Biotic Interactions

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

This course provides knowledge on recent developments in research on plant-­‐‑pathogen and plant-­‐‑insect interactions. This will include the molecular targets and signal transduction pathways involved, and ecological aspects of biotic interactions.
With regard to defense against pathogens, the innate immune response and the gene-­‐‑for-­‐‑gene model will be discussed in detail. The role of jasmonate and salicylate in biotic interactions will also be discussed . The lectures will be illustrated by examples from ongoing research at the UvA. Topics are:
•     Herbivore feeding styles
•     Pathogenicity modes, compatibility/incompatibility
•     Induced defenses, hypersensitive response and cell death
•     Pathogenesis related-­‐‑proteins, plant viruses
•     Innate immunity
•     Elicitors and (a)virulence factors, resistance-­‐‑genes
•     Hormonal signaling, jasmonic and salicylic acid
•     Engineered resistance

In addition the interaction of plants with beneficial microorganisms will be discussed.

Prior knowledge
Advanced (2nd and 3rd year BSc level) knowledge in Molecular and Cellular Biology is required.

Study materials

Literature

• Plant Physiology and Development, 6th ed, Taiz et al., ISBN: 978-1-60535-255-8 or ISBN: 9781605357454

Practical training material

• Handouts during the practical

Other

• Recent articles, reviews and grant applications

Objectives

• The student can describe how plants respond to biotic stress at the physiological, genetic, biochemical and cellular level, including hormonal responses.
• The student can evaluate manuscripts and grant applications in the field of experimental plant science and write reviews on these.
• The student can present recent publications in high impact plant science journals in an understandable and comprehensive way.
• The student can describe contemporary techniques used in molecular biology and biochemistry of biotic interactions.
• The student can carry out a set of contemporary molecular biological experiments in use in the field of plant-­ biotic interactions with precision.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Tutorial

Learning activities

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance at lectures is highly recommended. Attendance during tutorials and practicals is
mandatory (from Teaching and Examination Regulations).

Assessment

This will be an open book exam with open questions.

Inspection of assessed work

The manner of inspection will be communicated via the digitial learning environment.

Assignments

Review paper

• A4 review of a current paper

Presenting a paper

• PPT presentation of contemporary paper

Questions

• Delivering questions on current papers

Presenting a grant proposal

• PPT presentation of a grant proposal

Rebuttal

• Writing a rebuttal on reviews of a grant proposal

Practical

• Carrying out lab experiments and presenting the results

These assignments will all be assessed and will in total, together with the practical amount to a weight of 0,5 (50%) to the final mark (with the exam being the other 0,5 (=50%)). Details will be posted on Canvas. 

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Contact information

Coordinator

• prof. dr. ir. R.C. Schuurink