News
Check out our News section for key activities and events from our group.
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🧪💻🔬 Celebrating Women and Girls in Science: Inspiring the Next Generation in Synthetic Biology 👩🏻🔬👩🏼🔬
As part of the Women and Girls in Science event, Dr. Vanessa Castro-Rodriguez hosted an engaging activity on synthetic biology, focusing on the use of biosensors in plants. Participants were introduced to the fundamental principles of biosensors and how they are transforming real-time monitoring of plant health and environmental responses.
The event combined theoretical insights with hands-on experiences. Students explored bioinformatics tools to analyze biosensor-related data with María Torés-España , our bioinformatician, and visited the laboratory where Irene Blanca-Reyes , our PhD student, guided them to interact with plants and observe the equipment used in research. This activity highlighted the impact of biosensors in synthetic biology and showcased the contributions of women in science.
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2024
📌 📢 🌱🌲Exciting New Research Project Awarded to Our Team on Conifer Forest Conservation
We are thrilled to announce that our team has been awarded a research project under the 2024 call for scientific research in Spain’s National Park Network, funded by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.
Project Title:
“Ecologia integrativa para la conservación y gestión adaptativa frente al cambio global de los bosques de coníferas del Parque Nacional de la Sierra de las Nieves”
Project Reference: 3236/2024
Led by José Antonio Carreira de la Fuente, Principal Investigator from the University of Jaen, this project aims to develop integrative ecological strategies for the conservation and adaptive management of conifer forests in the face of global change. We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort to safeguard the rich biodiversity of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park.
Stay tuned for updates on our progress!
🧑🏻🔬🔬27th European Nitrogen Cycle Meeting & XVI Reunión Nacional del Metabolismo del Nitrógeno (NITROGEN2024)
October 1–4, 2024
Our team had an excellent representation at this prestigious event in Granada, Spain. Three of our PhD students showcased their research alongside leading scientists in the field.
- Beatriz delivered a talk titled «Highway to Phenylpropanoids: CATS as Candidate Transporters of Nitrogen in Maritime Pine», where she explored the role of CATS transporters in nitrogen movement within the pine’s metabolic network.
- Irene presented a poster titled «Tasting Amino Acids: UMAMITs as Key Family in the Import and Export of Nitrogen in Pinus pinaster», focusing on the crucial role of UMAMITs in nitrogen metabolism.
- Eloy also contributed with his poster on «Posttranslational Regulation of Phenylalanine Synthesis», examining how posttranslational modifications influence phenylalanine production.
All of our students were accompanied and supported by Prof. Dr. Francisco Cánovas, adding to the valuable discussions during the event. It was an exciting opportunity for our team to engage with the broader scientific community on the metabolism of nitrogen, and we’re proud of their contributions!
🧬👩🏻🏫Leading the Way: Dr. Vanessa Castro-Rodriguez at the Forefront of Tree Biotech 👩🏻🏫🧬
We’re excited to bring you highlights from the IUFRO Tree Biotech 2024 conference, where Dr. Vanessa Castro-Rodriguez represented our team in Annapolis, Maryland.
Dr. Castro-Rodriguez delivered an insightful presentation in which she explored the role of advanced genomic techniques in enhancing the resilience of the Spanish fir, providing critical knowledge for sustainable forest management in the face of climate challenges.
During the conference, Dr. Castro-Rodriguez engaged with leading researchers, discussing the latest in bioengineering applications and the regulatory considerations surrounding genome-engineered trees.
🌲 Exciting New Issue Alert: «Advanced Research and Perspectives on Tree Functional Genomics» 🌲
We are thrilled to announce the release of a special issue focused on Tree Functional Genomics, guest-edited by renowned experts Dr. Vanessa Castro-Rodriguez and Prof. Dr. Fernando de la Torre. This edition brings together groundbreaking research and insightful reviews that delve deep into the genetic and molecular foundations of tree biology.
For more details and to explore the articles, visit the link below: 👉 Read the Special Issue on Tree Functional Genomics
👩🏻🔬UFRO Stockholm 2024: Insights from Our Team👩🏻🔬
We are thrilled to share the experiences and insights of Dr. Vanessa Castro Rodriguez and PhD student Irene Blanca Reyes, who recently attended the prestigious IUFRO Stockholm 2024 Congress. This event brought together leading minds in forestry research to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in the field.
