Green Biotechnology

BIOL31501 Green Biotechnology 10 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 3 Jon Pittman Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 Green Biotechnology is a rapidly expanding field within modern biotechnology and involves the exploitation of plants and algae not only for the sustainable production of food, but also their utilisation as a source of renewable energy as a biofuel, and as a novel means to generate pharmaceuticals and other novel products. In addition, Green Biotechnology is aimed at developing more environmentally friendly processes compared to traditional industrial agriculture or chemical industry methods. Green Biotechnology is a rapidly expanding field within modern biotechnology and involves the exploitation of plants and algae not only for the sustainable production of food, but also their utilisation as a source of renewable energy as a biofuel, and as a novel means to generate pharmaceuticals and other novel products. In addition, Green Biotechnology is aimed at developing more environmentally friendly processes compared to traditional industrial agriculture or chemical industry methods. This unit will examine the technologies of plant genetic engineering and explore how these are used to generate more efficient crop plants, healthy and nutritious foods, and other commercially attractive products. Students will be able to:• Understand how sustainable biotechnology can be achieved using plants• Critically analyse and understand how to exploit the methods for how plants can be genetically manipulated• Understand and be able to discuss how plant genetic engineering can be used to improve food production, generate healthy and nutritious foods, deliver renewable energy via plants, and enable high-value products (including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, biofuels, biomaterials) production using plants• Understand how to make use of fundamental knowledge of plant processes in order to exploit plants for biotechnology• Understand and be able to discuss some of the important aspects for the commercialisation of plant biotechnology• Understand how to identify and interpret primary research findings in order to propose new research questions and develop new plant biotechnology applications  Analytical skills Student-led coursework report requires critical analysis of research paper data and experimental results. Critical analysis of the literature and lecture taught material is also expected in the exam essay. Group/team working A research paper is analysed by studentsin weekly workshops before answering specific questions. Innovation/creativity The coursework report requires the students to generate a hypothetical research grant application therefore innovation is needed in the research ideas they identify. Leadership Although not explicitly required, it is likely that some students will take the lead in organising the direction of the student-led seminar. Project management Students have to decide between themselves how to manage the student-led seminar they are presenting. Oral communication Students are expected to answer questions to address a research paper in student-led workshop sessions, as well as ask questoins. Problem solving Opportunities to develop problem solving skills depending on the topic of the coursework report and the exam questions which may require a degree of problem solving. Research In generating the coursework report. Written communication Coursework report and one exam essay. Course content will be provided in the form of lectures, material on Canvas, and student-led workshop seminars where groups of students will address questions on recent research paper advances related to each topic.• Precision plant engineering: methods and mechanisms of plant genetic transformation and transgene integration; endogenous gene silencing and its applications; genome editing.• Engineering plants for improved nutrition: generating plants with improved vitamin and nutrient content - the golden rice story; alteration of plant metabolism.• Biotic stress tolerant crops: new approaches and strategies for tolerating plant pests and disease.• Biofuels from plants: biofuel potential, problems and solutions and ethical considerations.• Plants for health: generation of ’superfoods’ by engineering secondary metabolism.• Current topics in plant biotechnology: some of the latest insights and innovation in the field of plant biotechnology through evaluation of new research papers. 1 Written exam 70% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 30% Collective formative feedback on group answered questions; individual feedback on marked coursework; optional feedback on outline plan of coursework report; question/answer course round-up and revision session. BIOL21152 `Omic Technologies & Resources Pre-Requisite Recommended BIOL21202 Plants for the Future Pre-Requisite Recommended N  Primary research literature with links provided on Canvas  Assessment written exam 2 Lectures 18 0 80