Molecular Breeding and Plant Genetics
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Genetic improvement of cultivated plants is the most viable approach to fostering sustainable agriculture in the future. The main goal of the course is to supply the students with knowledge about tools and strategies used in breeding programs, combining quantitative genetics and biotechnology to identify the genomic regions containing genes of interest. The effects of domestication and breeding on the genome of crops will be presented to have a wider overview about the challenges that modern breeding has to face.
The course is ideally linked to those dealing with Advanced molecular and cellular biotechnology and Functional genomics and bioinformatics.
The course is ideally linked to those dealing with Advanced molecular and cellular biotechnology and Functional genomics and bioinformatics.
Expected learning outcomes
After following this course, the students will have basic knowledge of the most recent molecular breeding approaches. They will be familiar with the available technologies to produce molecular markers and their application to linkage map construction, QTL mapping and in general to plant breeding. They will be familiar with the pros and cons of alternative strategies available to identify the genetic determinant controlling agronomic traits. Students will be able to evaluate the advantages and limitations of the different breeding strategies and select the most appropriate for specific goals.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is composed of 2 integrated modules: 5 ECTS taught by prof. Luca Gianfranceschi and 1 ECTS from by Veronica Gregis.
The following topics will be presented and discussed:
- Challenges of modern plant breeding and how the molecular tools could be used to improve and speed up breeding (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Overview of Plant Reproduction Systems and practical lesson on breeding using available plant material (Gregis V.)
- Genome Editing Approaches for Plant Improvement (Gregis V.)
- Epigenetics Concepts for Plant Improvement (Gregis V.)
- Epigenetics concepts for plant improvement (Gregis V.)
- Principles of population genetics selection, inbreeding and genetic drift (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Modern breeder's molecular tools: the evolution of molecular markers in the light of new high-throughput sequencing technologies (Gianfranceschi L.)
- New tools and approaches derived from genomics advancement: pangenome and whole-genome sequencing. (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Strategies and methods to construct high density linkage maps (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Modern approaches to QTL mapping (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Crossing schemes to obtain breeding populations and discussion of their characteristics (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Experimental design used in breeding programs for the improvement and selection of crop species (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Genome-Wide Association Studies and Genomic selection approaches (Gianfranceschi L.)
The following topics will be presented and discussed:
- Challenges of modern plant breeding and how the molecular tools could be used to improve and speed up breeding (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Overview of Plant Reproduction Systems and practical lesson on breeding using available plant material (Gregis V.)
- Genome Editing Approaches for Plant Improvement (Gregis V.)
- Epigenetics Concepts for Plant Improvement (Gregis V.)
- Epigenetics concepts for plant improvement (Gregis V.)
- Principles of population genetics selection, inbreeding and genetic drift (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Modern breeder's molecular tools: the evolution of molecular markers in the light of new high-throughput sequencing technologies (Gianfranceschi L.)
- New tools and approaches derived from genomics advancement: pangenome and whole-genome sequencing. (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Strategies and methods to construct high density linkage maps (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Modern approaches to QTL mapping (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Crossing schemes to obtain breeding populations and discussion of their characteristics (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Experimental design used in breeding programs for the improvement and selection of crop species (Gianfranceschi L.)
- Genome-Wide Association Studies and Genomic selection approaches (Gianfranceschi L.)
Prerequisites for admission
A basic knowledge of genetics, molecular biology, botany and statistics is highly recommended.
Teaching methods
Teaching mode: Traditional lectures with powerpoint presentations, available to the students after the lecture through Ariel platform. Seminars from scientists working in plant breeding.
Attendance: highly recommended.
Attendance: highly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Copies of the slides projected in the classroom, references to scientific papers and reviews indicated during the course and other study material will be made available through the course website on the ARIEL platform of the University of Milano (http://ariel.ctu.unimi.it).
By no means this material replaces the lectures or a textbook. The material is made available only to registered students of the Degree Course in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and should not be distributed to others.
By no means this material replaces the lectures or a textbook. The material is made available only to registered students of the Degree Course in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and should not be distributed to others.
Assessment methods and Criteria
There is a single final exam consisting of an oral discussion on topics presented during the course. The discussion begins with a short presentation by the student (max 15 minutes) of a research article on topics covered in the course. Sample exam papers will be discussed during lectures and a list of suitable articles will be made available to the students via the Ariel website. The selected scientific article must be sent to the teachers for approval at least 10 days before the examination date. Either through the indicated online form or via email. The final grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS - University credits: 5
BIO/18 - GENETICS - University credits: 1
BIO/18 - GENETICS - University credits: 1
Lectures: 48 hours
Professors:
Gianfranceschi Luca Enrico Angelo, Gregis Veronica
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon email request
2nd floor, C building, Dept. of Biosciences