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< Back Coordenadora do INCT PlantStress Biotech e pesquisadora da Embrapa CENARGEN recebe prêmio no Japão A Dra. Fatima Grossi de Sá, coordenadora do INCT PlantStress Biotech e pesquisadora da Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, recebeu no dia 25 de agosto, em Kyoto, no Japão, o Certificado de Distinção pelo Conselho do Congresso Internacional de Entomologia, considerado o prêmio máximo da área no mundo. A entrega foi feita durante o XXVII International Congress of Entomology (ICE 2024). O prêmio é concedido a cada quatro anos a pesquisadores ou grupos de pesquisa com contribuição de destaque para o avanço do conhecimento em entomologia. “Sinto-me verdadeiramente honrada por ter sido nomeada”, afirmou Dra. Grossi de Sá. Seu trabalho envolve estratégias de controle de insetos praga, com ênfase nos ativos biotecnológicos e suas aplicações no desenvolvimento de produtos para o agronegócio. A Dra. Grossi de Sá é líder de pesquisa na construção de estratégias de controle de pragas, utilizando tecnologias de melhoramento genético de precisão, incluindo RNA de interferência (RNAi) e edição de genoma. Seu grupo de pesquisa vem desenvolvendo as primeiras plantas transgênicas de algodão resistentes ao bicudo do algodoeiro, atendendo a uma demanda urgente do setor produtivo e da indústria brasileira do algodão. O grupo também tem gerado plantas de soja e algodão resistentes a outras pragas agrícolas, como lagartas e nematoides formadores de galhas. Estímulo “A premiação é um grande estímulo para nós, pesquisadores, que atuamos com entusiasmo e determinação, seguindo nosso coração e nossa visão acadêmica e científica, muitas vezes nos arriscando a investigar áreas novas, emergentes e de demanda do país e dos setores diretamente ligados às nossas pesquisas. Estou orgulhosa do que venho realizando e alcançando com este trabalho”, destacou a Dra. Grossi de Sá. Ela agradeceu a todos os que a nomearam e também a todas as pessoas “incrivelmente talentosas com quem venho desenvolvendo as pesquisas ao longo dos anos.” “Essa premiação não é só minha, estende-se a todos que têm contribuído e dado suporte à minha jornada, especialmente à minha equipe e aos estudantes, cuja dedicação e paixão pela ciência têm sido cruciais para o alcance dos resultados e do sucesso”, assinalou a pesquisadora, ressaltando que esse reconhecimento será uma inspiração para jovens pesquisadores seguirem seus trabalhos com determinação e acreditando no sucesso. Texto modificado de Núcleo de Comunicação Organizacional (Embrapa Cenargen)

< Back Advances in Research from UFRJ and Embrapa on Coffee Gene that Increases Drought Resistance in Soybeans and Cotton Drought is one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture worldwide, causing significant losses, particularly in key crops such as coffee, soybeans, and cotton. Despite coffee's substantial economic importance, our understanding of how the plant responds to water scarcity at the molecular level is still limited. Research conducted by the Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory at UFRJ, led by Professor Márcio Alves-Ferreira, in collaboration with the team from Embrapa Cenargen, coordinated by researcher M. Fatima Grossi de Sa, studied all the "homeobox" (HB) gene family members present in the genome of Coffea arabica . They discovered that three of these genes are activated when the plant experiences osmotic stress (such as drought). Among these, the gene CaHB12 stood out as it is significantly activated in the leaves and roots of coffee plants under moderate and severe drought conditions. To better understand the role of CaHB12 , the scientists introduced this gene into transgenic Arabidopsis plants (a model plant) and observed that these plants exhibited increased tolerance to drought and salt during germination. During the analyses, they noted that while some classic drought response genes showed decreased activity, other pathways, such as those related to heat shock proteins, were activated, which may explain the enhanced resistance of the plants. This study was supported by the INCT PlantStress Biotech and also involved collaborations with the Universidad Nacional del Litoral (Argentina) and Universität Bonn (Germany). Furthermore, the researchers tested the expression of CaHB12 in transgenic soybean and cotton plants, with results indicating increased drought tolerance. The findings of this study, recently published in the journal Environmental and Experimental Botany , suggest that CaHB12 is a positive regulator of the stress response in coffee plants and a promising candidate for biotechnological applications. A diagram provides a graphical summary of the results. Also, check out the dissemination conducted in the FAPERJ newsletter, as well as the original article in the scientific journal. FAPERJ Dissemination https://www.faperj.br/?id=648.7.8 Link to article in EEB https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0098847224003411

< Back Dr. Janice de Almeida-Engler, a researcher at INRAE - France and an international collaborator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, was elected as a corresponding member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences Dr. Janice de Almeida-Engler, Director of Research at the Institut Sophia Agrobiotech (ISA) of INRAE-Sophie Antipolis, France, and a collaborating researcher at the INCT PlantStress Biotech , was elected as a corresponding member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) in the field of agricultural sciences. She was ellected on May 8, 2025, in RJ-Brazil. This honor recognizes her impactful scientific excellence and her innovative contributions to plant biotechnology, particularly through international collaborations with Brazil. Her pioneering research investigates the ontogenesis of giant cells and the mechanisms of plant infection by phytoparasitic nematodes, including induced cellular lesions. She has elucidated, in an unprecedented manner, the cell cycle and cytoskeletal dynamics involved in giant gall formation, as well as revealing communication between nuclei of giant cells via nucleotubes—features reminiscent of tumor-like cellular processes. With over 120 scientific publications and five patents, her work is crucial for advancing agricultural biotechnology. Her notable contributions include collaboration in developing plants resistant to phytonematodes through the overexpression of cell cycle inhibitors in galls and inhibiting nematode effectors by expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules, via RNAi technology. Her studies also identified specific gall promoters and expression modules in giant cells, currently undergoing validation for use in commodities such as tomato, soybean, and cotton, with a new intellectual property patent pending. Currently, Dr. Janice is a scientific reference in the Microscopy Platform of the PlantBIOs infrastructure at INRAE. Her work on three