Mechanisms of the innate immune system

Due to the current situation in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, this seminar will be offered online. Seminar materials will be available via Moodle and presentations will run using Zoom. Please check for updates.

The outcome of plant infection by micro-organisms can be striking and essential for survival. But what are the molecular mechanisms, by which plants defend infectious pathogens while retaining the ability to associate with beneficial microbes? In this seminar series we will discuss the recent advances on the plant’s immune system and the immunomodulatory signatures of microorganisms. Understanding, presenting and discussing the most recent research is used to gain knowledge on the state-of-the-art methodologies and recent theoretical perspective of molecular plant-microbe interactions. A basis for this seminar is the lecture "Plant Innate Immunity". Please note that this seminar replaces the seminar "What's new? Plants, Microbes & Immunity". Students who have signed up for the latter are invited to take part in the "Mechanisms of the innate immune system" seminar.

The seminar requires that students select one topic and present it to all students in the form of an oral presentation and moderate the subsequent discussion. A key literature publication is provided, which should be presented in detail together with additional relevant literature for background knowledge. You can download the key publications here. Each presentation should not last longer than 45 min (35 min presentation plus 10 min discussion). You can download the grading system here.

The provided key literature must be read by all participants. All students have to be prepared for each topic with at least two questions and actively contribute to the discussion. Credits depend on attendance to the seminar and active participation is required.

The seminar will be in the form of two consecutive workshop days from 10:00 am to 16:00 pm, with 2x each 30 min preparatory discussions on June 8th and June 15th from 14:00 am to 18:00 pm. The two workshop days will be July 2nd and July 3rd. Please note, pending on the developments related to the coronavirus epidemic, the workshop could be held via online streaming. A general introductory discussion will be May 18th, around 13.30 pm, following the lecture Plant Innate Immunity.

Presentations from workshop day 1

Presentations from workshop day 2

Our seminar wrap-up will focus on the Top unanswered questions in the field of plant-microbe interactions. Please identify your main unanswered question and why you think this should be addressed in future studies. We will discuss each question and identify our Top 1!

Top unanswered questions in plant-microbe interactions

You can download the workshop schedule with presenter topics here. Updated!

You can download a guide how to find a read scientific literature here.

You can download a guide how to give a scientific presentation here.

Please check this website regularly for updates.

3 ECTS points = 90 h

Preparation for seminars: 3 h (x 4 = 12 h)
Seminar: 20 h (1 preparatory day x 8 h plus 2 workshop days x 6 h = 8 h + 12 h)
Preparation of presentation: 58 h