S2008 Developmental and cellular biology of plants

Faculty of Science
Spring 2016
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jiří Friml, Dr. rer. nat. (lecturer)
Helene Robert Boisivon, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Tomasz Nodzynski, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jiří Friml, Dr. rer. nat.
National Centre for Biomolecular Research – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Helene Robert Boisivon, Ph.D.
Supplier department: National Centre for Biomolecular Research – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 25. 4. to Fri 29. 4. each working day 9:00–15:50 E26/222
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Syllabus
  • A. Current approaches and methods of experimental plant genetics
  • 1. Historical development of experimental methodology Arabidopsis thaliana as the model organism - advantages, limitations.
  • 2. How to get your favorite gene
  • a. Monte Carlo candidate gene approach
  • b. From the protein back to the gene
  • c. Functional complementation
  • d. Expression pattern: Enhancer and Gene trap, Differential expression (subtractive hybridization, microarray)
  • e. Forward genetics (The worse the better) Mutagenesis (EMS, T-DNA, transposon, activator tagging), Ups and downs of genetic screening, Gene identification and verification, Suppressor screens
  • f. QTL
  • 3. Towards a gene function
  • a. Reverse genetics (indexed mutant libraries, TILLING)
  • b. Ectopic expression
  • c. Chimeras and mosaics
  • d. Site directed mutagenesis, swaps
  • e. Phenotype analysis - from the eye to molecular markers
  • f. Biochemical approaches, heterologous systems.
  • 4. Expression and localization
  • a. Quick and dirty - Northern and Western blots, RT-PCR
  • b. Reporter genes (transcriptional and translational fusions, applications)
  • c. mRNA in situ hybridization
  • d. Protein in situ localisation
  • 5. Friends and neighbors
  • a. Yeast-two-hybrid
  • b. Split ubiquitin
  • c. Genetic interactions
  • d. Upstream and downstream
  • 6. Special methods and tools
  • a. DR5 auxin response reporter
  • b. Transient transfection
  • c. Heterologous systems
  • d. Laser ablations and laser capture
  • B. From the signal to the gene
  • 1.Ethylene - A success of forward genetics
  • Genetic dissection of ethylene signaling, molecular characterization and arrangement of the pathway, Histidine kinase two component system.
  • 2. Cytokinin - Complexity of plant hormone signaling
  • Biosynthesis, degradation, perception, signal transduction, isolation and verification of the receptors and downstream components. Lessons from protoplasts.
  • 3. Auxin - Highly desired, ever elusive
  • Discovery of auxins. Towards the players: biochemistry (ABP1), genetics (AXRs), molecular biology (AUX/IAAs and ARFs), integrative model.
  • 4. Auxin transport - PINing down the players
  • Physiology, Chemiosmostic model, molecular components (PINs, AUXs) - expression, localization, function.
  • C. From the process to the mechanism
  • 1. Embryogenesis - apical-basal axis formation
  • Pattern formation during embryogenesis, Arabidopsis mutants, gene identities, implication of auxin, auxin distribution and transport, PIN expression, polarities, roles, model.
  • 2. Root meristem - down to the stem cells
  • Arabidopsis meristem pattern, intercellular signals: quiescent centre, stem cells, auxin as the positional signal, radial patterning - SHR/SCR.
  • 3. Organogenesis - so different and so similar
  • Overview of different organogenesis processes, shoot derived organs, root-derived organs, correlations between local auxin gradients, transport and organ formation.
  • 4. Unifying principles - gradients of morphogens and growth axis
  • D. Into the cell
  • 1. Subcelullar trafficking and cell polarity
  • Cycling of the auxin transport components, auxin transport inhibitors and their effects, relevance of cycling for auxin transport, endocytosis in plants, polar targeting.
  • 2. Lessons from GNOM
  • Isolation of gnom mutant, GNOM protein - biochemical function and role in development. Connection to the auxin transport. GNOM and endosome recycling.
  • 3. Root gravitropism - integration of approaches
  • Physiology, genetics, molecular and cell biology of gravitropism: Integration of approaches for understanding of the single process.
Teaching methods (in Czech)
Theory class: lectures, class discussions.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Oral examination. Assessment will be based on the interaction with students during the course (Questions, Discussions). Final oral exam will consist in questions related to each parts of the course. To pass the exam, the student will have to answer at least one question from each part of the course.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2011 - acreditation, Spring 2015, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2016, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2016/S2008