The Program in Plant Microbiology aims to provide, high quality education and research in basic and applied science of plant pathogens and other microorganisms in the agricultural environment. The academic curriculum covers applied science transferrable to biotechnology industries and agriculture by combining molecular biology techniques and cutting-edge biotechnology in the context of underlying biological principles. Furthermore the program places emphasis on sustainable agriculture and environment as well as to address practical aspects of plant disease and pest management.

The main research areas include disease diagnosis, epidemiology, molecular and physiological mechanisms of disease developments, microbial toxins, environmental microbiology and plant protection. We offer diverse research topics in development of diagnostic and control methods for plant diseases, pathogenicity mechanisms and development of disease resistant plant by genetic modification. In particular, active research is being carried out in some of the leading areas in plant pathology, including protein biology, functional genomics and disease forecasting.