Location: Classroom
This is a two part course, taking place from 10am-1pm on both Tuesday 6 and Tuesday 13 May
About the course
Land plants and fungi have a rich history of interactions across various environments and geological time periods. While some of these interactions can be harmful, leading to plant diseases, others offer mutual benefits to both partners. Notably, partnerships like the mycorrhizal symbiosis between plant roots and fungi play pivotal roles in supporting plant health and maintaining ecosystem balance. They enhance nutrient and water absorption, promote overall plant growth, and aid in stress resilience. This two-part course will unveil the largely unseen plant-fungal interactions that surround us in our daily lives. It will explore the intricate ways in which different kinds of plant-fungal symbioses shape our environment, influence agriculture, and contribute to sustainable ecosystems.
The course will consist of lectures and practical work, offering the opportunity to view mycorrhizal fungi in your own root samples. Full instructions on preparing samples will be provided a few weeks before the beginning of the course.
About the tutors
Dr Alan Wanke pursued his studies in Biological Sciences in Münster, Germany. During his doctoral research in Cologne, he investigated how the plant immune system influences beneficial fungi. His academic journey led him to the University of Cambridge in 2021, where his current focus centres on exploring alternative mycorrhizal partnerships and their potential to enhance plant nutrition in agriculture.
Dr Raphaella Hull teaches and writes about plants as the Higher Education and Interpretation Coordinator at the Botanic Garden. She develops and delivers the Garden’s Further and Higher Education programme and creates interpretation materials that connect visitors with the plant world. Before this, she completed a PhD on how plants perceive mycorrhizal fungi in soil, with an interest in the evolution of this relationship and its significance in grassland ecosystems.
Bookings for this course will close on 15 April
Please take the time to read our course cancellations and refunds policy.
Please note that once this course has been filled, you can email education@botanic.cam.ac.uk to be added to a waiting list.
