240036 Pathogen and Pest Interactions with Plants: The Molecular Biology

Detaljer
Institut for Plantebiologi og Bioteknologi   70 %
Institut for Grundvidenskab og Miljø   30 %
English titlePathogen and Pest Interactions with Plants: The Molecular Biology
Tidligst mulig placeringBachelor 3. år til Kandidat 2. år
VarighedEn blok
 
Pointværdi7.5 (ECTS)
KursustypeFælleskursus
This course serves as specialisation for Bt, NR or AD students, and for students enrolled on the Nordic MSc programme, NorPath
 
EksamenLøbende eksamen

skriftlig prøve


Skriftlig auditorieeksamen

Alle hjælpemidler tilladt

Beskrivelse af eksamen: Continuous assessment based on a multiple choice test of 3 hours and one individual report. Written exam: Questions/answers based on the curriculum (3 hours)

Vægtning: Continuous assessment 20% Written exam 80%



7-trinsskala, intern censur

Eksamensdatoer:
28. januar 2010
 
Rammer for undervisningLectures, journal clubs, colloquia, exercises and essays. Topics for essays and colloquia will be adjusted to the BSc. and MSc. levels, respectively. This course needs to be open at both levels since it is aimed at all, NR, Bt and AD educations
 
BlokplaceringBlock 2
Ugestruktur: C
 
UndervisningssprogEngelsk
 
Anbefalede forudsætningerI. Genetics 1 or a similar genetics course. II. Biochemistry 1 or Microbiology or The Chemistry of Life. III. Background knowledge of plant pathology would be useful, but is not required in order to follow the course.
 
Begrænset deltagerantalNone
 
Kursusindhold
It is essential that biotechnology, agriculture and horticulture graduates have a clear understanding of the biology of host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level.
Pests and Plant diseases caused by pathogenic micro-organisms 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 and pests, such as insects, mites and nematodes. The rapid development of biotechnology in plant science is leading to enhanced knowledge of the physiology and molecular biology of plants. It is to be expected that new strategies for resistance will be designed and implemented and lead to a significant reduction in the use of chemical agents for disease control in agricultural and horticultural practice.

Topics covered include:

- Organism biology, bacterial pathogenicity and pathogenicity mutants. Fungal Pathogenicity: toxins and tissue destruction; biotrophy and necrotrophy. Virus and nutritional requirements and feeding strategies of pests such as insects, mites and nematodes.
- Molecular and biochemical basis of plant defence mechanisms, resistance and susceptibility to pests including secondary metabolites, insecticidal and antimicrobial proteins. Pest and disease resistance through transgenic plants, new strategies for resistance breeding.
- Genetic basis of disease resistance. Mechanisms of hypersensitive reactions (HR).
- Induced resistance, Elicitation and Signal transduction pathways. Mutants in Arabidopsis: how to understand signal transduction pathways in plant defences. Genomics and microarrays.
- Counter adaptations: suppressors and detoxification of secondary metabolites.
 
Undervisningsform
General lectures will introduce the topics which then are focused on with colloquia and theoretical exercises. Primary literature forms the basis for the colloquia (group discussions) and written questions are provided which guide the student to the key issues and through the important techniques used. Theoretical exercises and a limited number of laboratory exercises will supplement the teaching. In most weeks, short task will be set, these include writing short essays, multiple choice test, journal club presentations etc. These tasks will form the basis of the continuous evaluation.
 
Målbeskrivelse
The course gives an understanding of the biology of plant-pathogen interactions and plant-pest 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 and pests.
-List cellular signal transduction mechanisms in plants and microorganisms.
-Describe the molecular mechanisms used by pests and pathogens for overcoming host defences.

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 and pest resistant plants
-Consider of the ethical aspects of the use of different approaches (e.g. transgenic) for pest and disease problems associated with plant protection and to put these into perspective.



 
Litteraturhenvisninger
Note: Preliminary suggestion. The final choice of litterature will be announced a week before the course starts.

M. Dickinson. Molecular Plant Pathology, Bios: London and New York: 2003. 256 pages. ISBN: 1859960448
Schoonhoven, L.M., van Loon, J.J.A. & Dicke, M. (2005). Insect-Plant Biology, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, 421 pp. ISBN 0 412 80480 8 (Hb) 0 412 58700 9 (Pb).

Plus review articles and primary literature.
 
Kursusansvarlig
Mari-Anne Newman, mari@life.ku.dk, Institut for Plantebiologi og Bioteknologi/Sektion for Plantepatologi, Tlf: 35333303
 
Studienævn
Studienævn NSN
 
Kursusbeskrivelsesomfang
forelæsninger35
teoretiske øvelser25
forberedelse105
kollokvier40
eksamen2

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