plant biotechnology research projects, in collaboration with Brazilian institutions, has been crucial in validating molecules aimed at increasing biomass and enhancing resistance to phytopathogens in soybean and cotton. Her leadership has fostered closer ties between ISA and EMBRAPA, Brazil’s largest agricultural research institution, promoting high-impact synergies. Furthermore, new projects are underway, and there is ongoing development of an International Associated Laboratory (LIA) with the goal of expanding and consolidating these strategic collaborations based on scientific excellence. The researcher’s nomination as a corresponding member of the ABC constitutes a formal and highly prestigious recognition of the scientist's excellence and scientific impact. This distinction highlights the relevance, innovation, and rigor of her research, while also fostering integration into international collaboration networks and advancing global scientific knowledge. Such a position elevates the researcher’s profile, strengthens academic cooperation networks, promotes knowledge exchange, and significantly contributes to scientific, technological, and innovative development. Alongside Dr. Janice de Almeida Engler, present at the nomination ceremony of ABC members were Dr. Fatima Grossi, coordinator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech ; researcher Adriana Hemerly from UFRJ; and Professor Antônio Costa de Oliveira, scientist leader of one of the INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Associated Laboratories and faculty at UFPEL-RS, who was also nominated on May 8th as a full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. Nomination ceremony of the new ABC Academicians 2025, held on May 8, 2025, in RJ-Brazil, recognizing distinguished Brazilian researchers of national and international renown in the scientific community.

< Back INCT PlantStress Biotech research highlighted at a student meeting The research carried out at the INCT PlantStress Biotech was highlighted during the XXVII Student Talent Meeting, held at Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Cenargen), in Brasília, between August 28 and 30. Sara Vitorino da Rocha Lemes and Bruna Medeiros Pereira received the award for best work in the Biotechnology category, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, respectively. Sara Rocha is an undergraduate student in Biotechnology at the University of Brasilia (UnB) and a Scientific Initiation scholarship holder under the PIBIC/CNPq/Embrapa program, supervised by the researchers Carolina Morgante and Fatima Grossi de Sá. In her work, “Genetically modified cotton plants with reduced susceptibility to root knot nematodes and drought”, Sara presented the combined strategy of overexpressing a drought tolerance gene and silencing a vital gene of the nematode Meloidogyne incognita , using RNA interference technology, to obtain plants that are less susceptible to these two stresses, simultaneously. Bruna Medeiros, who holds a master's degree in Agronomy from UnB and is a DTI-B/CNPq scholarship holder at Embrapa Cenargen, presented the work “A trans-species approach for in-root functional validation and selection of candidate genes for resistance to phytopathogens in legumes”. Supervised by the researchers Ana Brasileiro and Patrícia Guimarães, Bruna highlighted the promising results of a system for rapid functional validation of resistance genes in the roots of soybean, peanut, chickpea, common bean, cowpea, guandu, and alfalfa. More details on this research can be found in the recent publications in the journals PlosOne and Planta and in the patent filed by the team. Bruna Medeiros and Luanna Pinheiro receiving their awards from members of the organizing committee. At the same event, the students Nayara Sabrina de Freitas Alves, a doctoral student at the Federal University of Paraná, received an honorable mention for her work “Transcriptional and translational modulation via CRISPR-Cas for soybean tolerance root knot nematodes” and Luanna Pinheiro A. F. Bezerra, a doctoral student at the Catholic University of Brasília, for her work “Soybean plants tolerant to water deficit through modulation of the stress-induced programmed cell death control pathway using CRISPR/dCas9”. The two students are supervised by the researcher Fatima Grossi de Sá. The XXVII Student Talent Meeting had 150 registered participants, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and post-doctoral students. Its objectives were to publicize the work carried out at Embrapa Cenargen, in the thematic areas of Biotechnology, Biological Control, Quarantine and Genetic Resources, and to provide scientific incentives for young students and scholarship holders. Text: Carolina Morgante

< Back Genetic engineering can have a positive effect on the climate Agriculture accounts for around 25 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. A large share of these emissions is due to livestock production and fertilizer use. However, more than one-third of agriculture's emissions is caused by land-use change, especially the conversion of forests and other nature reserves to agricultural land in order to satisfy the rising global demand for food and feed. "Using better technologies to increase crop yields on the land already cultivated could reduce this land-use change and the associated emissions," says study author Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim, Director of the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn. Certain types of genetically modified crops -- such as GM maize and soybean -- are widely grown in other parts of the world, but hardly in Europe. "The main reasons are public acceptance issues and political hurdles," says Qaim. In the new study, he and his colleagues from the Breakthrough Institute used global agricultural data and estimates of the yield effects of GM crops to model how increased technology adoption in the EU would affect production, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions. The estimates suggest that more widespread use of genetically modified crops in the EU could prevent the release of 33 million tons of CO2 equivalents, which corresponds to 7.5 percent of the EU's total annual greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Higher yields in the EU would have a global effect "Most of these positive climate effects are attributable to reduced land-use change," says Dr. Emma Kovak from the Breakthrough Institute, the study's first author. The conclusion of the research team: "The EU imports a lot of maize and soybean from Brazil, where the expansion of agricultural land contributes to tropical deforestation. Higher yields in the EU could reduce some of these imports and thus help preserve the Amazon rainforest." The authors stress that in their analysis they only look at already-existing genetically modified crops. "New genomic breeding technologies are currently being used to develop a wide range of new crop applications that could lead to additional climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits in the future," says Matin Qaim. The agricultural economist is a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area "Sustainable Futures" and Cluster of Excellence "PhenoRob -- Robotics and Phenotyping for Sustainable Crop Production" at the University of Bonn. Source: Materials provided by University of Bonn . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Emma Kovak, Dan Blaustein-Rejto, Matin Qaim. Genetically modified crops support climate change mitigation . Trends in Plant Science , 2022; DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.01.004

