Print Syllabus

Syllabus

P000040 Wood Biology and Biotechnology, 5.0 Credits

Subjects

Biology

Education cycle

Postgraduate level

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

The knowledge of biology and biochemistry or microbiology at the bachelor level is required, for example, 60 ECTS in Biology including 7.5 ECTS in Cell biology and 15 ECTS Chemistry, or the equivalent.

Objectives

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• describe how the wood tissue is formed
• describe/discuss the basic wood chemical composition and cell wall organization
• describe/explain the principles of molecular and hormonal regulation of wood formation
• describe the principles of biosynthesis of the main cell wall components of wood, and their functions
• design an outline of a research program for functional studies of genes involved in wood formation
• identify different anatomical features of wood
• use bioinformatics resources for wood formation studies.
• evaluate feasibility of different biotechnological manipulations of wood for different end-uses
• suggest approaches to reach the biotechnological goal

Content

The main objectives are to familiarize the students with the biological process of wood formation, generation of variability in wood and selected contemporary approaches for studying wood biology. This knowledge is prerequisite for developing wood biotechnology aspects in the future by the students. Current status of wood biotechnology will be presented.

The course topics include wood organization, structure, chemistry and mechanics in conifers and hardwoods, from the molecular level to the tissue organization level, followed by an update on molecular, genetic and physiological aspects of wood cell differentiation and cell wall formation. Practical tools for wood analysis and wood biology studies, including traditional and advanced microscopy, atomic force microscopy, microfluidics, and wet chemistry methods will be demonstrated and hands-on experience with bioinformatics tools available for trees will be included.

Formats and requirements for examination

For the full 5 ECTS credits, the students are required to participate in all course activities including social activities, poster presentation, and discussions, as well as complete and obtain an approval of a written assignment within 3 weeks after the course. The written assignment will be a short review or a short project proposal within the topic of wood biology and biotechnology, reviewing min. 15 original research papers.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The course includes mostly lectures, practical activities, poster presentations and scientific discussions at the poster session. There will be also demonstrations of techniques, and research seminars. A discussion lunch will also be arranged with the teachers. Individual reading is also a part of the course, both in preparation to the course and during the course. There will be three evening gatherings with snacks and poster presentations, and one discussion lunch with the teachers, which should create plenty of opportunities for discussing wood biology science.

All activities are obligatory. Students cannot participate at a distance. A written assignments is required within 3 weeks from the course end.

Responsible department

Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology