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The Molecular Biology of Plant Hormones
Course #: HOS5306 Harry Klee Office: Building 885 Contact: Email Phone: 392-8249 |
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An
in-depth review of the current status of plant hormone research. All aspects
of plant hormones including biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology
will be considered in the context of an overall scheme of how plants use
the various hormones to integrate developmental and environmental signals.
Practical aspects of plant hormones will be discussed so that students
get a feeling for how basic research can impact modern agriculture. In
addition to the text, key research papers will be discussed. The course
is organized into modules. Each module will start with a lecture on the
basic aspects of the topic. Subsequent class periods will then be focused
on primary literature. Students will be assigned papers which will then
be discussed in a "journal club" format. Upon completion of
the course, the student should be familiar with the state of the art for
all of the major plant growth regulators.
Lecture Outline: (based on 3 class periods a week)
| Lecture # 1 Organization, Housekeeping items. What is a plant hormone? 2 Introduction (defining the issues, descriptions of techniques used) 3 “ 4 “ 5 Auxins 6 “ 7 “ 8 Cytokinins 9 “ 10 “ 11 Ethylene 12 “ 13 “ 14 “ 15 Review Exam #1 15 Salicylic acid 16 “ |
17 “ 18 Jasmonic acid 19 “ 20 “ 21 Abscisic acid and Apocarotenoids 22 “ 23 “ 24 Gibberellins 25 “ 26 “ 27 Brassinosteroids 28 “ 29 “ 30 Integration of hormonal signals 31 “ 32 “ 33 “ 34 Practical aspects of hormone biology 35 “ 36 Review Final Exam |
An in-depth review of the current status of plant hormone research. All aspects of plant hormones including biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology will be considered in the context of an overall scheme of how plants use the various hormones to integrate developmental and environmental signals. Practical aspects of plant hormones will be discussed so that students get a feeling for how basic research can impact modern agriculture. In addition to the text, key research papers will be discussed. The course is organized into modules. Each module will start with a lecture on the basic aspects of the topic. Subsequent class periods will then be focused on primary literature. Students will be assigned papers which will then be discussed in a "journal club" format. Upon completion of the course, the student should be familiar with the state of the art for all of the major plant growth regulators.
Students must have completed undergraduate level courses in molecular biology/genetics and plant physiology and should be capable of reading and understanding research papers.
Grading will be accomplished by equally averaging the scores from the two tests and a grade assigned based on presentation and discussion of assigned papers.
100-92 A
92-89 B+
88-82 B
81-79 C+
78-72 C
71-62 D
below 62 F
Tests will consist of short essay questions designed to make the student integrate the lecture materials with the reading assignments and draw conclusions based on the materials. Class attendance is mandatory. Excessive absences will result in lower grades. Make-up exams will be administered only in the case of a justified absence.
There is currently not an up-to-date text appropriate for the course. However, "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants" by Buchanan, Gruissem, and Jones (ISBN -0-943088-39-9 is an excellent background book well worth the cost to anyone seeking a career in plant biology. There will also be 2-3 assigned articles from the primary literature for each module. These will be chosen prior to the start of the semester. Choices will vary with each year. The object will be to pick “hot” papers illustrating new concepts/discoveries to supplement the textbook. Students should come to class ready to discuss each paper. One student will be assigned as a discussion leader.
University of Florida Counseling Services: On-campus resources are available for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:
• University Counseling Center, P301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575
• Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171
• Center for Sexual Assault/Abuse Recovery and Education,
Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, enter 6
• Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601
• Campus Alcohol and Drug Resource Center, P202 Peabody Hall, 392-1261 Academic Honesty,
Software Use, Services for Students with Disabilities, UF Counseling Services
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As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement: “I understand the University of Florida expects it students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.” Furthermore, on work submitted for credit by UF students, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” It is to be assumed all work will be completed independently unless the assignment is defined as group project, in writing by the professor. This policy will be vigorously upheld at all times in this course.
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