< Back Underwater 'breathing' plants could be key to stress-resistant crops Wetland plants have a high tolerance against flooding due to the formation of "lysigenous aerenchyma," air channels that help transfer gases to the submerged roots. These channels also help the plant withstand drought and nutrient deficiency. Now, scientists from Japan investigate the underlying mechanism of aerenchyma formation to understand the phenomenon better, opening doors to the development of crops that are resilient against extreme weather changes. Floods and droughts are the main environmental disasters responsible for most crop failures. Aerenchyma formation can help crops cope with these environmental stresses. However, it is not commonly observed in non-wetland species like wheat and maize, which are staple food crops in certain areas of the world. Researchers Takaki Yamauchi and Mikio Nakazono from Nagoya University, Japan, have surveyed literature on the topic to get a concrete overview of the various factors involved in aerenchyma formation. "If we can genetically control the timing and amount of lysigenous aerenchyma formation in roots of all agronomically important crops, such as maize, wheat and soybean, the global crop production loss could be dramatically reduced," says Dr. Nakazono. Dr. Yamauchi and Dr. Nakazono suggest imagining the lysigenous aerenchyma to a snorkel used to breathe underwater. During flooding, the roots get cut off from oxygen and other vital gases needed for survival. In response, the plant creates air pathways connecting the submerged regions of the plant to the parts above water. Similar to a snorkel, these pathways help the plant "breathe" by transporting gases to the submerged roots. Moreover, the air channels reduce the energy requirement for the breathing process and can help the plant conserve energy during extreme conditions of drought or nutrient deficit. The researchers found that a phytohormone called "auxin" is required for the formation of aerenchyma during normal root growth, and identified two factors leading to the induction of aerenchyma formation in response to flooding. The phenomenon begins when the roots are submerged underwater in aerobic conditions. The restrictions to gas exchange cause ethylene to accumulate in the roots, which encourage the production of respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH) -- an enzyme responsible for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. As it turns out, the released ROS triggers cell death in the tissues, forming cavities for the passage of gases. The RBOH can also be activated by the presence of calcium (Ca2+) ions that are transported from the apoplast (water pathways). Certain plants have calcium-dependent protein kinases that use Ca2+ to add phosphates to the RBOH, stimulating it to produce ROS. This effect occurs at later stages as the plants gradually experience oxygen-deficient conditions after prolonged underwater submersion. While aerenchyma is mostly associated with plants that have adapted to soils with high water content, it can also develop in upland plants under drought and nutrient deficiency. Low concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, essential nutrients required for plant growth, was found to increase the ethylene sensitivity, stimulating the formation of aerenchyma. Moreover, ethylene was also a common factor in triggering aerenchyma in maize, offering a way to improve the crop's resilience. "The increase in ethylene sensitivity could be an effective strategy to stimulate aerenchyma formation in the absence of restricted gas diffusion," speculates Dr. Yamauchi. While the mechanism behind aerenchyma formation remains uncertain, suggesting the need for further research, the findings of this study open up the possibility of improving crop resilience and paving the way for better food security in the wake of climate change. The new paper has been based on the following two papers: "Fine control of aerenchyma and lateral root development through AUX/IAA- and ARF-dependent auxin signaling." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , 116, 2019, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907181116 "An NADPH oxidase RBOH functions in rice roots during lysigenous aerenchyma formation under oxygen-deficient conditions." The Plant Cell , 29, 2017, DOI: 10.1105/tpc.16.00976 Funding Information: This study was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency PRESTO grants JPMJPR17Q8 to T.Y. and Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A) (MEXT KAKENHI grant JP20H05912) to M.N. Source: Materials provided by Nagoya University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

< Back INCT PlantStress results are presented in Symposium Between the 23th and 27th of July 2023, the Siconbiol - 17th Symposium on Biological Control and 2nd Latin American Symposium on Biological Control promoted by the Entomological Society of Brazil (SEB) took place in the cities of Juazeiro-BA and Petrolina - PE. Considered the largest event on biological control in Latin America, it brought together researchers, students, and professionals from the productive sector. The event addressed the latest advances in different areas of biological control, such as the use of bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes, parasitoids, predators and much more in the control of pests and diseases. Although the agricultural area is still the largest audience, the event also covers the health area, mainly with the increased use of biological control of medically important insects. Presentation of INCT PlantStress Biotech results During the event, one of the lectures was given by Dr. Carolina Morgante, who presented the results obtained by the research group of the Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP) of Embrapa/Cenargen and which is linked to the INCT PlantStress. Dr Carolina showed important results that can be used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as cutting-edge tools for insect control. The use of genetic engineering, with genetic transformation techniques and RNAi technology are among the strategies used by researchers. Together with the productive sector, INCT PlantStress is always developing technologies for more profitable and sustainable agricultural production.

