Epigenetic control of plant stress response

Ph.D. Programme in “Agrobiosciences”
Seminars on: Epigenetic control of plant stress response

26th October 2009, 9:30
Aula Magna Scuola Superiore S.Anna, Piazza Martiri della Liberta, 33 - Pisa

Description of the course contents
The course will cover the fundamentals of epigenetics and its potential role in abiotic and biotic stress adaptation by plants.
Mechanisms of and functions of DNA methylation and
demethylation, and various histone modifications will be presented.
A particular focus will be on RNA-directed DNA methylation
and other connections between RNAi and epigenetic regulation.
Recent literature on stress-induced changes in DNA methylation and/or histone modifications will be discussed.

Plant disease resistance, defense responses and small RNAs contributors to plant innate immunity will be examined.

PROGRAM

9:30-10:45
Introduction to epigenetics-DNA methylation
and the histone code
Lecturer: Dr. Jian-Kang Zhu

10:45-11:15 Coffee Break

11:15-12:30
Epigenetic regulation and stress adaptation
Lecturer: Dr. Jian-Kang Zhu

12:30-14:00 Lunch Break

14:00-15:15
Plant disease resistance and defense
responses
Lecturer: Dr. Hailing Jin

15:15-15:30 Break

15:30-16:45
Host small RNAs are big contributors to plant
innate immunity
Lecturer: Dr. Hailing Jin

16:45-17:30
General Discussion