1

Course Structure and Syllabus Content for the Master’s

Program

M.Sc. Plant Biology & Biotechnology

Department of Plant Sciences

School of Life Sciences
University of Hyderabad
Hyderabad-500046

July, 2019
 2

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCES, SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES

M.Sc. Plant Biology & Biotechnology (78 credit hours)

I Semester (19 credit hours)

S.No. Course code Course title Faculty teaching Credits
1 PB 401 Genetics GP/KM/AMK 3
2 PB 403 Macromolecular Structure and Function KPS/YS/RSM/PT 3
3 PB 406 Cell Biology SDT/KAK/RK 2
4 AB 404 Molecular Biology I SD/MS 2
5 PB 402 Microbiology ARP/CHVR/KGN 3
/JM
6 PB 405 Practicals ( Computer Applications in Biology, GP/CHVR/SDT/ 6
Microbiology, Genetics and other exercises ) + SR
Viva voce

II Semester (21 credit hours)

S.No. Course code Course title Faculty teaching Credits
1 PB451 Environmental Biotechnology JM/RK/SRK 3
2 AB 454 Mol. Biology II and Genetic Engineering SD/MS/ SDT 4
3 PB 503 Molecular Plant Pathology ARP/RM/KGN 2
4 PB 453 Plant Biochemistry ASR/SR 3
5 PB 454 In Vitro Plant Biology GP 2
6 PB 456 Practicals (Environmental Biotechnology, Plant GP/KGN/RM/YS 6
Biochemistry, Mol. Biology, In Vitro Plant L/SRK
Biology)+Viva voce
7 PB457 Seminar 1

III Semester (22 credit hours)

S.No. Course code Course title Faculty teaching Credits
1 PB 501 Genomics IAG 2
2 PB 502 Plant Physiology RPS/ASR 3
3 PB 504 Proteomics YSL 2
4 PB 452 Plant Systematics RK 2
5 Elective 2
6 PB 522 Secondary Plant Products and Metabolic ASR/SDT 3
Engineering
7 PB 505 Practicals (Plant Physiology, Genomics and IAG/ YSL/RK/ 6
Proteomics, Plant Systematic) SRK
Project work + Seminar
+ All Faculty

IV Semester (16 credit hours)

S.No. Course code Course title Faculty teaching Credits
1 PB 551 Plant Developmental Biology RPS/YSL 3
2 PB 552 Plant Biotechnology RM/RK 3
3 PB 553 Comprehensive Viva-voce All Faculty 2
4 PB 554 Project Work + Seminar All Faculty 4
 3

CORE COURSES AND ELECTVES (OPTIONAL COURSES) OFFERED FOR

MSc Plant Biology & BiotechnologyPROGRAM

CORE COURSES:
Course No. of Credit
Title of the Course code hours Faculty Teaching
First Semester
Genetics PB401 3 Credit Hours Prof. GP/ Prof. KM/ Dr. AMK
Prof. ARP/Prof. ChVR/
Microbiology PB402 3 Credit Hours Dr. KGN/Dr. JM
Macromolecular Structure & Function PB403 3 Credit Hours Dr. KPS/ Dr. YS/DRM
Cell Biology PB406 2 Credit Hours Prof. SDT/Dr. KAK/Dr. RK
Molecular Biology I AB404 2 Credit Hours Prof. SD/Prof. MS

Second Semester
Environmental Biotechnology PB451 3 Credit Hours Dr. SRK / Dr. RK / Dr. JM
Molecular Plant Pathology PB503 2 Credit Hours Prof. ARP/Prof. RM/ Dr. KGN
Mol. Biology II&Genetic Engineering AB454 4 Credit Hours Prof. SD/Prof. MS/ Prof. SDT
Plant Biochemistry PB453 3 Credit Hours Prof ASR/Prof. SR
In vitro Plant Bilogy PB454 2 Credit Hours Prof. GP

Third Semester
Genomics PB501 2 Credit Hours Dr IAG
Proteomics PB504 2 Credit Hours Dr. YSL
Plant Physiology PB502 3 Credit Hours Prof RPS/Prof ASR
Plant Systematics PB504 2 Credit Hours Dr. RK
Secondary Plant Products and
Metabolic Engineering PB522 3 Credit Hours Prof ASR/Prof. SDT

Fourth Semester
Plant Developmental Biology PB551 3 Credit Hours Prof RPS/Dr YSL
Plant Biotechnology PB552 3 Credit Hours Prof. RM/Dr. RK

OPTIONAL COURSES OFFERED By DEPT. of PLANT SCIENCES:

Course Semester
Title of the Course code Credit hours No. Faculty Teaching
Molecular Plant Breeding PB573 2 Credit Hours IV Prof. RM
Microbial Technology PB572 2 Credit Hours III Prof. ARP/Dr. JM
Glycobiology PB577 2 Credit Hours IV Dr. SRK
 4

