Plant Biotechnology (online)

Plant biotechnology is a discipline that connects the new insights into genes and their products with the end product that is destined for the market. As with other technological disciplines, plant biotechnology comprises a mixture of many other scientific areas of biological sciences such as molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology and genetics. In this course we will present information on the basics of classical plant biotechnology through to advanced methods for modifying and improving plants and plant products. This will be done using knowledge clips, exercises, study of a set textbook and recent scientific publications. In addition the participants will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the course and use their own creativity in the form of an group assignment that will run throughout the course. Another main feature of the course will be to analyse and assess the implications of this new technology for wider society. The assignment will form a central part of the course and will be submitted in the form of a written report and a presentation the latter will be reviewed and evaluated by fellow students. The presentations and debates will form part of practical week at the WUR campus.

Program/Minor

Master Plant Breeding

Learning Outcomes

Understand the scientific and technological components of what is and is not Plant Biotechnology; Understand the molecular biological basis of the key technologies comprising plant biotechnology; Analyse literature an apply the findings to a biotechnological problem; Critically review the position of plant biotechnology in relation to society; Conceive, plan, write and present a project proposal for a plant biotechnological product

Prerequisites

Assumed: Basic molecular biology and plant biochemistry

Details

Institution: WUR

Period: Period 4

Level: Intermediate

EC: 3 ec

Plant Breeding

This course introduces students to key principles of plant breeding. Plant breeding is the science-driven creative process of changing the traits of plants in order to develop new plant varieties. Several essential approaches and tools used in the process are discussed: different modes of reproduction, selection methods, including molecular selection methods, the production of hybrid cultivars, mutation breeding and polyploidy. Some insight is given in legislative aspects of Plant Breeder’s Rights and patents.

Program/Minor

BSc Minor Experimental Plant Sciences BSc Minor Plant Biotechnology BSc Minor Plant Breeding Bachelor Plant Sciences Master Plant Biotechnology Master Plant Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Explain basic concepts and principles in plant breeding; Analyze genetic segregations and linkages; Summarize the advantages and limitations of plant breeding selection programmes, taking into account the crop of interest, its reproductive mode, the trait of interest, and feasibility of genomic, genotypic and phenotypic tools; Explain the theory of domestication of crop species, also in relation to changes at the ploidy level and structural chromosomal changes; Explain and discuss the principles of breeders' rights and patents; Explain the concepts of genetic markers and how they are applied in plant breeding, especially for the quick introgression of genes from wild material; Understand and apply basic techniques in molecular biology, such as DNA, RNA and protein isolation, (RT)-PCR, restriction enzyme digestions, agarose gel electrophoresis, cloning; Use practical skills in plant breeding, such as quantitative analysis and lab skill

Prerequisites

Laboratory Safety, Fieldwork Safety. Assumed: Mendelian genetics as taught in GEN11806, textbook Griffiths [et al.], An Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 12th ed.: Chapters 1, 2, 3 (single gene inheritance, Mendel’s laws), 4 (mapping by recombination), 6 (digenic segregation patterns), and 19 (inheritance of complex traits, heritability).

Details

Institution: WUR

Period: Period 1, Period 4

Level: Intermediate

EC: 6 ec

Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

This course provides knowledge on recent developments in plant breeding and future prospects in plant biotechnology. A thorough understanding of genetics, plant breeding and biotechnology tools including genetic modification and gene editing is linked to applications in various fields (crop improvement, biofortification, soil remediation and biofuel production). After a general introduction into a field, recent papers covering new developments in biotechnology will be discussed by and with the participants. Students should get acquainted with technological challenges and the possibilities of Plant Biotechnology. Through case studies, societal aspects and ethical dilemma’s of the application of current GM-crops will be discussed. A guest lecture from a researcher at a Plant Breeding company will tie together all information and illustrate the state of the art in applied plant breeding.

