IB 472: Molecular Plant Biology

Instructor: Ray Zielinski, 249 Morrill Hall (after class, 4-5 T/R and by appointment), 333-6785, zielinsk@life.uiuc.edu
Time and Place: 10-10:50 am T/R, Aug. 25 – Oct. 18, 2008 in 206 Transportation Building

Text: There is no specific text for the course. Relevant sections of various texts, review articles and original articles we will cover in detail in class will be posted on the class web page in pdf format. Information on readings and assignments will be distributed in class and posted on the class web page (www.life.uiuc.edu/ib/472/). Most of the research articles covered in the course will be posted in electronic (PDF) form on a reference list linked to the class web page.

If you would like a text as a general reference, consider either Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th ed., B. Alberts, et al. (2002) or for a simpler and more general text that covers more about the mechanics of recombinant DNA technology, try Recombinant DNA: Genes and Genomics: A Short Course (Paperback), 3rd ed., J. Watson et al. (2006).  Both of these are available (new and used at “reasonable” prices) at Amazon.com. 

Recommended readings:  PDF files will be posted on the class web page (www.life.uiuc.edu/ib/472). 

I will post a lot of papers on the web site associated with each lecture.  Do you have to read them all?  No!  There is no way to assimilate it all in one, half-semester course, and that’s not my expectation.  Then why post them all?  Each student in the class will have different interests (and professional needs) in the topics covered.  The reading list, therefore will have references of general interest as well as some for more in-depth reading.  Students are encouraged to read as much as possible, particularly in areas of their professional interest.

General Information:

Technical theme of the course:  Although “omics” approaches are revolutionizing basic and applied plant biological research, understanding the mechanisms by which gene expression is regulated and how gene products function often requires a one-gene-at-a-time (OGAAT) approach.  This course provides an overview of selected topics that fall under the OGAAT approach.  It will cover basic measurements of gene expression, mechanisms regulating transcription, and the construction of transgenic plants for addressing specific biological questions.  This course is aimed at developing students’ abilities to read and interpret OGAAT literature, developing insight into the strengths and weaknesses of this approach, and understanding how it might be used in their own research.

Biological theme of the course:  A lot of this course will revolve around understanding experimental techniques and how they can be applied to understanding mechanisms that regulate gene expression.  To avoid turning the course into a how-to manual, examples will be drawn from literature primarily focusing on plant-pathogen interactions and plant defensive responses.

Grading:

  • 60%     Three sets of homework problems
  • 40%     Written essay (journal article evaluation); ‘News & Views’ style

Homework assignments:  Four sets of homework problems consisting of short questions or calculations will be distributed on Sept. 4,  11, 18, and 25.  You will have a week to prepare written answers to the questions (word-processed).  You will be required to submit responses for 3 of the 4 sets of homework problems.  If you submit all 4 sets the top 3 scores will be used for the final grade.  Homework problems should be an individual effort since they account for 60% of the final grade.  Homework assignments will be distributed in class and posted on the class web page.

Short Paper:  A short review essay evaluating an assigned research article on plant genomics should be submitted by the last class (Thursday, October 16). The essay should be prepared following the “News and Views” article style in Nature that summarizes and discusses the significance and places the work in a broader context.

Class Participation:  Students are encouraged to participate in discussions in class, before or after class, or any time by e mail.

Grading criteria for the written essay:

  • Summary – accuracy, completeness  (10 points)
  • Discussion – significance, context  (15 points)
  • Technical merit (5 points)
  • Overall organization, clarity (5 points)
  • Citation of key references (5 points)

Policies:

Attendance: Your attendance at class is expected, but not mandatory.  However, the information covered in class will make up the majority of content on the homework assignments.  Class starts promptly at 10:00 am.  “Things” happen, but please make every effort to be on time.

Late work: Homework is due one week after the assignments are posted and a four-day grace period is allowed for one of the assignments.  A deduction of 10% of points is in effect for every week the assignment is late.  If you are ill, please get a note from your physician or the McKinley clinic and any missed deadlines will be changed by mutual agreement.

Writing assignment: The outline for the paper is due on Oct. 2; the first paragraph of the written essay is due on Oct. 9; and the final essay is due on the last day of class, Oct. 16.  There is no grace period for this writing assignment.  Plagiarism will result in a grade of 0 for the written essay.

Accommodation of disability: Anyone who needs special assistance please see me or contact me by phone or email as soon as possible.

This page is maintained by Ray Zielinski and was last updated on 13 August 2008