PhD course: Plant-microbe interactions - exploring microbes to improve crop productivity. (3 credits) at Makerere

University, Uganda 2014

Makerere Univ: Thomas Odong, Patrick RubaihayoSLU: Johan Meijer, Sarosh Bejai, Adnan Niazi

Subjects:Plant-microbe interactions or how can beneficial microorganisms compatible with crop plants be identified and further developed to support sustainable crop production by improving stress management & avoiding agrochemicals.

Pathogen Beneficial microbe(PGPB/PGPR)

HR-resistant plant(hypersensitive Priming (latent defense)

reaction) Growth promotion

SA stress abiotic-biotic (salicylic acid)

JA (jasmonic acid)

SAR – protection ISR - protection(PR-proteins) (?????????)

Nature Chemical Biology 5, 308 - 316 (2009)

Target group:• Students with an interest in (sustainable) crop production. • Suitable background agronomy, life sciences,... • Cross-over microbiology, plant biology, soil science, plant

pathology.• Some prior lab experience wih steril technique is advantageous.

Learning goals:• To know the basic concepts of plant-microbe interactions with

emphasis on beneficial interactions and how microbes can support crop production.

• A survey of state-of-the-art of tools and concepts are presented. • To develop strategies on how to develop and implement these

techniques into the participants specific projects and problems.

Teaching:

Read 9 papers before course with some questions provided -survey of the topic(1 poor quality)

Seminars (3 papers) - survey of the topic, quality discussion, exp design, knowledgegaps

Lectures - traditional - questions at coffee brakes

Practical x2 – wetlab + bioinformatics (computer/data bases)low cost: simple techniques, easy access data bases

Field trip study visit – farming scale - experimental

Group discussions – related to papers and generic potential/problems withbiocontrol (SWAT)

Exam-project presentation - Own pet subject + generic problem

Follow-up - SKYPE disucssion 1/3 months post course

Date Read 9 papers from the literature list.

Sun Arrival - get together in the evening

1

Mon

9-9.30 Introduction. Course outline. JM, PR, SB, TO

9.30-12 Student presentations (10-10.30 Break)

12-13 Lunch

13.00-14.30 Plants and biotic stress.

14.30-15 Break

15.00-16.30 Plants and abiotic stress.

2

Tue

8.30-10 Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions.

10-10.30 Break

10.30-12 Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria.

12-13 Lunch

13-14.30 Biocontrol agents.

14.30-15 Break

15-17 Paper discussion I. JM, PR, SB, TO

3

Wed 8.30-12 Practical. SB,JM

12-13 Lunch

13-14 Gene expression - techniques . XX

14-17 Practical. SB,JM

4

Thu 8.30-12 Practical. SB,JM

12-13 Lunch

13-14 Cell signaling, damage & death - techniques. XX

14-17 Practical. SB,JM

5 Fri 8.30-18 Excursion – field trip

6 Sat 9.00-16 Practical + Bioinformatics exercise I. AN,SB,JM,

13-15 Paper discussion 2. JM, PR, SB, TO

7Sun Not scheduled

8

Mon

8.30-10 Functional genomics.

10-10.30 Break

10.30-12 Bioinformatics.

12-13 Lunch

13-17 Bioinformatics exercise II. AN

9

Tue

8.30-11 Group exercise I. JM, PR, SB, TO

11-12 Group exercise I summary. JM, PR, SB, TO

13-15.30 Group exercise II. JM, PR, SB, TO

15.30-16.30 Group exercise II summary. JM, PR, SB, TO

10

Wed

8.30-10.30 Paper discussion 3. JM, PR, SB, TO

10.30-11 Break

11-12 Lab practical survey. JM, PR, SB, TO

12-13 Lunch

13.30-17 Prepare presentation.

18 Dinner

11

Thu

9 -12 Student presentations. JM, PR, SB, TO

12-13 Lunch

13-16 Student presentations. JM, PR, SB, TO

Course summary, course evaluation. JM, PR, SB, TO

Follow-up meetings: 1 + 3 months later

Remaining ?Harmonize learning objectives? Teaching resources?Computer connection (bioinformatics)?When can the course be given?Security issues?Health/disease issues?Interaction (mix people)?Follow-up - pressure or inspiration?