Program/Minor

Master's Biological Sciences

Learning Outcomes

The student can describe how plant (epi) genetics plays a role in crop domestication at a physiological, biochemical, genetic and cellular level; The student can explain how biotechnology can be applied in modern plant breeding; The student can evaluate manuscripts in the field of experimental plant sciences and biotechnology, write reviews on these and can present the content of these in an understandable and comprehensive way; The student can select and apply web-based tools for gene annotation and DNA methylation analyses and interpret the findings.

Prerequisites

Entry requitements: Bachelor Biology, Medical Biology, Biochemistry or equivalent; Recommended prior knowledge in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, biochemistry.

Details

Institution: UvA

Period: Period 1

Level: Master

EC: 6 ec

Plant Development & Environment

Plants are continuously challenged by sometimes life-threatening changes in their environment. These can severely impact their development and even kill plants. Interestingly, plants can flexibly adjust their development to deal with these environmental changes. They can for example adjust root anatomy to resist drought, overall root architecture to forage for nutrients, and shoot architecture to escape from shade or submergence. In order to ascertain optimal development, plants have evolved a broad variety of mechanisms of developmental plasticity.
In this course we discuss how plants control their development, how plants sense the environmental cues flooding and salinity, and how environmental signalling controls plant development. You will be learning to combine knowledge from molecular genetics, physiology, and functional genomics to understand plant organismal development and the interaction with the environment. This course combines lectures with hands-on practice in wet lab practicals and data labs.

This course moves beyond textbook knowledge to recent research in plant developmental plasticity under environmental stress. You will explore how signalling molecules, gene expression, and physiology integrate across scales to regulate plant development. Salinity and flooding serve as key case studies. Through lectures, wet labs and data labs, you will practice the full scientific cycle—from hypothesis to data analysis—gaining hands-on experience with phenotyping, molecular analysis, and genomics tools. The course prepares you for academic research in plant science, combining theory with experimental work using real data and techniques from the field.

Program/Minor

Biologie (BIOL) (B)

Learning Outcomes

Evaluate primary articles and experimental data to draw conclusions; Design, plan, perform and analyse scientific experiments; Describe how plants develop and how development is regulated; Describe the characteristics of different environmental stresses; Describe mechanisms of developmental adjustments to environmental stress; Explain how external stress stimuli are translated at a cellular level into an adjustment of the plant developmental program; Explain variation between plants for developmental plasticity to stress. In other words, understand why some species are able to adjust and others are not

Prerequisites

Plants and micro-organisms (niveau 1) and Plant Physiology and Development (niveau 2) are required. Molecular Genetic Research Techniques (B-B2MGOT14) and Plants in Context (B-B2PICO21) are recommended.

Details

Institution: UU

Period: Period 3

Level: Advanced

EC: 7.5 ec

Plant Physiology and Development

Het centrale thema in deze cursus is het functioneren van de plant in relatie tot haar omgeving. Omdat planten niet mobiel zijn, stemmen zij hun groei en ontwikkeling voortdurend af op veranderende omgevingsfactoren, zoals (a)biotische stress en seizoensgebonden signalen. De cursus behandelt zowel basale processen die nodig zijn voor groei en ontwikkeling, als de moleculaire mechanismen waarmee hogere planten op hun omgeving reageren.

Aan bod komen onder andere: embryogenese, vegetatieve en generatieve ontwikkeling, vruchtvorming, zaadzetting, kieming, veroudering, patroonvorming, meristemen, orgaanvorming, polariteit en celdifferentiatie. Er is aandacht voor bloeiregulatie via daglengte, temperatuur en interne signalen, en voor hormonale regulatie (auxine, gibberelline, cytokinine, ethyleen, abscisinezuur, brassinosteroïden, strigolactonen, jasmonzuur en salicylzuur), inclusief hun werkingsmechanismen en interacties.

Ook de rol van licht (rood, ver-rood, blauw en uv) tijdens ontwikkelingsstadia en de aanpassing aan met name abiotische stress (droogte, hitte, zout, koude, hypoxie) wordt besproken. Alle processen worden benaderd op plant-, cel- en moleculair niveau. Tot slot wordt de relatie gelegd met maatschappelijke thema’s zoals duurzame landbouw, klimaatverandering, domesticatie en veredeling, biotechnologie, transgene gewassen en de plant als bron van energie en voedsel.

