Molecular Biology Division

(Associated Unit to the Faculty of Sciences)


Principal lines of research and projects under development:


* "Differential gene expression during the spermatogenesis"

This project is being developed in collaboration with the group of Prof. Ricardo Benavente, Department of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, of the University of Würzburg, Germany, and it has received financial support from the European Union, (1993-1996).

Our contribution is oriented towards the identification of genes differentially activated during the stages of meiosis and spermatogenesis of the rat. We have been working with enriched populations of paquitenic spermatocites and round spermatides, and have applied the techniques of "mRNA Differential Display" for the identification of genes with differential expression, and 2D PAGE analysis of proteins for the identification of differential protein components and determination of their AA composition. Grants from the European Union and CSIC, Uruguay (project of initiation of M Sc. A. Geisinger) have supported this work.


* "Development of biotechnological methods of diagnosis for the identification of pathogenic viruses and viroids in citrus cultivars".

 Project developed in collaboration with the Biotechnology Laboratory of the Faculty of Agronomy, University of the Uruguayan Republic, and the Services for Agricultural Protection of the MGAP, Uruguay, with financial support from CONICYT-BID (1994-1997).
The work is oriented towards the identification of pathogenic viruses and viroids that affect the cultivars of citrus, an important export item for Uruguay. Rapid methods for diagnosis will be designed, basically applying PCR, for the early identification of infected materials, generating an important saving to the producers and to the country.


* "Molecular genetics and breeding for stress resistance and tolerance in potato."

 Our laboratory participates in this multinational project, in close collaboration with the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of Prof. Tapio Palva, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences of Uppsala, Sweden.

Our contribution to this project has been the identification of differentially expressed plant genes that participate in the signal transduction pathways after the infection of the pathogen Erwinia carotovora, a bacteria that causes serious losses in potato cultivars. The "mRNA Differential Display" method was applied to plants treated with cell extracts of Erwinia carotovora and also to control plants treated with water. Differentially expressed proteins were identified and their levels of expression under different conditions was studied. (Project supported by SAREC, Sweden, 1987-1996).


* "Production of a rapid method for the diagnosis of the virus causing the Infectious Bovine Rinotraqueitis (IBR)."

Project oriented to the partial identification of the genome of the virus causing the Infectious Bovine Rinotraqueitis, aiming to design specific primers for the identification of the virus by PCR and/or hybridization techniques. Financial support from PEDECIBA, Uruguay.


Integration of the Division:

Rodolfo Wettstein, Ph D, Head of the Division, D.T., (Equiv. Gr.5).
Carina Gaggero, Ph D, Research Associate, (Equiv. Gr.4).
Gabriela Cossio, M Sc, Research Assistant, Gr.3, (Faculty of Sciences).
Adriana Geisinger, M Sc, Researcher, Gr.2, (Faculty of Sciences), Fellowship PEDECIBA.
Inés Ponce de León, M Sc., Research Contract, Fellowship MEC, Uruguay.
Marcos Montesano, M Sc., Research Contract, Fellowship PEDECIBA.
Mercedes Peyrou, Agr. Eng., Researcher in Commission of Services from the Agricultural Protection Services, MGAP, Uruguay.
Raquel del Campo, Vet. Dr., Research Contract.
Rosana Rodriguez, Lic., Research Contract, Fellowship MEC, Uruguay.
Veronica Romero, Lic., Fellowship from CSIC project, Uruguay.




BACK TO HOME PAGE

These pages are designed by Mario Lalinde.