The course aims at giving the participants detailed interdisciplinary understanding of the function of plant-microbe interactions in general, with emphasis on bacterial, fungal and viral plant-pathogens as well as mutalistic symbioses such as mycorrhiza.

The application of the biological knowledge in disease control will also be covered, in particular disease resistance and biological control. The precise content of the course will reflect the interests and needs of the participating students. Recent relevant publications within plant and microbial physiology, biochemistry, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology and pathology will be evaluated and discussed.

Topics offered include the following:

Birgit Jensen> Biological control of pathogens by fungi OR Fungal endophytes and biological control

Carsten Pedersen> effectors: key fungal molecules for the successful pathogen

Chatchai Kosawang> Research and approaches for emerging forest diseases

David B. Collinge> CRK receptor-like protein kinases in plant stress responses OR Fusarium interactions with cereals OR Is it really possible to make transgenic disease resistant plants and alternative biotechnological approaches?

Erik Dahl Kjær Natural> evolutionary potential of trees to cope with new emerging pathogens

Hans Thordal-Christensen> Plant pathogen defence signalling

Mette Nicholaisen> Bacterial inoculants to improve plant growth and health OR The plant microbiome – a breeding target for future crops?

Nicolai Vitt Meyling> Plant-fungi-insect interactions

Rasmus Kjøller> Establishment of mycorrhizal communities

Thomas Georg Roitsch> Contribution of plant primary metabolism and metabolic control to plant-pathogen interactions OR Non-invasive phenotyping of plant-pathogen interactions
Kathrin Rousk> Bryophyte-bacteria associations in natural ecosystems