Plant Biotechnology: GMO for environmental protection

general courses

The use of genetically modified plants (GMO) is an important issue broadly discussed on many fora. Transgenic plants are often presented as posing a serious threat for a human health and for the environment. They are generated for scientific research, as well as for biotechnology including environmental biotechnology. Taking into account the controversy around the use of GMO, biologists should have basic knowledge on plant transformation and the use of GM plants in various areas of human activities. The lecture responds to these needs, presenting the applicability of transgenic plants in a chosen area, paradoxically, for the protection of the environment.

Classroom

General overview of plant transformation methodologies including chloroplasts transformation. Brief presentation of the scope of use of transgenic plants in many areas of human activities with a special focus of the applicability for environmental protection: (i) for enhanced biomass as an energy source and for biofuels production; (ii) for production of vaccines and farmaceutical compounds; (iii) for removal of contaminants (organics and inorganics) from soil, water and air; (iv) to reduce application of pesticides in agriculture; (v) able to grow on saline and degraded soils. Transformation with one gene and multi-gene approach. Open field tests with the use of transgenic plants; regulations. Transgenesis and cisgenesis. Cis-Genesis and grafting in plant biotechnology. Removal of marker genes from transgenic plants. Overview of the assessment of the risk from the use of transgenic plants. New directions in plant biotechnology.

The aim of the lecture is to present the current state of the art in plant transformation technologies aiming at producing plants for their further use for environmental purposes including, also relevant general information. The lecture focuses on a range of topics presented below.

General overview of plant transformation methodologies – including chloroplast transformation - examples, characteristic features.

Brief presentation of the scope of use of transgenic plants in many areas of human activities with a special focus of the applicability for the environmental protection. Genetically modified plants for enhanced biomass as an energy source and for biofuel production. Strategy of removal of pesticides from the environment with the use of transgenic plants. Transgenic plants to reduce the use of pesticides in the agriculture: generation of plants with enhanced tolerance to fungal and bacterial diseases, to virus infection, and others. Modifications of biochemical pathways to improve a plant’s capacity of removal of organic and inorganic contaminants from soil, water and air. Use of transgenic plants for efficient production of enzymes used in a range of industrial fields. Transgenic plants for production of vaccines and farmaceutical compounds. The use of vegetative parts of transformed plants for grafting (e.g. use of transgenic roots for grafting with the shoots from the wild-type plants) for the industry purposes. Transformations with one gene and multi-gene approach. Transgenesis and cisgenesis. New directions in plant genetic modifications to improve the environment and to contribute to the industry needs. Introduction of new regulatory elements. Reducing of position effects in transgenic plants. Removal of marker genes from transgenic plants. Cis-Genesis in plant biotechnology for environmentasl engineering and for the industry needs. Open field tests with the use of transgenic plants. Overview of the assessment of the risk from the use of transgenic plants.

• Biotechnologia roślin. S. Malepszy. PWN. Warszawa. 2009.

• Plant Biotechnology; the genetic manipulation of plants”. A. Slater I wsp. (ed.). Oxford University Press. 2008.

• Transgenic plants and crops. G.G. Khachatourians I wsp. (ed). Marcel Dekker, Inc. 2002.

• Phytotechnologies. N.A. Anjum i wsp. (ed). CRC Press, 2012.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Recognizes dynamic development of natural sciences and emering new disciplins, identifies the most important trends in biology

• Has knowledge of technics used in plant biotechnology

• Knows the basis of planning and performing plant genetic modifications

• Displays knowledge on general plant biotechnology sectors for environmental purposes

ABILITIES:

• Is able to analyse and select information in biology, especially coming from the media

• Is able to use scientific language in discussions with experts in a given discipline

• Is able to deepen the knowledge on his own

• Is able to assess a threat to the environment related to an applied technology and counteract properly

• Is able to plan and put into use a chosen scientific tool to solve a given problem from the environmental sector

COMPETENCES:

• Understands the need for self-studying during entire life, and inspires others for doing the same

• Is able to transfer knowledge on the latest scientific achievements in natural sciences to the society, and explain the necessity to conduct basic research

• Exhibits criticism in accepting information available in mass media which are related to natural sciences and biotechnological achievements

Participation in lectures is mandatory (three absences allowed). Handwritten notes are allowed during exam.

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