PLPT606 Phytopathological Molecular Biology

PLPT606 Phytopathological Molecular Biology 3 (2+1)
General introduction, DNA and RNA structure and their importance in studies of plant pathogens. Transcription, translation, protein production, genetic code, cDNA production, recombinant DNA technology, and genetic engineering application in plant pathology.
Course work
General introduction (review)
Glossary (e.g. what is DNA, RNA, protein, polypeptide, nucleotide, prokaryote, ..etc). The student will develop his own glossary
Cells and viruses (similarities and differences)
Prokaryotic cell (Bacteria and Archaea)
Eukaryotic cell (Plants, Animals, Fungi)
Genomes of different organisms (from simple genomes as of viruses to complicated ones as in the case of animal and plant genomes)
Macromolecules and their importance in studies of plant pathogens
DNA
RNA (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, RNAi, ribozymes, viruses)
Protein (Enzymes, hormones, prions)
Transcription, translation, protein production, genetic code, cDNA production
How they target DNA replication and protein machinery in controlling pathogens (e.g. antibiotics and their mode of action)
Recombinant DNA technology [Plasmids, enzymes (restriction enzymes, ligases, polymerases, etc..), cloning]
Bt-GMOs as an classical example (Ti and Ri plasmids)
Genetic engineering applications in plant pathology
Molecular diagnosis of plant pathogens
Lab work
Genomic DNA extraction, plasmid DNA extraction, RNA extraction, run agarose gels
Quantification of nucleic acid with spectrophotometer and gels
How to deal with DNA and RNA using different molecular tools, e.g. DNA digestion with restriction enzymes, DNA ligation, DNA and RNA amplification (PCR, RT-PCR,..etc.)
Southern and Western techniques
Cloning, bacterial transformation (different techniques)
Genomic and cDNA libraries
DNA fingerprinting (RFLPs and PCR-based DNA molecular markers e.g. RAPDs, SSR, AFLPs, etc.)
Protein purification and SDS-PAGE gels