Cellular Plant Biochemistry and Genetics

• Current topics in plant molecular biology and genetics (e.g. mechanisms of gene regulation, influence of the environment: biotic interactions and stress);

• Current topics in cell biology, developmental genetics and biochemistry of plants (e.g. chromatin, signalling, cell polarity, cell-cell communication and cell fusion);

• Current topics in plant biotechnology (e.g. transformation methods and tissue culture, breeding traits and methods, safety research);

• Approaches and methods to investigate research topics in the field of plant cellular biochemistry and genetics;

• Presentation and discussion of a research-based topic in the field of plant cellular biochemistry and genetics.

at least two lectures in the field of cellular biochemistry of plants:

• Plant Biotechnology: Principles and Applications (54652, link SPUR)
• Plants in their Environment (54658, link SPUR)
• Molecular Cell Biology (54650, link SPUR)

(for a selection see SPUR)*

6

Students starting before the winter semester 26/27: Registration is not required for the lectures. There is no exam to sit. However, the content of the lectures may form part of the oral exam.

Students starting in the winter semester 26/27 or later: Portfolio (collection of exercises and reflective tasks completed alongside the lectures). Please ask the module coordinator about the requirements. Once it has been finalised, the portfolio must be registered in FlexNow. The portfolio is not graded.

one seminar in the field of plant cellular biochemistry and genetics:

e.g. Gene Regulation and Plant Development (54660, link SPUR (externer Link, öffnet neues Fenster))

(for a further selection see SPUR)*

seminar presentation, regular participation

You must register for the seminars. Information on how to register see in SPUR.

Once you have attended a seminar, it must be registered in FlexNow.

The seminar is not graded.

Examiners: 

• Prof. Dr. Thomas Dresselhaus
• Prof. Dr. Klaus Grasser
• PD Dr. Stefanie Sprunck
• PD Dr. Karina van der Linde

The student can choose one of the examiner.

Please get in contact with the examiner of your choice to arrange a date of the oral examination, than register the examination in FlexNow. The oral examination is graded (= module grade).

• Generation of constructs and gene delivery into crop plants,

• Cell and tissue culture techniques,

• Production and purification of agronomic relevant proteins in different expression systems,

• Analysis of genetic crosses,

• Molecular markers, 

• Genotyping and phenotyping,

• Investigations on yield and yield stability,

• Presentation and discussion of own experimental gained data.

Laboratory course (6 weeks): Plant Biotechnology (54678; link SPUR (externer Link, öffnet neues Fenster))

Contact the module coordinator to find a supervisor for the laboratory course. 

The date of the laboratory course will then be arranged with the supervisor.

• Production, purification and characterisation of proteins,

• Biochemical analysis of molecular interactions,

• Generation of recombinant plasmid constructs and transformation of plants,

• Genomic characterisation of wild type and transgenic plants,

• Genetic analyses of plant crosses,

• Studies of gene expression,

• Physiological analysis of mutant plants,

• Presentation and discussion of own experimentally gained data.

Laboratory course (6 weeks): Molecular biology and biochemistry of plants (54679; link SPUR (externer Link, öffnet neues Fenster))

Contact the module coordinator to find a supervisor for the laboratory course. 

The date of the laboratory course will then be arranged with the supervisor.

• Introduction to a current research area of the working group

• Teaching fundamental and applicable molecular biological, biochemical, and biotechnological methods

• Advanced training in specialized RNA biochemical methods according to the research project, e.g. nucleic acid extraction, synthesis, modification, and analysis

• Current topics in plant biotechnology, e.g. RNA interference, RNA-based plant protection strategies, RNA modification, plant RNA transport, and RNA stability

• Independent theoretical and practical execution of the entire subproject

• Presentation and discussion of experimentally obtained data in a written report and during the research group seminar

Laboratory course (6 weeks): Plant RNA Biotechnology (54688; link SPUR (externer Link, öffnet neues Fenster))

Contact the module coordinator to find a supervisor for the laboratory course. 

The date of the laboratory course will then be arranged with the supervisor.