BPSC 240 “Plant Innate Immunity”, Spring 2021,
Seminar (2 units), Instructor: Thomas Eulgem, Tuesdays 4:00 – 5:50 pm
May also be offered under course number BCH 230p
Innate immunity of plants against microbial pathogens depends on a multi-layered molecular network consisting of several types of immune receptors, signal transducers, transcriptional regulators, epigenetic factors and small RNAs, as well as antimicrobial proteins and metabolites. Following introductory lectures on fundamental concepts of plant immunity, students will read, present and discuss relevant primary scientific literature. This course will highlight current trends in this field and cover recent literature on NLR-type & RLK-type immune receptors, pathogen effectors, local (ETI and PTI) and systemic (SAR) immunity, hybrid necrosis, epigenetic regulation and transcriptional network interactions. A main emphasis of this course will be the molecular biology of plant immunity in model organisms (Arabidopsis, rice). However, the relevance of basic molecular immune biological concepts for agriculture and ecology will also be discussed. Class meets once per week for 2 hours. Every student will have to present at least one paper.