The INCT PlantStress Biotech develops technologies to overcome climatic barriers. The INCT network is formed by national and international research groups, developing biotechnological assets applied to hidric stress and pest control relevant crops for agribusiness. PlantStress Biotech INCT Biotechnological Assets Applied to Drought and Pests in Relevant Crops for Agribusiness About Us Main biotic and abiotic stresses we work Boll weevil Anthomonus grandis Nematode Meloidogyne incognita Meloidogyne javanica Drought Drought tolerance genes Caterpillars Helicoverpa armigera Spodoptera frugiperda What We Do The National Institute of Science and Technology, PlantStress Biotech INCT, integrates various Brazilian research groups and international partners, experts in plant physiology, transcriptomic, epigenetic, proteomic, bioinformatic and functional genomics analyses. The integrative research group represents a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional network with national and international excellence to generate innovative biotechnologies applied to corn, soybean and cotton focused on the tolerance to deficit hydric and pest control (Meloidogyne spp, H. armigera and S. frugiperda ). The project includes bioprospection, isolation, characterization, and functional validation of genes/molecules involved in plant pest resistance and drought tolerance. Read More Our Goals Focusing on agribusiness, the INCT PlantStress Biotech has significantly contributed to boosting productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness in the sector. Its research spans from improvements in agricultural practices to the development of innovative technologies. Beyond drought stress and pest control, the generated biotechnological assets hold the potential to influence other critical traits like seed and fruit quality, nutritional value enhancement, and more. This holistic approach positions the INCT as a cornerstone for the advancement of the Brazilian agribusiness, promising a future where innovation and sustainability coalesce for the benefit of society at large. Read More A high-impact program for Brazilian Agriculture 400+ Published Scientific Papers 30+ Researchers Involved 24+ Dev eloped Paten ts 10 Brazilian Research Units 25 Abroad Instituition 60+ Master's 80+ Ph.Ds trained NEWS Highlighting the INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Impact at the 2025 International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics (ISRFG 2025) Read Ver mais Highlight of the INCT PlantStress Biotech at the International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society – Genetica 2025 Read Ver mais World's Best Scientists 2025- Research.com Read Ver mais Read All SCIENTIFIC EVENTS 8th Brazilian Biotechnology Congress 2025 - Biotech for Sustainable Agriculture 19 - 22 October 2025 More information See All WHERE ARE WE? Associate laboratories Partnerships PlantStress Biotech INCT Contact

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Discover how we are turning curiosity into innovation, fostering excellence in scientific research. News Highlighting the INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Impact at the 2025 International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics (ISRFG 2025) Participation of the INCT PlantsStress Biotech at the 2025 International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics (ISRFG 2025), held from August 23-27, 2025, in Chengdu, China, under the theme “ Green and Nutritional Rice for Human Health and Sustainability” . Read More Highlight of the INCT PlantStress Biotech at the International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society – Genetica 2025 At the International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society – Genetica 2025, held in Belém, Pará, from August 13 to 16, 2025, the INCT PlantStress Biotech team led a dynamic session titled “Strategies for Mitigating Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Agriculture.” Read More World's Best Scientists 2025- Research.com Twenty-four researchers from Embrapa are among the most cited in the world, according to an international Research.com ranking. Read More Dr. Janice de Almeida-Engler, a researcher at INRAE - France and an international collaborator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, was elected as a corresponding member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences Dr. Janice de Almeida-Engler, Director of Research at the Institut Sophia Agrobiotech (ISA) of INRAE-Sophie Antipolis, France, and a collaborating researcher at the INCT PlantStress Biotech, was elected as a corresponding member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) in the field of agricultural sciences. She was ellected on May 8, 2025, in RJ-Brazil. This honor recognizes her impactful scientific excellence and her innovative contributions to plant biotechnology, particularly through international collaborations with Brazil. Read More Innovative research developed by INCT PlantStress Biotech was showcased during the IX Brazilian Symposium on Molecular Plant Genetics (IX SBGMP). Valdeir Moreira, a postdoctoral fellow under the supervision of Dr. Fatima Grossi, presented his research entitled “GmGLP10-overexpressing transgenic plants trigger defense responses in Meloidogyne incognita-induced giant cells by upregulation of H2O2-sensitive genes.” during the IX Brazilian Symposium on Molecular Plant Genetics (IX SBGMP), held in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, from May 27 to 30. Read More 13/02/2025 8th Brazilian Biotechnology Congress We are honored to invite you to participate in the 8th Brazilian Biotechnology Congress, which will be held from October 19 to 22, 2025, in Natal, RN, Brazil. Read More 28/01/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech research shines at PAG32. INCT PlantStress Biotech research shines at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG32) in San Diego, January 10-15th, USA. Read More 28/01/2024 O Tomate Roxo GM - rico em antocioninas Palestra destaque no evento PAG 32 de Cathie Martin, responsável pela produção do Tomate Roxo Geneticamente Modificado, que aumenta os benefícios à saúde e enriquece os efeitos nutritivos. Read More 15/10/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech: