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GENE0204-1

Plant genetic engineering

[ version française ]

Duration :30h Th, 30h Pr
Credits/ECTS :
2nd "licence" biological sciences (biology of plants)6
Holder(s) :Jacques Dommes
Course contents : Genetic engineering is a pool of techniques used to develop genetically modified organisms, i.e. organisms in the genome of which one or a few foreign genes are inserted. It allows the rapid development of improved plant varieties or plants producing vaccines or therapeutics. But it is also a valuable tool in fundamental research in plant physiology.

The course contains 11 chapters. The 4 first ones present the different plant transformation methods. The fifth one deals with inverse genetics and gene silencing. Chapters 6 and 7 present examples of genetically modified food plants, and of plants producing recombinant proteins (protein farming). One chapter deals with the phenomenon’s of instability of transgene expression. The 3 last chapters compare genetic engineering approaches to traditional plant breeding, dealing with the risks for health and for the environment and also with the regulations concerning the confined use and the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms.
Course objective :
  • To get acquainted with the main methods used in plant genetic engineering
  • To get informed of the potential of genetic engineering in the study of plant organisms, as well as in the improvement of plant varieties and for the production of recombinant proteins.
  • To get basic informations on European, national and regional regulations dealing with genetically modified organisms.
  • To use all these informations to take part in the discussion on the opportunities and risks of genetic engineering.
Prerequisites : This course is given in the fourth year. The required background is given :
  • During the second year in the following courses : Biochemistry and thermodynamic of biological systems", "Introduction to genetics" and "Plant physiology and ecophysiology".
  • During the third year in the following courses : "General and molecular genetics" and "Plant molecular biology"
Workshops :
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Contacts :




ULg : Students and Studies Administration - Academic Affairs
Contact : Monique Marcourt, direction A.E.E.
Date of data : 8/04/2005
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