THE MICROBIOME OF PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND HUMANS

PLPATH 315

Explore plant associated microbial communities (the plant microbiome), methods used to study them, and how we can use them to improve plant and ecosystem health in the face of challenges to agricultural and natural systems. Examples will be drawn from annual crop, grassland, and forested ecosystems. Use current molecular, bioinformatic, and statistical approaches to characterize rhizosphere microbiomes from samples collected as part of on-going research projects.

MICROBIO 710

Covers the themes and diversity of plant and animal associations with microbes with an emphasis on beneficial relationships. Examples will be drawn from recent literature.

MICROBIO 100

Primarily for non-science majors. Roles of microorganisms and viruses in nature, health, agriculture, pollution control and ecology. Principles of disease production, epidemiology and body defense mechanisms. Biotechnology and the genetic engineering revolution.

ANSCI 420

Provides a knowledgebase in both theoretical and applied scientific approaches associated with microbiome sciences in animal production systems. Covers the basic principles of microbiology through applied practical approaches in using cross-species comparisons in companion and agricultural species from classical microbiological techniques to novel next-generation sequence-based approaches.

BOTANY 100

Major emphasis on the roles of plants and microbes in past and present global ecology, and the past and present uses of plants and microbes by humans, including emerging applications of biotechnology.