Susana Araujo

Abiotic stresses response, DNA damage responses, germination, legumes, regulation of gene expression, seed development

2007 - PhD in Biology, ITQB, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, UNL, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (New University of Lisbon), Portugal.

2000 - Degree in Applied Plant Biology, FCUL, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon.

Feb. 2016 – present: Postdoctoral Researcher, Plant Cell Biotechnology Laboratory, ITQB-UNL, Portugal,and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Italy.

Mar. 2015 - Dec. 2015: Senior Researcher, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Italy.

Feb. 2010 - Aug. 2010: Invited Professor, ESAC, Agrarian School of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Portugal.

Jul. 2009 - Jun. 2014: Auxiliary Researcher, Veterinary and Animal Science Group, Tropical Research Institute (IICT), Portugal.

Jul. 2007 - Jun. 2009: Postdoctoral Researcher, Plant Cell Biotechnology Laboratory, ITQB-UNL, Portugal, and Molecular Physiology Lab, IMBIO, Bonn University, Germany.

Feb. 2015 - present: Associate Editor, Frontiers in Plant Science, Frontiers publishers, section of Plant Breeding.

Araújo S.S., Balestrazzi A., eds. (2016) New Challenges in Seed Biology: Basic and Translational Research Driving Seed Technology. InTech, Rijeka. [Full text links - Open Access]

Araújo S.S., Gomes C., Paiva J.A.P., Balestrazzi A., Macovei A. (2018) MicroRNAs emerging roles in abiotic stresses and metabolic processes. In: Ramakrishna A., Gill S.S., eds. Metabolic Adaptations in Plants during Abiotic Stress. Taylor & Francis, CRC Press (ISBN 978-1-138-05638-1).

Costa S.M., Martins D., Agacka-Moldoch M., Czubacka A., Araújo S.S. (2018) Strategies to alleviate salinity stress in plants. In: Kumar V., Hossain M.A., Wani S.H., Suprassana P., Tran L.S.P., eds. Novel Perspectives for Salinity Responses and Tolerance in Plants. Volume 1 - Targeting sensory, ion-transport and signaling mechanisms. Springer. (Accepted)

Parreira J.R., Araújo S.S. (2018) Studying the animal transcriptome: state of the art and challenges in the context of animal and veterinary sciences. In: Almeida A.M., Eckersall D., Miller I., eds. Proteomics in Domestic Animals: from Farm to Systems Biology (in press). Springer. [Book information]

Martins D., Macovei A., Leonetti P., Balestrazzi A., Araújo S. (2017) The influence of phosphate deficiency on legume symbiotic N2 fixation. In: Sulieman S., Tran L.S., eds. Legume Nitrogen Fixation in Soils with Low Phosphorus Availability. pp. 41-75. Springer, Cham. [Abstract and full text links]

Kazana V., Tsourgiannis L., Iakovoglou V., Stamatiou C., Alexandrov A., Araújo S., Bogdan S., Bozic G., Brus R., Bossinger G., Boutsimea A., Celepirovic N., Cvrcková H., Fladung M., Ivankovic M., Kazaklis A., Koutsona P., Luthar Z., Máchová P., Malá J., Mara K., Mataruga M., Moravcikova J., Paffetti D., Paiva J.A.P., Raptis D., Sanchez C., Sharry S., Salaj T., Šijacic-Nikolic M., Tel-Zur N., Tsvetkov I., Vettori C., Vidal N. (2016) Public knowledge and perceptions of safety issues towards the use of genetically modified forest trees: A cross-country pilot survey. In: Vettori C., Gallardo F., Häggman H., Kazana V., Migliacci F., Pilate G., Fladung M., eds. Biosafety of Forest Transgenic Trees. Springer. [Abstract and full text links]

Parreira J.R., Branco D., Almeida A.M., Czubacka A., Agacka-Moldoch M., Paiva J.A.P., Tavares-Cadete F., Araújo S.S. (2016) Systems biology approaches to improve drought stress in plants: state of the art and future challenges. In: Hossain M.A., Wani S.H., Bhattachajee S., Burritt D., Tran L.S.P., eds. Drought stress tolerance in plants. Volume 2 - Molecular and Genetic Perspectives. pp. 433-471. Springer, Cham. [Abstract and full text links]

Duque A.S., Almeida A.M., Silva A.B., Silva J.M., Farinha A.P., Santos D., Fevereiro P., Araújo S.S. (2013) Abiotic stress responses in plants: unraveling the complexity of genes and networks to survive. In: K. Vahdati, C. Leslie, eds. Abiotic Stress - Plant Responses and Applications in Agriculture. pp. 49-101. InTech. [Full text - Open Access]

Chabaud M., Ratet P., Araújo S.S., Duque A.S.R.L.A., Harrison M., Barker D.G. (2006) Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and in vitro plant regeneration. The Medicago truncatula Handbook (ISBN 0-9754303-1-9). [http://www.noble.org/MedicagoHandbook]

Iantcheva A., Vlahova M., Atanassov A., Duque A.S., Araújo S., Santos D.F., Fevereiro P. (2006) Cell suspension cultures. The Medicago truncatula Handbook (ISBN0-9754303-1-9). [http://www.noble.org/MedicagoHandbook]

Donà M., Sabatini M.E., Biggiogera M., Confalonieri M., Minio A., Delledone M., Giraffa G., Carbonera D., Araújo S., Balestrazzi A. (2017) MtTdp1α-depleted Medicago truncatula plants show reduced cuticle permeability and altered expression of defense genes. Biologia Plantarum 61: 192-196. [Abstract and full text links]

Macovei A., Pagano A., Leonetti P., Carbonera S., Balestrazzi A., Araújo S.S. (2017) Systems biology and genome-wide approaches to unveil the molecular players involved in the pre-germinative metabolism: Implications on seed technology traits. Plant Cell Reports 36: 669-688. [Abstract and full text links]

Pagano A., Araújo S.S., Macovei A., Leonetti P., Balestrazzi A. (2017) The seed repair response during germination: disclosing correlations between DNA repair, antioxidant response, and chromatin remodeling in Medicago truncatula. Frontiers in Plant Science 8:1972. [Full text links - Open Access]

Sabatini M.E., Pagano A., Araújo S., Balestrazzi A., Macovei A. (2017) The tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1b (Tdp1b) gene discloses an early response to abiotic stresses. Genes 8:305. [Full text links - Open Access]

Zani D., Dondi D., Araújo S., Mondoni A., Balestrazzi A. (2017) Impact of γ-rays on seed germination/short-term storage in four native alpine species: correlation with free radical and antioxidant profiles. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 131: 86-94. [Abstract and full text links]

Araújo S.S., Balestrazzi A., Faè M., Morano M., Carbonera D., Macovei A. (2016) MtTdp2α-overexpression boosts the growth phase of Medicago truncatula cell suspension and increases the expression of key genes involved in the antioxidant response and genome stability. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture 127: 675–680. [Abstract and full text links]

Araújo S.S., Paparella S., Dondi D., Bentivoglio A., Carbonera D., Balestrazzi A. (2016) Physical methods for seed invigoration: advantages and challenges in seed technology. Frontiers in Plant Science 7:646. [Full text links - Open Access]

Duque A.S., López-Gómez M., Kráčmarová J., Gomes C.N., Araújo S.S., Lluch C., Fevereiro P. (2016) Genetic engineering of polyamine metabolism changes Medicago truncatula responses to water deficit. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 127: 681–690. [Abstract and full text links]

Ferreira A.M., Marques A.T., Fontanesi L., Thulin C.G., Sales-Baptista E., Araújo S.S., Almeida A.M. (2016) Identification of a bitter-taste receptor gene repertoire in different lagomorphs species. Fontiers in Genetics 7:55. [Full text links - Open Access]

Mata A.T., Jorge T.F., Ferreira J., Bronze M.R., Branco D., Fevereiro P., Araújo S., António C. (2016) Analysis of low abundant trehalose-6-phosphate and related metabolites in Medicago truncatula by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A 1477: 30-38. [Abstract and full text links]

Parreira J.R., Bouraada J., Fitzpatrick M.A., Silvestre S., Bernardes da Silva A.B., Marques da Silva J., Almeida A.M., Fevereiro P., Altelaar A.F.M., Araújo S.S. (2016) Differential proteomics reveals the hallmarks of seed development in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Journal of Proteomics 143: 188-198. [Abstract and full text links]

Alcântara A., Morgado R.S., Silvestre S., Marques da Silva J., Bernardes da Silva A., Fevereiro P., Araújo S.S. (2015) A method to identify early-stage transgenic Medicago truncatula with improved physiological response to water deficit. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture 122: 605-616. [Abstract and full text links]

Araújo S.S., Beebe S., Crespi M., Delbreil B., González E.M., Gruber V., Lejeune-Henaut I., Link W., Monteros M.J., Prats E., Rao I., Vadez V., Vaz Patto M.C. (2015) Abiotic stress responses in legumes: strategies used to cope with environmental challenges. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 34: 237-280. [Abstract and full text links]

Duque A.S., Araújo S.S., Fevereiro P., Barradas A., Godinho B., Silva A.R., Crespo J.P. (2015) Development of protocols for micropropagation of elite genotype forage allogamous legume species. Acta Horticulturae 1083: 409-413. [Abstract and full text links]

Ferreira A.M., Marques A.T., Bhide M., Cubric-Curik V., Hollung K., Knight C.H., Raundrup K., Lippolis J., Palmer M., Sales-Baptista E., Araújo S.S., Almeida A.M. (2015) Sequence analysis of a bitter taste receptor (T2R) genes repertoire in different ruminant species. PLoS ONE 10(6):e0124933. [Full text - Open Access]

Kazana V., Tsourgiannis L., Iakovoglou V., Stamatiou C., Alexandrov A., Araújo S., Bogdan S., Bozic G., Brus R., Bossinger G., Boutsimea A., Celepirovic N., Cvrcková H., Fladung M., Ivankovic M., Kazaklis A., Koutsona P., Luthar Z., Máchová P., Malá J., Mara K., Mataruga M., Moravcikova J., Paffetti D., Paiva J.A.P., Raptis D., Sanchez C., Sharry S., Salaj T., Šijacic-Nikolic M., Tel-Zur N., Tsvetkov I., Vettori C., Vidal N. (2015) Public attitudes towards the use of transgenic forest trees: a cross-country pilot survey. iForest 344-353. [Full text - Open Access]

Lérias J.R., Peña R., Hernández-Castellano L.E., Capote J., Castro N., Argüello A., Araújo S.S., Saco Y., Bassols A., Almeida A.A. (2015) Establishment of the biochemical and endocrine blood profiles in the Majorera and Palmera dairy goat breeds: the effect of feed restriction. Journal of Dairy Research 82: 416-425. [Abstract and full text links]

Paparella S., Araújo S.S., Rossi G., Wijayasinghe M., Carbonera D., Balestrazzi A. (2015) Seed priming: state of the art and new perspectives. Plant Cell Reports 34: 1281-1293. [Abstract and full text links]

Pereira-Leal J.B., Abreu I.A., Alabaça C.S., Almeida M.H., Almeida P., Almeida T., Amorim M.I., Araújo S., Azevedo H., Badia A., Batista D., Bohn A., Capote T., Carrasquinho I., Chaves I., Coelho A.C., Costa M.M.R., Costa R., Cravador A., Egas C., Faro C., Fortes A.M., Fortunato A.S., Gaspar M.J., Gonçalves S., Graça J., Horta M., Inácio V., Leitão J.M., Lino-Neto T., Marum L., Matos J., Mendonça D., Miguel A., Miguel C.M., Morais-Cecílio L., Neves I., Nóbrega F., Oliveira M.M., Oliveira R., Pais M.S., Paiva J.A., Paulo O.S., Pinheiro M., Raimundo J.A.P., Ramalho J.C., Ribeiro A.I., Ribeiro T., Rocheta M., Rodrigues A.I., Rodrigues J.C., Saibo N.J.M., Santo T.E., Santos A.M., Sá-Pereira P., Sebastiana M., Simões F., Sobral R.S., Tavares R., Teixeira R., Varela C., Veloso M.M., Ricardo C.P. (2014) A comprehensive assessment of the transcriptome of cork oak (Quercus suber) through EST sequencing. BMC Genomics 15:371. [Full text - Open Access]

Silvestre S., Araújo S.S., Vaz Patto M.C., Marques da Silva J. (2014) Performance index: an expeditious tool to screen for improved drought resistance in the Lathyrus genus. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 56: 610-621. [Abstract and full text links]

Almeida A.M., Kilminster T., Scanlon T., Araújo S.S., Milton J., C. Oldham C., Greeff J.C. (2013) Assessing carcass and meat characteristics of Damara, Dorper and Australian Merino lambs under restricted feeding. Tropical Animal Heath and Production 45: 1305-1311. [Abstract and full text links]

Araújo S.S., Duque A.S., Silva J.M., Santos D., Silva A.B., Fevereiro P. (2013) Water deficit and recovery response of Medicago truncatula plants expressing the ELIP-like DSP22. Biologia Plantarum 57: 159-163. [Abstract and full text links]

Ferreira A.M., Araújo S.S., Sales-Baptista E., Almeida A.M. (2013) Identification of novel genes for bitter taste receptors in sheep (Ovis aries). Animal 7: 547-554. [Abstract and full text links]

Lérias J.R., Hernández-Castellano L.E., Morales-Delanuez A., Araújo S.S., Castro N., Argüello A., Capote J., Almeida A.M. (2013) Body live weight and milk production parameters in the Majorera and Palmera goat breeds from the Canary Islands: influence of weight loss. Tropical Animal Health and Production 45: 1731-1736. [Abstract and full text links]

Nunes C., Araújo S.S., Silva J.M., Fevereiro P., Silva A.B. (2009) Photosynthesis light curves: a method for screening water deficit resistance in the model legume Medicago truncatula. Annals of Applied Biology 155: 321-332. [Abstract and full text links]

Nunes C., Araújo S.S., Silva J.M., Fevereiro M.P.S., Silva A.B. (2008) Physiological responses of the legume model Medicago truncatula cv. Jemalong to water deficit. Environmental and Experimental Botany 63: 289-296. [Abstract and full text links]

Almeida A.M., Santos M., Villalobos E., Araújo S.S., van Dijck P., Leyman B., Cardoso L.A., Santos D., Fevereiro P.S., Torné J.M. (2007) Immunogold localization study of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase in leaf segments of wild type and transgenic tobacco plants expressing the AtTPS1 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana. Protoplasma 230: 41-49. [Abstract and full text links]

Almeida A.A., Silva A.B., Araújo S.S., Cardoso L.A., Santos D.M., Torné J.M., Silva J.M., Paul M.J., Fevereiro P.S. (2007) Responses to water withdrawal of tobacco plants genetically engineered with the AtTPS1 gene: a special reference to photosynthetic parameters. Euphytica 154: 113–126. [Abstract and full text links]

Almeida A.M., Villalobos E., Araújo S.S., Cardoso L.A., Santos D.M., Santos M.A., Fevereiro P.S., Torné J.M. (2007) Electroporation of maize embryogenic calli with the trehalose-6 phosphate synthase gene from Arabidopsis thaliana. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 29: 273–281. [Abstract and full text links]

Duque A.S., Araújo S.S., Cordeiro M.A., Santos D.M., Fevereiro M.P. (2007) Use of fused gfp and gus reporters for the recovery of transformed Medicago truncatula somatic embryos without selective pressure. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 90: 325-330. [Abstract and full text links]

Almeida A.M., Villalobos E., Araújo S.S., Leyman B., van Dijk P., Alfaro-Cardoso L., Fevereiro P., Torné J.M., Santos D.M. (2005) Transformation of tobacco with an Arabidopsis thaliana gene involved in trehalose biosynthesis increases tolerance to several abiotic stresses. Euphytica 146: 165-176. [Abstract and full text links]

Araújo S.S., Duque A.S.R.L.A., Santos D.M.M.F., Fevereiro M.P.S. (2004) An efficient transformation method to regenerate a high number of transgenic plants using a new embryogenic line of Medicago truncatula cv. Jemalong. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 78: 123-131. [Abstract and full text links]

Duque A.S.R.L.A., Araújo S.S., Santos D.M.M.F., Fevereiro M.P.S. (2004) Optimisation of a selection scheme using kanamycin to improve transformation of Medicago truncatula cv. Jemalong. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 78: 277-280. [Abstract and full text links]

Santos D.M.M.F., Araújo S.S., Duque A.S.R.L., Fevereiro M.P.S. (2003) Reverse transcription-PCR assay to verify gene integrity within plasmid constructs for plant transformation. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 74: 293-296. [Abstract and full text links]

Vaz Patto M.C., Araújo S.S. (2016) Positioning Portugal into the context of world production and research in grain legumes. Revista de Ciências Agrárias 39: 471-489. [Abstract and full text links]

Araújo, S.S. (2007) Expression of the ELIP-like protein DSP22 in Medicago truncatula: an approach to improve the response of a legume plant towards water deficit. PhD thesis. Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa.

Unraveling grain filling mechanism in Phaseolus vulgaris L. under water stress: a proteomics approach. IICT, MNE, Lisboa, Portugal (ca. 20 000€). In collaboration with A. Almeida (Ross University, St Kitts & Nevis) and M. Althelaar (Utrecht University, The Netherlands).

