Alessandra A. De Souza has post-doc in Plant Microbe Biology at the University of California Berkeley, PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the State University of Campinas, MSc in Microbiology from University of Sao Paulo/ESALQ and BSc degree in Biological Sciences from Catholic University of Pernambuco. She is scientific researcher at the Agronomic Institute of Campinas in Sao Paulo state and external professor of the postgraduate in genetics and molecular biology of UNICAMP. R&D Director of Agronomic Institute of Campinas. The main area of research is the study of plant-pathogen interaction and functional genomics of phytopathogenic bacteria. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)
| Articles published in Pesquisa FAPESP Magazine about the researcher: |
| Disease-immune orange trees |
| Naranjos inmunes |
| Remedio para los naranjos |
| Contra las plagas de la citricultura |
| For people and plants |
| Para la gente y para las plantas |
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| News published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the researcher |
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| TITULO |
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| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |
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In previous studies by our research group (results obtained from the thematic project (13/10957-0)), two commercial varieties of sweet orange were developed overexpressing the rpfF gene, which is responsible for the synthesis of the "diffusible signaling factor" (DSF) molecule. DSF is a small fatty acid molecule responsible for cell-cell communication (quorum sensing), which regulates gen…
NPOP-IAC, headquartered at IAC in Campinas, has the main strategic objective of expanding the scientific and technological aiming to solve well-defined problems in three different and economically important cultures of Brazilian agribusiness, citrus, sugar cane and coffee. The adoption of the genomic and biotechnology themes is justified by the current state of the art of breeding program…
Recently, efforts have been focused on the development of the Bioeconomy that brings together all sectors of the economy that use biological resources (living things) in a rational and sustainable manner. This business intends to provide coherent, effective and concrete solutions to major social challenges such as climate change, fossil resource substitution, food security, and population…
Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC), caused by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca bacterium, is one of the most concerning diseases for the Brazilian citriculture. It is responsible for economic damages around 100 million dollars a year in eradication of diseased plants, replanting, and chemical control of the vectors. CVC is a typical Brazilian problem since in other South or Central American…
We propose to determine the molecular mechanims underlying pathogen recognition and immune reponse in citros. This research should facilitate genetic engineering to introduce resistance traits into susceptible citrus cultivars. This project will combine expertise on plant immunity (PI Melotto) and bacterial pathogenesis (PI Souza) to study a common problem in both countries. We propose to…
(Only some records are available in English at this moment)
Brazil stands out as the world's largest producer of sweet oranges and exporter of the fruit's juice. Despite its notoriety, the national citrus industry is severely affected by bacterial diseases such as citrus variegated chlorosis, citrus canker, and especially, huanglongbing (HLB), caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibcter asiaticus (CLas). The inefficiency of controlling these di…
Ciência a MesaCast is a journalistic research proposal aimed at disseminating the project "Biotechnological and Genomic Strategies for Quality, Productivity, and Sustainable Management of Citrus, Coffee, and Sugarcane in the State of São Paulo (CCD-CROP-IAC)" (Process: 20/07045-3). The proposal aims to create a podcast with a unique approach, simplifying the application of biotechnology i…
Ciência a MesaCast is a journalistic research proposal aimed at disseminating the project "Biotechnological and Genomic Strategies for Quality, Productivity, and Sustainable Management of Citrus, Coffee, and Sugarcane in the State of São Paulo (CCD-CROP-IAC)" (Process: 20/07045-3). The proposal aims to create a podcast with a unique approach, simplifying the application of biotechnology i…
(Only some records are available in English at this moment)
Brazil is the second largest citrus producer worldwide and leads the world ranking of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Obseck) production. Due to their production method and ancestry, the genetic basis of citrus species is very narrow, which turns them susceptible to losses in productivity related to abiotic and biotic stresses. Among biotic factors, we can highlight bacterial diseases,…
Sweet orange is one of the Citrus species most affected by Huanglongbing (HLB), a disease caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter spp. (CLas) which is considered a threat to Citriculture worldwide. As all commercial Citrus species are susceptible to HLB, the development of tolerant varieties has become the biggest challenge for Citriculture. Site-specific gene editing performed us…
(Only some records are available in English at this moment)
Huanglongbing (HLB) is the main disease affecting sweet orange production worldwide, leading to significant losses in the sector. It is predominantly caused by the fastidious gram-negative ±-proteobacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) and transmitted by the psyllid, Diaphorina citri. Notably, diffusible signal factor (DSF), a molecule essential to the quorum-sensing (QS) syst…
HLB, a major challenge in citrus farming, necessitates the development of disease-resistant citrus varieties. DNA-free gene editing utilizing the CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized the production of genetically modified (GM) plants by enabling precise edits without the introduction of foreign DNA. This approach allows for the creation of natural mutants, eliminating the requirement for …
Citrus species are crops that significantly boost Brazilian agribusiness. However, the productivity of orchards is constantly affected by biotic factors. Citrus Huanglongbing or Greening is the most important disease caused mainly by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). CLas is a Gram-negative bacterium, which colonizes the phloem, causing physiological damage to citrus plants. Among…
Citrus canker is a disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. The pathogenicity of this bacterium is dependent on the translocation of effector proteins called Transcription Activator-Like Effectors (TALEs) into the host cell. These proteins function as transcription factors in plants. They recognize specific regions in promoters of target genes known as Effector Binding Elements (…
Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri is the causal agent of citrus canker, an important disease to citrus farmers worldwide. This disease has no cure, and spreads rapidly by water droplets, penetrating in plants through wounds and, eventually, developing the canker itself: erumpent, corky lesions, which harbor bacterial growth on their surrounding areas. Attempts to break the disease cycle nece…
(Only some records are available in English at this moment)
| 2 / 2 | Ongoing research grants |
| 9 / 6 | Completed research grants |
| 5 / 5 | Ongoing scholarships in Brazil |
| 42 / 30 | Completed scholarships in Brazil |
| 2 / 2 | Ongoing scholarships abroad |
| 5 / 5 | Completed scholarships abroad |
| 65 / 50 | All research grants and scholarships |
| Associated processes | |
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