Plant Biochemistry
The Plant Biochemistry research group develops three lines of research that are based on the great global needs generated by climate change and the need to improve sustainability in production, aimed at increasing the circular economy of the region and the country. Its objectives are to:
- To increase knowledge about the biotechnological importance of enzymes of plant origin (proteases), with the aim of contributing to their application in plant production, in the food industry and in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Innovate in the added value of byproducts of plant-based agro-industry with the aim of providing new solutions for sustainable production, using them as sources of biostimulant compounds of plant growth. nutraceuticals, antimicrobials, antihypertensive, etc.
- Innovate in the generation of formulations and application methods for the biofortification of crops with selenium in order to generate functional foods and increase in commercial value and stress tolerance of crops of agronomic interest.
Members
Gabriela is currently the leader of the Plant Protease Laboratory at the IIB. Its research strategies and activities focus mainly on proteolytic enzymes in basic and applied research in biotechnology, in areas as diverse as health, plant biology and food applications. Specific examples of these activities include the use of plant proteases as new tools to increase plant resistance to biotic and/or abiotic stress; the generation of new networks and hydrolases that increase the value of secondary products of the dairy industry; and new thrombolytic and antiplatelet agents for free and/or immobilized use on surfaces of bio-stable polymers.
Claudia performs current techniques in the molecular biochemical study of plant responses to different environmental stresses: protein extraction and quantification, determination of enzyme activities, protein electrophoresis under dissociative conditions (PAGE-SDS), transfer of proteins to membranes, cultivation and maintenance of fungi, observation by magnifying glass and microscope of different types of biological materials and plant cultures for the experimental development of different lines of research.
Fernando’s research topic is based on innovation for adding value in crops of agronomic interest through biofortification with selenium. Selenium is a widely studied element in the metabolism of humans and animals because it has a fundamental role in the immune system; and it is also necessary for hormonal balance. However, it has not been possible to establish with certainty whether this element is an essential micronutrient for plants. For this reason, the Plant Biochemistry group mainly studies the application of selenium in different crops from two perspectives: first, with the aim of obtaining functional foods; and secondly, evaluating the defense response of plants subjected to both biotic and abiotic stress.
Anabela is dedicated to studying the role of typical Aspartil Proteases (tpAPs) in the defense mechanism of Arabidopsis thaliana against different stress conditions. Aspartil proteases (AP) are a family of proteolytic enzymes widely distributed in living organisms. These enzymes are involved in the defense mechanism of plants against abiotic and biotic stresses. Through her research, Anabela seeks to contribute to the understanding of Aspartil Proteases and their implications on the defense mechanism of plants. This knowledge can have significant applications in improving plant resistance and thus in agricultural production.
Maximiliano studies the role of Aspartil Proteases in response to potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) to different types of stress, to contribute to basic knowledge on this subject and obtain transgenic and edited plant lines with greater tolerance to drought stress and infection by pathogenic microorganisms. In this way, the development of his project aims to provide new knowledge to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Johana is studying innovative and environmentally sustainable alternatives for the use of malt barley bagasse, which is the main byproduct of the brewing industry. Through the extraction and isolation of enzymes, it seeks new applications in the framework of a circular economy. The alternatives it is studying are to obtain a new input for the dairy industry, capable of being used as rennet for the production of artisanal cheeses and to obtain a new agrobioinput (bio-stimulant), capable of improving the sustainable production of fruit and vegetable crops.