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

LipidTOX: A fatty acid-based index efficient for ecotoxicological studies with marine model diatoms exposed to legacy and emerging contaminants

Duarte B, Feijão E, Franzitta M, Duarte IA, Carvalho RC, Cabrita MT, Marques JC, Caçador I, Fonseca V, Matos AR (2022) LipidTOX: A fatty acid-based index efficient for ecotoxicological studies with marine model diatoms exposed to legacy and emerging contaminants. Ecological Indicators, 139, 108885. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108885

The grapevine aspartic protease gene family: characterization and expression modulation in response to Plasmopara viticola

Figueiredo L, Santos RB, Figueiredo A (2022) The grapevine aspartic protease gene family: characterization and expression modulation in response to Plasmopara viticola. Journal of Plant Research, 135, 501-515. doi: 10.1007/s10265-022-01390-z

SUMO E3 ligase SIZ1 connects sumoylation and reactive oxygen species homeostasis processes in Arabidopsis

Castro PH, Couto D, Santos MA, Freitas S, Lourenço T, Dias E, Huguet S, Marques da Silva J, Tavares RM, Bejarano ER, Azevedo Herlander (2022) SUMO E3 ligase SIZ1 connects sumoylation and reactive oxygen species homeostasis processes in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, , . doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac085

Olive Fungal Epiphytic Communities Are Affected by Their Maturation Stage

Castro J, Costa D, Tavares RM, Baptista P, Lino-Neto T. (2022) Olive Fungal Epiphytic Communities Are Affected by Their Maturation Stage. Microorganisms, 10(2), 376. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10020376

Genetic Transformation of Quercus ilex Somatic Embryos with a Gnk2-like Protein That Reveals a Putative Anti-Oomycete Action

Serrazina S, Martinez MT, Cano V, Malhó R, Costa RL, Corredoira E (2022) Genetic Transformation of Quercus ilex Somatic Embryos with a Gnk2-like Protein That Reveals a Putative Anti-Oomycete Action. Plants, 11, 304. doi: 10.3390/plants11030304

Making Sense of Light: The Use of Optical Spectroscopy Techniques in Plant Sciences and Agriculture

Cavaco AM, Utkin A B, Marques da Silva J, Guerra R (2022) Making Sense of Light: The Use of Optical Spectroscopy Techniques in Plant Sciences and Agriculture. Applied Sciences, 12(3), 997. doi: 10.3390/app12030997