PROJECTS
Participation of tomato WRKY transcription factors in ETI activation
Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and CRISPR/Cas9 techniques in tomato and Nicotiana benthamina we are characterizing two WRKY transcription factors previously identified from a set of genes whose expression is induced specifically when the ETI is activated.
Identification of novel genes involved in tomato defense against pathogens through NGS and reverse genetics
RNA-seq data and VIGS are combined for the identification of novel transcription factors (TF) involved in plant defenses against pathogens with a special focus on small and uncharacterized TF families.
Functional characterization of a tomato wall-associated kinase 1 (SlWAK1)
A previously identified wall-associated kinase is being characterized to elucidate its participation in PTI. We are interested in understanding its role in the pathogen perception and immunity activation.
Long non-coding RNA regulation of plant-pathogen interactions
Using RNA-seq data, we were able to identify a set of tomato long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) whose expression is modified under different MAMP and bacterial infiltrations. Our goal is elucidate their role as regulators of plant defenses.
Development of tools for molecular plant-pathogen interactions studies.
We are continuously searching for new tools that allow us to improve our research in this area.