PHP-30806 Molecular Aspects of Bio-interactions
Course
Credits 6.00
Teaching method | Contact hours |
Lectures | 30 |
Practical intensively supervised | 50 |
Project learning |
Course coordinator(s) | prof. dr. ir. BPHJ Thomma |
Lecturer(s) | prof. dr. M Dicke |
dr. G Smant | |
dr. ir. RJM Kormelink | |
prof. dr. HJ Bouwmeester | |
dr. ir. R Geurts | |
prof. dr. ir. BPHJ Thomma | |
Examiner(s) | prof. dr. ir. BPHJ Thomma |
Language of instruction:
English
Contents:
The course focuses on the molecular basis of the interactions of plants with attackers (viruses, micro-organisms, nematodes, insects, parasitic plants), and beneficial organisms (symbiotic bacteria and fungi).
The following topics are discussed:
- the repertoire of defence mechanisms in plants;
- similarities between plant resistance proteins in relation to specificity towards effector proteins in the attacker;
- signalling processes within an individual plant and between a plant and its neighbours;
- defence-related signal transduction pathways and the cross-talk between pathways;
- mechanisms and strategies by which attackers invade plants, overcome host defence responses and reproduce in or on the host tissues;
- mechanisms and strategies by which symbiotic organisms interact with plants;
- how fundamental molecular knowledge on these biological processes can be exploited to improve control measures, by novel non-toxic chemicals or genetic modification.
Experiments in the practical course illustrate aspects of the theory.
Learning outcomes:
After the course the students:
- will have acquired insight into the molecular basis of interactions between plants and viruses, micro-organisms, nematodes, insects, parasitic plants, symbiotic bacteria and fungi;
- will be aware of the complexity of the repertoire of defence mechanisms that plants utilize to (directly or indirectly) counteract attackers;
- will comprehend how attackers invade plants and reproduce, with emphasis on the function of certain proteins in these processes;
- will comprehend how symbiotic organisms interact with plants without triggering defence responses;
- will understand how insights into bio-interactions can be exploited to the benefit of plants;
- will be able to perform a short research project in the field of bio-interactions in plants;
- will be able to write a report about the project.
Activities:
Lectures and practical course.
Examination:
- written test with 10 open questions (60%);
- evaluation of laboratory performance during short research project (20%);
- quality of group report on short research project (20%).
Each component needs a minimum mark of 5.5 to pass.
Literature:
Reader available from WUR-shop.
Programme | Phase | Specialization | Period | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory for: | MBI | Biology | MSc | B: Bio-interactions | 2AF |
Restricted Optional for: | MBI | Biology | MSc | C: Molecular Ecology | 2AF |
MPS | Plant Sciences | MSc | E: Plant Pathology and Entomology | 2AF | |
MPB | Plant Biotechnology | MSc | C: Molecular Plant Breeding and Pathology | 2AF |
Minor | Period | ||
---|---|---|---|
Restricted Optional for: | WUEPS | BSc Minor Experimental Plant Sciences | 2AF |