Exploiting bean genetics for food quality and attractiveness innovation. Fundação para a Ciência e A Tecnologia (FCT). Project coordinator: Carlota Vaz Patto, ITQB-UNL, Oeiras, Portugal. IICT Coordinator: Susana Araújo (13 810€) - In collaboration with C. Vaz Patto, R. Bronze (ITQB-UNL, Portugal), C. Brites and M. Veloso (INIAV, Portugal) and D. Rubiales (IASCSIC, Spain).

Deciphering grain filling mechanisms in Phaseolus vulgaris L. under water deficit. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). IICT, MNE, Lisboa, Portugal. (189 000€) - In collaboration with P. Fevereiro (ITQB-UNL, Portugal), A. Silva and J. Marques da Silva (FCUL), J. Paiva, L. Alfaro, D. Santos, A. Almeida (IICT, Portugal) - Consultants: R. Idupulapati (CGIAR-CIAT, Colombia) M.C. Vaz Patto and Ana Coelho (ITQB-UNL, Portugal).

Integration of transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomics profiles to understand the role of T6P in the water deficit response and recovery in Medicago truncatula. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); ITQB-UNL, Oeiras, Portugal. (189 392€) - In collaboration with P. Fevereiro and Ana Coelho (ITQB-UNL, Portugal), A. Silva and J. Marques da Silva (FCUL), J. Paiva, D. Santos, A. Almeida (IICT, Portugal) - Consultants: Mathew Paul (Rothamsted Research, UK); AT Freitas (INESC_ID, Portugal).

In vivo study of expressed genes during the response of Medicago truncatula towards abiotic stresses. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT);- ITQB-UNL with Université Paris Est Creteil (5 200€) - In collaboration with Maria Helena Cruz de Carvalho (Université Paris Est Creteil, France).

2016-2019 - PurpleWalls - Molecular regulation of xylogenesis in Salix pupurea. Funding from the Polish National Center for Research (NCN). Project coordinator: Jorge Paiva, Institute of Plant Genetics Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.

2017-2021 - DIVERSify – Designing InnoVative plant teams for Ecosystem Resilience and agricultural Sustainability. (Call H2020-SFS-2016-2017, Topic SFS-02-2016, grant agreement 727284). Coordinated by Alison Karley (JHI, UK). Co-funded by the European Commission – H2020 Programme. National coordinator: Carlota Vaz Patto, ITQB-UNL, Oeiras, Portugal.

2017-2018 - Poland - Portugal cooperation on cell wall remodelling under stress conditions in Medicago truncatula. National funding from Cooperação Científica e Tecnológica FCT/Polónia - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Ana Sofia Duque, ITQB-UNL, Oeiras.

2015-2018 - PTDC/AGR-TEC/0992/2014 - QuaLaty - Deciphering the grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) quality riddle. How can the omics technologies contribute to a demand-driven improvement in legume quality? National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Carlota Vaz Patto, ITQB-UNL, Oeiras.

2015-2018 - PTDC/AGRFOR/0931/2014 - egoSELF: An Integrative Biology approach to study the molecular basis of inbreeding depression in Eucalyptus globulus. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Jorge Paiva, IBET, Oeiras.

2014-2015 – PRIMTECH - Advanced Priming Technologies for the Lombardy Agro-Seed Industry. Funding from Regione Lombardia and Fondazione Cariplo. Project Coordinator: Alma Balestrazzi, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “L. Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy.

2015-2016 - STRESSLESS – Comparative response to abiotic stresses between tradicional landraces of grasspea (Lathyrys sativus) of Portugese and Servian origin. National funding from Cooperação Científica e Tecnologica FCT/Servia- Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Carlota Vaz Patto, ITQB-UNL, Oeiras.

2012-2015 - PTDC/CVT/116499/2010 - Lactation and milk production in Goat (Capra hircus): identifying molecular markers underlying adaptation to seasonal weight loss. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: André Almeida, IBET, Lisbon.

2011-2014 - P-KBBE/AGR-GPL/0001/2010 - TREEFORJOULES - Improving eucalypt and poplar wood properties for bioenergy. European funding from P-KBBE and FCT. National coordinator: Jorge Paiva, IBET, Lisbon.

2010-2013 - PTDC/AGR-GPL/098179/2008 - Did you ask for something small? The microRNAs power in a Eucalyptus tension world! (the microEGo project). National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Jorge Paiva, IBET, Oeiras.

