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Research Group on Bacteriology of plants and Lichens. Biotechnological applications - BACPLANT

Description

Laboratory authorised to work with quarantine plant pathogenic bacteria (biosafety level 2 conditions). 

Lines of research: 

  1. Characterisation and diagnosis of plant pathogenic bacteria.
  • Description: Conventional and molecular diagnosis, characterisation and identification of plant pathogenic bacteria (phytopathogens). Molecular typing and epidemiology. 
  • Activities: Use of rapid and specific molecular methods for the detection and diagnosis of plant pathogenic bacteria (quarantine bacteria such as Erwinia amylovora and Ralstonia solanacearum and other plant pathogens in general such as Lonsdalea quercina, Brenneria spp. etc.).Molecular epidemiology studies to determine intraspecific variability and pathways of introduction/dissemination of bacterial pathogens. Virulence and/or pathogenicity tests with different phytopathogenic bacteria. 
  1. Survival strategies of plant pathogenic bacteria.
  • Description: Bacterial survival strategies in different environments [survival in oligotrophic conditions, viable non-culturable state (VNC) and inducing factors], reservoirs and transmission pathways. Recovery of bacteria in VNC state. Gene expression and obtaining mutants in bacterial genes of interest. 
    Activities: Studies of survival of phytopathogenic bacteria in natural water microcosms and/or other environmental reservoirs.Studies of reservoirs of phytopathogenic bacteria and transmission pathways. Studies of factors inducing entry into the VNC state. Studies of recovery and/or resuscitation of VNC cells. Studies on the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the survival and pathogenicity of phytopathogenic bacteria. Studies of the effect of different stress factors on the expression of genes related to the survival and/or virulence of phytopathogenic bacteria. Obtaining mutants in genes related to the survival and/or virulence of phytopathogenic bacteria. Studies of the survival and virulence of bacterial mutants of plant pathogens Characterisation of bacterial mutants of plant pathogens by microbiological, microscopic, molecular and/or omic techniques. 
  1. Biotechnological applications of environmental micro-organisms.
  • Description: Isolation and characterisation of environmental micro-organisms of biotechnological interest: bacteriophages, micro-organisms producing antimicrobial compounds, siderophores, degrading micro-organisms. Biological control of bacteriosis in plants. 
  • Activities: Isolation and characterisation of specific bacteriophages of phytopathogenic bacteria. Survival studies of specific bacteriophages of phytopathogenic bacteria. Isolation and characterisation of microorganisms producing antimicrobials and other metabolites of interest. Biological control of bacterial plant diseases. Isolation and characterisation of hydrocarbon-degrading environmental microorganisms. Study of possible applications in bioremediation. 
  1. Bacteriology of lichens. Biotechnological applications.
  • Description: Isolation and characterisation of lichen-associated bacteria: diversity, contribution to lichen symbiosis, and biotechnological applications. 
  • Activities: Isolation of bacteria associated with lichens. Obtaining lichen extracts. Optimisation of the recovery of lichen bacteria. Diversity of lichen bacteria. Role of lichen-associated bacteria in lichen symbiosis. Biotechnological characterisation of lichen bacteria and their applications: plant growth promoting microorganisms, waste degraders, producers of new polymers, pigments, etc.
Goals CT
  • Characterisation and diagnosis of plant pathogenic bacteria.
  • Study survival strategies of plant pathogenic bacteria in order to prevent and/or control the diseases they cause.
  • Evaluate the possible biotechnological applications of environmental microorganisms in biological control and/or bioremediation.
  • Study the composition, diversity and biotechnological potential of bacterial communities associated with lichens.
Research lines
Management
  • GONZALEZ BIOSCA, ELENA
  • PDI-Catedratic/a d'Universitat
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Non-UV research staff

Work team:

  • Català Senent, José Francisco - Universitat Politècnica de València (València)
Scientific production by UV researcher
Associated structure
Contact group details
Bacteriology of Plants and Lichens. Biotechnological Applications (BACPLANT)

Burjassot/Paterna Campus

C/ Doctor Moliner, 50

46100 Burjassot (Valencia)

+34 963 543 194

Geolocation

elena.biosca@uv.es

Contact people
  • GONZALEZ BIOSCA, ELENA
  • PDI-Catedratic/a d'Universitat
View details