Personal information
Biography
With a background on Biology, I have worked in different disciplines ranging from microbiology and plant biotechnology directed to crop improvement, to epigenetic gene regulation of fish growth. Specifically, during my PhD I have studied the influence of environmental constraints such as temperature on gene regulation and ultimately on fish muscle phenotype.
During that time, I have developed the enthusiasm for working on epigenetics directed to production improvement and in other model systems, where my previous work in plant biotechnology and molecular biology assume a major importance.
I have a strong interest on the molecular bases of the developmental biology of organisms’ and on their response to extrinsic signals. Specifically, my current research interest lays on epigenetics applied to plant breeding and improvement towards a more sustainable agriculture. I am interested in studying epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and small non-coding RNAs in plants and their involvement in responses to abiotic stresses. Such epigenetic polymorphisms might be an important source of novelty towards crop improvement.
Also, I am interested in understanding the mechanisms, at the gene regulation level, of bioprotection and stress alleviation induced by mycorrhizal or endophytic bacterial communities to their host plants. This includes studies on wheat, grapevine and olive symbiotic communities.