Biology of Organelles and Development
Research lines:
- Structure and function of mitochondrial complex I CA domain in plants and diatoms.
- Role of mitochondrial complex I during embryogenesis and photorespiration of plants.
- Role of mitochondrial complex I during the life cycle of diatoms.
- Cytochrome P450 role in gamete specification and early embryonic development in plants.
- Ferroptosis cell death in plants: molecular bases, regulation and biotechnological applications.
- Lipid metabolism in diatoms.
Members
Eduardo leads projects that study the function of mitochondrial complex I during embryogenesis and photorespiration of plants, especially the CA domain composed of gamma-type carbon anhydrase-like proteins, which represents the beginning of the assembly of the entire complex. It also conducts studies on the presence of a homologous to the CA domain of complex I in diatoms and its participation during the life cycle, growth (biomass) and photorespiration in diatoms.
Gabriela leads lines of research related to the development and regulated cell death in plants. His interest is particularly focused on the regulation of reproduction in plants and a specific type of regulated cell death called ferroptosis. From diverse genetic and biochemical approaches, its objective is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that regulate these processes, in order to find biotechnological tools of possible application in agronomic production.
Ayelén is interested in characterizing at the molecular level the process of ferroptosis, a regulated iron-dependent cell death mechanism, during plant responses to abiotic stresses. In particular, his project addresses the role of autophagy in the face of high temperature stress.
Fernanda studies the function of cytochromes P450 in hepatic Marchantia polymorpha. Using Crispr/Cas9, it edits different coding genes for proteins under study in order to determine whether they are involved in gametophytic development, as occurs in angiosperms.
Milagros studies the role of CYP77A7, a cytochrome of the superfamily P450 of unknown function, during the vegetative and reproductive development of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Using both cellular and molecular biology approaches, Milagros found that CYP77A7 is involved in processes linked to polar growth in both root and tube hair.
Victoria studies the molecular bases of ferroptotic cell death in plants, particularly the role of lipooxygenases and lipid peroxidation during this process. It uses genetic and biochemical approaches to analyze the contributions of particular enzymes during high temperature-induced ferroptosis.
Gabriel investigates the genetic and molecular bases related to survival at high temperatures. Based on transcriptional studies and the identification of specific genes related to this process, their study is addressed through CRISPR/dCAS9 techniques, so as to evaluate the result of transcriptionally activating the genes being studied in their natural chromosomal environment.
Nehuén studies the evolutionary conservation of RNA stability, cutting and splicing mechanisms in plants.
Matías studies the role of carbonic gamma anhydrases that are part of the mitochondrial Complex I CA domain in diatoms, on growth and photorespiration, through manipulation of gene expression.
Federico works on the development of molecular strategies for biotechnological purposes in microalgae to contribute to the development of renewable and clean energies. One of its objectives is to obtain strains capable of producing high levels of polysaturated long-chain fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) with interest in the industry, by direct intervention in lipid metabolism. On the other hand, it studies the role of the CA Domain in the mitochondrial Phaeodactylum I Complex tricornutum and its linkage with the photorespiration process.