Download the Horticultural Genetics & Biotechnology postgraduate programme as PDF file [155KB]
The programme is organized in 5 sections
The Cycle includes introductory courses on Scientific English and use of Computer.
The Cycle is dedicated to bioscience core courses. The scope of this module is to strengthen the students’ training in the fundamental and time-independent aspects of sciences upon which all subsequent and ever-evolving specialization will rest.
The Cycle deals with advanced propagation techniques. It focuses on in-vitro techniques for plant propagation and also includes a week of hands-on laboratory training.
The Cycle is devoted to applied genetics. The first week teaches the basic principles of genetics followed by the concepts of molecular breeding and how they may be applied to improve crop production and quality. One week’s practical training on molecular breeding techniques will improve understanding of these advanced methods. The second part of this module is dedicated to Arabidopsis thaliana, the model system for plant genetics, and will cover mutant analysis and transformation protocols.
This Cycle provides an overview of the recent advances on post-harvest biotechnology. One week on the physiology and the biochemistry of plant senescence will up-date students on the basic principles of this area. This course inter-relates with one week of classes on the regulatory role of ethylene in ripening and senescence process, followed by recent developments in the molecular biology of fruit ripening. Finally, one week of practical training on advanced techniques in biotechnology will provide students with the tools to better understand and exploit this field of research. The remaining courses deal with the issue of Genetically-Modified agricultural products and the ecological risk assessment of producing such crops followed by the laboratory on how to certify GMO agro-products.
[7 ECTS] – October to November
HOB.501 – Scientific English (3 ECTS)
HOB.502 – Introductory Computing (1 ECTS)
[18 ECTS] – from November to December
HOB.511 – Cell Biology (3 ECTS)
NPB.512 – Biochemistry (3 ECTS)
HOB.513 – Stress Physiology (3 ECTS)
HOB.514 – Genetics (3 ECTS)
HOB.515 – Molecular Biology (3 ECTS)
HOB.516 – Molecular Biology Technology (Lab) (3 ECTS)
[6 ECTS] – from January to February
HOB.521 – In-Vitro Techniques for Applied Biotechnology (3 ECTS)
HOB.522 – Tissue Culture and In-Vitro Techniques (Lab) (3 ECTS)
[18 ECTS] – from February to March
HOB.531 – Molecular Breeding of Horticultural Crops (3 ECTS)
HOB.532 – Genetic Improvement and Seed Production (3 ECTS)
HOB.533 – DNA Fingerprinting Technology (3 ECTS)
HOB.534 – Arabidopsis Genetics (3 ECTS)
HOB.535 – Mutant Analysis of Arabidopsis (3 ECTS)
HOB.536 – Arabidopsis Transformation & Analysis of Transgenic Plants (3 ECTS)
[21 ECTS] – from March to June
HOB.541 – Molecular Biology and Biochemistry of Fruit Ripening (3 ECTS)
HOB.542 – Biotechnology of the Plant Hormone Ethylene (3 ECTS)
HOB.543 – Nutritional Genomics (3 ECTS)
HOB.544 – CA Storage and Molecular Basis of Hypoxia (3 ECTS)
HOB.545 – Advanced GMO Detection Methodologies (Lab) (3 ECTS)
HOB.546 – Environmental Risk Assessment of GMOs (3 ECTS)
Research Project (9 months duration)
This part of the programme is carried out in cooperation with well-recognized institutions (universities, research centres or firms), generally throughout Greece or in the participant’s country of origin, under the scientific supervision of a thesis director that must be a doctor of renowned prestige. Participants choose the topic according to their interest of training.
A wide range of research topics is available for Master of Science theses. Many of the theses focus on topics related with Laboratory Techniques, related to: Molecular signalling in plant senescence using as models cut carnation flowers and tomato fruit; Molecular basis of hypoxic and anoxic response using Arabidopsis as model plant; Development of quantitative GMO standards for crops such as cotton; DNA genotyping of horticultural crops such as olives and their food derivatives.
Last update: 03 of February, 2012