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Molecular Aspects of Bio-interactions

PHP30806

About this course

The course focuses on the molecular basis of interactions within or between plants or arthropods, including interactions 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 and arthropods;
  • gene regulation and stochasticity in sex determination of arthropods;
  • how fundamental molecular knowledge on these biological processes can be exploited to improve disease control measures.
    Experiments in the practical course illustrate aspects of the theory.

Learning outcomes

  • Oversee the molecular basis of interactions between plants and viruses, micro-organisms, nematodes, insects, parasitic plants, symbiotic bacteria and fungi, as well as between arthropods

  • Integrate the complexity of the repertoire of defence mechanisms that plants utilize to (directly or indirectly) counteract attackers

  • Describe how attackers invade plants and reproduce, with emphasis on the function of certain proteins in these processes

  • Comprehend how symbiotic organisms interact with plants without triggering defense responses

  • Understand how insights into bio-interactions can be exploited to the benefit of plants

  • Explain the role of gene regulatory elements in gene regulation and stochasticity

  • Describe the symbiotic relations between insects and (endo)symbionts and the mechanism of reproductive manipulations induced by endosymbionts

  • Perform experiments in the field of biotic interactions

  • Write a report about the experiments in the format of a scientific publication

Assessment method

  • Written test with open questions (60%)
  • Performance (20%) Evaluation of laboratory performance during practical.
  • Assignment report (20%) Quality of group report on experiments in the practical.

Prior knowledge

ZSS06100 Laboratory Safety

Resources

  • No reader, all literature is provided on Brightspace.

Additional information

course
6 ECTS
  • Level
    master
  • Mode of instruction
    on campus
If anything remains unclear, please check the FAQ of Wageningen University.

Starting dates

  • 27 Oct 2025

    ends 21 Dec 2025

    LanguageEnglish
    Term *P2
    Period 2 afternoon
    Register before 28 Sept, 23:59
These offerings are valid for students of TU Eindhoven