Plant Genomics and Breeding
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course will offer the students the main knowledge of genome structure, organization and evolution in model systems and in crops. The course will also provide a detailed description of the main mechanisms of regulation of gene expression and analyze principles and methodologies for forward and reverse genetic analysis.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students will have to know the different components and their distribution and organization within the plant genome. They will have acquired a good comprehension of the characteristics of the repetitive DNA sequences and their role in the evolution of single genes and genomes. They will also have acquired the notions regarding the different levels of regulation of gene expression and learned the principles of the use of phenotypic and molecular markers in the construction of genetic maps and in the study of genetic diversity. They will be able to identify the main characters, along with their molecular basis, of the processes of domestication and crop improvement
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Genome architecture. Different components of the eukaryotic genome: single DNA sequences, single genes and gene families, repetitive DNA sequences, tandem and intersperse repeats. Genetic maps: visible phenotypic markers, DNA molecular markers and linkage analysis. Transposable elements (TE): class I and II elements, molecular and functional features; main TE families in maize, from their discovery to the study of their role in genome and gene evolution. Comparative analysis of plant genome structure and size, colinearity of genomes in cereal species. Orthologous and paralogous genes, evolution of gene families.
Gene expression. Different levels of regulation of gene expression. Regulation of transcription: cis-regulatory sequences and transcription factors; epigenetic changes, DNA methylation and histone modifications. Role of environmental (light, temperature) and internal (developmental stage, hormones) signals on gene expression. Variants of transcription factors and their role in the
The course will offer the students the main knowledge of genome structure, organization and evolution in model systems and in crops. The course will also provide a detailed description of the main mechanisms of regulation of gene expression and analyze principles and methodologies for forward and reverse genetic analysis. Furthermore the course will offer to the students the Essential of genetics improvement in plant breeding.
domestication process, examples in rice, maize and tomato. Regulation of gene expression and plant development: seed origin and domain differentiation.
Functional genomics. Forward genetics: mutagenesis, detection and characterization of knockout mutants. Genetic dissection of biosynthetic pathways and developmental processes. TE mutagenesis: co-segregation analysis and gene sequence isolation. Reverse genetics: organization of mutant collections, survey for single mutant detection, insertion libraries assembly. Single gene variants in crop improvement: genes of the green revolution.
UD2. 'K06-48-B' - 'Advanced plant breeding'
Genome architecture. Different components of the eukaryotic genome: single DNA sequences, single genes and gene families, repetitive DNA sequences, tandem and intersperse repeats. Genetic maps: visible phenotypic markers, DNA molecular markers and linkage analysis. Transposable elements (TE): class I and II elements, molecular and functional features; main TE families in maize, from their discovery to the study of their role in genome and gene evolution. Comparative analysis of plant genome structure and size, colinearity of genomes in cereal species. Orthologous and paralogous genes, evolution of gene families.
Gene expression. Different levels of regulation of gene expression. Regulation of transcription: cis-regulatory sequences and transcription factors; epigenetic changes, DNA methylation and histone modifications. Role of environmental (light, temperature) and internal (developmental stage, hormones) signals on gene expression. Variants of transcription factors and their role in the domestication process, examples in rice, maize and tomato. Regulation of gene expression and plant development: seed origin and domain differentiation.
Functional genomics. Forward genetics: mutagenesis, detection and characterization of knockout mutants. Genetic dissection of biosynthetic pathways and developmental processes. TE mutagenesis: co-segregation analysis and gene sequence isolation. Reverse genetics: organization of mutant collections, survey for single mutant detection, insertion libraries assembly. Single gene variants in crop improvement: genes of the green revolution.
Gene expression. Different levels of regulation of gene expression. Regulation of transcription: cis-regulatory sequences and transcription factors; epigenetic changes, DNA methylation and histone modifications. Role of environmental (light, temperature) and internal (developmental stage, hormones) signals on gene expression. Variants of transcription factors and their role in the
The course will offer the students the main knowledge of genome structure, organization and evolution in model systems and in crops. The course will also provide a detailed description of the main mechanisms of regulation of gene expression and analyze principles and methodologies for forward and reverse genetic analysis. Furthermore the course will offer to the students the Essential of genetics improvement in plant breeding.
domestication process, examples in rice, maize and tomato. Regulation of gene expression and plant development: seed origin and domain differentiation.
Functional genomics. Forward genetics: mutagenesis, detection and characterization of knockout mutants. Genetic dissection of biosynthetic pathways and developmental processes. TE mutagenesis: co-segregation analysis and gene sequence isolation. Reverse genetics: organization of mutant collections, survey for single mutant detection, insertion libraries assembly. Single gene variants in crop improvement: genes of the green revolution.
UD2. 'K06-48-B' - 'Advanced plant breeding'
Genome architecture. Different components of the eukaryotic genome: single DNA sequences, single genes and gene families, repetitive DNA sequences, tandem and intersperse repeats. Genetic maps: visible phenotypic markers, DNA molecular markers and linkage analysis. Transposable elements (TE): class I and II elements, molecular and functional features; main TE families in maize, from their discovery to the study of their role in genome and gene evolution. Comparative analysis of plant genome structure and size, colinearity of genomes in cereal species. Orthologous and paralogous genes, evolution of gene families.
Gene expression. Different levels of regulation of gene expression. Regulation of transcription: cis-regulatory sequences and transcription factors; epigenetic changes, DNA methylation and histone modifications. Role of environmental (light, temperature) and internal (developmental stage, hormones) signals on gene expression. Variants of transcription factors and their role in the domestication process, examples in rice, maize and tomato. Regulation of gene expression and plant development: seed origin and domain differentiation.
Functional genomics. Forward genetics: mutagenesis, detection and characterization of knockout mutants. Genetic dissection of biosynthetic pathways and developmental processes. TE mutagenesis: co-segregation analysis and gene sequence isolation. Reverse genetics: organization of mutant collections, survey for single mutant detection, insertion libraries assembly. Single gene variants in crop improvement: genes of the green revolution.
Prerequisites for admission
General genetics course.
Teaching methods
The course includes both lectures and laboratory practical sections. A technical visit to a research centre, in which activities related to the topics covered by the course are carried out, will also be proposed.
Teaching Resources
Russel, Genetica - Un approccio molecolare, Pearson
Grotewold, Chappell, Kellogg, Plant Genes, Genomes and Genetics, Wiley-Blackwell Lorenzetti et al. Miglioramento genetico delle piante agrarie - edagricole
Lewin's Gene XIII - Jones and Bartlet
Genetica e Genomica (vol. II e III). (Barcaccia e Falcinelli)
Principles of genetics and breeding (G. Acquaah)
Plant biotechnology and genetics (C.N. Stewart, JR)
Articles on specific topics and main slides of the lectures will be available on the Ariel platform.
Grotewold, Chappell, Kellogg, Plant Genes, Genomes and Genetics, Wiley-Blackwell Lorenzetti et al. Miglioramento genetico delle piante agrarie - edagricole
Lewin's Gene XIII - Jones and Bartlet
Genetica e Genomica (vol. II e III). (Barcaccia e Falcinelli)
Principles of genetics and breeding (G. Acquaah)
Plant biotechnology and genetics (C.N. Stewart, JR)
Articles on specific topics and main slides of the lectures will be available on the Ariel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination comprises an oral test, which takes place at the scheduled times at the end of the course and during the year. The following will be assessed during the test: 1) Knowledge and skills in the use of formal and molecular genetic analysis tools aimed at studying gene expression and function. 2) The ability to interpret the link between genetic variants and phenotypes related to traits of importance for the genetic improvement of cultivated plants. The utilisation of molecular and genomic tools for the construction of genetic maps; 4) The comprehension of genetic and molecular tools essential for the execution of breeding programmes.
At the colloquium, the student may display and discuss a text or PowerPoint presentation on a specific topic covered during the course. The final interview also includes a discussion of the activities carried out and the results obtained during the laboratory practical sessions.
At the colloquium, the student may display and discuss a text or PowerPoint presentation on a specific topic covered during the course. The final interview also includes a discussion of the activities carried out and the results obtained during the laboratory practical sessions.
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS - University credits: 11
Single bench laboratory practical: 32 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Professors:
Consonni Gabriella, Pilu Salvatore Roberto
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)