1. PhD course: Plant-microbe interactions
- exploring microbes to improve crop
productivity. (3 credits) at Makerere
University, Uganda 2014
Makerere Univ: Thomas Odong, Patrick Rubaihayo
SLU: Johan Meijer, Sarosh Bejai, Adnan Niazi

2. Subjects:
Plant-microbe interactions or how can beneficial microorganisms compatible
with crop plants be identified and further developed to support sustainable
crop production by improving stress management & avoiding agrochemicals.
Pathogen
Beneficial microbe
(PGPB/PGPR)
HR-resistant plant
Priming (latent defense)
Growth promotion
(hypersensitive
reaction)
SA
stress
abiotic-biotic
(salicylic acid)
JA (jasmonic acid)
SAR – protection
(PR-proteins)
ISR - protection
(?????????)
Nature Chemical Biology 5, 308 - 316 (2009)

3. Target group:
• Students with an interest in (sustainable) crop production.
• Suitable background agronomy, life sciences,...
• Cross-over microbiology, plant biology, soil science, plant
pathology.
• Some prior lab experience wih steril technique is advantageous.
Learning goals:
• To know the basic concepts of plant-microbe interactions with
emphasis on beneficial interactions and how microbes can
support crop production.
• A survey of state-of-the-art of tools and concepts are presented.
• To develop strategies on how to develop and implement these
techniques into the participants specific projects and problems.

4. Teaching:
Read 9 papers before course with some questions provided -survey of the topic
(1 poor quality)
Seminars (3 papers) - survey of the topic, quality discussion, exp design, knowledge
gaps
Lectures - traditional - questions at coffee brakes
Practical x2 – wetlab + bioinformatics (computer/data bases)
low cost: simple techniques, easy access data bases
Field trip study visit – farming scale - experimental
Group discussions – related to papers and generic potential/problems with
biocontrol (SWAT)
Exam-project presentation - Own pet subject + generic problem
Follow-up - SKYPE disucssion 1/3 months post course

5. Date
Sun
1
Mon
2
Tue
3
Wed
4
Thu
5 Fri
6 Sat
7Sun
8
Mon
9
Tue
10
Wed
11
Thu
Read 9 papers from the literature list.
Arrival - get together in the evening
9-9.30
Introduction. Course outline. JM, PR, SB, TO
9.30-12
Student presentations (10-10.30 Break)
12-13
Lunch
13.00-14.30 Plants and biotic stress.
14.30-15
Break
15.00-16.30 Plants and abiotic stress.
8.30-10
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions.
10-10.30
Break
10.30-12
Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria.
12-13
Lunch
13-14.30
Biocontrol agents.
14.30-15
Break
15-17
Paper discussion I. JM, PR, SB, TO
8.30-12
Practical. SB,JM
12-13
Lunch
13-14
Gene expression - techniques . XX
14-17
Practical. SB,JM
8.30-12
Practical. SB,JM
12-13
Lunch
13-14
Cell signaling, damage & death - techniques. XX
14-17
Practical. SB,JM
8.30-18
Excursion – field trip
9.00-16
Practical + Bioinformatics exercise I. AN,SB,JM,
13-15
Paper discussion 2. JM, PR, SB, TO
Not scheduled
8.30-10
Functional genomics.
10-10.30
Break
10.30-12
Bioinformatics.
12-13
Lunch
13-17
Bioinformatics exercise II. AN
8.30-11
Group exercise I. JM, PR, SB, TO
11-12
Group exercise I summary. JM, PR, SB, TO
13-15.30 Group exercise II. JM, PR, SB, TO
15.30-16.30 Group exercise II summary. JM, PR, SB, TO
8.30-10.30 Paper discussion 3. JM, PR, SB, TO
10.30-11
Break
11-12
Lab practical survey. JM, PR, SB, TO
12-13
Lunch
13.30-17
Prepare presentation.
18
Dinner
9 -12
Student presentations. JM, PR, SB, TO
12-13
Lunch
13-16
Student presentations. JM, PR, SB, TO
Course summary, course evaluation. JM, PR, SB, TO
Follow-up meetings: 1 + 3 months later

6. Remaining ?
Harmonize learning objectives?
Teaching resources?
Computer connection (bioinformatics)?
When can the course be given?
Security issues?
Health/disease issues?
Interaction (mix people)?
Follow-up - pressure or inspiration?