Biotechnology in Agriculture
PLPA 4333 Fall Term, 2004
General Information: Developments in the area of biotechnology are rapidly transforming the face of agriculture. This course is designed to give students the foundation they need to more effectively understand, interpret, and discuss biotechnology as it is being applied. 3 credit hours, lecture/discussion
Instructor: Ken Korth (kkorth@uark.edu)
Dept. of Plant Pathology
Office/Lab: 205/216 Rosen Alternative Pest Control CenterOffice phone: 575-5191
Office hours are best arranged by appointment, or stop by the lab or office.
Course Schedule:
Course Schedule (this is meant to be a general guide, the schedule below is subject to change. Relevant readings are listed in parentheses):
Session 1. Introduction to course and to biotechnology
Session 2. DNA role as genetic material and structure
(** Chapters 1-3)
Session 3. Transcription and DNA accessibility
(** Svejstrup paper and Saunders, et al., paper, Science, vol. 301, 2003)
Session 4. Transcription regulation and promoters
Session 5. Discussion of FACT papers
Session 6. Translation
September 5, 2005 No classes, Labor Day
Session 7. Diversions from the central dogma
(** Nelson, et al., TIBS, vol. 28, 2003)
(** Silverman, Scientist, 2003 and Jaffe, Scientist, 2003)
Session 8. **Quiz I** (covering material thru Session 7)
Molecular Bio I: Enzymes and cloning
(** Chapters 4-5)
Session 9. Molecular Bio II: Sequencing and PCR
Session 10. Molecular diagnostics (** Chapter 9)
Session 11. Transgenic plants I
(** Chapters 17-18)
Session 12. Transgenic plants II
Session 13. Transgenic plants III
Session 14. **Quiz II** (covering material thru Session 13)
Session 15. Engineered nutritional changes—golden rice
(**Ye, et al., Science, vol. 287, 2000).
Session 16. Engineered herbicide resistance—Roundup Ready, et al.
Session 17. Engineered insect control (** Chapter 15)
Session 18. The monarch butterfly: To B.T., or not to B.T.
Session 19. Paper Discussion
Session 20. -- OCTOBER 7th, 2005 **EXAM I—covering topics thru Session 18**
Session 21. Plant-bacteria applications (** Chapter 14)
Session 22. Issues in AgBiotech--Discussion
Session 23. Protein expression in eukaryotes (** Chapters 7 and 19)
Session 24. How to clone a mammal
Session 25. Paper discussions
Session 26. **Quiz III -- covering material in sessions 21-25**
Session 27. Paper discussions
Session 28. Transgenic animals I
Session 29. Paper discussions
Session 30. Transgenic animals II
Session 31. Genomics--microarrays
Session 32. Paper discussions
Session 33. Marker-assisted selection and crop improvement
(** Goff and Salmeron, Sci. American, August, 2004)
Session 34. **Quiz IV** Paper discussions
Session 35. GMOs and the Organic Industry, Guest lecturer: George Kuepper
Session 36. Paper discussions
Session 37. Intellectual property in agbiotech, Guest lecturer: Christine Daugherty, Ph.D.
Session 38. Role of the media in biotechnology, Guest lecturer: Melissa Blouin
Session 39. Nov 21, 2005 **Written assignment(s) due**
Nov 23, 2005 No class, Fall Break
Nov 25, 2005 No class, Thanksgiving Holiday
Session 40. Paper discussions
Session 41. Ethical arguments for and against biotechnology
Session 42. Semester review and discussion
Session 43. December 5th, 2005 Last day of Class
***CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM***
Course Objectives:
1) To provide students with a basic understanding of biotechnological techniques and applications, especially as they are used in agricultural systems.
2) To challenge students, through discussion and readings, to think critically about how biotechnology is used, misused, portrayed and perceived.
3) To help students gain an appreciation for the value of basic biological science, especially as it has been used in development of technology.
Course outline:
Specific objectives: Students should be able to explain how information encoded by DNA is converted to protein products, the fundamental techniques used in DNA cloning, and how transgenic plants and animals are produced.
Specific objectives: Students should be able to discuss the ways in which modern technologies are being put to test and into the marketplace, and consider future applications. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms by which these products function.
Specific objectives: Students should be able to describe current practices and regulations covering commercial transgenic materials. Students should demonstrate an ability to critically assess the roles and motivations of growers, industry, and the media in applications of biotechnology in agriculture.
Information resources:
A text is required for the course and should be available at the University Bookstore.
3rd Edition, Bernard R. Glick and Jack J. Pasternak
Additional readings from the primary scientific literature will also be required.
Internet site: A website has been developed (you are there now, think!!) for the course and can be found at:
http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/kkorth/agbio
Course Grading and Assignments:
Grades will be assigned based on points (pts.) earned, out of a total of 500.
Two exams (each worth 100 pts.) 2 x 100 200 pts.
Four short quizzes (each worth 25 pts.) 4 x 25 100 pts.
Contribution/participation in class discussions 40 pts.
Written review(s) on biotech paper (discussed below) 80 pts.
Oral presentations 80 pts.
TOTAL 500 pts.
Students taking the course for graduate credit will be required to present two written reviews, following criteria given below, and each report will be valued at 40 points. Undergraduates in the course will present one written review, valued at 80 points.
Written report: Students will choose a research paper from the primary literature covering some aspect of biotechnology, and write a review of the paper (five pages or less typed, double-spaced, plus citations). A list of suggested papers is available on the course website, although you are encouraged to find something on your own. In addition to explaining the technical aspects of the paper, your report might include background information on the topic, importance of the findings, potential applications, or other issues that the paper brings to light.
Oral report: Each student will present an oral report to the class, reviewing a paper from the primary literature in a “journal club”-like format. This can be the same paper as is used for the written assignment. Selection of a paper and coverage of the topic are the same as for the written assignment. Presentations should last about 20 minutes, including time for discussion. Use of visual aids is encouraged. No two students can report on the same paper—selection is on a first come-first served basis.
**You must choose a paper(s) to review and inform Dr. Korth by October 5th**.
Grade scale:
450-500 pts. A
400-449 pts. B
350-399 pts. C
300-349 pts. D
299 or less F
Class participation:
Regular attendance to lectures is expected. A significant portion of final grades will be based on individual contributions to class discussions.
Outside speakers:
Several guest lecturers will give presentations to the class—attendance, as always, is expected. Other pertinent lectures might be given at times other than our normal class period; dates and times will be given and attendance at these lectures is highly encouraged.
Inclement Weather:
Students should use their own discretion to decide whether it is safe for them to travel to campus. We will follow the University’s inclement weather policy.
Other policies:
All work in this course conforms to the University of Arkansas policy on academic honesty. Refer to the UA Catalog of Studies for definitions and sanctions. Violations of academic honesty policies can lead to a failing course grade, probation, or expulsion from the university. The discussion format of some sessions of this course requires that all participants treat each other with respect. Debate and dialogue are an important part of examining a topic and our own understanding--we will all gain much more if we carry out these discussions with consideration of other viewpoints. The above procedures and schedule are subject to change.