Program/Minor

Biologie (BIOL) (B)

Learning Outcomes

Heb je inzicht verworven in het moleculair functioneren van een plant op het niveau van cel, weefsel, en volledige plant; Kun je de mechanismen beschrijven waarover hogere planten beschikken om op diverse omgevingsfactoren te reageren; Kun je plantreacties vertalen naar moleculaire mechanismen die aan de basis liggen van deze reacties; Kun je beschrijven hoe een plant zich aan kan passen aan verschillende types van stress in zijn leefmilieu; Kun je onderzoekgericht denken om mogelijke plantreacties te evalueren en te kunnen sturen; Heb je inzicht verkregen in verschillende maatschappelijke ontwikkelingen waarin planten centraal staan, zoals de duurzame landbouw, de discussie omtrent transgene gewassen, de plant als energiebron (biobrandstoffen) en de effecten van klimaatverandering op plantengroei en -ontwikkeling.

Prerequisites

De eerstejaars cursus Planten en Micro-organismen of vergelijkbare kennis wordt sterk aanbevolen.

Details

Institution: UU

Period: Period 1

Level: Intermediate

EC: 7.5 ec

Plant-Environment Interactions

General lectures on plant-environment interactions will set the stage for an advanced-level course on how plants adjust to their environmental factors. The case studies discussed in this interactive course include drought, temperature, salinity, flooding, and nutrient stresses. Students will independently study the latest developments in plant responses and plasticity towards variations in their environment.

The course content was adjusted to highlight and discuss GenAI use in scientific writing and academic assignments, including practicing GenAI statements. The workshop highlights the capacity and limitations of GenAI to generate scientific texts. The assessment is assignment 2 has been adjusted to accept GenAI use.

Program/Minor

Environmental Biology

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should have a profound understanding of the molecular and physiological mechanisms employed by plants to adjust themselves to their abiotic environment. At the end of the course, students should be able to: Analyze, present and integrate primary literature on plant-environment interactions.

Prerequisites

Plant biology knowledge, as for example provided through the study track Plant Biology in the Biology BSc at UU.

Details

Institution: UU

Period: Period 1

Level: Master

EC: 3 ec

Plant-Microbe Interactions

Plant-microbe interactions will be introduced in a general lecture, highlighting recent developments and the importance of the reviewing process. For a set of recent manuscripts the students will act as reviewers and editors following the format provided by high standard international journals. Editor decisions will be presented and discussed.

Program/Minor

Environmental Biology (PLBI) Biomolecular and Cellular Life Sciences (BMOL)

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should have a profound understanding of: The reviewing process in publishing research papers in high standard international journals. In-depth knowledge on state of the art studies in Plant-Microbe Interactions, focusing on both pathogenic and mutualistic interactions. At the end of the course, students should be able to: Analyze, present and integrate primary literature on plant-microbe interactions.

Prerequisites

Knowledge in Plant Biology, at the level of the relevant courses in the Utrecht University Biology bachelor.

