GENETICA VEGETALE E NUTRACEUTICA

The teaching of Plant Genetics and Nutraceutic allows the student to deepen the knowledge of molecular biology of plants, the biology of photosynthesis, growth and differentiation. It also extends knowledge of the structure and organization of plant genomes, the role of repeated and transposable sequences, on molecular diagnostics techniques.
Study of biochemistry of secondary metabolites and their role in the plant with particular reference to resistance to environmental stresses and pathogens. It provides knowledge on nutritional and functional foods as well as on the role they can play in preventing certain diseases and improving the general health of humans.
From the point of view of application, the main genetic improvement methods are designed to optimize the content of secondary metabolites with nutraceutical action in vegetable foods.

Course contents:
Biodiversity and genetic resources
Plant genetics to increase quantity and quality of products
The genome of plants: Structure and size of plant genomes
Molecular laboratory techniques applied to the study and improvement of cultivated plant species
Biotechnologies and genetically modified organisms: Technology bases
environmental, ethical and social implications
Genetic improvement and the creation of new varieties

The definition of nutraceuticals
Chemical Methods applied to the study of secondary metabolites of nutraceutical interest
Biochemical mechanisms of the main bioactive molecules
The enzymes involved in secondary metabolism
Secondary metabolites of plants of nutraceutical interest
Mechanisms of synthesis, role in the plant and aspects of nutraceutical interest: Terpenes Flavonoids and Phenolic Compounds
Secondary metabolites for antioxidant and antitumour activity