PLBI PapersPLBI 301 (Applied Plant Science) This paper looks at the importance of plant biotechnology at a time when the environment is under threat from global climate change. How will plants respond? What solutions do they offer to ameliorate the damage to our quality of life and “health” of the planet? Four major areas are considered: Plants and Energy Solutions: Can we use plants to provide environmentally responsible energy solutions? Plant Bioactives: What unique contributions can be made by plant bioactive compounds and metabolic engineering? Plant Diseases and the Food Crisis: By showcasing four plant diseases from four continents this topic discusses ways to ameliorate crop losses drawing on a spectrum of methods from simple agronomic practice to genetic engineering. Plants-based Pollution Solutions: This topic presents specific case studies illustrating how plants can been used to clean up heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and act as bioindicators of pollution. This paper is for Honours students and students who are planning to undertake postgraduate studies in Plant Biotechnology. The paper is composed of essays and assignments that focus on recent developments in plant biotechnology and includes tutorials with the staff in the Plant Biotechnology programme that introduce different areas of plant biotechnology research at Otago University. An advanced paper for Honours and postgraduate students (PGDipSci and MSc) that provides in-depth coverage of current scientific literature in selected topics in plant biotechnology. Experience with the reading and interpretation of scientific papers is emphasised and students are given ample opportunity to provide oral presentations on the selected topics. |