Details

Institution: UU

Period: Period 1

Level: Master

EC: 3 ec

Planten in Context

Het centrale thema in de cursus is de interactie van de plant met zijn omgeving en de verschillende (sub)disciplines die bij deze interacties betrokken zijn. In de eerste 5 weken zal er elke week een ander thema zijn, namelijk Bodemontwikkeling & Water, Wortel & Nutriënten, Bodemleven, Stressfysiologie & Plasticiteit en Competitie & Biodiversiteit, waarbij de plant centraal staat. Dit zal niet alleen middels introductie colleges worden gedaan, maar er zullen elke week ook 2 specialisten zijn die een (interactief) hoorcollege binnen het thema van die week zullen geven. Verder zijn er wekelijkse opdrachten en werkgroepen waarin o.a. literatuur wordt besproken en vragen zullen worden behandeld in kleinere groepen. Ook zal er een aantal keer een activiteit zijn. Deze eerste 5 weken zal een solide basis geven in allerlei facetten van plant-omgeving interacties vanuit verschillende wetenschappelijke disciplines. Dit gedeelte van het vak zal afgesloten worden met een tentamen in week 6. In het tweede gedeelte van het vak zal er meer aandacht zijn voor de toegepaste kant, zoals land- en tuinbouw of voedselzekerheid. Daarnaast zal er ook aandacht zijn voor interdisciplinariteit en het toepassen daarvan. Er zal in groepsverband een verslag worden geschreven naar aanleiding van een probleem/onderwerp waarbij de studenten niet alleen de verkregen wetenschappelijke kennis moeten toepassen, maar ook de interdisciplinaire vaardigheden.

Program/Minor

Biologie (BIOL) (B)

Learning Outcomes

Heb je inzicht in hoe bodemprocessen invloed hebben op planten, maar ook hoe planten bodemprocessen beïnvloeden; Kan je (nutriënten)stress van planten vertalen naar mogelijke aanpassingen van de plant; Heb je inzicht in wat voor bodemleven er is en de interactie die het heeft met planten; Heb je inzicht in verschillende mechanismen achter plant-plant interacties; kun je onderzoekgericht denken om plant-omgeving interacties te vertalen en in te kunnen zetten t.b.v. een probleem of (onderzoeks)vraag; Heb je inzicht in wat interdisciplinariteit inhoudt en hoe je dat kunt toepassen;

Prerequisites

Het wordt sterk aanbevolen eerst de eerstejaars cursus Planten en Micro-organismen te hebben behaald.

Details

Institution: UU

Period: Period 3

Level: Intermediate

EC: 7.5 ec

Plants and Micro Organisms

De cursus bestaat uit twee delen: planten en micro-organismen. In het plantendeel worden drie thema’s behandeld. Je bestudeert fotosynthesemechanismen (C3, C4, CAM), de invloed van interne en externe milieufactoren, en de rol van fotosynthese, ademhaling en morfologie in de koolstofbalans. Daarna verdiep je je in water- en nutriëntentransport (xyleem, floëem, transpiratie, wortelstructuur, rhizosfeer, exudaten, biotische interacties). Tot slot leer je hoe ontwikkeling (kieming, groei, bloei) wordt gereguleerd door plantenhormonen en (a)biotische factoren. Er is aandacht voor signaaltransductieroutes, plant-microbe interacties, voedselproductie en genetische modificatie.

In het micro-organismedeel leer je over biodiversiteit, technieken om micro-organismen te bestuderen, genoomplasticiteit, signalering en adaptatie aan (a)biotische factoren. Je onderzoekt ook interacties van micro-organismen met planten, dieren en de mens.

Program/Minor

Biology (BIOL) (B)

Learning Outcomes

De verschillen tussen fotosynthesetypen (C3, C4, CAM) uitleggen en beschrijven hoe milieufactoren deze processen beïnvloeden; Uitleggen hoe xyleem- en floëemtransport werkt en hoe de interne bouw van blad, stengel en wortel daarmee samenhangt; Verklaren hoe planten zich met fysiologische en morfologische eigenschappen aanpassen aan hun (a)biotische omgeving, inclusief de rol van hormonen en interne sturing; Toelichten hoe planteigenschappen bijdragen aan voedselproductie en hoe genetische modificatie hierin een rol kan spelen; De diversiteit en eigenschappen van micro-organismen (bacteriën, schimmels, virussen) beschrijven en de technieken uitleggen waarmee deze worden bestudeerd; Verwoorden hoe micro-organismen hun genetisch materiaal aanpassen en reageren op (a)biotische factoren; De basismechanismen beschrijven van interacties tussen micro-organismen en planten, dieren en mensen; Een biologisch probleem analyseren, informatie verzamelen, data verwerken en analyseren, en mondeling rapporteren.

