Seminar	BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE SYMBIOTIC INTERFACE	Plant Biology
Date	Sep 17-19, 2008
Organisers	William Broughton (University of Geneva), Anna Gorbushina (University of Oldenburg)
Site	Cartigny (near Geneva)
Theme	Synergic associations exist between members of all major classes and kingdoms of organisms. Some, particularly symbioses between phototrophs and heterotrophs (see diagram), are crucial components of many ecosystems. Although the broad strokes of how some cooperative associations function have been sketched out, much of the fine detail is yet to be drawn. Different classes of compounds including carbohydrates (extra-cellular, capsular- and lipo-polysaccharides), plant hormones, extra-cellular proteins, etc mediate these contacts. Symbiotic interfaces to be discussed will include: Speakers: M Holsters (Ghent – interactions between photosynthetic bacteria and legumes); R Honegger (Zürich – lichens and their components); JC Meeks (Davis – symbiotic associations with the cyanobacterium Nostoc); Sanders (Lausanne) – arbuscular mycorrhizae and plants); A Schüssler (Munich – endo-symbiosis between the fungus Geosiphon pyriforme and Nostoc). Local instructors (W Broughton, W Deakin, A Gorbushina and Penel) will discuss the biochemistry of interactions of free-living cyanobacteria and fungi as well as soil bacteria with photosynthetic organisms.
Requirements
Deadline	to be announced
Comments		Go to registration

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