ITQB
An ARIMNet project
ITQB
Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica
ITQB is a research and advanced training institute of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Its mission is to develop fundamental research in chemistry and the life sciences, and to explore potential research applications. With a highly multidisciplinary nature, ITQB is an ideal centre for the advanced training of young researchers. The institute also has a program for raising public awareness of science.
Within ITQB, the Plant Cell Biotechnology Group has a special interest on legumes and on their adaptation to environmental conditions. We take advantage of Medicago truncatula as a model plant and apply our knowledge on this model to the study of traditional grain legumes like lathyrus and beans. We focus mainly on:
1) The use of genomic-DNA arrays, qRT-PCR, molecular markers genotyping (SNPs, SSRs and AFLPs), southern/northern blots and proteomic-2D/Mass spectrometry - tools to identify genes and alleles involved in plant adaptation to specific conditions and to understand the regulations of their expression either at the transcriptional or at the post-transcriptional level.
2) The use quantitative genetic tools - QTLs analysis - to understand the influence of genes in the expression of complex quantitative traits as disease resistances, quality or production traits.
3) The use of in vitro culture and DNA recombinant technologies - cloning, sequencing and genetic transformation - to modify the expression of genes or to introduce new genes in specific crops.
Main scientists involved in MediLeg project:
Within ITQB, the Plant Cell Biotechnology Group has a special interest on legumes and on their adaptation to environmental conditions. We take advantage of Medicago truncatula as a model plant and apply our knowledge on this model to the study of traditional grain legumes like lathyrus and beans. We focus mainly on:
1) The use of genomic-DNA arrays, qRT-PCR, molecular markers genotyping (SNPs, SSRs and AFLPs), southern/northern blots and proteomic-2D/Mass spectrometry - tools to identify genes and alleles involved in plant adaptation to specific conditions and to understand the regulations of their expression either at the transcriptional or at the post-transcriptional level.
2) The use quantitative genetic tools - QTLs analysis - to understand the influence of genes in the expression of complex quantitative traits as disease resistances, quality or production traits.
3) The use of in vitro culture and DNA recombinant technologies - cloning, sequencing and genetic transformation - to modify the expression of genes or to introduce new genes in specific crops.
Main scientists involved in MediLeg project:
Dr. Maria Carlota VAZ PATTO
Researcher
cpatto@itqb.unl.pt
My main research objective is to study the genetic control of important agronomic traits like, yield, stress resistance and quality on national germplasm of cereals and legumes. Additionally, on the identification of molecular markers tagging these controlling genes for the enhancement of breeding efficiency, we also tackle crop genetic diversity and comparative mapping.
Main keywords:
Quantitative Genetics. Plant Breeding. Plant protective mechanisms against plant pathogenic fungi. Quality parameters. Statistical genomics: genetic mapping and QTL analysis. Genetic diversity. Comparative mapping. Zea mays, Lathyrus, Phaseolus and Medicago truncatula
Researcher
cpatto@itqb.unl.pt
My main research objective is to study the genetic control of important agronomic traits like, yield, stress resistance and quality on national germplasm of cereals and legumes. Additionally, on the identification of molecular markers tagging these controlling genes for the enhancement of breeding efficiency, we also tackle crop genetic diversity and comparative mapping.
Main keywords:
Quantitative Genetics. Plant Breeding. Plant protective mechanisms against plant pathogenic fungi. Quality parameters. Statistical genomics: genetic mapping and QTL analysis. Genetic diversity. Comparative mapping. Zea mays, Lathyrus, Phaseolus and Medicago truncatula
Dr. Susana ARAÚJO
Researcher
saraujo@itqb.unl.pt
My main research objective is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying legumes adaptation to abiotic stresses, namely water deficit. We are exploring combined approaches using plant molecular biology (Omics), plant biotechnology (genetic engineering) and whole-plant physiology tools. We aim to select expeditious methods to screen for stress enhanced phenotypes and to identify candidate genes to be used in future breeding programs.
Main keywords:
Legume adaptation to water deprivation; Omics ;Genetic Engineering ; Plant Physiology ; Medicago truncatula ; Lathyrus sp ; Phaseolus vulgaris.
Researcher
saraujo@itqb.unl.pt
My main research objective is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying legumes adaptation to abiotic stresses, namely water deficit. We are exploring combined approaches using plant molecular biology (Omics), plant biotechnology (genetic engineering) and whole-plant physiology tools. We aim to select expeditious methods to screen for stress enhanced phenotypes and to identify candidate genes to be used in future breeding programs.
Main keywords:
Legume adaptation to water deprivation; Omics ;Genetic Engineering ; Plant Physiology ; Medicago truncatula ; Lathyrus sp ; Phaseolus vulgaris.