48755 - Biology of Plant Development (3 Credits)

Academic Year 2009/2010

  • Docente: Donatella Serafini Fracassini
  • Credits: 3
  • SSD: BIO/01
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Biological sciences (cod. 0091)

Learning outcomes

The objective is the knowledge of detailed aspects of the developmental biology either by oral presentations or experiments performed in the laboratory. Students will personally acquire experience of the techniques of in vitro cultures, which can be utilised for the micro propagation industry, and the production of transgenic plants.

Course contents

CYTOLOGY genetic stability. Somaclonal variation. Secondary metabolites and applications. Cytoskeleton and its dynamic during cell growth. Motility proteins. Architecture and biogenesis of the cell wall. Origin, evolution and inter-conversion of chloroplasts. Molecular aspects of programmed cell death. The transgenic plants: theory and practical experiments.
THE IN VITRO COLTURES. The zygotic and somatic embryogenesis. Meristems and staminal cells. The in vitro morphogenesis: caulogenesis, rizogenesis and genesis of flowers. The model systems.
METHODOLOGIES. preparation of the culture media,  sterility condition, preparation of explants of higher plants and algae. Quantitative evaluation of growth and statistical analysis of the data. Presentation of the data.

Readings/Bibliography

Altamura MM et al. Elementi di biologia dello sviluppo delle piante. Editore  EdiSES, 2007.
WOLPERT L. e altri - Biologia dello sviluppo, Editore Zanichelli, 2000.
BUCHANAN BB. e altri - Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare delle Piante, Editore Zanichelli, 2003.
additional read: SALA F. - Gli OGM sono davvero pericolosi? Editori Laterza, 2005.

Teaching methods

Oral presentations. Individual and group experimental work.

Assessment methods

Preparation of a power point on a subject of the development biology. Presentation of the data obtained by the experiments performed in the laboratory.

Teaching tools

Video projector for power points prepared  by the teacher. Autoclave, flow hood, thermostatic chambers, and microscope, computer, PCR. Electrophoresis.

Office hours

See the website of Donatella Serafini Fracassini