Course manual 2017/2018

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

Practical training material

Handouts during the practical

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	15
Practicum	22
Tentamen	3
Vragenuur	2
Werkcollege	16
Zelfstudie	94

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

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.uva.nl/plagiarism

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