Plant Genetic Manipulation

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Course Content

The MSc in Plant Genetic Manipulation consists of 11 modules (including a dissertation / research project). These modules are listed below: * Plant Genetic Manipulation - Practical Techniques
* Tissue Culture - Sexual and Somatic Genetics for Plant Improvement
* Research Project 1
* Dissertation 1 and 2
* Plant Cell Signalling
* Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Plant Genetic Manipulation
* Plant Biotechnology
* Genomics
* Sex, Flowers and Biotechnology

Please note that all module details are subject to change.
Over the summer period towards the end of the course, you will undertake a 60-credit research project module, which consists of the completion and write-up of project laboratory work.
Recent research projects carried out by students have included topics such as:

* Introduction of disease resistance into ornamentals and cereals
* Increased shelf-life for vegetable crops
* Dwarfing of species for commercial improvement
* Chloroplast transformation
* Tissue culture and secondary products
* Micropropogation and cryopreservation
* Genetic mapping / positional cloning of male sterility genes in Arabidopsis
* Functional analysis of genes impacting on plant tolerance to toxic minerals
* Studies on the molecular basis of self-incompatability

Training is also provided in Information Technology.
During this course, off-site visits and tuition at Research Institutes and within industry will foster your awareness of current plant research in the agricultural and agro-industry sectors.

Course Structure
The MSc in Plant Genetic Manipulation is delivered on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two years.
The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits´ worth of taught modules and a 60-credit research project completed towards the end of the course.
Assessment methods vary across the modules but typically consist of a combination of:

* Written examinations at the end of the appropriate semester associated with the lecture-based modules
* Formal coursework assignments associated with the lecture modules
* Research project
* A viva voce examination

Modules
A range of practical techniques relevant to Plant Genetic Manipulation will be covered through laboratory-based practicals. These will include: * Conventional and non-conventional techniques of plant hybridisation, in vitro pollination, pollen viability and germination.
* Agrobacterium-induced transformation using wild-type and engineered strains of A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes.
* Tissue culture, micropropagation and protoplast fusion.
* DNA isolation for RAPD analysis and confirmation of hybridity.
* Evaluation of RAPD fragments patterns for phylogeny analysis.
* Analysis of transgenic plants.
* Direct DNA uptake into protoplasts.
* Biolistic and microinjection technologies; flow cytometric analysis for ploidy.

Project areas can include gene mapping in Arabidopsis, molecular biology of senescence, and the introduction and expression of agronomically important genes into crop species using attendant tissue culture and molecular techniques. Prior to commencement of their project students are required to present a completed research proposal which will form the basis of seminar presentations by students. This module covers the latest innovative techniques and approaches to genetic engineering in higher plants, including the use of tissue culture systems and cell fusion technology to study plant and somatic cell hybridisation. Detailed consideration is also given to the development of plant transformation systems for crop improvement. Students will also prepare and present a poster as coursework and a research paper review. Topics will reflect the general area of plant genetic manipulation.The processes of floral development and reproduction are fundamental for plant breeding, crop productivity and horticulture. This module will focus on recent developments that have been made in the understanding of floral development, reproduction and seed production. Topics will focus on how such processes can be manipulated for commercial exploitation and to provide greater understanding of these critical developmental pathways.Assembly of the dissertation in a word-processed, bound form on a topic identified under D2D004 [Dissertation 1: Plant Genetic Manipulation].