Plant responses to stress

Plants have to perceive and cope with a large number of stresses, both biotic and abiotic, the effects of which can undermine plant viability and food production. Our group studies how environmental threats influence the genetic, metabolic and developmental responses of plants. This knowledge is essential for developing new biotechnology-based strategies to increase food production. We work on detecting environmental changes, such as nutrient concentrations or the perception of coexisting microorganisms, that lead to changes in plant responses to pathogens. Climate change produces alterations in the behavior of viruses and hosts and brings new pests and pathogens. We also study plasma membrane alterations that lead to increased tolerance to fungi and also to changes in the organization of the plasma membrane and how these changes also affect viral infections.