PFG – Plant Functional Genomics

The Plant Functional Genomics Group aims to pursue an integrated, systematic view on the physiological, cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for plant morphogenetic traits – Phenomics – aiming its understanding and the translation of fundamental science to applications (“lab-to-field” pipeline).

PFG is organized in four research teams, each headed by a PI. Two of these teams are based at FCUL, one at Univ Minho (UM) and one at UTAD. Each team explores inter-dependent scientific aims within the group’s overall research objectives, contributing towards the development of a coherent research program in the area of plant biology and biotechnology.

The research developed by the four teams can be clustered in four main topics to which all teams contribute: (1) Cell Signalling & Trafficking, (2) Molecular Cell Physiology, (3) Stress responses, (4) Green biotechnology.

Specific lines of interest are: (a) mechanisms of plant fertilization, (b) control of fruit ripening, (c) plant-pathogen and plant-ectomycorrizha interaction, (d) responses to organic and inorganic pollutants, (e) drought stress responses and (f) protein sorting and secretion.

PFG members are mainly associated with BioISI thematic line of Biotechnology but cooperative interactions for integrative research within the thematic lines of Biomedicine, Biophysics and Bioinformatics are part of the group’s aims and activities.

Research team

Group Leader: Rui Malhó rmmalho@fc.ul.pt

Recent Publications

BioISI Digest | Grapevine leaf MALDI-MS imaging reveals the localisation of a putatively identified sucrose metabolite associated to Plasmopara viticola development

A recent paper, first-authored by Marisa Maia with the participation of Andreia Figueiredo, reports, for the first time, that the localisation of a specific metabolite is associated to P. viticola (the downy mildew pathogen) infection sites. If you want to know more, read this BioISI Digest below.

BioISI highly-cited researchers in 2021

Alan Philips, Maria José Calhorda, Margarida Amaral, Miquéias-Lopes Pacheco and Rui Malhó are the five BioISI researchers among the list of the ones who were higly-cited in 2021.

Margarida Amaral joined Emily’s Entourage Scientific Advisory Board

Margarida Amaral joined the Emily's Entourage Scientific Advisory Board. Find out more about the new role the researcher will have on this association, which aims to accelerate research to find new treatments for people suffering from Cystic Fibrosis.

Ciências ULisboa Basics in Light Microscopy Course

Last December 13 to 16, It took place the second edition of the Ciências ULisboa Basics in Light Microscopy Course. Find out more here.

BioISI Digest | Hafnium(IV) Chemistry with Imide−Dioxime and Catecholate−Oxime Ligands: Unique {Hf5} and Metalloaromatic {Hf6}−Oxo Clusters Exhibiting Fluorescence

Nuno A. G. Bandeira is the corresponding author of a new paper, where different hafnium complexes and their luminescent behavior are described . Read the BioISI Digest below to find out more about this investigation.

Plasmodium falciparum Drug Resistance Genes pfmdr1 and pfcrt In Vivo Co-Expression During Artemether-Lumefantrine Therapy

Silva M, Malmberg M, Otienoburu SD, Björkman A, Ngasala B, Mårtensson A, Gil JP, Veiga MI (2022) Plasmodium falciparum Drug Resistance Genes pfmdr1 and pfcrt In Vivo Co-Expression During Artemether-Lumefantrine Therapy. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 868723. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.868723