Plant developmental genetics

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Plant developmental genetics

Biology

N010

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

1

Self-studies

6

Seminars

0

Aims of course

To expand doctoral students' knowledge about plant development, molecular mechanisms of its genetic control and the impact of the environment on plant development

Main topics

Peculiarities of plant development. Plant cell growth and communication, signals and signal transduction in plants. Signal perception and amplification. Harmones and plant development (Auxin, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, Abscisic acid, Brassinosteroids, Strigolactones). Signals from sunlight. Plant Photoreceptors. Phytochromes, phytochrome signaling pathways. Blue-light responses and photoreceptors. Cryptochromes. Phototropins. Responses to Ultraviolet Radiation. Embryogenesis. The Origins of Polarity. Apical–basal polarity. Position-dependent mechanisms. GNOM and MONOPTEROS. The origin of epidermis. Establishment of Meristematic Tissues. The Root Apical Meristem (RAM). Developmental zones in the root. Auxin in formation and maintenance of RAM. Cytokinin in root development. The Shoot Apical Meristem (SAM). Zones and layers of SAM. Coordinated expression of transcription factors in embryonic SAM formation. Localized zones of auxin accumulation. Cambium. Seed dormancy, germination, and seedling establishment. Factors causing embryo dormancy. Vivipary and precocious germination. Role of the ABA: GA ratio. Release from dormancy. Germination. Seedling growth and establishment. Tropisms. Gravitropism. Gravity sensors. Role of pH and calcium ions. Phototropism. Photomorphogenesis. Etiolation and photomorphogenesis. Shade escape.   Vegetative growth and organogenesis. Leaf development. The establishment of leaf polarity.  Initiation adaxial–abaxial polarity. Determinants of determinant of adaxial–abaxial leaf polarity. Role of genes in leaf proximal–distal polarity. Simple and compound leaves. Root growth and differentiation. Secondary growth in plants. The control of flowering and floral development. Floral Evocation. Plant development has three phases. Factors influencing phase changes. Circadian Rhythms. Molecular clock. Photoperiodism. Perception of the photoperiodic signal. Long days plants. Short day plants. Vernalization. Epigenetic changes in gene expression during vernalization. Florigen theory. FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT). Factors and pathways inducing flowering. Floral meristem identity genes. Floral Organ Development. Identification of floral organ identity genes. The ABC model. The Quartet Model. Genes that determinate floral asymmetry. Gametophytes, Pollination, Seeds, and Fruits. Formation of male and female Gametophytes. Pollination and fertilization in flowering plants. Selfing and Outcrossing. Evolution of outcrossing in hermaphroditic and monoecious species. Genetic control of self-incompatibility. Apomixis. Endosperm Development. Seed maturation and desiccation tolerance. Seed filling and desiccation tolerance phases. Role of LEA proteins and nonreducing sugars in desiccation tolerance. Tole of abscisic acid in seed maturation.  Fruit Development and Ripening. Arabidopsis and tomato model systems. Link between ethylene and ripening. Genetic and epigenetic control of fruit ripening. Plant Senescence and Cell Death. Programmed Cell Death (PCD) and Autolysis. Mechanisms of PCD in plants. Autophagy pathway and genes. Leaf senescence. Types of leaf senescence. Reprogramming of gene expression during leaf senescence. NAC and WRKY gene families. Leaf abscission. Regulation of leaf abscission. Whole plant senescence. Abiotic stress and plant development.

Main literature

1. Taiz L., Zeiger E., Moller I.M., Murphy A. Plant Physiology and Development 6th ed. Sinauer Associates. 2014. Online resources: http://6e.plantphys.net/ch01.html

2. Barresi M. J. F, Gilbert S. E. Developmental Biology. 12th ed. OUP Oxford. 2020.

3. Buchanan B.B., Gruissem W., Jones R.L. Biochemistry and molecular biology of plants. Wiley Blackwell. 2015.

4. Bhatla S.C.,  Lal M.A. Plant Physiology, Development and Metabolism. Springer. 2018

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Exam

During the exam, the student answers three open questions. Passing score: 5. Knowledge and skills are evaluated with points from 1 to 10. 10 (excellent) - excellent, exceptional knowledge and abilities, 91-100 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 9 (very good) - very good knowledge and abilities, 81-90 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 8 (good) - knowledge and abilities are above average (a student independently, reasonably, clearly states the essence of the given question, is well acquainted with the terminology of the taught subject),  71-80 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 7 (average) - average knowledge and abilities; there are few not essential mistakes (a student independently but incoherently and without justification sets out the essence of the question, uses the basic definitions of the subject), 61-70 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 6 (satisfactory) - knowledge and abilities are below average, there are mistakes, 56-60 percentile of the intended learning outcome (a student independently, but inconsistently, superficially, unclearly presents the essence of the question, understands the main definitions of the subject); 5 (weak) - knowledge and abilities meet the minimum requirements (a student independently but vaguely, without analysis, inconsistently presents the essence of the question, partially understands the basic definitions of the subject), 50-55 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 4,3,2,1 (insufficient) - the minimum requirements are not met.

Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sceinces Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman