This course will cover general principles and mechanisms related to plant-pathogen interaction, such as in gene-to-gene and toxin models. Emphasis will be on biochemical/molecular mechanisms of plant-microbe recognition, pathogenesis, and plant reactions to infections, and the application of this knowledge to food security and environmental sustainability. Both beneficial and deleterious associations will be covered. There will be discussions about environmental issues associated with transgene-based disease management strategies. Students will be exposed to current Plant Molecular Techniques in plant disease studies and management.