Faculty-Teaching
RPS Prof.R.P.Sharma SD Prof. S. Dayananda
ASR Prof.A.S.Raghavendra MS Prof. ManjulaSritharan
ARP Prof .P.Appa Rao KM Prof. Krishnaveni Mishra
CHVR Prof.Ch. Venkata.Ramana KPS Prof. K. Padmasree
GP Prof G.Padmaja YS Dr. Suresh Yenugu
SR Prof. Raja Gopal KAK Dr. K. Arun Kumar
SDT Prof. Sarada D. Tetali RSM Dr.RadeshyamMaurya
RM Prof..RagibaMakandar AMK Dr. M. K. Arunasree
KGN Dr.K.Gopinath PT Dr. Prasad Tammineni
SRK Dr. Santosh R. Kanade
IAG Dr.Irfan A Ghazi
YSL Dr.Y.Sreelakshmi
RK Dr. Rahul Kumar
JM Dr. JogiMadhuprakash
 5

SEMESTER-WISE COURSE CONTENT

M.Sc.PLANT BIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY (PBB)
SEMESTER-I

GENETICS
(PB401) 3 Credit Hours

 Mendelian
Genetics and analysis: Extension of Mendelian analysis
 Chromosomal basis of Inheritance
 Chromosome characteristics: Chromosome structure, Euchromatin and
heterochromatin, Coding and Non-coding sequences, transposons
 Genetic Recombination in Eukaryotes
Linkage and Crossing Over, Chromosome mapping, Tetrad analysis and Gene
Conversion
 Mutations and mutagenesis
Detection, Molecular basis and Applications
 Chromosomal Changes: Number variation – Euploidy (auto and allopolyploidy),
aneuploidy
Structural variations – Deficiences, duplications, Inversions, translocations
 Interaction of Genotype and Environment, Twin studies, genetic environment, non-
genetic environment, phenocopies, penetrance and expressivity
 Gene expression regulation during differentiation and growth
Heterochromatization in human beings and other mammals, dosage compensation,
mechanism, sex chromatin, position effect
 Quantitative inheritance
Continuous traits – multigenic variability, dominance – additivity, norms of reaction
 Non-Mendelian Inheritance; Plastid mutations – nature and mode of transmission
Mitochondrial traits – nature and mode of transmission; Applications
 Population Genetics: Genotype and allelic frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg
equilibrium, non-random mating, consequences of homozygosity, factors affecting
gene frequencies, heterosis, mutation – effect on allele frequencies, migration and
genetic drift
 Developmental Genetics: Model system Drosophila, Genetic screen, Pattern formation,
Maternal effect, Homoetic transformations

References
1. Griffiths, A. J. F., Miller, J. H., Suzuki, D. T., Lewontin, R. C., Gelbart, W. M. An
Introduction to Genetic Analysis, W. H. Freeman & Company, New York.
2. Strickberger, M. W. Genetics, 3rd Edition, Macmillan Publishing co., New York.
3. Gardner, E. J., Simmons, M. J. and Snustad, D. P. Principles of Genetics, 8th
Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
4. An Introduction to genetic analysis. Anthony A. J. F. Griffiths; Susan R. Wessler;
Sean B. Carroll; John Deebly. 11th Edition
5. Genetics: A Conceptual approach. Benjamin A. Pierce. 5th Edition
6. Genetics: analysis of genes and genomes. Daniel L Hartl; Maryellen Ruvolo. 8th
Edition.
 6

MICROBIOLOGY
(PB402) 3 Credit Hours

 Beginnings of microbiology: Discovery, Evolution of microbiology as a discipline

 Microbiological techniques,Pure culture techniques,Enrichment,Anaerobic
culturing
 Importance of microorganisms in medicine,agriculture, environment and industry
 Nutritional requirements of microorganisms: Nutritional types, Requirements,
Uptake of nutrients, Design and types of nutrient media
 Discovery of microorganisms: Bacterial and fungal diversity, Culture techniques,
Bacterial systematics
 Microbial growth: Prniciples of growth,Kinetics of growth Methods of measuring
growth, Batch and continuous growth, Synchronous culture, Diauxic growth
 Cell wall of bacteria and fungi,Gram+ve cell wall,Gram-ve cell wall,Cell wall of
fungi and yeasts
 Micrbial Ecology,Denitrification,Phosphate solubilization,Free-living nitrogen
fixation
 Plant-microbe interactions,Symbiotic nitrogen fixation,Mycorrhizae and Plant
pathogens

References
1. Microbiology Edited by Prescott
2. Microbiology Edited by Torfora
3. Microbiology Edited by Peltzar
4. Microbiology Edited by Stanier
5. Biology of Microorganisms Edited by M.T. Medican, J.M. Martiniko and J. Parker
 7

MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

(PB403) 3 Credit Hours

 Review of basic concepts of solution chemistry- acid, base, ionic strength, ion
salvation; principles of thermodynamics: chemical potential, free energy, entropy,
enthalpy, heat capacity; dimensions of atoms, bonds, and molecules; covalent and non-
covalent bonds
 Dihedral angles, steric conflict, potential energy
 Classes of organic compounds and functional groups
 Amino acids and peptides: chemical reactions and physical properties
 Proteins and enzymes: secondary structures- helices, beta sheets, loops, turns,
conformational map, tertiary structure and quaternary structure.
 Glycobiology (glycomics): sugars and polysaccharides: chemistry, classification, and
function; glycoproteins: structure and function
 Nucleic acids: nucleotides, single and double-stranded structures, uncoiling.
 Ribonucleoprotein and ribozyme
 Lipids (lipidomics):fatty acids- saturated, unsaturated, and eicosanoids; phospho- and
spingolipids- structure, classification, lipoprotein, liposomes
 Brief discussion of EM, AFM, crystallography, and NMR

References

1. Biochemistry text book by LubertStryer

2. Reading material shall be provided by Course-In-Charge
 8

CELL BIOLOGY
(PB 406) 2 Credit Hours

 Comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

 General methods in cell biology
 Ultrastructure of plasma membrane
 Plant Cell membrane-structure and function
 Cytoskeletal elements
 Mitochondria- structure, biogenesis and evolution
 Mitochondria and male sterility
 Chloroplast –structure, organization, Function, Protein Import, Biogenesis,
Genome and genetic manipulation
 Chloroplast mitochondrial interaction
 Lysosomes- biogenesis, pathophysiology
 Peroxisomes, glyoxysomes
 Plant vacuoles
 Plant cell wall, Plasmodesmata
 Cell growth and division (mitosis, meiosis and cell differentiation)
 Biosynthetic process in ER and Golgi Apparatus
 Vesicular Traffic from ER through Golgi Apparatus
 Transgolgi Network, endocytosis and exocytosis
 Programmed Cell Death

References
1. Alberts B, Bray D, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, and Watson J.D. Molecular
Biology of the Cell. Garland Science.
2. Pollard T.D., Earnshaw W.C, Schwartz J.L. Cell Biology. Elsevier Publishing
Co.
3. H.Lodish and A.Berk, Molecular Cell Biology, W.H.Freeman Publishers
4. D.E.Sadava Cell Biology, CBS Publishers
5. Latest review articles from Peer reviewed journals
 9

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY I
(AB 404) 2 Credit Hours

 Genetic material: a) Classical experiments -

Evidence of DNA as genetic material. RNA viruses –RNA as genetic material.
Fine structure of gene - Benzers classical studies on rII locus.
 Organization of genome in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. a)
Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene organization: concept of
the operon; split genes in eukaryotes. b) Supercoiling of DNA - general
concepts and role of topoisomerases c) Eukaryotic DNA: Chromatin and
nucleoid structure-role of histones, denaturation-renaturation kinetics,
repetitive DNA, satellite DNA.c) Extrachromosomal DNA: Plasmids,
transposons, insertion elements, mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA.
d)Horizontal transfer of bacterial genome-Construction of genetic maps.
 Replication of DNA. a) Semi-conservative theory of Meselson and Stahl.
b) Semiconservative and discontinuous mechanism of DNA replication – leading,
lagging strand, Okazaki fragments
c) Prokaryotic replication – origin of replication oriC, enzymatic machinery
including the role of topoisomerases, helicases, DNA polymerases, primases,
ligases etc.
d)Replication of bacterial viruses – detailed study of the replication of
bacteriophage λ, Фx174, M13 – rolling mechanism of replication,
e) Eukaryotic DNA replication – eukaryotic DNA polymerases, replication of
linear DNA – role of telomerases.
 Recombination at the molecular level. Crossing over during cell division-
breakage and rejoining of intact DNA molecules, Holliday model of
homologous recombination – events at the molecular level; role of recA,recBC
and chi sequences, Site- specific recombination – eg. bacteriophageλ; FLP/FRT
and Cre/Lox recombination.
 Mutation and repair of DNA. Nature of mutations, mutagens – chemical, UV
radiations etc., DNA repair – Nucleotide excision repair; Mismatch correction;
SOS repair; Photoreactivation.

References

1. Lewin B. Genes. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

2. Alberts B, Bray D, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, and Watson J.D. Molecular
Biology of the Cell. Garland Science
3. Watson J.D, Baker T.A, Bell S.P, Gann A, Levine M and LosickR.Molecular
Biology of the Gene. . Benjamin-Cummins Publishing Co.,
4. Freifelder D. Molecular Biology. Narosa Publishing House.

SEMESTER-II:
 10

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(PB451) 3 Credit Hours

 Environment: Basic concepts and issues

 Air pollution
 Water pollution
 Soil pollution
 Biotechnological approaches for pollution control.
 Basic Microbiology of waste water treatments.
 Environmental Microbiology – Basic concepts and issues
 Biogeochemical cycles: hydrologic cycle, gaseous nutrient cycles (nitrogen, carbon)
and sedimentary (sulphur and phosphorus)
 Bioremediation of inorganics (Metals and radionuclides) and organics
(TCE/petroleum hydrocarbons/ solvents/ explosives etc.) in the environment.
 Biopesticides integrated pest management
 Hazardous waste management; recycling of waste; production of biofuels.
 Biodiversity conservation strategies
 Global environmental issues: Greenhouse gases and their impact on the
environment; biotechnological approaches for sustainable development
References
1. Prasad, M.N.V.andKaimin Shih (Eds) (2016) Environmental Materials and
WasteResource Recovery and Pollution Prevention. Elsevier. ISBN
9780128038376http://store.elsevier.com/Environmental-Materials-and-
Waste/isbn-9780128038376/ pages 728
2. Prasad, M.N.V.(Ed) (2016) Bioremediation and Bioeconomy. Elsevier, ISBN 978-012-
802872-8 http://store.elsevier.com/Bioremediation-and-Bioeconomy/isbn-
9780128028308/pages 698
3. S C Bhatia, Environmental Biotechnology. Atlantic Pub, 2008, 3vols, ISBN : 81-269-
0948-3
4. Parvaiz Ahmad & Prasad MNV (eds) (2012) Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants:
Metabolism, Productivity and Sustainability. Springer. USA (in press) 1st Edition.,
2012, XIX, 551 p. 63 illus., 14 in color. Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-4614-0633
http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/plant+sciences/book/978-1-4614-0814-7
5. Parvaiz Ahmad & Prasad MNV (eds) (2012) Environmental Adaptations and
Stress Tolerance of Plants in the Era of Climate Change. Springer. USA (in press)
1st Edition., 2012, XIV, 498 p. 86 illus., 41 in color.Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-4614-
0814-7 http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/plant+sciences/book/978-1-
4614-0633-4
6. Prasad MNV (2011) A State-of-the-Art report on Bioremediation, its Applications to
Contaminated Sites in India. Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of
India. New Delhi. Pages 90 http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-
information/BioremediationBook.pdf
 11

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY II AND GENETIC ENGINEERING

(AB454) 4 Credit Hours

Part A – MOLECULAR BIOLOGY II

 Prokaryotic Transcription: a) Transcription unit – start site, upstream

promoter regions, terminator; b) Structure and function of RNA polymerases,
sigma factors; c) mechanism of transcription-initiation, elongation and
termination – Rho-dependant and independent termination d) Promoter
polymerase interactions –DNA foot printing techniques e) Promoters-
Constitutive and Inducible promoters, other regulatory elements - upstream
activating sequences (UAS); anti-termination, f) inhibitors of transcription.
 Operon concept. Operon concept – inducible and repressible operons. Eg.
lac, trp, ara, and his operons; global nutrient (carbon, nitrogen) status sensing
mechanisms – link to gene expression. Bacterial small RNA (sRNA) and its role
in regulation of gene expression.
 Eukaryotic transcription. a) RNA polymerases I, II, III - structure and
assembly; b) Basal transcription apparatus for the three polymerases with
specific promoters and transcription factors, c) Other regulatory elements –
enhancers, silencers, response elements, d) Transcriptional factors – general
features, motifs - zinc fingers, leucine zippers, helix-turn helix, homeodomains
etc.
 Gene Splicing& post-transcriptional modifications. a) Splicing – mechanism,
catalytic role of RNA, b) Group I, II and nuclear introns, nuclear splicing and
role of snRNA, tRNA splicing, c) modification of mRNA - 5' cap formation, 3'
polyadenylation; RNA editing. RNA interference (RNAi)- mechanism and
significance.
 Translation. a)Genetic code – universality and degeneracy, Wobble
hypothesis, Chemical synthesis of the gene by Khorana b) Translation
machinery – ribosomes; charging of tRNA molecules and formation of
aminoacyltRNA; mechanim - initiation, elongation and termination, c) post-
translational modifications of proteins – glycosylation, amidation, lipidation,
processing of pre-proteins etc., d) Transport of proteins and molecular
chaperones; Protein stability; Protein turnover and degradation, e) Inhibitors of
protein translation.

Rferences
1. Lewin B. Genes. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
2. Alberts B, Bray D, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, and Watson J.D. Molecular
Biology of the Cell. Garland Science.
3. Watson J.D, Baker T.A, Bell S.P, Gann A, Levine M and LosickR.Molecular
Biology of the Gene. . Benjamin-Cummins Publishing Co.,
4. Freifelder D. Molecular Biology. Narosa Publishing House.
 12

