551-0117-00L  Plant Volatiles in Plant Insect Interactions

SemesterHerbstsemester 2017
DozierendeC. De Moraes
Periodizitätjährlich wiederkehrende Veranstaltung
LehrveranstaltungFindet dieses Semester nicht statt.
LehrspracheEnglisch
KommentarNumber of participants limited to 16.

The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration.


KurzbeschreibungDuring the course students will become familiar with methods for the collection and analysis of plant-derived volatile organic compounds and explore the role of these compounds in mediating plant-insect interactions.
LernzielThe course will cover six main topics that will be connected throughout the experimental phase:
1) Plant volatile biosynthesis and classification
2) Insect olfactory physiology
3) Volatile-mediated plant-herbivore interactions
4) Volatile-mediated multitrophic interactions
5) Manipulation of plant volatile emission by vector- borne disease agents
6) Methods for volatile collection and analysis
The lab practical will be performed in a system consisting of the cabbage butterfly Pieris brasicae, its host plant Brassica oleracea (Brussels sprouts), and the parasitoid wasp Cotesia glomerata (natural enemy of P. brasicae).
Students will collect volatiles from herbivore-damaged and undamaged plants and learn how to identify and quantify these compounds through gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection (GG-MS-FID). Afterwards, they will be able to compare volatile emissions from herbivore-damaged and undamaged plants and identify important volatile compounds associated with herbivory. Finally, students will evaluate the effect of herbivore-induced volatile compounds on the behavior of the herbivore (P. brassicae) and its natural enemy (C. glomerata), using different behavioral assays, inculding Y-tube olfactometers and wind tunnels.
SkriptNo script
LiteraturThe recommended literature, including reviews and primary research articles, will be provided during the course.