BIO3265 Animal and Plant Biotechnology

Welcome and Brief description of module 

Dear Students,

Welcome to the Animal and Plant Biotechnology Module. The major gaol of this module is to introduce to you the principle and the application of the recombinant DNA technology to animal and plants. The Module is splint into two related, but standalone components;  Animal Biotechnology and Plant Biotechnology. 

In the Plant Biotechnology component, we will look at techniques for plant transformation and our discussion will be focused on Binary vectors for plant transformation; The genetic manipulation of herbicide resistance; The genetic manipulation of pest resistance; Plant diseases resistance; Strategies for engineering stress tolerance; The improvement of crop yield and quality.

The Animal Biotechnology component will give you: Brief overview on biotechnology in general and animal biotechnology in particular,  Introduction of Novel Genes, Directed genetic manipulation,  Propagation by nuclear transfer, Technical issues with germline modification, Concerns related to germline technology, Issues related to somatic cell nuclear transfer technology,  Biopharmaceutical production and finally a discussion on  Xenotransplantation.

Module Learning outcomes 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Get acquainted with the use of molecular techniques to introduce useful traits in animals that results in economic gains and improvement of livelihood of humanity;
2. Get a hand on skills in recombinant DNA;
3. Explore the creation of the transgenic plants for potential use to resist to herbicides and tolerate the stress;
4. Relate Plant Biotechnological innovations with GMO commercialization. 

Module Indicative Contents 

Animal Biotechnology component

• Brief overview on biotechnology
•  Introduction of Novel Genes
• Directed genetic manipulation
• Propagation by nuclear transfer
• Technical issues with germline modification
• Concerns related to germline technology
• Issues related to somatic cell nuclear transfer technology
• Biopharmaceutical production
• Xenotransplantation.

Plant Biotechnology component

• Techniques for plant transformation
• Binary vectors for plant transformation
• The genetic manipulation of herbicide resistance
• The genetic manipulation of pest resistance
• Plant diseases resistance
• Strategies for engineering stress tolerance
• The improvement of crop yield and quality

Form of final/summative assessment

1. Online quizzes: 10%
2. Practical: 20%
3. Online assignment :20%
4. Final Examination: 50%

Module Teaching Team

Dr. Joseph Nsengimana, Animal Biotechnology; Tel: +250 785 122 932; Email: josephnsenga01@gmail.com; SMS, WhatApp, etc

Dr. Jean-Pierre Munyampundu, Plant Biotechnology; Tel: +250 784283838; Email: j.munyampundu@ur.ac.rw/ mpundupeter@hotmail.com