Part B –GENITIC ENGINEERING

 Generation of DNA fragments: Mechanical shearing, restriction

endonucleases (REs) – classification, mechanism of action, use of REs for
molecular cloning, PCR technology and its application in recombinant DNA
technology, cDNA synthesis – strategies for isolation of full length cDNAs,
chemical synthesis of a DNA fragment.
 Vectors used in molecular cloning. a) Plasmids – general concepts, eg. pUC,
pBlueScript, pGEM vectors; Expression vectors; pMal, GST-based, pET
vectors; b) Bacteriophage λ vectors – λgt10, λgt11, λ ZAP and replacement
vectors - EMBL c) Phagemids - M13-derived vectors, d) cosmids - Artificial
chromosome vectors (YACs; BACs); d) Other viral vectors: SV-40, vaccinia,
baculovirus& retroviral vectors.
 Cloning strategies & Introduction of recombinant DNA into hosts: a)
Other enzymes used in cloning - DNA ligase, Klenow enzyme, T4 DNA
polymerase, Polynucleotide kinase, Alkaline phosphatase b) cloning strategies –
basic concepts of cohesive and blunt end ligation; directional cloning, use of
linkers and adaptors; c) Homopolymer tailing, d) T-vectors and cloning of
PCR products, e) Introduction of recombinant DNA into suitable hosts -
transformation, conjugation, transduction, transfection, particle bombardment
techniques, f) Ti plasmids and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation; particle
bombardment.
 Construction and screening of genomic libraries: a)Construction of
genomic and cDNA libraries – using for eg. λgt11, λ ZAP vectors, b) Screening:
DNA probe-based screening - molecular hybridization techniques: Preparation
of nucleic acid probes by nick translation, random primer labeling and end
labeling, hybridization techniques for identification of clones with gene of
interest, c) Screening by antibody-based methods: induction of protein
expression, immunodetection using specific antibodies, radioactive and
chemiluminescent methods of detection.
 Characterization of cloned genes: a)Sequencing of DNA- Sanger’s enzymatic
method and Gilbert’s chemical sequencing method; automated DNA
sequencing; b) Identification of promoters and regulatory elements – promoter
reporter fusions c) Site directed mutagenesis.
 Expression of recombinant proteins. a) Protein expression in E. coli as a
host - Factors influencing the expression of recombinant proteins. Purification
of recombinant proteins - His-tag, GST-tag, MBP-tag etc.; commercially
available E. coli hosts for expression of recombinant proteins, b) examples of
alternate expression systems – yeast, baculovirus, mammalian systems and
plants. Molecular Pharming.

References

1. Primrose, Twymand and Old. Principles of Gene Manipulation. Blackwell

Science.
2. Sambrook J and Russell D. Molecular Cloning: A laboratory Manual. Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
 13

MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY

(PB 503) 3 Credit Hours

 An overview of nature of pathogens and pests, pathogen penetration,

establishment, colonization in host.
 Genetic and molecular basis for disease resistance, Flor's hypothesis, Koch postulates,
disease epidemics and epidemiology.
 Preformed plant defenses, induced host defenses, biochemical and physiological
responses, host-pathogen interaction mechanisms,
 Physiology and biochemistry of plant disease, Primary metabolism, Secondary
metabolism, role of cell wall in plant defense
 Molecular determinants of pathogenicity, effectors, elicitors, defensins, phytoalexins,
common phenolics, plant cell wall degrading enzymes, host specific toxins, host non-
specific toxins, hormones and signaling.
 Plant disease resistance, classes of resistance genes, adapted host resistance, non-
adapted host resistance, Systemic acquired resistance, Induce Systemic acquired
resistance, Pathogenesis-related (PR)-proteins
 Transgenic and genetic manipulation approach and molecular marker approach to tag
disease resistance and avirulence genes

Reference Material:
1. Plant Pathology, T.N. Agrios, Academic Press, 2001
2. Introduction to Plant Pathology, Richard N Strange, 2003, Springer publication
3. Host Pathogen Interactions, Lucas, 2001, Blackwell publication
4. Annual Review of Phytopathology
5. Annual Review of Plant Biology
6. Current Opinion in Plant Biology
 14

PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY
(PB 453) 3 Credit Hours

 Plant Organelles
Structure, Function and biogenesis of chloroplasts, Mitochondria and
microbodies (peroxisomes and glyoxysomes)
 Enzymes and its functions
Principles, nomenclature and kinetics
Enzymes, how enzymes work and isozymes
Enzyme kinetics
Enzyme regulation
 Photosynthesis
Evolution of photosynthesis,
Photosynthetic electron transport, Components of photosynthetic apparatus and
their role, phosphorylation, C3, C4 and CAM pathways, Photorespiration and
Starch and sucrose formation, Carbon partitioning
 Respiration
Glycolysis, Pentose Phosphate Pathway, TCA cycle
Oxidative electron transport and phosphorylation
Interactions among primary metabolic pathways
 Nitrogen Metabolism
Symbiotic and asymbiotic nitrogen fixation
Biosynthesis of amino acids
 Fat metabolism
Glyoxylate cycle, Fatty acid Formation/Oxidation
 Sulfur Metabolism
Sulfate assimilation pathway, Glutathione synthesis and function

Reference Books
1. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants
Buchannan B, Gruiseem W, Jones R, ASPP, Maryland; First Edition 2000
2. Plant Biochemistry
Hans-Walter Heldt; 2006 Edition
3. Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Lea PJ, Leegood RC; Second Edition 1999John Wiley & Sons
4. Plant Physiology
Taiz L and Zeiger E; Fourth Edition 2006, Sinauer Associates, INC
5. Taiz L and Zeiger E. (2006) Plant Physiology, 4th Edition, Sinauer Associates
Inc. Publishers, Massachusetts, USA
 15

In vitro Plant Biology

(PB 454) 2 Credit Hours

 Historical developments and landmarks in plant tissue culture

 Basic techniques in plant tissue culture. Formulation of media for plant tissue
culture. Plant growth regulators – Involvement in plant differentiation and
morphogenesis
 Concept of totipotency.Induction of morphogenesis in vitro. Somatic
embryogenesis and Organogenesis. Factors affecting somatic embryogenesis and
organogenesis
 Molecular overview of somatic embryogenesis, Synthetic seeds and their
applications
 Initiation and maintenance of callus cultures, cell suspensions – Continuous and
Batch cultures, Mass cultivation of plant cells using bioreactors
 Genome reorganization induced in vitro, somaclonal and gametoclonal variations, in
vitro mutant isolation, their characterization and uses
 Meristem culture, Zygotic Embryo culture, Endosperm culture - Importance and
applications
 Micropropagation and its uses, commercial exploitation of micropropagation
 Production of haploids using anther, pollen and unfertilized ovule cultures, their
characterization and applications
 Production of secondary metabolites from cell cultures and ha
 iry root cultures, strategies used for enhanced production of secondary metabolites,
Biotransformations using plant cell cultures
 Isolation, purification and culture of protoplasts, Methods used for protoplast
fusion, Somatic hybridization/cybridization –Selection systems for somatic
hybrids/cybrids, their characterization and applications
 Germplasm storage in vitro, cryopreservation

Recommended Books:
1. Plant Cell and Tissue Culture
Edited by Indra K. Vasil and Trevor A. Thorpe, Kluwer Academic Publishers
2. Plant Tissue Culture: Theory and Practice
By S. S. Bhojwani and M. K. Razdan Elsevier Publishers
3. In Vitro Cultivation of Plant Cells BIOTOL Biotechnology by Open Learning
Butterworth/Hernemann Ltd.
4. Plant Cell Biotechnology By R. Endress, Springer-Verlag
5. Plant Tissue Culture: Applications and Limitations By S. S. Bhojwani
6. Plant Tissue Culture By Kalyan Kumar De
 16

SEMESTER-III:

GENOMICS
(PB501) 2 Credit Hours

 Structural organization of genome in Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes, packaging, Organelle

genome, DNA sequencing principles
 Gene Density, Repetitive DNA in nuclear genome, C-value paradox
 Genome Mapping: Genetic Mapping; RFLP, SSLP, SNPs
 Physical Mapping; DNA fingerprinting, Restriction map, FISH, STS
 Genome Sequencing Projects: Shotgun and Contig approach, Assembly DNA Sequence,
Cloning Vectors, Accessing and retrieving genome project information from web,
Analysis of genome sequence-tools and web resources
 Analysis/understanding a genome sequence (Genome annotation):A bioinformatics
approach
 Experimental techniques for gene location; Exon-intron boundaries, determining
function of individual genes
 Next generation sequencing

 Reverse genetics approach; Chemical mutagenesis; TILLING

 Transcriptome analysis
 Microarrays, DNA Chips
 Comparative genomics

References:
1. GENOMES 3: TA Brown, 3rd Edition, Garland Science Publishing, Taylor and Francis
Group.
2. Principles of Genome analysis and Genomics: SB Promrose and RM Twyman; 3rd
Edition. Blackwell Publishing.
 17

Proteomics
(PB504) 2 Credit Hours

 Overview of Proteomics

 Protein extraction and fractionation techniques

 Choice of material, handling and sample preparation for proteomics

 2D-electrophoresis, Difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and data analysis

 Mass Spectrometry and its application to proteomics

 HPLC and its applications

 Shotgun/MUDPIT approaches for global proteomics

 Quantitative proteomics (label-based and label-free approaches)

 Identification of post-translational modifications, protein-protein

 interactions and targeted quantification of proteins

 Bioinformatics and data analysis

References
1. Latest reviews/research articles from journals like Mass spectrometry reviews,
Molecular and cellular proteomics, Proteomics, Science, Nature, Journal of Proteome
research, etc.

2.Methods in Enzymology, Volume 182: Guide to Protein Purification (Methods in

Enzymology) by John N. Abelson (Editor), Melvin I. Simon (Editor), Murray P. Deutscher
(Editor) Academic. Press, New York.
 18

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(PB 502) 3 Credit Hours

 Plant and water

Introduction to concepts of physiology
Water relation of a plant cell- Laws of diffusion and permeability
Concept of chemical potential
Surface tension and capillary rise
Water potential and its component
Soil Plant Atmosphere continuum- Water movement in soil and root, root pressure
Cohesion theory of water uptake
Hydraulic liftAquaporins
 Solute Transport
Nernst potential and Goldman equation
Membrane transport- active and passive transport
Channels, carriers and pumps
Potassium transport
Calcium transport
Phosphate transport
Nitrogen transport
Iron transport
Zinc transport
Aluminum transport
Sulfate transport
Micro- and macronutrients and key to mineral deficiency
Phloem transport
Long distance transport in phloem
 Stress physiology
Water stress
Heat Stress
Cold stress
Flooding and ROS Formation
Oxidative stress
 Transpiration
 Transpiration and stomatal movement
References
1. PlantPhysiology, Sixth Edition" by Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger
2. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants by Bob Buchanan, Gruissen W and
Jones R L
 19

PLANT SYSTEMATICS
(PB452) 2 Credit Hours

 Plant Systematics – Global and Indian Perspectives

 Plant Classifications – a Conspectus
 Systematics in practice
 Origin & Objectives of the Plant Systematics
 Herbaria and Botanical Gardens
 Principles and Procedures of Plant Identification
 International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, and Biocode
 Biology of Plants (i.e. Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms)
 Morphology, Anatomy and Plant Physiology in Plant Systematics
 Sero, Chemo and Molecular Plant Systematics

Reference Books &Periodicles:

1. Jones, Jr. S.B. and Luchsinger, A.E. 1987: Plant Systematics and Evolution,
McGraw-Hill International Editions, New Delhi.

2. Gurucharan Singh, 2014: Plant Systematics – Theory and Practice, 3rd

Edition, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India

3. Manilal, K.S. and Kumar, M.S.M, 1998: A Handbook on Taxonomy

Training, Department of Sciences and Technology, Govt. of India, New
Delhi.

4. Lawrence, G.H.M., 1967: Taxonomy of Vascular Plants, Oxford & IBH

Publishing Co., New Delhi

5. Other Books/Journals/Periodicals of online subscribed/purchased by

IGML, UOHYD.
 20

SECONDARY PLANT PRODUCTS AND

METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(PB 522) 3 Credit Hours

 Introduction to Secondary Plant Products: Pathways & Significance/Functions

 Structure and biosynthesis of:
o Nitrogenous compounds: alkaloids, seed proteins
o Isoprenoids: terpenoids, carotenoids & steroids
o Phenolics: cinnamates, coumarins, benzoates, Flavonoids, lignans, lignins, Tannins

 Occurrence, biological and economic importance of

o Flavor substances, volatiles and colourants

o Medicinal plants
o Insecticidal compounds
o Non-saccariferoussweetners

 Plant poisons
 Polyamines and non-protein aminoacids
 Pathway Engineering: Principles and case studies

Reference Books:
1. Plant Biochemistry (2000)
by P.M. Dey& J. B. Haroborne, Indian Edition, Academic Press
2. Natural Products from Plants (2006)
by Leland J. Cseke, CRC Press
3. Natural Products from Plants (1999)
by Peter B. Kaufman et al., CRC Press LLC
4. Chemicals from Plants: Perspectives on Plant Secondary Products (1999)
by N.J. Walton, Diane E. Brown, Imperial College Press and World Scientific
Publishing Co. Ltd.
5. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants by Bob Buchanan, Gruissen W and
Jones R L
6. Peer reviewed publications from Journals/Periodicals online/Scopus indexed
 21

SEMESTER-IV:

PLANT DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

(PB551) 3 Credit Hours

 Introduction to plant development- Comparison of Plant and animal development,

Evolution of developmental complexity from algae to angiosperm.
 Role of Plant Cell Division and Expansion in development, Plant cell cycle-
endoreduplication and control of plant cell size.
 Regulation of Plant Architecture , Shoot apical meristem, Root apical meristem
and positional control of root development, Phyllotaxy , Lateral organ
development- Leaf primordia imitation, Leaf development, Generation of patterns-
regulation of stomatal patterning in plants.
 Plant Hormones- biosynthesis and mode of action of Auxin, Gibberellins,
Cytokinins, Ethylene, Abscisic acid, Brassinosteroids, Salicyclic and Jasmonic acid,
Strigolactones, karrikins, Peptide and other novel hormones of plants.
 Environmental regulation of Plant Development, Photoperiodism and circadian
rhythms and biological clock, Phytochrome, cryptochrome, UVR8 and
phototropins, Vernalization of plants.
 Seed germination and dormancy, Plant Senescence
 Reproductive development of Plants, Inflorescence initiation, Flower development
in plants, Embryogenesis in higher plants.

References

1. The molecular life of plants by Jones et al Wiley

2. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants, 2nd Edition - Bob Buchanan et al
Wiley
3. Plant Physiology, Taiz and Zeiger Sixth edition Sinaeur
4. Teaching Tools in Plant Biology (www.aspb.org)
 22

PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY
(PB552) 3 Credit Hours

 Components of plant genetic engineering

 Methods for analysis of differential gene expression in plants
 Enhancer trap, Promoter tagging, gene tapping gene tagging, Insertional
mutagenesis, Activation tagging
 Tissue specific promoters, characterization of plant promoters
 Agrobacterium and Ti Plasmid based and physical DNA delivery methods.
 Analysis of transgenic plants.
 Approaches to marker-free transgenics
 Developing herbicide resistance in crops: Target of herbicide
action and Detoxification of herbicides.
 Engineering male sterility in crop plants.
 Genetic engineering of plants for Insect resistance: Bt toxins
And use of protease inhibitors
 Transgenic plants for disease resistance
 Engineering plants for abiotic stress tolerance.
 Biopolymer Production through transgenic plants
 Fatty acid modification and oleosin technology
 Functional genomics, Validation of gene function
 Gene silencing, PTGS, RNai, Antisense technology, Applications.
 Chloroplast transformation, Molecular Pharming
 Biosafety, Bioethics and plant biotechnology
 Genome Editing tools- ZFNs, TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9

