Course manual 2016/2017

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 the ecological aspects of biotic interactions in nature and in agriculture.
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 be discussed. The lectures will be illustrated by examples from ongoing research at the UvA.
•     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

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

Other

Recent articles, reviews and grant applications

Objectives

Upon finishing this course successfully, the students:

Will be able to describe how plants respond to biotic stress at the physiological, genetic, biochemical and cellular level, including hormonal responses.
Have obtained the ability to interpret and analyze contemporary manuscripts and grant applications in the field of experimental plant science.
Will be able to evaluate these manuscripts and grant applications by writing reviews.
Can present recent publications in high impact plant science journals to their peers in an understandable and comprehensive way.
Can carry out a limited set of molecular biological experiments currently used in the field of plant-‐‑pathogen and plant-‐‑herbivore interactions.

Teaching methods

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

Learning activities

Activity	Number of hours
Hoorcollege	14
Practicum	26
Tentamen	3
Vragenuur	2
Werkcollege	16
Zelfstudie	107

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

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

Assessment

Item and weight	Details
Final grade
50% Tentamen	Must be ≥ 5, Allows retake
50% Total practical exam
10% Practical
20% Written assessments
20% Oral presentations
50% Resit written exam	Must be ≥ 5

Inspection of assessed work

The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.

Assignments

Onderstaande opdrachten komen aan bod in deze cursus:

Naam opdracht 1 : beschrijving 2
Naam opdracht 2 : beschrijving 1
....

Fraud and plagiarism

Dit vak hanteert de algemene ‘Fraude- en plagiaatregeling’ van de UvA. Onder plagiaat of fraude wordt verstaan het overschrijven van het werk van een medestudent dan wel het kopiëren van wetenschappelijke bronnen (uit bijvoorbeeld boeken en tijdschriften en van het Internet) zonder daarbij de bron te vermelden. Uiteraard is plagiaat verboden. Hier wordt nauwkeurig op gecontroleerd en streng tegen opgetreden. Bij verdenking van plagiaat wordt de examencommissie van de opleiding ingeschakeld. Wanneer de examencommissie overtuigd is dat er plagiaat gepleegd is dan kan dit maximaal leiden tot een uitsluiting van al het onderwijs van de opleiding voor een heel kalenderjaar. Zie voor meer informatie over het fraude- en plagiaatreglement van de Universiteit van Amsterdam.www.uva.nl/plagiaat

Course structure

Weeknummer	Onderwerpen	Studiestof
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Owner	Master Biological Sciences
Coordinator	dr. ir. R.C. Schuurink
Part of	Master Biological Sciences, track General Biology, year 1 Master Biological Sciences, track Green Life Sciences, year 1

Biotic Interactions