Module Details

Module Code: BIOT7008
Title: Plant Biotechnology
Long Title: Plant Biotechnology
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4218 - Biotechnology
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module introduces the concepts of plant tissue culture and micropropagation. An understanding of in vitro plant tissue manipulation is developed. Tissue culture applications to genetic transformation, bioreactors and mutation breeding are introduced and discussed.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss the Plant Biotechnology Industry.
LO2 Carry out and evaluate the processes involved in introduction of plant material to the in vitro environment.
LO3 Discuss and evaluate growth media technologies, composition, preparation and optimisation.
LO4 Complete culture media preparation and pouring
LO5 Perform and discuss manipulations of in vitro material and environment for application to various usages to include: Micropropagation, variation, plant breeding and secondary metabolite production.
LO6 Discuss and evaluate molecular methods as tools in plant breeding.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Tissue Culture Industry
History of Plant Tissue Culture, Comparison of Conventional and Micropropagation techniques for Plant Propagation, Current Tissue Culture Industry and relationship with Modern Plant Breeding.
Explant features and techniques, in vitro environment.
Mother Plant Preparation, Explant Selection & Preparation, Tissue Sterilisation and Introduction. In vitro Environment, Heterotrophic and autotrophic systems. Preparation and Establishment for ex vitro environment.
Media Preparation
Media ingredients: Macro and Micro Nutrients, Vitamins, Plant Growth Regulators, pH, Gelling Agents, Liquid Culture. Media Sterilisation and Dispensing: Autoclaves, Sterile Dispensing.
Tissue & Organ Culture and Micropropagation
Plant Organ and Tissue Regeneration; Techniques and Regeneration Efficiency, Somatic Embryogenesis, Bio-reactors. Variation, genetic and epigenetic, advantages/ usage and precautions.
Genetic Modifications
Discussion and evaluation of tissue culture dependent plant breeding technologies and other sources of variation in culture.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Plant Biotechnology
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 11 Learning Outcomes 1,3,5,6
Assessment Description
Theory Assessment
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 2,4,5
Assessment Description
In lab write ups assessed.
lab examination is undertaken where formulation write up and execution of a protocol is assessed.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Micropropagation Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Learner Completes various tasks relating to plant biotechnology and interacts with tutorial and video delivery Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Learner studies lab and lecture material and reads around topics introduced. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lab Contact Learner Completes various tasks relating to plant biotechnology and interacts with tutorial and video delivery Every Week 2.00 2
Lecture Contact Module content delivery Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Learner studies lab and lecture material and reads around topics introduced. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • George, E., Hall, M.A. and De Klerk, G. J.. (2009), Plant Propagation by Tissue Culture, Volume 1, Springer Netherlands, p.516p, [ISBN: 978-9048172528].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Arie Altman (Editor), Paul Michael Hasegawa (Editor). (2011), Plant Biotechnology and Agriculture, Academic Press, p.624, [ISBN: 0123814669].
  • Kyte L., Kleyn J.G., Scoggins H and Bridgen M.. (2013), Plants from test tubes, 4th. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, [ISBN: 1604692065].
  • Alan C. Cassells, Peter B. Gahan. (2006), Dictionary of plant tissue culture, Food Products Press, New York, [ISBN: 978-1560229186].
  • Adrian Slater, Nigel W. Scott, Mark R. Fowler. (2008), Plant biotechnology: The Genetic Manipulation of Plants, Oxford University Press, Oxford, [ISBN: 0199282617].
  • Fett-Neto A.G. (Ed.). (2015), Biotechnology of Plant Secondary Metabolism 2016: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology), Humana Press Inc., [ISBN: 978-149393391].
  • Stewart, C.N. Jr.. (2016), Plant Biotechnology and Genetics: Principles, Techniques, and Applications, 2nd. Wiley-Blackewll, p.400, [ISBN: 9781118820124].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Korban, S.K.. Journal, Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, [ISSN: 0167-6857].
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SHERB_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Herbal Science 5 Mandatory
CR_BHORT_7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture 5 Mandatory