Instructors:

Aine Plant, office: B8228, Tel: 291-4461

Web site: www.sfu.ca/biology/courses/bisc366

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Description:

This course focuses on genetic dissection of plant development primarily in the plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. Through an unprecedented effort among plant biologists world-wide, Arabidopsis has quickly become the most powerful genetic model system in plant research. In many cases the discoveries in Arabidopsis rival those from other models including the fruit fly and nematode, enabling broad comparison and generalization of developmental mechanisms in multi-cellular organisms. We will present the most important findings in the morphogenetic development of the plant embryo, shoot, root and flower. Many of the developmental processes in plants are initiated or modulated by the environment. Therefore, another central theme is to examine the pivotal role played by the environment, particularly the light environment, in shaping development. Throughout the course, the involvement of plant hormones in developmental processes will be emphasized. Plant development research is a rapidly evolving field, therefore we will use on-line material, recent research publications and reviews as course material.

Major Topics:

1. Experimental understanding of plant development

2. Growth by cell division, expansion and differentiation

3. Gametogenesis and embryogenesis

4. Shoot and root development

5. Plant hormones and environmental regulation of development

Text:

Required: parts of The Arabidopsis book, available for free at: http://www.aspb.org/publications/arabidopsis/

Selected reviews and research papers will be handed out during the course. Recommended: Plant Physiology by Taiz, L. and Zeiger, E., 3^rd edition, Sinauer Associates Inc.
 
 

Grading (tentative):

Assignments: 20%

Midterm: 30%

Final: 50%