Small RNA-mediated plant protection

INTOMED Training Course

Small RNA-mediated plant protection

18 – 19 April 2023

Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis Campus, Larissa, Greece

 

Course Overview

RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved mechanism for gene regulation in eukaryotes. During the workshop, the students will be introduced to the diverse RNAi mechanisms and pathways in plants (siRNAs, miRNAs, PTGS, TGS, RdDM) and to the GMO-based versus GMO-free RNAi methodologies to achieve crop protection and improvement (HIGS versus SIGS). Finally, the students will obtain hands-on experience with RNAi assays such as agrobacterium-mediated induction of systemic silencing and exogenous application of RNA molecules in plants by spraying, petiole uptake and trunk injection.

 

Who is this course for?

The course is aimed at early-career molecular biology and plant biotechnology researchers.

 

What will I learn?

  • Comprehend basic RNAi notions.
  • Familiarize with transgene-based and transgene-free methods to trigger RNAi in plants.

 

What resources do I need?

All the appropriate course material will be provided by the host.

 

Course Format

The course will involve lectures on theoretical and practical modules. During the course, the trainers will be available to provide support and answer questions.

PROGRAMME

April 18

Theoretical background on RNAi in plants, hands-on induction of systemic silencing by agroinfiltration.

 

April 19

Theoretical background on HIGS versus SIGS, hands-on induction of silencing by exogenous application of RNA molecules.

APPLICATION

Applications are now closed!

Maximum number of participants: 20

If you have any questions regarding the application process as well as the Training Course in general, please contact us at kalpapad@bio.uth.gr.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be selected based on their scientific background and research excellence. The organisers as well as INTOMED’s project coordinators, will collaborate to make the selection aiming to maximize diversity and inclusivity.

All participants are asked to fully engage with the whole programme, enabling the best environment for networking, and developing new collaborations.

Spaces are limited (we have a maximum of 20 participants).

Fees

Course registration and participation is free.

Language of instruction & material

The Training Course will be conducted in English. All the appropriate course material will be distributed to all accepted participants prior to course commencement.

Trainer

Athanasios Dalakouras

Hellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter, Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops

nasosdal@elgo.gr

RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

Organisation:

University of Thessaly (UTH)

Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology

Plant & Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory

Data Protection Notice

Before registering please be informed about the following:

Your data is going to be used by the organisers for the purpose of responding to the needs of organizing the INTOMED Training Course. The data controller is the University of Thessaly (UTH), who is responsible for the overall organization of the event, the online registration of the participants as well as the communication with the participants before and after the end of the course.

The purpose of the processing of your data is 1) handling participation requests, 2) reporting on the course, as well as 3) event follow-up actions, such as sharing presentations among participants and feedback collection.

The following data are processed:

Contact data, such as first name, last name, affiliation, occupation, e-mail address. The data collected will be deleted by the organizers unless you promptly agree that we can share your name, organization and email address with the other participants in the interest of facilitating communication among you.

Please note that the course will not be filmed or recorded. However, with your registration, you accept that you may be photographed on behalf of the organisers during the course and you authorize them to make free use of the photographs for dissemination purposes of INTOMED.

If you want us not to take photos of you, please contact us at kalpapad@bio.uth.gr.

UTH is compliant with all legal procedures in respect of personal data processing, as set out in the applicable European and national law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU/2016/679). We would like to inform you that you have the right to access, the right of information, correction, update, blocking and/or erasure of your personal data in accordance with the aforementioned EU Regulation and applicable national laws.

To exercise your rights, you may contact the organizers of the course at kalpapad@bio.uth.gr.