2010-2012 - PTDC/EBB-EBI/102728/2008 - MICROPHYTE: Metabolic engIneering of chlamydomonas and enviRonmental OPtimization for HYdrogen producTion and rElease. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Francisco Malcata, ITQB, Oeiras.

2010-2011 - SOBREIRO/0015/2009 - TransCorkQ - Transcriptomic analysis of cork quality and cambial differentiation in Quercus suber. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Jorge Paiva, IBET, Oeiras.

2007-2010 - PTDC/AGR-GPL/66564/2006 – GenEGlobWQ - Scanning for candidate genes underlying a pulp yield QTL in Eucalyptus globulus. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Jorge Paiva, IBET, Oeiras.

2007-2009 – STRESSsRNA - Genome-wide analysis of short RNAs as modulators in dehydration stress tolerance using tolerant and genetic model systems. European funding from ERA-Net Plant Genomics; Project coordinator: Dorothea Bartels, IMBIO, Bona University, Germany. National coordinator: Pedro Fevereiro.

2004-2007 - POCTI/BIO/56659/2004 - Improving tolerance to water stress in legumes using the model Medicago truncatula. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); Project coordinator: Pedro Fevereiro, Plant Cell Biotechnology Laboratory, ITQB, Oeiras.

2004–2005 - POCTI/BIA-BCM/55762/2004 - Transgenic plants as models to study regulation of transgene expression and recombinant protein deposition. National funding from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). Project coordinator: Rita Abranches, Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, ITQB, Oeiras.

2017-2010 - CA15223 COST action “IPlanta - Modifying plants to produce interfering RNA”.

2014-2018 – FA1306 COST Action “The quest for tolerant varieties - Phenotyping at plant and cellular level”. As member of the WG 1 and WG 3.

2014 – TRANSBIO collaborative project “SW European consortium for forest genomics: Transcriptional regulation and post-transcriptional regulation of secondary cell wall in forest trees” EU SUDOE program. As member of the team.

2013-2015 - TD1101 BMBS COST Action “A Collaborative European Network on Rabbit Genome Biology (RGB-Net)”. Awarded with a Short Term Scientific Mission.

2012-2015 – FP1202 COST Action "Strengthening conservation: a key issue for adaptation of marginal/peripheral populations of forest tree to climate change in Europe (MaP-FGR)". As substitute Member of the Managing Committee (Portugal).

2012-2014 – MEDILEG - Breeding, agronomic and biotechnological approaches for reintegration and revalorization of legumes in Mediterranean agriculture. Agricultural Research In the Mediterranean Network (ARIMNet). As Portuguese co-delegate.

2012-2016 – TD0114 COST Action “European network for development of electroporation-based technologies and treatments (EP4Bio2Med)”. As member of the Managing Committee (Portugal).

2012-2015 – FP1106 COST Action “STReESS - Studying Tree Responses to extreme Events: a SynthesiS “. As substitute Member in the Managing Committee (Portugal).

2011-2014 - FP0905 COST Action "Biosafety of forest transgenic trees". As substitute Member in the Managing Committee (Portugal).

Mar. 2017 - present - Co-supervision (with Carlota Vaz Patto and Diego Rubiales) of Davide Martins (Plants4Life FCT PhD Program), PhD student at ITQB-UNL. Project: "The genetics and mechanisms of resistance to powdery mildew in Lathyrus sativus L."

Mar. 2016 - present - Co-supervision (with Carlota Vaz Patto and Diego Rubiales) of Ana Margarida Sampaio (Plants4Life FCT PhD Program), PhD student at ITQB-UNL. Project: "Unravelling the genetic control of Fusarium oxysporum resistance in Lathyrus sativus L."

Apr. 2015 - present – Co-supervision (with Pedro Fevereiro) of José Salvado (Plants4Life FCT PhD Program), PhD student at ITQB-UNL. Project: "Understanding seed development in common bean".

Jan. 2014 - present - Co-supervision (with Carlota Vaz Patto and Diego Rubiales) of Susana Leitão (SFRH/BD/92160/2013), PhD student at ITQB-UNL. Project: "Unraveling the genetic control of combined biotic/abiotic stress resistance in Phaseolus vulgaris L. The fusarium wilt-drought interaction."

Jan. 2011 - present - Co-supervision (with Pedro Fevereiro) of Diana Branco (SFRH/BD/82283/2011), PhD student at ITQB-UNL. Project: "How does trehalose 6-phosphate mediate the genomic and metabolic response of Medicago truncatula toward water deficit?".

Last updated on 22 January 2018