4 ECTS credits
104 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4007891FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Registration for this course is allowed if one acquired at least 48 ECTS in the Master of Molecular Biology.
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences
Department
Bio-Engineering Sciences
External partners
KU Leuven
Educational team
Edilbert Van Driessche
Bruno CAMMUE (course titular)
External teachers
Barbara De Coninck
Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
26 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Course content:

 

This course gives an overview of the different strategies used by beneficial organisms to control plant disease and to promote plant growth. Recent advances on the interaction at the molecular level between beneficial organisms and plants will be discussed. The first part of the course focuses on the different micro-organisms present in the rhizosphere and how beneficial organisms interact with pathogens present in the soil. The second part describes how beneficial organisms can reprogram gene expression in plants and as such induce resistance. A third part deals with various mechanisms on how beneficial organisms can promote growth. In a last part we focus on the symbiosis between plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria or arbuscular mycorrhiza.

Students have to read a number of articles on beforehand. During the lectures, answers are given to issues that are not clear or incompletely understood and supplementary information is given by the lecturer.

Self study: students have to read a paper that is discussed during the examination.

  

  

Course material
Handbook (Required) : The rhizobiaceae. Molecular biology of model plant-associated, Molecular biology of model plant-associated, Spaink H, Kondorosi A, Hooykaas P, Kluwer Acad. Publ., 9780792351801, 1998
Digital course material (Required) : Appropriate literature and references are provided
Additional info

NIHIL

Learning Outcomes

General competences

Students have knowledge and understanding of various strategies used by beneficial organisms, both bacteria and fungi, to control plant disease and to promote plant growth and can be used to introduce sustainable pest management. 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: EVALUATION PROCEDURE : Written preparation, followed by oral examination of the indicated articles and related explanations during the lectures. Discussion of the paper prepared for the self study.

Additional info regarding evaluation

EVALUATION PROCEDURE : Written preparation, followed by oral examination of the indicated articles and related explanations during the lectures. Discussion of the paper prepared for the self study. 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences