- Students will gain an overview of a range of modern techniques and methodologies that underpin contemporary biomolecular plant sciences.
- Students will also apply their knowledge to an extended practical investigation in the form of a laboratory-based mini-project, involving practical training in a range of modern molecular biologies and protein engineerings techniques such as gene cloning, PCR, mutagenesis, protein expression, protein purification, and analysis.
- A module on plant biotechnology will address current topics such as the engineering of plants, development of stress-tolerant crop varieties, and techniques for gene expression and gene silencing through reading discussion and critical analysis of recent research papers.
- Students will learn from the research of international experts in DNA recombination and repair mechanisms and their importance for transgene integration and biotechnological applications; plant nutrition and intracellular communication; and the biosynthesis, structure, and function of plant cell walls.
- Students will experience a wide range of teaching methods including formal lectures, interactive workshops, problem-solving, practical classes, and demonstrations