Course Contents

• Introduction: Definition and concept of Plant secondary metabolites, advances in tissue culture for synthesis of useful compound. • Basic Techniques: Callus, Cell suspension, Initiation, role of phytohormones, composition of media, Selection of suitable media. • Culturing of Plant Cell: Cultivation methods, culture of single cell, Nurse culture, Plating and feeder-layer techniques, physical and chemical factors, biochemical and biological factors. • Plant cells as Producer of Secondary Compounds: Secondary metabolism and compounds, Function of secondary compounds, Accumulation, Spatial compartmentalization, Synthesis, Storage, Transport mechanism, temporal compartmentalization, the role of individual developmental stage, significance of the degree of cell differentiation. Selection process, downstream process. • Product isolation and recovery: Extraction, mechanical and chemical breakage, use of enzymes, microorganism and carbon dioxide, Secretion, Natural and artificial secretion, Influence of culture condition on accumulation, production media, effect of light and temperature, regulation mechanisms. • Immobilization of plant cells: Background, definition, Characteristics of immobilization process, criteria for choice, characterization, cross-linking, surface immobilization or by micro-encapsulation, biological aspect, effect on secondary metabolism, advantages and disadvantages. • Mass cultivation of plant cell: Techniques of selecting cell lines for high yields of secondary compounds, free cell suspension culture, application of bioreactors, Fermenter technology, design, nutrient and gas supply, batch, closed and open system, hairy root culture. Biotransformation using cell culture, secondary compound production used in genetically engineered plant cell culture, factors affecting large scale production of useful compound, current status.

Course Synopsis

This course provides preliminary learning regarding the in vitro production of valuable plant constituents using plant cell and organ culture. The techniques used to regenerate plants under in vitro conditions and to enhance the production of secondary metabolites using plant cell and organ cultures. The strategies used to obtain pharmacologically active metabolites at industrial level are also focused.

Course Learning Outcomes

• To understand and exploit the extraordinary diversity of the plant biochemical capacity to produce valuable molecules. • To functionally analyse the genes of interest and systematically explore factors that control the formation, regulation, transport, stability and storage of secondary metabolites. • To combine knowledge of the molecular regulation in vitro and in planta in order to develop a holistic and integrated view of secondary metabolite pathways and their products at systems level. • To develop and optimize methods for large-scale cultivation and downstream processing of secondary metabolites addressing bio-safety issues in transgenic plants and cell cultures.