From Genomics to Plant Breeding

The course will address theoretical and applied aspects of genomics with a focus on plant technology and methods used for plant breeding. Theory on genetics and plant physiology will be included to enable discussions on how to use genetic diversity and how to identify new traits for plant improvement for sustainable plant production.

Following areas will be addressed:

• From evolution to breeding
• Comparing  plant genomes to those of other organisms
• Plant breeding – traditional and new techniques
• Goals and  strategies for breeding
• Key traits and how new traits for breeding crops are identified
• Genomic selection, genetic markers and their application
• From genomics to phenomics
• Plant variety protection, legislation

The key techniques and tools for analyzing data, from genomics to phenotyping, will be presented and further illustrated with examples from both model and crop plants. Together with these techniques, the underlying concepts for the development of markers and how markers are used in breeding are central to the course content.

In practical and theoretical computer exercises complementing the lectures, you will get familiar with some of the tools used in genomics and breeding such as excersise in using markers, in vitro techniques such as transient expression and clonal propagation and crosses to be used for selecting seeds with specific traits..

There will be excursion and guest lectures from relevant industries.