Ongoing projects

Ongoing Coordination of National Projects

2023-2024 - Lat-E(asy) pisi - Durable resistance against the causal agent of powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.): Exploring transcriptomic variation to develop molecular breeding tools for legumes (2022.08266.PTDC) Coordinated by C Santos. Funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal.

Ongoing Participation on National Projects

2022-present - Oeiras Experimenta - Citizen Science project involving ITQB NOVA, IGC, SEMEAR (green care non profit organization) and the Oeiras Municipality. Funded presently by Oeiras Municipality and the IMPETUS project (Coordinated by MJ Leão). PlantX Lab responsible for the grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) participatory experiments established between researchers and citizens to elevate local knowledge to the role of science and scientists and of all of us against climatic challenges ahead.

Ongoing International projects

Participation in COST Actions

2023-2027 - COST Action CA22146 - Harnessing the potential of underutilized crops to promote sustainable food production (DIVERSICROP). Portuguese national representative on the Management Committee Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Coordinated by Sónia Negrão (UD, I). COST - European co-operation in the field of scientific and technical research.

Participation in International Projects

2023-2027 - BELIS - Breeding European Legumes for Increased Sustainability (Call HORIZON-CL6-2022-BIODIV-02-two-stage, Grant Agreement Nº 101081878-2). Coordinated by Bernadette Julier (INRAE, France). Co-funded by the European Commission – H2020 Programme.

2022-2026 - DIVINFOOD - Co-constructing interactive short and mid-tier food chains to value agrobiodiversity in healthy plant based food (Call H2020-SFS-2018-2020, Topic SFS-01-2018-2019-2020, Grant Agreement Nº 101000383). Coordinated by Yuna Chiffoleau (INRAE, France). Co-funded by the European Commission – H2020 Programme.

2021-2024 - DROMAMED - Capitalization of Mediterranean maize germplasm for improving stress tolerance. (Call Prima Section 2 2020). Coordinated by Pedro Revilla (CSIC, Spain). Co-funded by the European Commission, H2020 Programme and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal.

2020-2024 – DiVicia - Use and management of Vicia species for sustainability and resilience in biodiversity-based farming systems. (Call PRIMA Section 2 2019). Coordinated by Joelle Fustec (ESA, France). Co-funded by the European Commission, H2020 Programme and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal.

Past Projects

Past Coordination of National projects

2018-2023 – Grain Legume Conservation and Breeding Program (Common bean). Programa de Conservação e Melhoramento de Leguminosas de Grão (Phaseolus vulgaris) (PDR2020-784-042734) Coordinated by MC Vaz Patto. Funded by PDR2020 Operação 7.8.4, Recursos genéticos - Conservação e melhoramento de recursos genéticos vegetais.

2016-2019 - Deciphering the grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) quality riddle. How can the omics technologies contribute to a demand-driven improvement in legume quality? (QuaLaty) Project coordinator Maria Carlota Vaz Patto (PTDC/AGR-TEC/0992/2014). Funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. In collaboration with R. Bronze (Food Functionality and Bioactives, ITQB, Portugal), C. Antonio (Plant Metabolomics, ITQB, Portugal), M. Matzapetakis (Biomolecular NMR, ITQB, Portugal), C. Prista ( Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Portugal), C. Loureiro-Dias (Cook Lab, Portugal), L. Cunha and R. Lima (Sense Test, Portugal), M. Lourenço (Alveiazere Municipality, Portugal), N. Simões (Simões & Ramos Lda., Portugal) and D. Rubiales (IAS-CSIC, Córdoba, Spain). Consultants: F. van Eeuwijk (Wageningen University, The Netherlands), Sofia Monteiro (NUTRI VENTURES, Portugal).

2013-2015 - Exploiting Bean Genetics for food Quality and Attractiveness Innovation (BEGEQA). Project coordinator Maria Carlota Vaz Patto (PTDC/AGR-TEC/3555/2012). Funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal. In collaboration with Rosário Bronze (Analytical Chemistry, ITQB), Carla Brites and Manuela Veloso (INIAV, Portugal), Susana Araújo (IICT, Portugal) and Diego Rubiales (IAS-CSIC, Córdoba, Spain). Consultants: Joyce Boye (AgriFoodCanada), Paul Gepts (UC Davis), Fred van Eeuwijk (Wageningen University), Zlatko Satovic (Zagreb University), Antonio Chicapa Dovala (IIA, Angola), and Carmen Pinheiro (SUMOL+COMPAL).

