Instructor(s): Don Lee
Number of Credit Hours: 1
Cross-listings: PLAS 409B, HORT 809B
Prerequisites: None listed.
Description: The application of basic science and technology by plant genetic engineering experts with the goal of teaming with plant breeders to improve disease resistance in crop cultivars. Learning is structured by the genetics discovery story told in published research articles and the thinking process of genetic engineers and plant breeders who will use these discoveries in their work.
Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives
- Outline the basic steps in the crop genetic engineering process starting with gene discovery.
- Justify the use of transgenic vs. traditional breeding approaches in developing disease resistant cultivars.
- Apply the specific gene discovery stories from a well-established crop disease model such as oomycete disease in soybean to a transgenic approach to disease resistance development.
- Compare different transgenic approaches to disease resistance such as pathogen entry blocking with transgene encoded proteins and HIGs.
- Plan and interpret molecular transgene testing methods that will assist in event analysis and in breeding.
- Compare the roles of regulatory agencies in the testing of transgenics and contrast safety concerns associated with different transgenic strategies.
- Use peer reviewed extension resources designed for practitioners and published peer reviewed research articles to share an analysis of the use of genetic modification in the management of diseases.