PLBIO 3431 - Laboratory in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering of Plants

Spring. 2 credits. Student option grading.

Prerequisite or recommended corequisite: PLBIO 3430 or permission of instructor. Co-meets with PLBIO 5431.

J. Hua.

Companion to PLBIO 3430 with laboratory activities that focus on the practice of plant biotechnology. Students construct transgenes using recombinant DNA methods, transfer genes to plants by a variety of approaches including tissue culture-based methods, assess the integration of transgenes in the host genome and analyze their expression by use of reporter gene assays and by preparing and analyzing nucleic acids. Students will also gain basic skills in bioinformatics.

Outcome 1: Describe the fundamental concepts underlying modern plant molecular biology.

Outcome 2: Gain hands-on experience in implementing methods typically used in plant molecular biological studies.