Prerequisites

VWO met profiel Natuur en Gezondheid met natuurkunde of Natuur en Techniek met biologie.

Details

Institution: UU

Period: Period 2

Level: Introductory

EC: 7.5 ec

Population and Quantitative Genetics

Life on earth shows immense variation, both in phenotypes and the underlying genotypes. Population and quantitative geneticists address questions such as where this variation comes from, how it is maintained, and how it can be used. This course introduces seminal models and concepts that deal with the dynamics of genetic variation, and applies these to natural and domesticated populations of living organisms, ranging from microbes to plants and animals. Understanding the dynamics of genetic variation is not only important for understanding a population’s past and predicting future evolutionary change, but also for using and exploiting this genetic variation in, for instance, plant and animal breeding.

Key topics include:

genetic variation and the evolution of allele frequency;
the effects of mutation, selection, drift, migration, inbreeding, and population structure on the evolution and genetic diversity of populations;
multi-locus genetics and linkage disequilibrium;
polygenic inheritance, heritability and selection on quantitative traits;
genotype by environment interaction and environmental sensitivity;
use of DNA sequence data to infer past population processes, such as selective sweeps, genetic bottlenecks, genetic differentiation and divergence dates;

Program/Minor

Master Biology

Learning Outcomes

Apply population genetic and quantitative genetic models to predict changes in genetic and phenotypic composition of populations under selection Explain how mating patterns, population size, and population structure affect genetic diversity Estimate the size of these effects for specific populations using genetic data Apply the concept heritability in the context of quantitative genetics Use multi-locus models to understand and predict the outcome of neutral and selective processes Apply levels-of-selection theory to explain the evolution of cooperation and conflict Infer consequences of population history for the current genetic characteristics of populations, and vice versa, to infer population history from current data

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of Genetics (or equivalent course on the basics of genetics)

Details

Institution: WUR

Period: Period 6

Level: Advanced

EC: 6 ec

Practical Computing for Life Scientists

This course offers a practical introduction to advanced computer use for the analysis of biological data. It is focused on technical aspects of handling large data files, working on remote computers running the Linux operating system using the command line (shell), and developing practical programming/scripting skills. There will be some emphasis on biological molecules (DNA, proteins, etc.), but the used methods are generally applicable to all biological fields.

Program/Minor

BSc Minor Bioinformatics / BSc Data Science for Global Challenges

Learning Outcomes

Explain fundamental computational concepts; Be proficient in command line (shell) usage; Analyse biological data using command line tools; Store biological data in appropriate data structures, like strings, lists and dictionaries; Apply simple algorithms to filter and simplify biological data; Write and modify simple computer scripts (in Python) for data analysis and visualization

Prerequisites

none

Details

Institution: WUR

Period: Period 1

Level: Intermediate

EC: 6 ec

Principles of Plant Breeding

Online version of the course plant breeding. E-learnings.
This course introduces students to key principles of plant breeding. Plant breeding is the science-driven creative process of changing the traits of plants in order to develop new plant varieties. Several essential approaches and tools used in the process are discussed: different modes of reproduction, selection methods, including molecular selection methods, the production of hybrid cultivars, mutation breeding and polyploidy. Some insight is given in legislative aspects of Plant Breeder’s Rights and patents.

Program/Minor

Master Plant Breeding

Learning Outcomes

Explain basic concepts and principles in plant breeding; Evaluate plant breeding selection programmes in terms of their advantages and limitations; Choose the appropriate selection method to breed for (certain combinations of) traits; Select the appropriate breeding strategy, taking into account the mode of reproduction of the crop of interest; Indicate the key features, advantages and challenges in the production of F1 hybrid cultivars; Analyse observations to separate genetic and non-genetic components of variation, including estimation of heritability; Discuss the consequences of chimerism in mutants, and the implications of ploidy differences in breeding material

Prerequisites

Mendelian genetics.

Details

Institution: WUR

Period: Period 1

Level: Advanced

EC: 3 ec