Molecular Methods for Plant Breeding

The course provides in-depth elements of plant genetic improvement, referring to the use in this sector of biometrics, molecular biology, genomics, functional genomics and genetic engineering techniques.
The first part of the course provides a review of the concepts of Mendelian genetics aimed at understanding the application of molecular markers to genome mapping studies and the identification and cloning of chromosomal regions responsible for simple and quantitative traits (QTL). The concept of marker-assisted mapping (MAS) is being developed accordingly. In parallel, the topic of molecular markers is addressed with the relative applications both as regards the mapping and fingerprinting of genomes.
The second part deals with the topic of sequencing and genome analysis starting from traditional technologies up to the latest generation ones.
The third part of the course is dedicated to the study of gene expression, starting from the simplest cases up to large-scale applications, where technologies based on microarray and microchip (such as Affymetrix, Illumina, RNA-seq etc.) are addressed. The bioinformatics methods of data analysis and access to the main genetic databases with classroom simulations are also addressed.
The fourth part of the course introduces methods of production and use of transgenic plants, including new breeding technologies (NBT) for applications aimed at improving agronomic traits.
A fundamental part of the course are exercises that allow the student to put into practice some advanced operational concepts for a better understanding of what is presented in theory.