Background of Summer School / Introduction
Pathogen-host interactions are a major focus in the work of several institutes at the University of Hohenheim. In a joint initiative of the Faculties of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Sciences, host-pathogen interactions will be the subject of a 3 weeks summer school in July 2025.
The summer school will introduce the ecology, molecular interactions and evolution of pathogen-host relationships with respect to animals, plants and microorganisms. These topics will be addressed in a series of lectures and laboratory experiments. Following an integrative approach, the aim of the summer school will be a comparison of different biological systems, showing both striking similarities and surprising peculiarities.
Hosting University
University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Venue
Parasitology unit (02.81), Emil-Wolff-Straße 34
Date
07.07.2025 – 25.07.2025
Participants
16
Previous Knowledge
The course is aimed at students of biology and agricultural sciences or related subjects who have already passed university elementary courses of at least 2 years
Course Content
The summer school will introduce the ecology, molecular interactions, and evolution of pathogen-host relationships with respect to animals, plants and microorganisms:
How pathogens meet their hosts:
• Behavioural mechanisms
• Chemical and physical recognition
• Life cycles and zoonoses
• Mechanisms of invasion
Host resistance:
• Host resistance in plants and animals
• Secondary plant compounds
• Innate immunity
• Immunology of inflammation
How to overcome host defense:
• Immune suppression
• Antigenic variation
• Molecular mimicry
• Toxins
Coevolution:
• Adaptation between host and pathogen
• Breeding of resistant plants and animals
• Resistance genes in plants and animals
• Multitrophic level interactions
Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)
After completing the course, the participants should be able to …
• discover the most important host-pathogen systems with plants, animals and microorganisms
• compare how different pathogens find their hosts
• compare the most important strategies of defense from hosts
• compare how different pathogens are able to circumvent these strategies of defense
• explain the concept of coevolution of hosts and pathogens and exemplify the consequences for the relationship between both
• discuss course contents in international groups of students
Course Schedule
Asynchronous e-learning phase from June for self-preparation with specialized literature.
On site course at the University of Hohenheim: 7 July - 24 July 2025
For further details please see the course programme (coming soon).
Course Language
English
Course Format / Teaching Methods
Mix of lectures, laboratory experience and excursions
Credits
ECTS Credits and Workload Overview
| Number of Credits [ECTS] | 7,5 |
|---|---|
| TOTAL Workload [hours] | 225 estimated |
| Student's own work [hours] | 139 estimated |
| Contact classes [hours] | 84 |
| Exam [hours] | 2 |
Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria
Group presentations and written exam at the end of the Summer School
Cultural Activities / Social Program
Campus Walk, Welcome and Farewell Barbecue, Facultative Excursion
Tuition Fees
500 EURO for housing and a security deposit of 50 EURO (not for students of the University of Hohenheim)
Additional Costs
We recommend the participants from abroad to buy a "Deutschland-Ticket" for public transport during the course
Travel expenses and food are not included
Accommodation
Pre-booked furnished flats
Health Insurance
Participants are responsible for adequate health insurance during their participation in the programme
Visa
If support letters are needed, contact the administrative contact person below
Application Deadline
6 April 2025
Link to online Application form
https://forms.office.com/e/sGsRVK50A6
Contact persons for scientific questions
Ludwig E. Hölzle
E-Mail: ludwig.hoelzle@uni-hohenheim.de
Contact person for administrative questions
Nicholas Sheppard
Erasmus+ Departmental Coordination Fakultäten A und N, Koordination Landespro-gramm BW – UMass, ELLS International Relations Officer
Fruwirthstr. 12, Raum 235
D-70593 Stuttgart
Phone: +49 711 459 24266
E-Mail: Nicholas.Sheppard@ua.uni-hohenheim.de