NSCPHD1038 Plant Microbe Interaction: The molecular Biology
This course uses individual topics from the MSc course
"Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions - LBIK10202
This course provides an overview of the biology of host-microbe
interactions at the molecular level. Plant diseases caused by
pathogenic microorganisms are among the most important factors
affecting quality and yield of crop plants. Resistance is a
biological and environmentally-friendly form of plant protection
depending on natural, biological defence in plants against
pathogenic micro-organisms. The rapid development of biotechnology
in plant science is leading to enhanced knowledge of the physiology
and molecular biology of plants, and of the crosstalk between
microorganisms and plants. The study of these fundamental
biological processes leads not only to the improvement of
strategies for disease control in plant production, but also to the
discovery of molecules and genes with novel applications for
industry.
Topics covered include:
- Bacterial pathogenicity and pathogenicity mutants; fungal
pathogenicity: toxins and tissue destruction; microbial trophic
strategies e.g. biotrophy, necrotrophy; symbiotic and virus
interactions with plants.
- Molecular and biochemical basis of plant defence mechanisms,
disease resistance including secondary metabolites and
antimicrobial proteins. Disease resistance through transgenic
plants, new strategies for resistance breeding.
- Genomics, microarrays and virus-induced silencing (VIGS).
- Genetic basis of disease resistance. Plant immunity, effector
molecules. Mechanisms of hypersensitive reactions (HR).
- Induced resistance, Elicitation and Signal transduction pathways.
- Mutants in Arabidopsis: how to understand signal transduction
pathways in plant defences.
- Counter adaptations: suppressors and detoxification of secondary
metabolites.
- Symbiosis
- Microbial stress tolerance.
The course gives an understanding of the biology of
plant-microbe interactions at the molecular level.
After completing the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
-Give an overview of the mechanisms by which plants respond and
protect themselves against pathogens.
-List cellular signal transduction mechanisms in plants and
microorganisms.
-Describe the molecular mechanisms used by pathogens for overcoming
host defences.
-Have an understanding of the continuum from mutualistic symbiosis
to necrotrophy.
Skills:
-Explain how the above topics are studied experimentally.
-Interpret primary data from research articles relating to these
molecular interactions and apply the knowledge to new situations in
biology.
Competences:
-Discuss the potential of biotechnological and plant breeding
technologies for developing disease resistant plants
-Consider the ethical aspects of the use of different approaches
(e.g. transgenic) for disease problems associated with plant
protection and to put these into perspective.
-See the potential for industrial processes using novel molecules
derived from plant-microbe interactions.
-Relate the knowledge gained from the course to their own
research
Review articles and primary literature
- Category
- Hours
- Colloquia
- 20
- Exam
- 25
- Lectures
- 20
- Preparation
- 60
- Theory exercises
- 10
- Total
- 135
To course responsible
- Credit
- 5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignment under invigilationPreparation of lecture topic and term paper
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
- February. Internal assessment of lecture and term paper
Criteria for exam assesment
Evaluation of content of lecute prepared on a topic relevant to
plant-microbe intereactions
Evaluation of quality of term paper based on a different
topic
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NSCPHD1038
- Credit
- 5 ECTS
- Level
- Ph.D.
- Duration
- Placement
- Autumn
- Schedule
- Runs in the period November to January, ad hoc. Topics chosen by agreement with the PhD students from the lectures held for the MSc course " Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions" - LBIK10202. The PhD student should attend minimum 50% of the lectures of the course.
- Course capacity
- max 5
- Study board
- Natural Sciences PhD Committee
Contracting department
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Course responsibles
- David B. Collinge (3-6866674474706972326f7932686f)
Lecturers
Mari-Anne Newman, Stefan Olsson, Hans Thordal-Christensen, Ole Søgaard Lund, Elisabeth Johansen