Disseminating Knowledge in Educational Institutions Dr. Ana Cristina Miranda Brasileiro from Embrapa – Cenargen has shared knowledge and technological innovations from INCT PlantStress Biotech with society. She participates in science education programs for elementary and high school students in the Distrito Federal (DF). Read More 15/10/2024 Advances in Research from UFRJ and Embrapa on Coffee Gene that Increases Drought Resistance in Soybeans and Cotton The research was conducted by the Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory at UFRJ, led by Professor Márcio Alves-Ferreira, in collaboration with the team from Embrapa Cenargen, coordinated by researcher M. Fatima Grossi de Sa. Read More 15/10/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Participation in the International Congress of Nematology (ICN) in Antibes Juan-Les-Pins, France Professor Robert Miller (UnB), a member of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, participated in the 7th International Congress of Nematology (ICN), between the 1st and 6th of May 2022. Read More 11/10/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Participation in the Crop Genomics for Global Food Security Workshop at PAG 2024 Professor Robert Miller (UnB), a member of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, participated in the 31st Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG) in San Diego, California, USA between 12-17 January 2024. Read More 25/09/2024 Coordinator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech participated in the RNAi Discussion Forum during the Brazilian Congress of Entomology Participation in the Forum 'RNAi: uma ferramenta poderosa no controle sustentável de pragas agrícolas' during the XXIX Brazilian Congress of Entomology (CBE) 2024, held in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil, from September 22 to 26, 2024. Read More 24/09/2024 Antonio Costa de Oliveira, researcher at INCT PlantStress Biotech, participated in international scientific events Participation of Antonio Costa de Oliveira in the scientific events: BIOIBEROAMERICA in Monterrey, Mexico, from September 3 to 6, 2024, and ISRFG2024 (International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics, 2024) in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, from September 9 to 11, 2024. Read More 07/09/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech research highlighted at a student meeting The research carried out at the INCT PlantStress Biotech was highlighted during the XXVII Student Talent Meeting, held at Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Cenargen), in Brasília. Read More 07/09/2024 Pesquisa do INCT PlantStress Biotech é destaque em encontro estudantil A pesquisa realizada no INCT PlantStress Biotech foi destaque durante o XXVII Encontro do Talento Estudantil, ocorrido na Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Cenargen), em Brasília. Read More 06/09/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech Coordinator Receives World’s Top Entomology Award Dr. Fatima Grossi de Sá received the Certificate of Distinction from the International Congress of Entomology Council in Kyoto, Japan, considered the highest honor in the field worldwide. Read More 06/09/2024 Coordenadora do INCT PlantStress Biotech e pesquisadora da Embrapa CENARGEN recebe prêmio no Japão Dra. Fatima Grossi de Sá recebeu em Kyoto, Japão, o Certificado de Distinção pelo Conselho do Congresso Internacional de Entomologia, considerado o prêmio máximo da área no mundo. Read More 14/08/2024 CGF5: nova linhagem de trigo para o cerrado, resistente ao brusone Nova linhagem de trigo resistente ao brusone é desenvolvida por pesquisadores do INCT PlantStress Biotech Read More 21/11/2023 The 2023 Annual LIMPP Workshop: Focus on Student Engagement The LIMPP Workshop takes place annually and aims to train students and discuss results with them. Read More 11/10/2023 Agricultural Technology Revolutionizes Sustainable Production Young scientists associated with the INCT PlantStress Biotech bring Embrapa's innovations to the university. Read More 21/08/2023 Research Developing Nematode Control Alternatives Receives Awards at Conference Students Affiliated with INCT Plant Stress Biotech, Developing Nematode Control Alternatives, Win Best Research Awards at the 53rd Brazilian Phytopathology Congress. Read More 02/08/2023 INCT PlantStress results are presented in Symposium The Embrapa researcher Dr. Carolina Morgante presented some results of biotechonology use in pests control in Siconbiol - 17th Symposium on Biological Control and 2nd Latin American Symposium on Biological Control. Read More 25/07/2023 Biotechnology generates alternatives to climate change Using genetic engineering, a biotechnologist develops drought-tolerant soybean plants and receives awards. Read More 12/07/2023 INCT PlantStress Biotech Workshop 2023 On July 10th and 11th, the IV Workshop of the PlantStress Biotech INCT took place at Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Brasília, DF. This annual workshop is held for the presentation and discussion of research results conducted by INCT PlantStress. In 2023, the workshop was attended by the leaders of the associated laboratories, fellows, and researchers from the work development team. Read More 10/08/2022 Dr. Marcio Alves-Ferreira talked about his latest paper in Plant Biology 2022 Conference During the first talk, Chair Dr. Marcio Alves-Ferreira, from the universidade federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, talked about his latest paper in Current Plant Biology. They aimed to identify molecular players mediating the defense response of cotton (Gossypium spp) to the Cotton Boll Weevil (CBW, Anthonomus grandis)... Read More 17/09/2021 CAPES Thesis Award 2021 Thesis awarded by Capes validates an improvement system by genome editing and presents a new protocol for soybean transformation... Read More 27/05/2022 Science uses genetics against plant parasites Valdeir Junio Vaz Moreira pode ter encontrado um novo caminho para combater pragas parasitas, chamadas nematoides, em plantas como algodão e soja. Bioquímico e aluno do Programa de Biologia Molecular da Universidade de Brasília (UnB), ele desenvolve sua pesquisa em um doutorado-sanduíche no Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAe), na França, com bolsa do Programa CAPES-Cofecub... Read More 10/02/2022 More efficient maize growth Maize has a significantly higher productivity rate compared with many other crops. The particular leaf anatomy and special form of photosynthesis (referred to as 'C4') developed during its evolution allow maize to grow considerably faster than comparable plants... Read More 10/02/2022 Underwater 'breathing' plants could be key to stress-resistant crops Wetland plants have a high tolerance against flooding due to the formation of "lysigenous aerenchyma," air channels that help transfer gases to the submerged roots. These channels also help the plant withstand drought and nutrient deficiency... Read More 10/02/2022 Genetic engineering can have a positive effect on the climate Agriculture accounts for around 25 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. A large share of these emissions is due to livestock production and fertilizer use. However, more than one-third of agriculture's emissions is caused by land-use change, especially the conversion of forests and other nature reserves to agricultural land in order to satisfy the rising global demand for food and feed... Read More Highlighting the INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Impact at the 2025 International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics (ISRFG 2025) Participation of the INCT PlantsStress Biotech at the 2025 International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics (ISRFG 2025), held from August 23-27, 2025, in Chengdu, China, under the theme “ Green and Nutritional Rice for Human Health and Sustainability” . Read More Highlight of the INCT PlantStress Biotech at the International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society – Genetica 2025 At the International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society – Genetica 2025, held in Belém, Pará, from August 13 to 16, 2025, the INCT PlantStress Biotech team led a dynamic session titled “Strategies for Mitigating Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Agriculture.” Read More World's Best Scientists 2025- Research.com Twenty-four researchers from Embrapa are among the most cited in the world, according to an international Research.com ranking. Read More Dr. Janice de Almeida-Engler, a researcher at INRAE - France and an international collaborator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, was elected as a corresponding member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences Dr. Janice de Almeida-Engler, Director of Research at the Institut Sophia Agrobiotech (ISA) of INRAE-Sophie Antipolis, France, and a collaborating researcher at the INCT PlantStress Biotech, was elected as a corresponding member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) in the field of agricultural sciences. She was ellected on May 8, 2025, in RJ-Brazil. This honor recognizes her impactful scientific excellence and her innovative contributions to plant biotechnology, particularly through international collaborations with Brazil. Read More Innovative research developed by INCT PlantStress Biotech was showcased during the IX Brazilian Symposium on Molecular Plant Genetics (IX SBGMP). Valdeir Moreira, a postdoctoral fellow under the supervision of Dr. Fatima Grossi, presented his research entitled “GmGLP10-overexpressing transgenic plants trigger defense responses in Meloidogyne incognita-induced giant cells by upregulation of H2O2-sensitive genes.” during the IX Brazilian Symposium on Molecular Plant Genetics (IX SBGMP), held in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, from May 27 to 30. Read More 13/02/2025 8th Brazilian Biotechnology Congress We are honored to invite you to participate in the 8th Brazilian Biotechnology Congress, which will be held from October 19 to 22, 2025, in Natal, RN, Brazil. Read More 28/01/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech research shines at PAG32. INCT PlantStress Biotech research shines at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG32) in San Diego, January 10-15th, USA. Read More 28/01/2024 O Tomate Roxo GM - rico em antocioninas Palestra destaque no evento PAG 32 de Cathie Martin, responsável pela produção do Tomate Roxo Geneticamente Modificado, que aumenta os benefícios à saúde e enriquece os efeitos nutritivos. Read More 15/10/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech: Disseminating Knowledge in Educational Institutions Dr. Ana Cristina Miranda Brasileiro from Embrapa – Cenargen has shared knowledge and technological innovations from INCT PlantStress Biotech with society. She participates in science education programs for elementary and high school students in the Distrito Federal (DF). Read More 15/10/2024 Advances in Research from UFRJ and Embrapa on Coffee Gene that Increases Drought Resistance in Soybeans and Cotton The research was conducted by the Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory at UFRJ, led by Professor Márcio Alves-Ferreira, in collaboration with the team from Embrapa Cenargen, coordinated by researcher M. Fatima Grossi de Sa. Read More 15/10/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Participation in the International Congress of Nematology (ICN) in Antibes Juan-Les-Pins, France Professor Robert Miller (UnB), a member of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, participated in the 7th International Congress of Nematology (ICN), between the 1st and 6th of May 2022. Read More 11/10/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Participation in the Crop Genomics for Global Food Security Workshop at PAG 2024 Professor Robert Miller (UnB), a member of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, participated in the 31st Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG) in San Diego, California, USA between 12-17 January 2024. Read More 25/09/2024 Coordinator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech participated in the RNAi Discussion Forum during the Brazilian Congress of Entomology Participation in the Forum 'RNAi: uma ferramenta poderosa no controle sustentável de pragas agrícolas' during the XXIX Brazilian Congress of Entomology (CBE) 2024, held in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil, from