At the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL), groundbreaking studies are being conducted on Nicotiana benthamiana, a relative of the tobacco plant. This species is particularly suited for genetic transformation studies (like agroinfiltration) due to its unique physiological characteristics. Its sensitivity to various pathogens also makes it invaluable for virology research.
In the BioISI – Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute laboratories, these plants are inoculated with molecular constructs to study gene expression, protein production and localization within cells, and protein-protein interactions, and are cultivated in precise controlled environments of Aralab chambers. These studies are crucial in understanding how plants respond to both biotic stresses (like viral infections) and abiotic stresses (such as heat, cold, or drought). This research aids in monitoring plant health and selecting varieties more resilient to environmental changes.
Growing scientifical knowledge, one plant at a time!
