Antonio F. Tiburcio

Company
Universitat de Barcelona

Address
Fisiologia Vegetal , Facultat de Farmàcia
Diagonal 643
Barcelona

Telephone
+34 93-4024493

E-mail
afernandez@ub.edu

1. Summary of work to be allocated into a specific WG

This partner will use a systems biology approach to study molecular mechanisms underlying the function of the polyamine metabolic pathway in abiotic stress signaling. The work is mostly integrated into WG4.

2. Links with other WG and/or Subgroups

The work is also linked with WG1.6, WG2.1 and WG3.3 in order to reveal novel associations of polyamine metabolism with stress signaling/other metabolic pathways.

3. Specific activities to be integrated into WG and/or Subgroups

WG1.6: The work will be concentrated on the role of SnRK1/2 kinases in the regulation of genes encoding rate limiting enzymes involved in polyamine metabolism. Possible associations with chromatin modifications will be also studied.

WG2.1: Genetic screening strategies will be used to the isolation of mutants defective in abiotic stress signaling regulating polyamine metabolism.

WG3.3. Study possible interactive networking between methyl donor SAM biosynthesis and polyamine metabolism.

4. Qualification for the role and current grants

Antonio F. Tiburcio is Full Professor at the Department of Natural Products (Plant Physiology Unit) at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Barcelona. He has 25 years of experience in studying the role of polyamines in plants and has significantly contributed to the recognition of these compounds as a new group of plant growth regulators, as documented by publications in leading journals. His work is currently financed by two national grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education and one grant from “Generalitat of Catalunya”. The research group has long experience in participating in national and international collaborations.

5. Technical expertise and facilities

This partner will provide antibody probes for some polyamine biosynthetic genes, and transgenic and mutant plants affected on polyamine metabolism and/or signaling. He will also provide experience required for HPLC determination of polyamines and on plant tissue and cell culture and molecular biological techniques, including quantitative real-time RT-PCR, gene cloning and characterization of recombinant proteins, plant transformation, yeast two-hybrid screens, and in vivo identification of protein-protein interactions. The laboratory has all the experience and facilities to carry out the work allocated. For the utilization of big equipments we are currently using the facilities located at the “Parc Cientific de Barcelona” (PCB). For plant culture we are using the greenhouses and growth chambers located at the “Camps Experimentals de la Universitat de Barcelona”.