FRONTIERS
AND TECHNIQUES
IN
PLANT SCIENCE
June 29 - July 19, 2012
Application Deadline: March 15, 2012
Instructors:
Stacey
Harmer, University of California, Davis
Robert
Last, Michigan State University
Julin
Maloof, University of California, Davis
This
course provides an intensive overview of topics in plant
physiology, biochemistry and development, focusing on genomic,
analytical, computational and other high throughput approaches
to understanding plant biology. It emphasizes recent results
from model organisms including Arabidopsis, maize and tomato
as well as a variety of other plants and provides an introduction
to current methods used in basic and applied plant biology.
It is designed for scientists with some experience in molecular
techniques or in plant biology who wish to work with plants
using the latest molecular, genomic, and computational technologies.
The course consists of a vigorous lecture series, a hands-on
laboratory, and informal discussions. The instructors and
a stellar group of invited speakers, acknowledged leaders
in their fields, will present up-to-the-moment research
on a wide range of topics in plant research.
These
seminars will include plant evolution, morphology and anatomy;
various topics in plant development (including development
of meristems, gametophytes, and roots); light perception
and photomorphogenesis; cell wall biosynthesis and biofuels,
function and perception of hormones; small RNAs; biotic
and abiotic interactions; and applications addressing current
agronomic problems. Lectures describing bioinformatics tools
available to the plant community and the resources provided
by plant genome projects are also included. Speakers will
provide expert overviews of their fields, followed by in-depth
discussions of their own work. The laboratory sessions will
provide exposure to cutting edge techniques currently used
in plant research. These include studies of plant development
and genome evolution, transient gene expression, applications
of fluorescent proteins, automated phenotyping, analysis
of polysomal mRNA, analysis of global gene expression data
(microarray and short-read sequencing), construction of
genetic networks, and metabolome analysis. Students will
be introduced to leading computational environments and
programs including R, Bioconductor, and ImageJ. The course
also includes several short workshops on important themes
in plant research.
2010
Lab & Lectures:
Introduction
to Plant Structure (Ian Sussex & Nancy Kerk)
Phylogenetics (Elizabeth "Toby"
Kellogg)
Sequence Analysis & Phylogeny Reconstruction
(Toby Kellogg)
Light Regulation of Plant Development (Julin
Maloof)
Statistical Methods (Julin Maloof)
Analysis of Microarray Data (Julin Maloof)
Circadian Rhythms (Stacey Harmer)
Monitoring Gene Expression in Live Plants with Firefly
Luciferase (Stacey Harmer)
Plant Kinematics (Edgar Spalding)
Phenotyping Using Machine Vision (Edgar
Spalding and Nathan Miller)
Shoot Meristem Development (Dave Jackson)
Fluorescence, Confocal and Scanning EM Imaging
(Dave Jackson)
Quantitative Genetics (Georg Jander)
Quantitative Trait Mapping Using Arabidopsis thaliana
as a Model System (Georg Jander)
Plastids (Tom Brutnell)
In-planta Transient Expression in a C4 Model Grass
(Tom Brutnell)
Root Development (Ken Birnbaum)
Inferring Gene Networks (Ken Birnbaum)
Secondary Metabolism (Rob Last)
Analysis of Plant Volatiles (Rob Last)
Proteomics (Thomas Nuhse)
Plant Stress Responses (Julia Bailey-Serres)
Immunoprecipitation of Polysomes from Transgenic
Plants (Julia Bailey-Serres and Piyada Juntawong)
Lectures:
Vegetative Development (Scott Poethig)
Evolution of Plant Development (John Bowman)
MicroRNA Regulation (Marja Timmermans,
CSHL)
Plant/virus interactions(Marilyn Roossinck)
Maize Genetics (Jim Birchler)
Plant/Rhizobial Interactions (Giles Oldroyd)
Gametophyte Development (Ueli Grossniklaus)
Short Read Sequencing (Tom Brutnell)
Phyllotaxy (Cris Kuhlemeier)
Cell walls and biofuels (Markus Paul)
Cytokinin Signaling (Eric Schaller
Modification of Plant Genomes (Vi Shukla)
Genetics of Speciation (Kirsten Bomblies)
Genome Evolution and Speciation (Todd Vision)
Regulated Protein Degradation and Plant Signaling
(Ning Zheng)
Bioactive Plant Metabolites (Toni Kutchan)
Plant Systems Biology (Gloria Coruzzi)
Plant/Pathogen Interactions (Sheng Yang
He)
Plant/Pest Interactions (Linda Walling)
Workshops:
Introduction to Genetics (instructors)
Community resources (instructors)
Evaluation of gas chromatograph/mass spectrometric
data (Tony Schilmiller)
Introduction to microscopy (Sasha Goldschmidt/Stacy
DeBlasio)
Quantitative real-time PCR (Piyada Juntawong)
Using Matlab for image analysis (Nathan
Miller)
Several sources of support
are available to provide partial or full scholarships for
certain categories of applicant accepted into the course.
National Science Foundation funds are only available for
US applicants, and special consideration will be given to
individuals from minority groups under-represented in the
life sciences. Foreign applicants may be eligible for limited
partial scholarship support through the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute.
This
course is supported with funds provided by the National
Science Foundation
Cost
(including board and lodging): $4,450
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