RESEARCH LINES DESCRIPTION

Line 1. DEHIDRINS. We study the general mechanisms underlying desiccation tolerance during seed maturation; specifically we analyze the role of dehydrins. Also, in leaves and roots we study the dehydrins expression as induced by drought, salinity and freezing.

Line 2.  PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH (PCD) DURING SEED DEVELOPMENT Development and PCD are closely related. Our studies are focused on seed development but also extend to senescence and cell responses to biotic and non-biotic type of stress

Line 3. ASSOCIATED CHARACTERS AND EVOLUTIONARY NOVELTIES IN THE REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BIPINNULA CLADE (CHLORAEINAE: ORCHIDACEAE). The study is focused on the reproductive strategies found in members of the subtribe Chlorineae. We are studying the diverse mechanism of pollination and the floral special tissues involved in those processes.

Line 4.  QUINOA STARCH PROPERTIES. We study the properties of the starch stored in the quinoa seed. The objective is the generation of nano- and microparticles of importance in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries.

Line 5. CHARACTERIZATION OFDECISIVE ASPECTS OF FOOD QUALITY AND THE IMPACT OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN OF RE-EMERGING CROPS.  Crops, such as amaranth, quinoa, chia and purple maize are re-emergents crops due to their nutritional value and technological uses of its components. These crops have a great genetic variability adapted to many climatic and edaphic conditions, and they also present a great variability in their nutritional components and functionality. The aim of this project is to explore different spectroscopic techniques, such as, FT-IR, FT-NIR, Raman, Fluorescence and LF-NMR in order to discriminate seeds of amaranth, quinoa, chia and purple maize from different regions.