2010 Syllabus: PS 353 Plant Biotechnology, Genetics and Breeding (3) Genetic
principles and techniques used in plant modification. Principles of molecular, and
transmission quantitative genetics as applied to plant biotechnology. Prereq: Biology 111
and 112.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:10-9:25; Ellington Plant Sciences 128
Neal Stewart, 4-6487, 320 Plant Biotechnology (nealstewart@utk.edu)
Office hours 9:30-11:00 Tuesdays and Thursdays or by appointment.
Guest Lecturers: Feng Chen, Dean Kopsell, David Mann, Vince Pantalone, Bob
Trigiano, and Amy Yancey
Text. Stewart, C.N., Jr. (Ed.) 2008. Plant Biotechnology and Genetics: Principles,
Techniques and Applications, Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey, 374 pp.
Lecture powerpoints are at http://plantsciences.utk.edu/pbg/
Grading: 10 point scale (e.g., A-=90-91, A= 92-100), no curve. Each exam (2)= 32%
(short answer format), Paper (1): 30%, class participation: 6%.
The paper will focus on an application of plant biotechnology and/or breeding. It will
take the form of a short scholarly article (1500 words) that is fully referenced Students
can use Trends in Plant Science format. Two drafts of the paper will be submitted. The
first is due March 28 and will be annotated and returned by April 6. The second version
will be due on April 25. Each student will make a 10-15 minute presentation about his or
her paper meant to teach. First and final drafts as well as the presentation will contribute
to the paper grade.
Lecture numbers
1
2
3, 4
5, 6
7
8, 9
10, 11
12, 13
14, 15
16, 17
18, 19
20, 21
22
23, 24
25, 26
8:00-10:00 am
Date
lecture
lecturer
Jan 14
Introduction
Stewart
Jan 19
Mendelian genetics & plant repro Trigiano
Jan 21 & 26
Breeding
Pantalone
Jan 28 & Feb 2
Plant development & physiology Chen/Kopsell
Feb 4 & Feb 9
Tissue culture
Trigiano
Feb 11 & 16
Molecular gene expression
Stewart
Feb 18 & 23
Recombinant DNA & vectors
Stewart/Mann
Feb 25 & Mar 2 Genes and traits of interest
Stewart
Mar 4
Midterm exam—through lectures 1-13
Mar 8-12
Spring break
Mar 16 & Mar 18 Plant transformation
Stewart
Mar 23 & 25
Promoters and marker genes
Stewart
Mar 30 & Apr 1
Apr 6 & 8
Apr 13
Apr 15
Apr 20-22
Apr 27 & 29
May 6
Analysis of transgenic plants
Regulations and biosafety
Field testing and risks
Intellectual property
Controversies & future
Student Presentations
Comprehensive final exam
reading
Ch 1
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 4
Ch 5
Ch 6
Ch 7
Ch 8
Ch 10
Ch 9
Stewart
Ch 11
Stewart
Ch 12
Stewart
Ch 13
Stewart/Yancey Ch 14
Stewart
Ch 15, 16
In enrolling in this class student promises to abide by the UT Honor Statement
“An essential feature of the University of Tennessee is a commitment to maintaining an
atmosphere of intellectual integrity and academic honesty. As a student of the University, I
pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic
work, thus affirming my own personal commitment to honor and integrity.”