LBIK10214U Frontiers in Plant Science
MSc Programme in Agriculture
MSc Programme in Biotechnology
MSc Programme in Biotechnology with a minor
subject
This advanced course is devoted to learning you how to read
scientific literature. As such it is of interest for all students
preparing for an individual master thesis study. The subject of
each course session is an original publication published recently
in a high-impact scientific journal. The research topics all belong
to the frontier of plant science. Here we are not assisted by
textbooks but are guided by recent reviews and the newest
scientific literature. The articles are read in detail with focus
on data analysis, they are presented by students and discussed in
groups and in plenum. In lectures given by teachers, each
representing strong scientific groupings in the new Copenhagen
Plant Science Center, the research topics discussed are placed in a
broader context.
The selected topics of the course changes each year depending on
the current directions of research but examples of previous
subjects are given below.
1. Photosynthesis and its regulation
How do the photosystems of plants respond to different light
conditions (intensity, wavelength, duration) and to changes in
other environmental factors?
2. Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism
How is whole plant growth tuned by the key steps of carbohydrate
metabolism at the cellular level?
3. Molecular physiology of mineral nutrient acquisition, transport
and utilization
Plants use a wide range of mechanisms and responses to acquire
essential mineral nutrients from the soil. How are these mechanisms
working together?
4. Plant hormones: Signal perception and transduction
Phytohormones can initiate a wide range of contrasting responses.
How can different stimuli give rise to different responses all use
the same messenger?
5. Plant microbe interactions
Plants interact with a diverse range of microorganisms which can be
both beneficial (e.g. symbiotic nitrogen fixation) and harmful
(e.g. causing disease).
6. Responses to abiotic stresses
Progress in understanding plant responses to stress has been
impressive. The problem of how plant homeostasis is maintained in a
changing environment still raises many new questions.
7. Development
The onset of flowering represents a major developmental shift in
the plant life cycle and a myriad of genes control this
developmental process. Programmed cell death is a controlled
process that results in senescence.
8. Plant cell polymers and cell wall elongation
The plant cell wall is not a dead coat. Recent research shows that
it is a complex and dynamic entitity controlling many vital plant
processes.
9. Bioimaging as a powerful technology to study long distance
transport in plants.
10. Light signaling processes in plants to ensure optimal metabolic
responses to external stimuli.
11. Biosynthesis of pharmacologically active terpenoids and their
production by heterologous expression.
12. Biosynthesis of cyanogenic glucosides and their multiple roles
in primary and secondary metabolism.
13. Biosynthesis and regulation of glucosinolates and their
production in heterologus hosts.
14. Gene silencing
Gene silencing occurs naturally by small interfering RNAs but can
also be induced by virus mediated gene silencing. Both mechanisms
can be used as effective tools to study gene function in
plants.
The aim of the course is to learn the student to read and
understand scientific literature. After completing the course, the
student will have a thorough knowledge of selected important
research topics within modern plant biology. The course will
illustrate how novel technologies within plant genomics, genetics,
biochemistry and physiology are used to produce coherent knowledge
of complex biological systems which previously were difficult to
understand. The use of the new knowledge in designing crop plants
for the future using classical breeding in combination with genetic
engineering will be discussed.
After completion of the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
- describe the frontiers of international research in plant science
within a range of core areas.
- identify molecular methods and approaches which can be used to
solve specific problems within plant biology.
Skills:
- interpret data presented in scientific articles
- take a critical and creative standpoint to the presented
scientific problems.
- use basic knowledge from other disciplines in an integrated
manner when analysing current problems in plant biology.
- discuss ethical problems related to the latest developments in
plant science.
Competences:
- evaluate critically the limits and possibilities of new theories
and the solidity of experimental evidence.
- transfer theories and principles from advanced state-of-the-art
molecular plant biology to solve new questions posed by the
research community, industry and the society.
15-20 scientific papers will be part of curriculum. Further information will be available on Absalon.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 40
- Preparation
- 132
- Theory exercises
- 24
- Exam
- 10
- Total
- 206
During the course each student will have to give a presentation of a scientific paper and will have to submit a report describing the most important methods in that paper. Following submission of each of these mandatory excercises, the students will receive detailed written feedback and based on this will be allowed to revise their reports before final approval"
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- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 30 min
- Type of assessment details
- Oral examination. No preparation time.
- Exam registration requirements
Participation in the oral examination requires acceptance of two written exercises submitted by the student: a PowerPoint presentation of a scientific paper and a five-page description of methods in a scientific paper.
- Aid
- Written aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
As the ordinary exam.
A PowerPoint presentation of a scientific paper and a five-page description of methods in a scientific paper has to be handed in 2 weeks before the re-exam if the requirements is not met.
Criteria for exam assesment
See Learning outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- LBIK10214U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 4
- Schedule
- C
- Course capacity
- No limitation – unless you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources, Environment and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Michael Broberg Palmgren (8-746570716b7669724474706972326f7932686f)