September 22 to 26, 2024. Read More 24/09/2024 Antonio Costa de Oliveira, researcher at INCT PlantStress Biotech, participated in international scientific events Participation of Antonio Costa de Oliveira in the scientific events: BIOIBEROAMERICA in Monterrey, Mexico, from September 3 to 6, 2024, and ISRFG2024 (International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics, 2024) in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, from September 9 to 11, 2024. Read More 07/09/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech research highlighted at a student meeting The research carried out at the INCT PlantStress Biotech was highlighted during the XXVII Student Talent Meeting, held at Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Cenargen), in Brasília. Read More 07/09/2024 Pesquisa do INCT PlantStress Biotech é destaque em encontro estudantil A pesquisa realizada no INCT PlantStress Biotech foi destaque durante o XXVII Encontro do Talento Estudantil, ocorrido na Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Cenargen), em Brasília. Read More 06/09/2024 INCT PlantStress Biotech Coordinator Receives World’s Top Entomology Award Dr. Fatima Grossi de Sá received the Certificate of Distinction from the International Congress of Entomology Council in Kyoto, Japan, considered the highest honor in the field worldwide. Read More 06/09/2024 Coordenadora do INCT PlantStress Biotech e pesquisadora da Embrapa CENARGEN recebe prêmio no Japão Dra. Fatima Grossi de Sá recebeu em Kyoto, Japão, o Certificado de Distinção pelo Conselho do Congresso Internacional de Entomologia, considerado o prêmio máximo da área no mundo. Read More 14/08/2024 CGF5: nova linhagem de trigo para o cerrado, resistente ao brusone Nova linhagem de trigo resistente ao brusone é desenvolvida por pesquisadores do INCT PlantStress Biotech Read More 21/11/2023 The 2023 Annual LIMPP Workshop: Focus on Student Engagement The LIMPP Workshop takes place annually and aims to train students and discuss results with them. Read More 11/10/2023 Agricultural Technology Revolutionizes Sustainable Production Young scientists associated with the INCT PlantStress Biotech bring Embrapa's innovations to the university. Read More 21/08/2023 Research Developing Nematode Control Alternatives Receives Awards at Conference Students Affiliated with INCT Plant Stress Biotech, Developing Nematode Control Alternatives, Win Best Research Awards at the 53rd Brazilian Phytopathology Congress. Read More 02/08/2023 INCT PlantStress results are presented in Symposium The Embrapa researcher Dr. Carolina Morgante presented some results of biotechonology use in pests control in Siconbiol - 17th Symposium on Biological Control and 2nd Latin American Symposium on Biological Control. Read More 25/07/2023 Biotechnology generates alternatives to climate change Using genetic engineering, a biotechnologist develops drought-tolerant soybean plants and receives awards. Read More 12/07/2023 INCT PlantStress Biotech Workshop 2023 On July 10th and 11th, the IV Workshop of the PlantStress Biotech INCT took place at Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Brasília, DF. This annual workshop is held for the presentation and discussion of research results conducted by INCT PlantStress. In 2023, the workshop was attended by the leaders of the associated laboratories, fellows, and researchers from the work development team. Read More 10/08/2022 Dr. Marcio Alves-Ferreira talked about his latest paper in Plant Biology 2022 Conference During the first talk, Chair Dr. Marcio Alves-Ferreira, from the universidade federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, talked about his latest paper in Current Plant Biology. They aimed to identify molecular players mediating the defense response of cotton (Gossypium spp) to the Cotton Boll Weevil (CBW, Anthonomus grandis)... Read More 17/09/2021 CAPES Thesis Award 2021 Thesis awarded by Capes validates an improvement system by genome editing and presents a new protocol for soybean transformation... Read More 27/05/2022 Science uses genetics against plant parasites Valdeir Junio Vaz Moreira pode ter encontrado um novo caminho para combater pragas parasitas, chamadas nematoides, em plantas como algodão e soja. Bioquímico e aluno do Programa de Biologia Molecular da Universidade de Brasília (UnB), ele desenvolve sua pesquisa em um doutorado-sanduíche no Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAe), na França, com bolsa do Programa CAPES-Cofecub... Read More 10/02/2022 More efficient maize growth Maize has a significantly higher productivity rate compared with many other crops. The particular leaf anatomy and special form of photosynthesis (referred to as 'C4') developed during its evolution allow maize to grow considerably faster than comparable plants... Read More 10/02/2022 Underwater 'breathing' plants could be key to stress-resistant crops Wetland plants have a high tolerance against flooding due to the formation of "lysigenous aerenchyma," air channels that help transfer gases to the submerged roots. These channels also help the plant withstand drought and nutrient deficiency... Read More 10/02/2022 Genetic engineering can have a positive effect on the climate Agriculture accounts for around 25 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. A large share of these emissions is due to livestock production and fertilizer use. However, more than one-third of agriculture's emissions is caused by land-use change, especially the conversion of forests and other nature reserves to agricultural land in order to satisfy the rising global demand for food and feed... Read More

