Praktikum Practical course Plant sciences III

Course content: The aim of this course is to teach relevant methods within the background of fundamental principles in plant science. We compare Arabidopsis mutants with defects in the photosynthesis on the physiological (state transition measurements) and biochemical level. Participants are introduced to advanced biochemical techniques such as the isolation of protein complexes (photosystems) and to analyze them with Blue Native Gel analysis, 2D gel electrophoresis, and Western analysis. Furthermore expression patterns in the nucleus and the plastids are compared (Northern blot and RT PCR, non-radioactive labeling of probes). The emphasis lies on hands-on practice as the students are preparing every step of the experiment themselves, from making solutions to discussing the results. Furthermore, they are trained to compare different methods and to understand the biological and biochemical background of the methods used. The lab entails 3 SWS, and requires a detailed lab report according to excellent scientific practice. In a closing event all results are presented and the experiments are discussed in detail. Qualification goals: Students obtain necessary skills for future lab work, in particular in preparation for their master’s thesis. The methods are taught in reference to the biological questions asked. Therefore, a transfer of theoretical knowledge to practical applications can be made. In working in small lab groups, social skills (teamwork, cooperation, fair play, work delegation, mutual respect), communication skills(rapport with instructors and fellow students, presentations, written lab reports), as well as organizational skills (efficient planning, documentation) are refined. Bolle, Cordelia , PD LMU München WiSe 1617 Univ.Prof.Dr. Leister Dario