NPLB20002U From Genomics to Plant Breeding
BSc Programme in Biotechnology
BSc Programme in Natural Resources
The course will address theoretical and applied aspects of genomics with a focus on plant technology and methods used for plant breeding. Theory on genetics and plant physiology will be included to enable discussions on how to use genetic diversity and how to identify new traits for plant improvement for sustainable plant production.
Following areas will be addressed:
- From evolution to breeding
- Comparing plant genomes to those of other organisms
- Plant breeding – traditional and new techniques
- Goals and strategies for breeding
- Key traits and how new traits for breeding crops are identified
- Genomic selection, genetic markers and their application
- From genomics to phenomics
- Plant variety protection, legislation
The key techniques and tools for analyzing data, from genomics to phenotyping, will be presented and further illustrated with examples from both model and crop plants. Together with these techniques, the underlying concepts for the development of markers and how markers are used in breeding are central to the course content.
In practical and theoretical computer exercises complementing the lectures, you will get familiar with some of the tools used in genomics and breeding such as excersise in using markers, in vitro techniques such as transient expression and clonal propagation and crosses to be used for selecting seeds with specific traits..
There will be excursion and guest lectures from relevant industries.
After successful completion of the course, the students will be able to:
Knowledge
- Describe basic genetics, in vitro culture and propagation systems for plant improvement
- Understand the domestication from crop wild relatives and land races to modern crop plants
- Describe systems for generation of mutations, double haploids and polyploidy manipulation and major incompatibility and sterility systems for plant breeding
- Know the principles of quantitative traits, heritability and selection theory
- Explain genetic markers and their use for qualitative and quantitative traits
- Compare basic central experimental techniques used in plant genomics and breeding
Skills
- Combine basic knowledge on genetics with information of selection systems and propagation methods
- Use basic principles of cultivar protection, legislation and patenting in plant improvement programs with traditional and molecular techniques
- Apply molecular and genetic tools in genomics and plant improvement
Competences
- Collaborate with co-students, perform genomics- and breeding-related projects and document them in written reports
- Evaluate alternative breeding approaches to improve different crop species and introduce new genetic diversity
- Evaluate the potential of new genetic resources and biodiversity for improved crop production systems
Bridge the genotype to phenotype knowledge gap
See Absalon for course literature.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 67
- Preparation
- 77
- Theory exercises
- 20
- Excursions
- 8
- Laboratory
- 30
- Exam
- 4
- Total
- 206
As
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- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 20 min
- Type of assessment details
- Oral exam with questions in the curriculum, 20 min.
- Exam registration requirements
Approval of 80% of the reports
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
Same as ordinary.
If the reports are not approved, they must be resubmitted no later than three weeks before the reexam.
Criteria for exam assesment
See learning outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NPLB20002U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Bachelor
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 1
- Schedule
- C
- Course capacity
- 50
The number of places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
Study board
- Study Board for the Biological Area
Contracting department
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Carsten Pedersen (cpr@plen.ku.dk)