Formation Biotechnology for agro-engineers

Présentation

Formation dispensée en Anglais

At the end of this module learners will understand the challenges of biotechnology related not only to scientific but also to societal issues. They will be able to perform a critical analysis of scientific work and to communicate this analysis in scientific English.

Objectifs

The objective of this module is to cover the contribution of biotechnology in different fields : crop improvement and protection, biodiversity conservation, food, environment, health and animal sciences. This module will also prepare students to better understand the application of genomics and bioinformatics in these fields. It is also linked to UEs CIV and RGB (semester S6) where molecular biology approaches were introduced.

Teaching methods

All lectures and tutorials will be held face-to-face. Project work and flipped classroom will provide in-depth knowledge in chosen fields and will develop skills in diagnosis, experimental design and communication. Leaners will be trained in the art of scientific communication by describing and presenting their project work.

Assessment

Evaluation will be on the basis of a written report and oral communication (questions and answers) and minutes from the practical courses

Training Manager :

B. VAN DER REST

Savoir-faire et compétences

• Diagnostiquer : Produire un rapport d'opportunités de développement selon une démarche définie
• Concevoir : Adapter une méthode issue des biotechnologies pour résoudre un problème
• Valider: Identifier les limites méthodologiques et choisir les indicateurs pertinents
• Communiquer : Communiquer au sein d'un groupe de travail en utilisant le vocabulaire du champ thématique abordé

Contenu de la formation

The biotech rainbow, from basic technologies to a large spectrum of applications

The different fields of biotechnology applications will be discovered in an introductive course completed by an IA-workshop aiming at identifying both the basic techniques and a large number of applications

Plant biotechnology as an example of green biotech

Lectures and Tutorials: Germplasm conservation, crop improvement and protection

Applications of in vitro culture towards the improvement and conservation of plant species will be declined. Conventional and novel technologies involving genetic engineering, aiming at reducing the use of agricultural intrants, will be studied. Model plants used to decipher gene isolation and functional analysis will be introduced. These will be explored within the international legal framework of the International Biodiversity Convention and Biosafety Carthagena Protocol. Finally, the European and French legal framework dedicated to Crop Improvement, Crop Protection, Food and Feed safety will be summarised.

Plant transformation, concept and tools

This course delves into the principles and techniques of plant transgenesis. We will explore the molecular tools that enable the introduction and expression of foreign genes in plants, including Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The curriculum also covers transient expression systems, which allow rapid functional analysis of genes without stable integration, as well as the use of fluorochromes for visualizing gene expression and protein localization in living plant tissues. Through a detailed examination of these methods, leaners will gain insight into their advantages, limitations, and applications in both fundamental research and crop improvement

Protein engineering as an example of white biotech / Practical courses, from the theory to practical applications

After a brief introduction on enzyme and protein engineering, leaners will experiment the production, purification and functional characterization of recombinant proteins. This practical example will be generalized by identifying the main technological breakthrough and bottlenecks, a cartography of the industrial sector and the ongoing applications

Gene editing

This sequence explores the groundbreaking field of gene editing, with a focus on the CRISPR-Cas9 revolution—a transformative technology that has democratized genetic engineering, enabling precise, efficient, and accessible modifications of DNA. The program combines theoretical instruction, covering the science, ethics, and societal implications of gene editing, with hands-on practical sessions, where leaners will apply CRISPR techniques in laboratory settings. By the end of the sequence, participants will not only understand the mechanisms and potential of this powerful tool but also gain firsthand experience in designing and executing gene-editing experiments.

Conferences

PhD learners, post-docs and senior scientists at AgroToulouse labs will present their research work related to plant and environmental science and using molecular approaches. Alternatively, staff from biotech emerging companies may also give additional lectures.

Project-based learning:

leaners will work in groups of 3 or 4, on the development of novel products and processes in Biotechnology. They will choose either one of the following areas: food and feed, water security, crop and environmental protection, animal science, cosmetics, textiles, energy, use of crop residues, algae, industrial wastes as substitutes for oils and others. leaners will choose the area they wish to work on, will justify the needs, explore the state of the art, define the objectives they endeavour to reach and explore the ways these could be achieved.

Their project will be described in a 15-page report, and will be communicated orally to the class using a power point presentation during 20 minutes

Condition d'accès

Audience  :

Formation destinée aux technicien(ne)s supérieur(e)s et aux ingénieur(e)s, salarié(e)s, demandeur(se)s d'emploi dans le domaine.

Prérequis :

Bac +2

Lieu(x) de la formation

• Toulouse

Contact(s) administratif(s)