Starting date: aug/sept, 2024
Registration deadline: TBD
Location: Bodø and digital
ECTS: 5
Students should register to this course through here +Nord. Registration opens: TBD
Course leader
Practical info
This course will be on site at Bodø and online. The onsite parts in Bodø are not digital, but the course uses the combination of online and on site teaching together. The responsible institution is Nord and UiO. To be admitted to the course you must register both here and at Nord(for instructions click here).
Important! Registration is binding! Do not register for a course unless you are sure that you can attend.
Course participants must register in two ways:
- Register to Photosyntech using the form at the top of this page
- Register through Nord, the host university
- Nord-students must register through studentweb by TBD.
- Non- students must request guest status from Nord by TBD.
Course content
Epigenetics refers to the study of potentially heritable phenotypic changes that are brought about by gene expression changes caused by mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in regulating developmental processes and responses to changing environments and, thus, important from an evolutionary, ecological, and biotechnological perspective. This course is aimed at students with little experience in plant and algal epigenetics. Lectures and discussions revolve around theoretical aspects of epigenetic mechanisms.
More details on content
Topics include
- An overview of epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs
- Enzymatic regulation of epigenetic marks
- How epigenetic marks affect gene expression
- Indications for transgenerational stability of epigenetic marks
- Contribution of epigenetics to plasticity and evolution
- Sequencing methods for epigenetic marks
- Biotechnological potential of epigenetic engineering
The course runs over two weeks with lectures and discussions. The total workload is estimated to about 140 hours and divides into:
•20 hours lectures
•15 hours discussion seminar
•65 hours literature studies, ca. 325 pages at five pages per hour
•40 hours writing final report The evaluation will be based on a report that shall be delivered within a month after the end of the course.
Work requirement
•Minimum 80% attendance
•Approved project work/report
Learning outcome
After having completed the course, the student will have a solid theoretical basis on epigenetic mechanisms and their application potential in plant and algae research.
Knowledge
- Understanding of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in plant and algae development
- Have an overview of the epigenetic mechanisms and their specificities in plants and algae
- Have knowledge in the relation between epigenetic mechanisms, plasticity, acclimation, and adaptation
- Have insight into the methods that allow characterization and engineering of epigenetic marks
Skills
- Be able to chose appropriate methods to investigate epigenetic patterns and their phenotypic effects
- Be able to propose research projects testing the application potential of epigenetic bio-engineering
General competence
- Be able to communicate and discuss with peers on the complexity of epigenetics research
- Understand the role of epigenetics plant and algae research in relation to its wider context in terms of relevance and implications
- Be able to develop research ideas in a team
Course dates
approx. end of August/ beginning of September, 2024
Admission deadline
Admission requirements
To apply for this course you must be a PhD candidate at one of the Norwegian institutions. If you are not a student at Nord you must apply for status a guest student by….
The course will be arranged with a minimum number of 5 students. Maximum participants: 20.
If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be ranked in this order: 1. Photosyntech PhD candidate members 2. Nord PhD candidates. 3. Other.
Language
English.
Examination
Minimum 80% attendance
Approved project work/report (A-C approved, D-F fail).