Plant biotechnology and molecular breeding

The course aims to provide knowledge on biotechnological applications in agriculture and forestry as well as how modern molecular biological methods can be used in plant breeding. The theory module deals with 1. the genetic transformation of plants with Agrobacterium system but also with other techniques and tissue culture propagation. Specific problems regarding e.g. grasses and trees are also discussed, and the laboratory sections illustrate the transformation and tissue culture of plants. 2. how plants but also to some extent bacteria can be utilized as production systems for example, chemicals, fuel, drugs and antibodies, as well as how plants can be genetically modified to have an altered nutrient content (e.g. Golden rice) or to become more resistant to stress. Practical exercises are also included here. 3. synthetic biology and gene editing methods e.g. CRISPR/Cas9 as well as their applications in plant biotechnology. 4. social aspects of plant biotechnology, for example, legislation of GMO plants in Sweden and the EU, patent legislation, risk assessment and ethical aspects of GMO plants and similar substances. The course is divided into three modules: theory (10.5 credits), laboratory exercises (1.5 credits), literature studies and seminarium presentation (3 credits)