References

1. Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology by B.R.Glick, 2014

2. Plant Biotechnology-The genetic manipulation of plants, Second Edition by
Adrian Slater, Nigel Scott, and Mark Fowler, 2008
3. International Society for Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications- www.isaaa.org,
an open resource for Agricultural Biotechnology related applications, world status
of Agricultural Biotechnology
4. Review articles on individual topics form the major basis for this course as no
single book covers all the topics listed above
 23

OPTIONAL COURSES:

OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCES:

MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(PB572) 2 Credit Hours

 Scope of importance of Microbial Biotechnology

 Single cell protein, microbial flavours and food colorants
 Energy recycling and production using micro-organisms.
Hydrogen evolving bacteria
Microbial degradation of cellulose and lignocellulose
Biogas process, methanogenesis.
 Microbial technology for agriculture:
Mycorrhizae
Rhizobacteria
Viruses as pest control agents
Bacterial pest control –Microbial toxins for insect and weed control
 Microbial transformations

References

1. Microbial Biotechnology (Fundamentals of Applied Microbiology)

Alexander N. Glazer, Hiroshi Nikaido, W.H. Freeman and Company
2. Biotechnology: A Text Book of Industrial Microbiology,
WulfCrueger&AnnelieseCrueger
3. Annual Review of Microbiology
4. Current opinion in Microbiology
5. Current Opinion in Biotechnology
 24

MOLECULAR PLANT BREEDING

(PB573) 2 Credit Hours

 Introduction to Plant Breeding – genetic basis of Plant Breeding – creation of

variability
 Reproduction and pollination control – molecular mechanisms of self and cross
fertilization, gametogenesis and embryogenesis, molecular basis of male sterility,
self compatibility and apomixis.
 Domestication, plant introduction, acclimatization, genetic variation, crop genetic
resources, germplasm conservation and molecular basis of varietal adaptation.
 Biometric techniques in Plant Breeding – assessment of variability, statistical tools
in genetic analysis of variation.
 Genetic basis of self pollinated crops- breeding procedures for self pollinated crops
– concepts and methods – case studies.
 Genetic basis of cross pollinated crops- breeding procedures for cross pollinated
crops – concepts and methods – case studies.
 Breeding for vegetatively propagated plants- clonal selection – distant hybridization
and in vitro techniques.
 Genetic and molecular basis of heterosis and inbreeding depression- hybrids and
synthetic production.
 Mutation breeding and selection of mutations for crop improvement.
 Innovative approaches in crop improvement – Molecular markers for tagging
disease resistance, insect resistance, quality and special characteristics - gene
transfer in crop breeding program through ransgenic approach.

References
1. Principles of Plant Breeding - R.W. Allard. John Willey and sons Inc., New York.
2. Plant Breeding- Theory and Practice – Neal C. Stoskpf, Dwight T. Tomes and B.R.
Christie. First Indian Print, 1999. Scientific Publishers, India.
3. Plant Breeding – V.L. Chopra. Reprint 1994oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt.
Ltd., New Delhi, India.
4. Plant Breeding Principles and Methods – B.D. Singh, fourth edition, 1990. Kalyani
Publishers, New Delhi, India.
5. Crop Science- Journal; Trends in Genetics- Journal; Plant Breeding- Journal
 25

GLYCOBIOLOGY
(PB577) 2 Credit Hours

 Review of carbohydrate chemistry nomenclature, protein-glycan interaction.

Glycocalyx. Biosynthesis and metabolism and functions: N glycans, O-glycans,
glycospingolipids, proteoglycans and glycoprotein, sialic acids. Structures
common to different types of glycans, glycosyl transferases, degradation and
turnover of glycans.

 Discovery of lectins- Animal and plant lectins, classification, structure

functions and application of lectins and lectin array.

 Glycomics and Glycoproteomics: Structure and function relation of glycans,

plant glycans, glycans in genetic disorders and disease, genetic disorders of
glycosylation, glycosylation changes in diseases.

 Methods and application, Structural analysis and sequencing of glycans,

chemical and enzymatic synthesis of glycans, inhibitors of glycosylation,
Glycobiology in medicine. Glycoproteomic analysis, Functional glycomics.
Glycan array analysis

Suggested Readings
1. Essentials of Glycobiology- Varki, Cummings, Esko, Freeze, Hanlx,
Marth, 2017, CSH.Lab Press.
2. Principles of Biochemistry, 4th edition- Lehninger, Nelson and Cox.
W.H. Freeman and Co. ISBN 0-7167-4339-6.
3. Cell and Molecular Biology by- G.Karp
4. Molecular Biology of the Cell Bruce Alberts, Johnson, Lewis et al.