Rina Iannacone
Company
Metapontum Agrobios S.S.
Address
Jonica, 106 Km 448,2
75010 Metaponto
Telephone
+39 0835 740237
E-mail
riannacone@agrobios.it
1. Summary of work to be allocated into a specific WG
This Partner is working mainly on molecular breeding of tomato at the aim to select new genotypes that show tolerance/resistance to abiotic stresses such as drought, salt, cold. Several new genotypes that overexpress recombinant genes isolated from Arabidopsis or tomato were obtained and challenged against abiotic stresses (drought, salt).
2. Links with other WG and/or Subgroups
This partner can place at project disposal skills for tomato transformation and analysis.
3. Specific activities to be integrated into WG and/or Subgroubs
The overexpression in tomato of genes related to the production of proline and polyamine will be studied and the influence of the recombinant molecules on abiotic stress tolerance will be assessed in greenhouse or field condition. Furthermore the influence of recombinant Transcription factor ATHB7 on salt and drought tolerance in tomato will be determined in greenhouse/fields conditions.
4. Qualification for the role and current grants
Rina Iannacone is leading the molecular biology and biochemistry group. She is working since 15 years in the biotechnology field mainly on plant biotic and abiotic stress. Several transgenic genotypes improved in their tolerance to biotic/abiotic stresses were tested in field or greenhouse conditions. The field of interest is mainly on solanaceous plants (tomato, eggplant, potato, tobacco).
Previous collaboration with several partners participating to this project were already established in the frame of the EU project ROST (FP5) and transgenic plants that overexpress genes involved in stress signaling pathway are under evaluation.
5. Technical expertise and facilities
This Partner has experience in gene isolation, cloning, plant molecular breeding and greenhouse and field tests of transgenic plants. Metapontum Agrobios biotech labs are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for purification, analysis and engineering of biomolecules.