97302 - Elements of Genetics of Ornamental Plants

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know the molecular bases of the genetic information, the inheritance of mendelian traits and quantitative traits. The student will also know the main aspects concerning (i) the effects of native and artificially induced (through mutagenesis) genetic variability, (ii) heterosis, (iii) population genetics and (iv) their applications to breeding of ornamental plants.

Course contents

PREREQUISITES

The student taking this course possesses elementary knowledge of chemistry, biology, mathematics, and statistics. This knowledge is acquired in high school and in the basic courses taught duringthe first two years of study, with which this course is coordinated.

CONTENT OF CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

1. Introduction and presentation of the contents, materials, and examination methods (1 hour)

2. Molecular basis of the replication of genetic information and its expression (5 hours)

• Inheritance and inherited material. Composition and replication of DNA.
• Gene and its expression: RNA and transcription of the message. Genetic code and translation of the message. Gene regulation: central dogma of molecular biology.

Knowledge acquired: Structure of genetic material and how it can be replicated (DNA) or transcribed and translated (RNA). Principles underlying the use of DNA for diagnostic, forensic, or commercial purposes.

 

3. Transmission of hereditary material: Mendel's experiments, gene association, and genetic maps (3 hours)
(integration with the biology course: reproduction; mitosis and meiosis).

• Genetic relevance of sexula reproduction, recombination, genetic aspects of mitosis and meiosis.
• Mendel's experiments: dominance, segregation, independent assortment.
• Gene association: recombination at linked loci (crossing-over). Association maps and genetic markers.

Knowledge acquired: Hereditary transmission of Mendelian traits. Role of sexual reproduction in recombination. Construction of genetic maps.

 

4. The dynamic genome: main modifications of hereditary material and genetic engineering (3 hours)

• Spontaneous mutations: gene, chromosomal, and genomic.
• Elements of genetic engineering. Techniques of assisted evolution: gene editing.

Knowledge acquired: Main modifications of hereditary material (mutations). Origin of genetic variability. Genetic transformation of plants and other means to induce useful variability.

 

5. Inheritance of quantitative traits (3 hours)
(integration with the statistics course: mean and variance).

• Johannsen experiments, genotypic effect, and environmental effect, economic importance of quantitative traits.
• Analysis of the components of the mean and variance. Inbreeding and heterosis.

Knowledge acquired: Hereditary transmission of traits of agronomic and economic interest determined by complex multifactorial loci.

 

6. Population genetics (3 hours)

• Hardy-Weinberg law. Factors of equilibrium: mutations, migration, selection, non-random mating, population size (genetic drift).
• Genetic erosion. Conservation of intraspecific genetic biodiversity, evolution.

Knowledge acquired: Genetic aspects of natural and artificial populations. Causes of variations in allele and genotype frequencies. Genetic aspects underlying the conservation of intraspecific biodiversity.

7. Evolution, genetic improvement, and valorization of biodiversity (3 hours)

• History of genetic improvement. Genetic improvement in self-pollinating and cross-pollinating plants.
• Brief notes on the management of genetic improvement programs, on genetics in seed production, and on seed trade.

Knowledge acquired: Genetic aspects in artificial selection and seed dissemination.

 

8. Activities carried out during practical sessions (12 hours)

• Group activities: how to find and evaluate information in the genetic field, critical analysis guided by the teacher and conducted by students, writing reports, and presenting brief seminars.

Knowledge acquired in unit 8:

• Acquisition of the scientific method in genetics through statistical verification of data.
• Ability to independently acquire new information, using critical and source verification skills, partly in English.
• Experience in teamwork and public communication of technical reports.

Readings/Bibliography

F. Lorenzetti e altri. Genetica agraria - Genetica e biotecnologie applicate all'agricoltura. Patron, Bologna, 2023.

V. Scariot e altri (a cura di). Florovivaismo, principi e tecniche. Sezione seconda: innovazione di prodotto, miglioramento genetico, propagazione. Edagricole, Milano, 2022.

M. Busconi e altri. Genetica agraria, EdiSES, Napoli, 2016.

Notes from the course available on line through the Moodle platform (iol): Conceptual frameworks from classes, datasets used in practicals, collection of students works and of short reports, groups support for seminar organization.

Literature and notes in English will be provided upon request.

Teaching methods

The course consists of 18 hours of teaching assisted by the projection of slides, animations and videos, and 12 hours of hours of tutorials (practical classes) in didactic / demonstration fields and in the classroom. Tutoring activity will assist student's progress, especially for those who are not familiar with bases of genetics fron previous studies.

The frontal teaching is aimed at illustrating the subjects and at stimulating the involvement of students to verify previous knowledge, the level of learning of the new topics and to promote a critical discussion of the topics covered. Particularly interesting topics, related to the subjects covered in the class, will also be explored in group discussions, case study examination and seminars.

The exercises aim to make students familiar with the results of diagnostic analyses, and with the scientific method in the genetic field, by means of statistical data verification. It is also intended to stimulate the ability to criticize and verify the sources of informtion, partly in English. Last but not least, the aim of practical classes is to promote teamwork and public communication of technical documents.

Assessment methods

The course module is part of the Integrated Course Applications of Genetics and Microbiology, along with the following other teaching module: BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF USEFUL MICROFLORA. Therefore, the evaluation of the course takes into account jointly the level of knowledge and skills acquired by the student in relation to the contents of all of the above two teaching moduless. The knowledge and skills taught in this course are assessed through an oral exam lasting about 20 minutes and encompassing three questions. In particular, two questions are related to the basic aspects developed in the six teaching units in which the course is articulated, while the third question is more general

Teaching tools

Personal computer and projector for classroom activities.

Scientific literature provived by the Sistema Bibiliografico di Ateneo and provided through VIRTUALE platform.

Blog/forum for discussion teacher-students on VIRTUALE platform, accessible to the course student only.

Self-evaluation quizzes in VIRTUALE platform for assisting the larning process and for trying the final exam.

The conceptual framework presented in classes and notes explaning how to approach textbooks will be made available to the students through VIRTUALE platform.

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Frascaroli