The course aims to provide knowledge on biotechnological applications in agriculture and forestry as well as how modern molecular biological methods can be used in plant breeding. The course has several elements. Part 1 deals with the genetic transformation of plants with Agrobacterium system, but also with other techniques and tissue culture propagation. Specific problems regarding e.g. grasses and trees are discussed, and the laboratory sections illustrate the transformation and tissue culture of plants. Part 2 deals with how plants but also to some extent bacteria can be utilized as production systems for example, chemicals, fuel, drugs and antibodies, as well as how plants can be genetically modified to have an altered nutrient content (e.g. Golden rice) or to become more resistant to stress. Practical exercises are also included in this subsection. Part 3 concerns with various genetic techniques used in plant breeding, e.g. various molecular markers, genetic maps and even some population genetics / studies of natural variation. Molecular breeding work of various crops are also raised, and the laboratory exercises demonstrate such the use of molecular markers. In Part 4 the social aspects of plant biotechnology is dicsussed, for example, legislation of GMO plants in Sweden and the EU, patent legislation, risk assessment and ethical aspects of GMO plants and similar substances.
The course is divided into three phases: theory (10.5 credits), literature studies and seminarium presentation (1.5 credits), laboratory exercises (3 credits)
Plant biotechnology and molecular breeding, 15 credits
Spring Term 2024
Starts
15 January 2024
Ends
19 March 2024
Study location
Umeå
Language
English
Type of studies
Daytime,
100%
Required Knowledge
90 ECTS credits, of which at least 15 ECTS credits are in the main area of chemistry and 60 ECTS credits in the main area of biology where at least 30 ECTS credits should be in cell- and molecular biology. Swedish for basic eligibility for higher education programmes and English B/6. Requirements for Swedish only apply if the course is held in Swedish.
Academic credits
Applicants in some programs at Umeå University have guaranteed admission to this course. The number of places for a single course may therefore be limited.
Application code
UMU-50942
Application
Application deadline was
16 October 2023.
The application period is closed.
Application and tuition fees
As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
