This subject will focus on processes that are unique to plants as well as current techniques for their investigation and manipulation in biotechnology, including genetic engineering and plant transformation. The subject includes study of the responses of plants to biotic and abiotic stress; cell wall biosynthesis, carbon dioxide fixation and concentrating mechanisms; cell-cell recognition; nutrient uptake and processing; and the organisation of the genome in plants and its modification by biotechnology.
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of the subject, the student should have acquired an overall appreciation of the functional biology of plants and the application of biotechnology to agriculture, horticulture, forestry and the food industry.