Plant Signal Transduction
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
To provide the students an overview of how plants perceive and transduce environmental signals and how they adapt to the different challenges. The course will provide the students the cultural and methodological tools for the critical analysis, and the understanding, of the molecular mechanisms of plant signal transduction.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will acquire:
Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which plants perceive different stimuli through the activity of receptors.
Knowledge of the mechanisms used by the plants to sense the different plant hormones (e.g. Auxin, Abscisic acid, Cytokinins .)
Knowledge of the role played by ROS and RNS in different signal transduction pathways and their mechanism of action.
Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and strategies adopted by plants to cope with pathogens and symbiotic interactions.
Knowledge of the techniques used for in vivo second messenger analyses and hormones detection in plant cells.
Knowledge of the universal role played by calcium ions (Ca2+) in different signaling pathways and how the plant cells regulate its homeostasis.
Knowledge of the mechanisms developed by the plants to detect intracellular Ca2+ variations (Ca2+ binding proteins, sensor relays and sensor responders).
Understanding the intricate mechanisms of the second messenger's crosstalk in local and systemic signalization.
Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which plants perceive different stimuli through the activity of receptors.
Knowledge of the mechanisms used by the plants to sense the different plant hormones (e.g. Auxin, Abscisic acid, Cytokinins .)
Knowledge of the role played by ROS and RNS in different signal transduction pathways and their mechanism of action.
Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and strategies adopted by plants to cope with pathogens and symbiotic interactions.
Knowledge of the techniques used for in vivo second messenger analyses and hormones detection in plant cells.
Knowledge of the universal role played by calcium ions (Ca2+) in different signaling pathways and how the plant cells regulate its homeostasis.
Knowledge of the mechanisms developed by the plants to detect intracellular Ca2+ variations (Ca2+ binding proteins, sensor relays and sensor responders).
Understanding the intricate mechanisms of the second messenger's crosstalk in local and systemic signalization.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
This teaching focuses on mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction in the plant. We will analyze specific topics on several well-characterized signaling pathways in response to both abiotic and biotic stresses as well as symbiotic interactions. The teaching will focus also on different experimental approaches pursued to study the signal transduction mechanisms. Particular attention will be paid to the use of state-of-the-art in vivo imaging techniques for the study of signaling events.
The first Unit is specific for Plant Science students.
Signal Transduction in Plants: From Reception to Response;
Perception and signaling of phytohormones;
Reactive Oxygen Species in plant signaling;
Nitric oxide in plant signaling;
Signal transduction pathways in plant-pathogen interactions;
ABA-dependent signaling.
The second Unit will be shared with MBC students.
Ca2+ as a second messenger;
How the Ca2+ concentration is finely regulated inside the cell. Examples of the roles played by Ca2+ transporters and channels in developmental processes and in response to environmental stimuli in plant cells;
Role of Ca2+ in the response of environmental stimuli, both abiotic and biotic;
Ca2+ decoding mechanisms and their role in developmental and environmental response processes;
Kinases and Ca2+ binding proteins: "Sensor relays" and "sensor responders";
Second messenger's crosstalk. Ca2+ and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and NOS) in local and systemic signalization.
The different topics will be presented with a detailed analysis of fundamental research papers in the field of plant signal transduction.
The first Unit is specific for Plant Science students.
Signal Transduction in Plants: From Reception to Response;
Perception and signaling of phytohormones;
Reactive Oxygen Species in plant signaling;
Nitric oxide in plant signaling;
Signal transduction pathways in plant-pathogen interactions;
ABA-dependent signaling.
The second Unit will be shared with MBC students.
Ca2+ as a second messenger;
How the Ca2+ concentration is finely regulated inside the cell. Examples of the roles played by Ca2+ transporters and channels in developmental processes and in response to environmental stimuli in plant cells;
Role of Ca2+ in the response of environmental stimuli, both abiotic and biotic;
Ca2+ decoding mechanisms and their role in developmental and environmental response processes;
Kinases and Ca2+ binding proteins: "Sensor relays" and "sensor responders";
Second messenger's crosstalk. Ca2+ and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and NOS) in local and systemic signalization.
The different topics will be presented with a detailed analysis of fundamental research papers in the field of plant signal transduction.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and molecular and cell biology of plants is highly recommended.
Teaching methods
The lectures will have a classical format with lessons given by the teachers by using powerpoint slides.
During the lectures, the students will be encouraged to actively participate with questions and comments related to the considered subjects.
The use of tools such as videos, and online seminars will be also adopted.
Course attendance is highly recommended.
During the lectures, the students will be encouraged to actively participate with questions and comments related to the considered subjects.
The use of tools such as videos, and online seminars will be also adopted.
Course attendance is highly recommended.
Teaching Resources
The textbook used as a reference is Taiz, Zeiger, Moller, and Murphy. Plant Physiology and Development.
All the PowerPoint material used for the lectures will be made available to the students at the dedicated Ariel website.
The reading of selected research papers and reviews will be suggested to the students at every lecture and they will be made available through the Ariel website.
All the PowerPoint material used for the lectures will be made available to the students at the dedicated Ariel website.
The reading of selected research papers and reviews will be suggested to the students at every lecture and they will be made available through the Ariel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two parts, both conducted in English: a written examination and an oral examination.
Students will be assessed on their theoretical knowledge of the topics covered during the course through a written test consisting of both open-ended and multiple-choice questions. The written examination lasts two hours.
The second part of the exam consists of a critical oral presentation of a scientific paper selected from those provided by the instructor. The presentation should include a brief introduction to the biological problem addressed in the paper, followed by a critical analysis of the experiments reported. It will be followed by a discussion with the instructor on the signaling mechanisms investigated in the research article and covered during the course.
Students will also be evaluated on their theoretical knowledge of the topics presented during the course.
The instructor may ask specific questions either during a dedicated oral examination session or at the time of the article presentation.
Students will be assessed on their theoretical knowledge of the topics covered during the course through a written test consisting of both open-ended and multiple-choice questions. The written examination lasts two hours.
The second part of the exam consists of a critical oral presentation of a scientific paper selected from those provided by the instructor. The presentation should include a brief introduction to the biological problem addressed in the paper, followed by a critical analysis of the experiments reported. It will be followed by a discussion with the instructor on the signaling mechanisms investigated in the research article and covered during the course.
Students will also be evaluated on their theoretical knowledge of the topics presented during the course.
The instructor may ask specific questions either during a dedicated oral examination session or at the time of the article presentation.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday 14:00-16:00
Department of Biosciences 3rd Floor Tower C