Plant Responses to Biotic and Abiotic Stress_4
Our research focuses on two aspects of bacterial-plant interactions:
1. The genetic determinants that cause disease or disease resistance
We use the wide-host range pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum as a model. R solanacearum is a soil-borne pathogen whose major virulence determinant is the type III secretion system (T3SS). This secretion machinery delivers bacterial effector proteins into host cells, in an engaging example of information transfer between evolutionary distant organisms. In addition, the main regulatory cascades controlling expression of the T3SS and other virulence genes is well characterised.
2. The biochemical executioners of programmed cell death.
Programmed cell death (PCD) is an essential process for normal development and defense against pathogens in all multicellular organisms. We have recently shown that metacaspases, distant relatives of caspases, are main regulators of PCD in plants. (Coll et al., Science 2010). We are currently deciphering the mech
Main specialization
Área de investigación:
Disciplina ERC:
- LS - LIFE SCIENCES
- LS9 Applied Life Sciences and Non-Medical Biotechnology
Industrial Leadership:
- 4. Biotechnology
- 4.1. Boosting cutting-edge biotechnologies as future innovation drivers
Societal Challenges:
- 2. Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research and the bioeconomy.
- 2.2. Sustainable and competitive agri-food sector for a safe and healthy diet