Bioinformatics

General skills The course of Plant Functional Genomics aims to provide advanced knowledge of plant genomes, with particular attention to the use of this knowledge in order to identify new genes and determine their function. Specific skills A) Knowledge and understanding To acquire detailed knowledge of: - methods of analysis of plant genomes and the peculiar difficulties related to these organisms (polyploidy, repetitive DNA); - the structure of the plant nuclear and plastidic genomes; - genome comparison methods, with particular attention to the identification of homologous, orthologue and paralogue genes; - methods of transfer of information on genes from model species to species of agricultural interest; - methods of integration of genomics and gene expression analysis data; - methods and approaches to study of the function of genes in model species and in crops, with approaches of direct and reverse genetics; - methods of transient and stable transformation; - identification and use of molecular markers in plant genetics; - use of genomic data to identify genes involved in agronomic traits. - the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in plants and the methods to study them; - silencing and "genome editing" mechanisms in plant organisms; B) Applying knowledge and understanding - design experiments aimed at defining the function of a gene through reverse genetic approaches; - design genetic screening in plant model systems and outline the main lines of identification of a mutation; - understand and critically discuss the different approaches used to alter the expression of a gene in a plant and choose the most appropriate one according to the needs and the experimental model; - designing the engineering of new traits in plant organisms. C) Making judgements - Critical judgment skills, through the study of reviews and scientific articles on key aspects of the field and in-depth discussions; - Ability to evaluate the correctness and scientific rigor in the topics related to the topics covered by the course. D) Communication skills - Acquisition of adequate skills and useful tools for communication in Italian and in foreign languages (English), through the use of graphic and formal languages, with particular regard to the scientific language. E) Learning skills - Ability to interpret and deepen knowledge; - Ability to use cognitive tools for continuous updating of knowledge; - Ability to compare for the consolidation and improvement of knowledge.