Examination Scheme: This scheme consists of a final exam and one group assignment. Students who do not opt for continuous assessment, as well as those who choose to withdraw from continuous assessment after receiving the result of the first mid-term test, may take the regular final exam. The final exam accounts for 80% of the final grade, and the group assignment accounts for 20%. The grade awarded for the assignment may differ between members of the same group. The minimum passing grade for both the final exam and the assignment is 8.0 (on a 0?20 scale). To pass the course unit, the final grade must be equal to or higher than 10.
III. Resit Examination: Students who do not achieve a passing grade during the regular examination period, those wishing to improve their grade, or those who have exceeded the limit of unjustified absences, may be assessed in the resit examination period. To pass the course unit, the exam grade must be equal to or higher than 10.
II. Final Examination Scheme: This scheme consists of a final exam and one group assignment. Students who do not opt for continuous assessment, as well as those who choose to withdraw from continuous assessment after receiving the result of the first mid-term test, may take the regular final exam. The final exam accounts for 80% of the final grade, and the group assignment accounts for 20%. The grade awarded for the assignment may differ between members of the same group. The minimum passing grade for both the final exam and the assignment is 8.0 (on a 0?20 scale). To pass the course unit, the final grade must be equal to or higher than 10.
III. Resit Examination: Students who do not achieve a passing grade during the regular examination period, those wishing to improve their grade, or those who have exceeded the limit of unjustified absences, may be assessed in the resit examination period. To pass the course unit, the exam grade must be equal to or higher than 10.
Accreditations and Certifications
