Molecular Biobased Approaches for Plant Protection
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Challenges to agricultural production and plant health include climate change, novel pathogen emergence, contamination with toxins and pesticides.
Molecular knowledge is speeding up biobased innovation in agriculture opening novel market niches. Major technical advances are revolutionizing the ability to understand the processes of microbe interactions and pathogens adaptation in agricultural systems, leading to novel products for plant protection.
The objective of the course is to elucidate how molecular information on biological processes and interactions occurring in the agricultural environment can lead the development of biobased approaches for agriculture, focusing on the protection of plant health. The course will have 2 CFU dedicated to laboratory and field activities.
Molecular knowledge is speeding up biobased innovation in agriculture opening novel market niches. Major technical advances are revolutionizing the ability to understand the processes of microbe interactions and pathogens adaptation in agricultural systems, leading to novel products for plant protection.
The objective of the course is to elucidate how molecular information on biological processes and interactions occurring in the agricultural environment can lead the development of biobased approaches for agriculture, focusing on the protection of plant health. The course will have 2 CFU dedicated to laboratory and field activities.
Expected learning outcomes
The students will learn how to select and apply molecular methodologies to be used for improving agricultural production and plant health and quality as well as how to extrapolate key information from scientific papers on these subjects.
It is expected that at the end of the course the students will be able to design theoretically a research plan focused on developing bio-based approaches to solve issues related to challenges in agricultural production based on the molecular background acquired.
It is expected that at the end of the course the students will be able to design theoretically a research plan focused on developing bio-based approaches to solve issues related to challenges in agricultural production based on the molecular background acquired.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Biobased products are becoming part of the portfolio of tools for agricultural production. Combining environmental, quality and productivity challenges in agriculture requires innovative products and approaches. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of microbe interactions as well as plant microbe interactions are pivotal for the development of novel tools in agriculture and plant health that take in consideration productivity, quality of the production and the environmental challenges associated.
Mechanisms involved in the plant pathogen interaction and in biocontrol strategies are fundamental for guiding the development of novel, safe and effective biobased products. Understanding how interactions between microorganisms influence plant productivity and the agricultural ecosystem is the core of the course.
The goal of the course is to acquire biotechnological and laboratory skills useful to understand, plan, and carry out research aimed at deciphering the molecular mechanisms occurring in agricultural ecosystems. The course will focus on brand new research approaches and the related technologies required for addressing this question. Perspectives for industrial development of informed biobased products will be also discussed.
The course will address the following topics from a molecular perspective
- Open questions in plant health
- Recognition and sensing (factors determining recognition of the environment (host, microbes,..))
- Change, change, change (plasticity, genomes and stresses)
- The role of external molecules (xenobiotics and biocides)
- Communication (among cells) and the role of secondary metabolisms
Mechanisms involved in the plant pathogen interaction and in biocontrol strategies are fundamental for guiding the development of novel, safe and effective biobased products. Understanding how interactions between microorganisms influence plant productivity and the agricultural ecosystem is the core of the course.
The goal of the course is to acquire biotechnological and laboratory skills useful to understand, plan, and carry out research aimed at deciphering the molecular mechanisms occurring in agricultural ecosystems. The course will focus on brand new research approaches and the related technologies required for addressing this question. Perspectives for industrial development of informed biobased products will be also discussed.
The course will address the following topics from a molecular perspective
- Open questions in plant health
- Recognition and sensing (factors determining recognition of the environment (host, microbes,..))
- Change, change, change (plasticity, genomes and stresses)
- The role of external molecules (xenobiotics and biocides)
- Communication (among cells) and the role of secondary metabolisms
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of cell biology, plant pathology, genetics and microbiology are important prerequisites.
In particular cell structure, mechanisms of cell replication, mechanisms of pathogenicity on plants and classical microbiological knowledge are important prerequisites. Future students are welcome to contact the teacher to obtain indications about texts and bibliographic references that can be studied to fill possible knowledge gaps on the above cited subjects.
In particular cell structure, mechanisms of cell replication, mechanisms of pathogenicity on plants and classical microbiological knowledge are important prerequisites. Future students are welcome to contact the teacher to obtain indications about texts and bibliographic references that can be studied to fill possible knowledge gaps on the above cited subjects.
Teaching methods
The course include 2 CFU of frontal lessons dealing with the theorethical part of the course and 2 CFU of laboratory activities which include practical experience with bioinformatics and molecular plant pathology activities. Participation to the lessons is highly recomended.
Teaching Resources
The material for the course includes slides used during the lessons and scientific articles that serves as reference for the theory of the discipline.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Two exam modalities are possible.
The first type is an oral test composed of two parts:
1) Three questions lasting as maximum 15 minutes based on the theoretical lessons
2) A question aimed to verify the ability of the student to reflect and elaborate on the possible experimental path that can be followed to address specific research questions within the discipline and addressed during the laboratories activities.
The length of the overall exam does not exceed the 20 minutes. Results are communicated at the end of the exam.
The student should therefore show the comprehension of the main theoretical aspects of the discipline and the ability to design experimental path in order to address a scientific question within the discipline. Evaluation is based on comprehension of the subjects, use of appropriate language, ability to reflect on the experimental procedures necessary to answer to a question as addressed during the lessons.
The second option for the final exam can be selected (optionally) by the students participating to the laboratory activities. To participate to this version of the final exam students shall participate to at least 80% of the laboratory activities. In this case the exam is a written critical summary of the work carried out during the course with the modalities presented during the laboratory activities. The report will be judged for its comprehensiveness and for the precision and quality of data reporting as well as for the quality of the language adopted. Results will be communicated by email after correction of the report.
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied also for telematic exams. Here the complete information:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-disabilities
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld
In case you need specific procedures, please inform the teacher by mail at least 10 days before the exam, including in the addresses [email protected] or [email protected].
The first type is an oral test composed of two parts:
1) Three questions lasting as maximum 15 minutes based on the theoretical lessons
2) A question aimed to verify the ability of the student to reflect and elaborate on the possible experimental path that can be followed to address specific research questions within the discipline and addressed during the laboratories activities.
The length of the overall exam does not exceed the 20 minutes. Results are communicated at the end of the exam.
The student should therefore show the comprehension of the main theoretical aspects of the discipline and the ability to design experimental path in order to address a scientific question within the discipline. Evaluation is based on comprehension of the subjects, use of appropriate language, ability to reflect on the experimental procedures necessary to answer to a question as addressed during the lessons.
The second option for the final exam can be selected (optionally) by the students participating to the laboratory activities. To participate to this version of the final exam students shall participate to at least 80% of the laboratory activities. In this case the exam is a written critical summary of the work carried out during the course with the modalities presented during the laboratory activities. The report will be judged for its comprehensiveness and for the precision and quality of data reporting as well as for the quality of the language adopted. Results will be communicated by email after correction of the report.
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied also for telematic exams. Here the complete information:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-disabilities
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld
In case you need specific procedures, please inform the teacher by mail at least 10 days before the exam, including in the addresses [email protected] or [email protected].
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 4
Laboratories: 32 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Professors:
Kunova Andrea, Pasquali Matias
Shifts:
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Appointment
Room R056, building A21030, Via Celoria 2