MS/PhD Field of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology

Students in the Plant-Microbe Biology program have educational backgrounds in Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. They typically conduct research on pathogenic, symbiotic, and epiphytic processes that enable microbial associations with plants and the mechanisms in plants that lead to defense, susceptibility, or cooperation.

Students in this concentration will master a fundamental understanding of the biology of the interactions between plants and microbes, particularly with respect to pathogenesis and symbiosis. They are expected to be interdisciplinary and able to bridge basic and translational research.

Core concepts in the Plant-Microbe Biology program of study:

• Pathogenic lifestyles: necrotrophs versus biotrophs
• Primary pathogenic mechanisms of necrotrophs
• Primary pathogenic mechanism of biotrophs
• The first level of induced plant defense
• The second level of effector-triggered immunity
• Systemic acquired resistance, induced systemic resistance, priming, and related plant defenses
• Major classes of antimicrobial compounds produced by plants
• Differences and antagonisms between plant defenses
• Pathogenic mechanisms of bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, viruses, and nematodes
• Development of better ways to durably protect crops

This suite of knowledge, skills, and abilities are developed from core and elective courses, research projects, and outreach opportunities. In addition to the course requirements of all PPPMB students, PhD students majoring in the Plant-Microbe Biology program are expected to complete PLPPM 4020, two special topics courses, and at least one minor in a graduate field in the core life sciences or physical sciences. The course requirements for a minor in the Plant-Microbe Biology program are determined by the Special Committee, but include at least the equivalent of PLPPM 3010 and PLPPM 4010. For students majoring in Plant Pathology or Fungal and Oomycete Biology with a minor in Plant-Microbe Biology, the Special Committee may recommend an additional life sciences course or research experience in a Plant-Microbe Biology or life sciences laboratory.

The Fungal and Oomycete Biology program serves as the center of eukaryotic microbiology on the Cornell campus. Research and teaching activities are focused on molecular and cellular biology of host associations and development, population biology, ecology and evolution, and epidemiology and management of fungi and oomycetes in natural and agricultural ecosystems.

Core concepts in the Fungal and Oomycete Biology program of study:

• Structure and function of fungal/oomycete cells
• Fungal/oomycete lifestyles
• Ecological and evolutionary relationships
• Mating systems
• Fungal/oomycete genetics and genomics
• Cell and molecular biology
• Interaction Biology
• Population genetics
• Fungal/oomycete metabolism
• Manipulating and identifying fungi/oomycetes

These concepts and skills are developed from core and elective courses, research projects, and outreach. In addition to the course requirements of all PPPMB students, PhD students majoring in Fungal and Oomycete Biology are required to complete PLPPM 4490 (Advanced Mycology), PLPPM 6380 (Filamentous Fungal Genomics and Development), and PLPPM 6490 (a current issues course in Fungal and Oomycete Biology). PhD students minoring in Fungal and Oomycete Biology are required to complete two of the above three courses.

For the MS major in the Fungal and Oomycete Biology program, students are required to complete PLPPM 4490 and PLPPM 6380 in addition to the course requirements for all PPPMB students. The minor requirements for MS students are determined by the Special Committee. In addition to the courses listed above, the Special Committee may suggest other appropriate courses given the student's interests and research focus.