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SL22046: Plant infection and immunity

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWRI 30%, EXOB 70%
Assessment Detail:
  • Open-book written examination (EXOB 70%)
  • Report Individual (CWRI 30%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
  • Identify the major groups of plant pathogens, describe their key biological features and infection strategies, and explain diverse disease management strategies.
  • Explain the molecular and biochemical basis of host-pathogen interactions, and describe biotechnological approaches to manipulate such interactions to develop novel crop protection strategies.
  • Describe the molecular components of the plant immune system and immune signalling leading to disease resistance.
  • Employ techniques to isolate and inoculate plants with diverse pathogens to assess their disease susceptibility or resistance, the progression of the disease process and identify underlying mechanisms.



Synopsis: "This unit introduces you to the mechanisms of plant-pathogen interactions that threaten global food security. You will learn about the basis of crop protection and disease management strategies. You will explore the molecular mechanisms governing plant survival and adaptation. In practical sessions you will gain hands on experience in techniques involving infection, monitoring disease progression and investigating resistance mechanisms in plants. "

Content: This unit will cover: Biology and virulence mechanisms of major groups of plant pathogens such as bacterial, viral, fungal and oomycete pathogens. Molecular mechanisms and signalling processes involved in interactions between plants and pathogens. Diverse biotechnological approaches develop novel crop protection strategies. Molecular components of the multi-layered plant immune system and immune signalling. Disease control and management strategies to include, biological and chemical control, resistant host genotypes, and crop management practices. Practical sessions will provide hands on experience in a variety of techniques involving infection of plants with diverse plant pathogens and observing disease progression, re-isolation and culturing plant pathogens from infected plants, real time observation of infection processes, and diverse disease resistance mechanisms.

Course availability:

SL22046 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)

SL22046 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)
Department of Life Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.