PLSCI 5675

Virology in the Plant Environment

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth and play vital roles in health, disease, and ecosystems. This course explores the diversity, ecology, and evolution of plant viruses, insect viruses, mycoviruses, and viruses of microbes. Students will study molecular strategies viruses use to infect hosts, replicate, and manipulate host metabolism. The course also highlights the ecological significance of the virome. A major component will be a team-based genome analysis project. Students will annotate a viral genome, investigate its evolution and host interactions, and present findings in a scientific poster and research paper. The project emphasizes bioinformatics tools and science communication. This course is ideal for those interested in virology or microbial ecology.

Prerequisites background equivalent to: PLSCI 2250 or permission of instructor.

Last 4 Terms Offered (None)

Learning Outcomes

• Critically analyze and evaluate the structural, genomic, and replicative features of viruses as well as transmission mechanisms between hosts, integrating current research findings.
• Compare virus-host interaction strategies.
• Explain the ecological role of viruses in natural and agricultural settings, including their impact on population dynamics and nutrient cycling.
• Design, execute, and critically interpret bioinformatic analyses to draw evidence-based conclusions on viral ecology and evolution through comparative genomics using advanced tools in R and Python, demonstrating proficiency in computational approaches.
• Analyze the evolutionary processes that shape viral genomes, including horizontal gene transfer, recombination, and modularity.
• Design and communicate research proficiently in different communication formats including a scientific poster and manuscript that synthesize genomic, ecological, and evolutionary insights about viruses, and infographics summarizing grower-relevant information about viral diseases.

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