Learn more about AL08, its main goals within the project and meet the laboratory's work team. AL 08 - Plant Transformation Laboratory Activities - PlantStress Biotech INCT Identify in silico promoters responsive to biotic and abiotic stress. Clone promoters responsive to drought and phytonematodes with activity in different organs (root and leaf). Validate promoters by transient transformation by biolistics or Agrobacterium rhyzogenes in target plants for in vivo testing of promoters (soybean, cotton and corn). Validate promoters by stable transformation in target plants for in vivo testing of promoters identified as promising in previous tests (soybeans, cotton and corn). Organize, maintain and share an in vivo bank of the innovation assets obtained in the project shared by INCT members. Generate GM soybean, cotton and corn via strategies of overexpression or silencing of plant genes and evaluate the phenotype obtained regarding drought tolerance. Generate GM soybean and cotton via strategies of overexpression or silencing of plant genes and evaluate the phenotype obtained for resistance to nematodes. Generate GM soybean, cotton and corn via toxin overexpression strategies and evaluate the phenotype obtained regarding the control of Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera frugiperda . Laboratory Description Research efforts in our laboratory have focused on prospecting and characterization of genes involved in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Emphasis: Soybean (Glycine max ), Jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis ) and Solanum nigrum . Approaches: Gene expression analysis; Gene silencing; Overexpression; Subcellular localization of gene products. For genetic transformation, we use mainly particle bombardment, but we are gaining experience on Agrobacterium -mediated transformation. Embryogenic tissues are used as targets for transformation. Research Lines Characterization of soybean genes involved in flood and drought tolerance. Overexpression of Jaburetox and Soyuretox, urease-derived peptides, for plant protection against insects, fungi and nematodes. Characterization of WRKY soybean genes responsive to water deficit and study of their promoters. • Expression of a gene that encodes an osmotin, isolated from Solanum nigrum, aiming enhanced drought tolerance in soybean. Our Team Maria Helena Bodanese Zanettini Team Leader She holds a degree in Natural History from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (1972), a master's degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (1975) and a PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul ( 1982). Retired Full Professor at the Department of Genetics at UFRGS. She is currently Professor/Advisor of the Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the same University. Has experience in the field of Genetics, with an emphasis on Plant Genetics, working mainly in the lines of research: 1) Prospection of genes, tissue culture and genetic manipulation of plants; 2) Genetics, evolution and conservation of plants. Interested in the following topics: soy; somatic embryogenesis; anther culture; genetic transformation; biolistics; Agrobacterium system; co-transformation; transgenic plants; functional genomics; insect resistance; fungus resistance; genetic variability; population structure; plant cytogenetics; meiotic behavior; playback mode; fertility. Christian Bredemeier Graduated in Agronomy from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Master in Plant Science from UFRGS and PhD in Plant Nutrition/Precision Agriculture from the Technical University of Munich - Weihenstephan (Freising, Germany). Currently is Associate Professor at the Department of Crop Plants / UFRGS and Professor at the Graduate Program in Phytotechnics at UFRGS and at the Graduate Program in Precision Agriculture at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM). Coordinates the Digital Agriculture Study Group (GEAD / UFRGS) and is a founding partner of the Brazilian Institute of Bioeconomy (INNBIO). Currently, is President of the Brazilian Commission for Precision and Digital Agriculture - CBAPD/MAPA (Period 2021-2023), Scientific Deputy Director of the Brazilian Association for Precision and Digital Agriculture - AsBraAP (Period 2020-2024), Member of the Chamber of Agro 4.0 and Member of the Network of Mentors in Innovation at ZENIT - Scientific and Technological Park of UFRGS. He was Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Phytotechnics / UFRGS, in the period 2017-2021. Areas of expertise: Precision Agriculture and Digital Agriculture, variable rate nitrogen fertilization, ecophysiology and crop plant management, sensors, remote sensing and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Contact Maria Helena Bodanese Zanettini Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Campus do Vale, Bento Gonçalves Avenue 9500, Building 4342212, Postal Code 91501-910, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil E-mail: maria.zanettini@ufrgs.br Phone number: +55 51 3008-6725

Meet the researchers who coordinate the INCT PlantSTress Biotech. The Team Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa Coordinator Ph.D - Researcher Embrapa Genetic Resources Biotechnology (Embrapa Cenargen). Expertise: Plant biotechnology; Plant genetic engineering; Functional genomics; Insect nanobiotechnology; Plant genome editing; Heterologous proteins. Info Rogério Margis Vice-coordinator Ph.D - Full Professor Department of Biophysics and Biotechnology Center, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Expertise: Plant molecular biology; Interfering RNA; Biotechnology. Joaquim Albenísio G. Silveira Vice-coordinator Ph.D - Full Professor Departament of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC). Expertise: Plant molecular physiology; Plant biochemistry; Water stress; abiotic stresses. Management Committee Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa (Coordinator): Ph.D - Researcher, Embrapa Genetic Resources Biotechnology (Embrapa Cenargen); Expertise: Plant biotechnology; Plant genetic engineering; Functional genomics; Insect nanobiotechnology; Plant genome editing; Heterologous proteins. Ana Cristina Miranda Brasileiro: Ph.D - Researcher, Embrapa Genetic Resources Biotechnology (Embrapa Cenargen); Expertise: Plant molecular biology; Functional genomics; Plant genetic transformation. Antonio Costa de Oliveira: Ph.D - Full Professor, Genetic Department, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPEL); Expertise: Functional and structural genomics; Molecular breeding. Patrícia Messenberg Guimarães: Ph.D - Researcher, Embrapa Genetic Resources Biotechnology (Embrapa Cenargen); Expertise: Molecular genetics; Plant molecular biology; Functional genomics. Márcio Alves Ferreira: Ph.D - Full Professor; Genetic Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Expertise: Plant genomics, Biotechnology.