2010-2013 - Exploiting transcriptional variation to identify genes underlying quantitative resistance to major grain legume pathogens. Project coordinator Maria Carlota Vaz Patto (PTDC/AGR-GPL/103285/2008). Funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. In collaboration with Diego Rubiales (IAS-CSIC, Córdoba, Spain). Consultants: Piet Stam and Fred van Eeuwijk (Wageningen University) and Peter Winter (GenXPro GmbH, Germany).

2010-2013 - Exploiting antioxidants, flavours and aromas diversity on “broa” bread maize breeding. Project coordinator Maria Carlota Vaz Patto (PTDC/AGR-ALI/099285/2008). Funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. In collaboration with Rosário Bronze (Analytical Chemistry, ITQB), Pedro Moreira (ESAC, Portugal), Carla Brites and Silas Pêgo (INIAV, Portugal), and João de Souza (Universidade de Lavras, Brasil). Consultants: A.R. Hallauer (Iowa State University, USA), Zlatko Satovic (Zagreb University) and Piet Stam and Fred van Eeuwijk (Wageningen University), and J.C. Rodrigues (IICT, Portugal).

2007-2010 - Analysis of the breeding potential of fasciation traits in Portuguese maize landraces. Project coordinator Maria Carlota Vaz Patto (PTDC/AGR-AAM/70845/2006). Funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.

2005-2008 - Maize 'broa' quality attributes: Identifying genes that affect the technological ability for bread production. Project coordinator Maria Carlota Vaz Patto (POCI/AGR/57994/2004). Funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.

2004-2006 - Valorization of Portuguese Lathyrus germplasm in a perspective of sustainable agriculture. Integration at the agronomic, phytopathologic and molecular biology levels. Project coordinator Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Funded by ITQB - Oeiras Campus Joint project.

Past Participation on National Projects

2018-2022 – Olive Breeding Program. Programa de Melhoramento de Oliveira (PDR2020-784-042744) Coordinated by P Fevereiro. MC Vaz Patto as Participant. Funded by PDR2020 Operação 7.8.4, Recursos genéticos - Conservação e melhoramento de recursos genéticos vegetais.

2018-2022 – Forage Conservation and Breeding Program. Programa de Conservação e Melhoramento de Forrageiras (PDR2020-784-042743) Coordinated by P Fevereiro. MC Vaz Patto as Participant. Funded by PDR2020 Operação 7.8.4, Recursos genéticos - Conservação e melhoramento de recursos genéticos vegetais.

Past Consultancy in National Projects

2011-2014 - Deciphering grain filling mechanisms in Phaseolus vulgaris L. under water deficit (PTDC/AGR-GPL/110244/2009) - Project consultant Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Coordinated by Susana Araújo (IICT, Portugal). Funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.

Past Consultancy in Foreigner Projects

2015-2020 - Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding. Coordinated by Zlatko Šatović (University of Zagreb, Croatia). Funded by Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Zagreb, Croatia.

2014-2017- BeanQual - Genetic basis of bioactive nutrient content in Croatian common bean landraces. Coordinated by Klaudija Carović-Stanko (University of Zagreb, Croatia). Funded by Croatian Science Foundation, Croatia.

Past Participation in International Projects

2017-2021 - DIVERSify - Designing InnoVative plant teams for Ecosystem Resilience and agricultural Sustainability. (Call H2020-SFS-2016-2017, Topic SFS-02-2016). Coordinated by Alison Karley (JHI, UK). Co-funded by the European Commission – H2020 Programme.

2015-2018 - PEARES - Pea breeding for disease resistance (Mejora genetica del guisante por resistencia a enfermedades) (AGL2014-52871-R) Coordinated by Diego Rubiales and Sara Fondevila (IAS-CSIC, Spain). Funded by  Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain.

2015-2019 – DIVERSIFOOD – Embedding crop diversity and networking for local high quality food systems. (Call H2020-SFS-2014-2, Topic SFS-07a-2014). Coordinated by Véronique Chable (INRA, France). Co-funded by the European Commission – H2020 Programme.

2014-2017 - LEGATO – LEGumes for the Agriculture of TOmorow. WORK PACKAGE 4 LEADER Maria Carlota Vaz Patto (“Defining traits adapted to consumers’ expectations”)  and TASK LEADER in WP2 (Novel sources of resistance to pests and diseases) (FP7-KBBE-2013-7) Close collaborations established within this project with Museu do Pão (J. Loureiro, H. Simões and A. Quaresma) and Fertiprado (A. Barradas and J.P. Crespo) Portuguese Industries.. Coordinated by Richard Thompson (INRA, France). Co-funded by the European Commission - FP7 Framework Programme.

2012-2015 - MEDILEG - Breeding, agronomic and biotechnological approaches for reintegration and revalorization of legumes in Mediterranean agriculture. (ARIMNet EU call 2011). Coordinated by Diego Rubiales (IAS-CSIC, Spain). Funded by the European Commission - FP7 Framework Programme.

2010-2014 - SOLIBAM - Strategies for Organic and Low-input Integrated Breeding and Management. (FP7-KBBE-2009-3). Coordinated by Véronique Chable (INRA, France). Co-funded by the European Commission - FP7 Framework Programme. MC Vaz Patto as TASK LEADER in WP2 (Identification of DNA and epigenetic polymorphisms for monitoring diversity evolution and for markers assistance in breeding) (T2.2. Analysing diversity evolution in the breeding populations submitted to contrasted crop management and breeding strategies) and TASK LEADER in WP7 (Effect of, and interaction between, crop genotypes and management innovations on crop nutritional, organoleptic and end-use quality) ( T7.2. Analysis of different nutritional quality traits).

2007-2010 - LEGRESIST- Exploiting genetic variability of resistance genes in major European food legumes to improve varieties for sustainable agriculture. Responsible for the Portuguese participation Maria Carlota Vaz Patto (ERA-PG/0008/2006). Coordinated by Peter Winter (GeneXPro Gmbh, Germany). Co-funded by the European Commission.

2007-2009 - Biodiversity of medicinal and aromatic plants. Coordinated by Zlatko Satovic (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia). Funded by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Croatia.

2006-2008 -  Mejora de guisantes por resistencia a enfermedades: aproximaciones genéticas y moleculares y de control integrado. (AGL2005-01781/AGR) Coordinated by Diego Rubiales (IAS/CSIC, Spain). Funded by CICYT (Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia).

2004-2008 - GLIP - The Grain Legume Integrated Project. (FOOD-CT-2004-506223). Coordinated by Noel Ellis (John Innes Centre, UK). Co-funded by the European Commission. FP6 Framework Programme.

Past International Bilateral collaborations

2015-2017 - STRESSLESS - Agronomic significance of abiotic stress response in Portuguese and Serbian local landraces of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus). Portuguese responsible researcher Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Cooperação Cientifica e Tecnologica FCT/Servia. Procº 441.00 Servia. In collaboration with Aleksandar Mikić (Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops - IFVCNS, NoviSad, Servia).

2009-2011 - Development of detection methods for the fungi Fusarium spp. and smart delivery systems in plants using nanotechnological devices. Cooperação Científica e Tecnológica entre Portugal e Espanha. Laboratório Internacional Ibérico de Nanotecnologia. Coordinated by Abel Oliva (ITQB).

2008-2010 - Production of organic value enhanced maize populations for local markets and breeding of modern organic hybrids for mainstream organic market. Responsible for the Portuguese participation Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Cooperação Científica e Técnica Luso-Húngara. Gabinete de Relações Internacionais da Ciência e do Ensino Superior (GRICES). Program 2008/2009.

2008-2009 - Development of detection methods for the fungi Fusarium spp. and smart delivery systems in plants using nanotechnological devices. Acções Integradas Luso-Espanholas 2008. Acção Nº E-66/08. Gabinete de Relações Internacionais da Ciência e do Ensino Superior (GRICES). Coordinated in Portugal by Abel Oliva (ITQB), coordinated in Spain by Alejandro Pérez de Luque (IAS-CSIC).

2004-2006 - Breeding and Biotechnological approaches for the reintroduction of Lathyrus in Mediterranean farming systems. Responsible for the Portuguese participation Maria Carlota Vaz Patto Acção Integrada Luso-Espanhola (Nº E-95/04). Funded by CRUP - Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas.

Past COST Actions

2015-2019 - COST Action FA1405: Using three-way interactions between plants, microbes and arthropods to enhance crop protection and production. Portuguese national representative on the Management Committee Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Coordinated by Arjen Biere (KNAW, NL). COST - European co-operation in the field of scientific and technical research.

2013-2017 - COST Action FA1208: Pathogen-informed strategies for sustainable broad-spectrum crop resistance. Portuguese national representative on the Management Committee Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Coordinated by Thomas Kroj (INRA, France). COST - European co-operation in the field of scientific and technical research.

2004-2008 - COST Action 860: Sustainable low-input cereal production: required varietal characteristics and crop diversity. Portuguese national representative on the Management Committee Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Coordinated by Hanne Ostergard (RISO, Denmark). COST - European co-operation in the field of scientific and technical research.

2004-2006 - COST Action 849: Parastitic plant management in sustainable agriculture. Portuguese national representative on the Management Committee Maria Carlota Vaz Patto. Coordinated by Diego Rubiales (IAS-CSIC, Span). COST - European co-operation in the field of scientific and technical research.