AL 02 - Transcriptomics, Epigenetics and Functional Genomics

Laboratory Activities - PlantStress Biotech INCT

Sequencing the genotype plant native species from Brazil (pitangueira).
Sequencing of transcriptomes associated with the response to drought of native species in Brazil (wild peanuts, pitangueira, Clúsia, and cashew) by large-scale sequencing.
Identify and select in silico candidate genes related to drought tolerance of native species (wild peanuts, pitangueira, Clúsia, and cashew).
Identify InDels and SNPs in candidate genes of native species associated with the drought response (wild peanuts, pitangueira, and cashew).
Validate in vitro the expression profile of candidate genes for drought tolerance obtained in native species of Brazil (wild peanuts, pitangueira, Clúsia, and cashew).
Sequencing using the Illumina platform a fraction of small RNAs, and their target mRNAs, and circular RNAs of plants (Arachis, Musa, soybean, pitangueira, and cashew tree) submitted to biotic and/or abiotic stresses.
Analyze the sequencing data to check the methylation status of gene promoters in the metabolic pathways of interest.
Validate the function of plant genes potentially involved in drought tolerance mechanisms in Arabidopsis, rice or sepia plants through strategies of overexpression or silencing.
Organize, maintain and share an in vivo bank of the innovation assets obtained in the project shared by INCT members.

Laboratory Description

Research efforts in our laboratory are focused on the prospecting and characterization of genes involved in the response of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. Emphasis: Soybean (Glycine max), Jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) and Solanum nigrum. Approaches: Analysis of gene expression; Gene silencing; Overexpression; Subcellular location of gene products. For genetic transformation, we mainly use particle bombardment, but we are gaining experience in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Embryogenic tissues are used as targets for transformation.

Research Lines

Response of native Neotropical plants and cultivated plants to abiotic stresses: drought and salinity.
Identification of genes related to plant adaptation and tolerance to abiotic stresses.
Characterization of the interaction network between microRNAs - circRNAs and mRNAs in the regulation of gene expression.
Study of the mechanisms and quantification of mRNA editing events in chloroplasts in response to stresses.

Our Team

Rogerio Margis

Team Leader

Rogerio Margis completed his doctorate at the Institut de Biologie Moleculaire des Plantes, IBMP of CNRS, at the Université Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg I, France, in 1993. In 2002 he did a post-doctorate related to the processes of RNA interference and production of microRNAs in plants in the CSIRO's Plant Industry in Canberra, Australia. He is currently a CNPq researcher and Full Professor in the Department of Biophysics and Biotechnology Center at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences since 2016. From 1994 to 2003 he was an adjunct professor at UFRJ. At UFRGS, he works as a permanent core researcher and advisor in the graduate programs in Genetics and Molecular Biology (PPGBM) and Cell and Molecular Biology (PPGBCM). Currently participates in research projects related to the themes: RNA interference processes, small RNAs and non-coding RNAs in rice, soybean and native Neotropical species; action of cysteine proteases and their inhibitors; proteins related to abiotic stresses (cold, drought and metals) and oxidative stress (APx and GPx). He works in the areas of Genetics and Biochemistry, with an emphasis on Molecular Biology: regulation of gene expression and molecular markers. In his professional activities, he interacted with more than a hundred national and international collaborators in projects and co-authorship of scientific works.

Márcia Pinheiro Margis

Graduated in Biological Sciences at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (1983), Master's degree in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1987) and doctorate in Biologie Moleculaire Des Plantes - Universite de Strasbourg I - France (1993). Full Professor at the Department of Genetics at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. She is a full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. Full member of the CNPq Genetics Advisory Committee (CA-GE) between July 2011 and June 2014. She was a member of the board of the Brazilian Society of Genetics (SBG), having been first treasurer, first secretary, vice president, and president (2016 to 2018). Member of CTNBio between March 2012 and February 2014. Coordinator of the Graduate Programs in Genetics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2000-2001) and the Federal University of Rio de Grande do Sul (2011 to 2015). Editor of the journal Genetics and Molecular Biology. President of the International Genetics Federation (since September 2018). She has experience in the field of Genetics, with an emphasis on Plant Genetics, working mainly on the following topics: defense responses of plants against abiotic stresses, antioxidant metabolism enzymes and functional plant genomics.