PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND
METABOLIC ENGINEERING

In our group, we seek to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate the responses of plants to environmental factors. We are particularly interested in genetic factors that modulate growth and root developments in plants in response to environmental factors, such as nutrient and water availability.

Research lines:

• Identification and characterization of genes that are involved in the regulation of root development programs in response to water and nutrients availability and soil compaction.
• Development of technologies to the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture.
• Genome sequencing of plants and microorganisms native of Mexico to understand genome evolution and its possible uses.

Recent projects:

• Genetic and molecular dissection of the sensory and signaling pathways that regulate changes in root system architecture during phosphate starvation in Arabidopsis thaliana. HHMI (The Howard Hughes Medical Institute).
• Genomic and metabolomic tool use for the characterization of genetic regulation networks responsible of controlling desiccation tolerance in seeds. Frontiers of Science program - CONACYT.
• Construction of the epigenome of nutritional stress response in plants: global changes in the pattern of genome methylation from Arabidopsis in response to phosphorus deficiency. Basic Science CONACYT.

Most relevant publications:

• 1. A novel genetic engineering platform for the effective management of biological contaminants or the production of microalgae. Plant Biotechnology J. 14(10):2066-76, 2016.
• 2. Methylome analysis reveals an important role for epigenetic changes in the regulation of the Arabidopsis response to phosphate starvation. PNAS 112(52):E7293-302, 2015.
• 3. Whole-genome sequencing of cultivated and wild peppers provides insights into Capsicum domestication and specialization. PNAS 111: 5135-5140, 2014.
• 4. Architecture and evolution of a minute plant genome. Nature 498:94-98, 2013.
• 5. Engineering phosphorous metabolism in plants to produce a dual fertilization and weed control system. Nature Biotechnology 30(9): 889-893, 2012.

Recent publications:

To access all publications, click the following links: