| Biography | |
|---|---|
 Prof. Nicoletta Guaragnella Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics of University “A.Moro” Bari, Italy |
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| Title: Yeast cell between tradition and innovation for fundamental and applied biology | |
| Abstract: Yeast is an invaluable eukaryotic model to study fundamental cellular processes and to be used for biotechnological purposes. Its well known biochemistry, physiology and easy genetics offers research opportunities in health and agri-food sectors. Our group is specialized in the use of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of cell stress response and its possible biotechnological applications. Specific stress responses depend on multiple factors related to the timing of stress exposure, the stressor’s concentration, the cell growth phase and the sorrounding environment. Our main research activities focus on the kinetics of stress response within and between pathways with particular emphasis on the role of mitochondrial signalling and identification of genes/pathways as markers of cell stress resistance. Particularly, we study the role of the RTG pathway, conserved from fungi to plants and activated by mitochondrial dysfunction, and its interplay with nutrient sensing and oxidative and/or osmotic stress response pathways in cell death and adaptation. Stress resistance is an important yeast feature in industrial processes. At this regard we study acetic acid stress in budding yeast in the context of cellular transport, metabolism and stress-signalling pathways. In the production of biofuels and renewable chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass, the improvement of acetic acid tolerance is a key factor. This knowledge contributes to the development and competitiveness of yeast cell factories for sustainable applications. Finally, we are approaching to the design and development of yeast-based biosensors for precision agriculture providing new solutions for food safety, bringing sustainability in resources, influencing working practices and life style of farmers and suggesting new applicable agribusiness models. | |
| Biography: Dr. Nicoletta Guaragnella, PhD in “Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”, will complete in 2021 her 3 years Tenure Track to become Associate Professor in “Applied Biology” at the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics of University “A.Moro” Bari, Italy. She got the National Scientific Abilitation (ASN) for Associate Professor in both “General Biochemistry” and “Applied Biology” in 2017. She is author of more than 50 articles in JCR journals. She has an extensive expertise in yeast research and her major interests are: cellular and molecular mechanisms of stress response; use of yeast S.cerevisiae for biotechnological industrial and agri-food applications; mechanisms and signalling of regulated cell death and adaptation; cross-talk mitochondria-nucleus-cytoplasm in physiopathology; developement of yeast-based biosensors for precision and sustainable agriculture. She is a member of the PhD college in “Functional and Applied Genomics and Proteomics” and “Biosciences and Biotechnologies” of University of Bari. She has been panel member and evaluator for several national and international projects. She is member of the Editorial Board and ad hoc reviewer for several JCR journals. She has been invited or selected speaker in many international conferences. She has been research fellow and visiting researcher at the University of Texas Medical School (USA); Universidade do Minho (Portugal); University of Southern California (USA); University of Basilicata (Italy); Chalmers University (Sweden). She coordinates many activities of public engagement with science. | |
