Applied Plant Biology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Describe the use of plants in phytoremediation and bioremediation.
• Understand the strategies behind biofortification.
• Understand and describe how plants are being utilised in the modern world in a wide range of applications
• Describe applications of plant biotechnology to generate novel products such as vaccines and antibodies
• Recognise the potential bioethical issues associated with transgenic approaches and ways to reduce these problems
• Understand plant transformation technologies.
• Understand the potential for developing artificial plant based ecosystems for use during space exploration.
• Be able to discuss the biotechnological approaches being adopted to improve plants used as raw materials for biofuel production.
• Understand how plants can be modified to improve nutritional benefits and long term storage

The module provides a broad outline of the applications of plant biotechnology in the modern world. Where possible, general principles are developed alongside specific examples rather than giving exhaustive lists of detailed information. Plants are increasingly being utilised in a wide range of biotechnological applications. The cornerstone of utilising plants in biotechnology has been the ongoing development and improvement in generating transgenics (GM plants) in a range of species. The methods and principles in making transgenic plants will be covered in the module as well as looking at more traditional breeding strategies. The use of transgenic plants in medical applications, phyto- and bioremediation and biofortification will be covered. The current pressure to increase the generation of energy from sources of renewable plant material has made this a highly topical area. The biotechnological approaches being utilised to improve crops providing the raw materials as well as the methods to produce the biofuels will be covered. Planned future space exploration and potential colonisation of space will require sustainable plant based artificial ecosystems to be developed and as a result this is becoming an area of increasing interest.

Lectures, seminars, individual assignments and independent study.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.