Phytopathology and Genetically Modified Organisms
The elimination of internal customs barriers within the European Union has exposed the whole community and not just individual countries, to the introduction of unauthorized genetically modified organisms as well as food products derived from genetically modified organisms. The control of such of such food products and organisms require new systems, structures and specialized personal. In addition the open commercialisation of plant clonal propagation has made new regulations for methods, standards, and protocols for the certification of the resulting plants sanitary state. Rapid, economic, and sensitive diagnostic methods based upon the use of special laboratory techniques help the efficient production of new plant clones without pathogenic diseases.
The objectives of this unit are to develop and realize innovative systems in the fields of genetically modified organisms, phytopathology, and for agro-food system traceability. Ultimately the goal of this activity is to improve the competitively of the entire production process, from the growing of the plants, to GMO detection, to the quality and sanitary state of food products, as well as the phytosanitary defence of the tree and plant crops
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Principle lines of research:
The realization of innovative processes and products in delivering technical and scientific services to the agro-food industry.
Improvements in plant production by both conventional and biological means in order to guarantee the required safety level of primary material for food.
Method development for the qualification and certification of agricultural food products during the phases of production, transformation and preservation, as well as the development of technology and innovative processes for the traceability of the food chain.
The realization of value added products by developing an advanced biotechnological pilot process in the fields of agricultural food and industry.
Sustain and increase the competitiveness of the agricultural food chain.
Identification of viruses, bacteria and phytoplasma found in plant cultures. Bioinformatic studies and characterization of plant pathogens.
Nucleotide sequence determination and transcript production.
Plant virus epidemiology, the study of the relationships between pathogen and vector.
Use of recombinant DNA. Preparation of DNA constructs to introduce resistance in cultivated plant crops as well as to investigate the functional role of viral nucleotide sequences.
To study the mechanism of resistance or tolerance of genetically modified plants (GMPs). Evaluation of the risks derived from the use of GMPs.
Develop and use advanced methods to diagnose diseases caused by viruses, viroids and phytoplasma. Preparation of molecular probes, design of oligonucletides for the amplification of genes by Real Time quantitative PCR.
Recovery of plant cultures by heating therapy, culturing of apical meristem, micro-nesting organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis.
Develop protocols for the diagnosis of phytopathogens in fruit and vegetable crops.
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