Plant Development

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/01
Language
English
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide basic concepts to understand strategies developed by plants to interact and respond to the surrounding environment, being it either biotic or abiotic, and how this interaction can influence plant development. The study will develop at various levels, including the molecular, biochemical and developmental ones, and will also discuss the adaptations of plants to environments characterized by the presence of stressful conditions (biotic or abiotic). Part of the course will deal with the interactions between plants and humans.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students will be familiar with the major communication strategies used by plants to interact with other organisms, and discuss the defense mechanisms activated under stress conditions.
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 objective of the course is to provide the students advanced knowledge about the latest discoveries in plant developmental genetics and biology. By analyzing the experimental data presented in research papers, the students will acquire the capability to discuss mechanisms of development and differentiation, their response to environmental changes and the application of these knowledge to modern plant breeding.
The course aims also to stimulate the development of skills in teamwork and in presenting and discussing scientific data. Seminars held by international experts will be organized for the students and, by the end of the course, students will be organizing a day symposium to present and discuss a selection of the most recent and relevant publications on plant development.

At the end of the course the student will gain a strong theoretical knowledge in genetic/molecular mechanisms controlling plant development. The students will learn how developmental studies on model plant species might be used to solve general questions on food security and biodiversity conservation.
Learn various experimental approaches and cutting-edge technologies.
Be able to critically evaluate experimental data and to present a developmental biology topic to a scientific audience.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of basic plant biology, molecular biology, genetics
Teaching methods
Lectures. Group discussion and group works on specific topics
Seminars
Teaching Resources
Slides and videos from the lessons (available in Ariel)
Scientific papers and reviews on specific topics (available in Ariel)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The knowledge of the students related to the topics discussed during the course will be assessed, as well as the ability to understand and present specialized scientific texts.
BIO/01 - GENERAL BOTANY - University credits: 6
Lectures: 48 hours