Full Schedule

Large panels of plant cell-surface and intracellular receptors recognize invading pathogens and activate immune responses which prevent or slow disease. This session aims to highlight recent advances in understanding mechanisms of host-pathogen recognition, immunity signaling and convergent defense execution pathways. We hope to cover genetic, genomic, biochemical and structural insights into immunity homeostasis and activation as well as the co-evolutionary dynamics of plant-microbe interactions impacting disease, emphasizing cutting-edge research in pattern- and effector-triggered immunity.

Emerging and established plant diseases pose a significant threat to global food security, challenging efforts to sustainably feed a growing population. This session will explore innovative, environmentally friendly strategies for disease management, including genetic resistance and integrated pest management. Emphasising translational science, we will showcase successful examples of how lab-based discoveries have been effectively implemented in field applications, benefiting both commercial agriculture and smallholder farmers. Additionally, we will highlight the benefits of public-private partnerships in accelerating innovation and scaling solutions to address diverse agricultural needs globally.

This session explores the diverse strategies which microbes employ to establish interactions with plants, whether as pathogens or beneficial partners. Beyond defence suppression, it could investigate microbe-targeted plant pathways for nutrient acquisition, manipulation of plant signaling networks, and adaptation towards niche colonization. The session also invites abstracts to cover, how microbes balance resource competition and host compatibility, revealing the ecological dynamics of infection strategies and vector-borne diseases. Presentations will highlight cutting-edge research that unravels these mechanisms and their evolutionary drivers, as well as potential applications in sustainable agriculture.