Plant Signaling in Stress and Development Laboratory Lab created in 2023 at MBG-CSIC
 Plant Signaling in Stress and Development Laboratory Lab created in 2023 at MBG-CSIC
 Plant Signaling in Stress and Development Laboratory Lab created in 2023 at MBG-CSIC

What we do

What's PSSD?

Understanding plant stress responses to develop more resilient crops

Patricia Fernández Calvo

The Plant Signalling in Stress and Development group is a research laboratory established in 2023 when Dr Patricia Fernández Calvo joined the Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG)-CSIC through the prestigious Ramón y Cajal excellence programme.

Our objective is to develop innovative crop protection strategies based on an in-depth understanding of the molecular components and signalling networks activated in plant cells in response to environmental stress stimuli. Specifically, we are interested in uncovering how plants trigger their defence and immunity responses against diseases and pests.

Our ultimate goal is to generate knowledge and molecular tools that enhance crop resistance and resilience against the "silent tsunami" of plant diseases and pests, which severely impact agricultural productivity and call for new, more sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches.

How we work

Our Philosophy

01

ECR

Enhancing Crop Resilience

Understanding how plants respond to stress to help them resist disease and pests.

02

SAP

Sustainable Agricultural Protection

Identifying new bio-protective compounds to reduce the use of highly polluting chemical inputs in agriculture.

03

FSE

Fostering Scientific Excellence

Quality science in a welcoming environment that encourages personal and group growth.

Our focus

Research Lines

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Immunogenic Sugars In Plant Immunity

LINE OF RESEARCH 1

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Root Metabolites in Plant Resilience

LINE OF RESEARCH 2

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TrImActiv: Tree Immune Activators

LINE OF RESEARCH 3

WHO ARE WE

The Scientists

Her research explores the molecular mechanisms underpinning plant stress responses, employing advanced technologies to enhance crop resilience and resistance in the face of climate change.

Dr. Patricia Fernández Calvo

PI (RAMÓN Y CAJAL RESEARCHER)

With a background in Quality Control and Environmental Resources, she has worked at various CSIC centres and at AEMPS in the field of biological products and biotechnology.

Sara Parada Álvarez

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Biologist with a Master's in Genomics and Genetics (USC), currently pursuing a PhD on plant stress responses, focusing on signalling molecules to develop sustainable strategies for crop resilience.

Msc. Rocío Prieto Vázquez

PRE-DOCTORAL STUDENT (FPI)

PhD in Molecular Biosciences from CNB-CSIC (Madrid). I specialised in plant immunity and chloroplast protein quality control. Currently, I am bringing my expertise and knowledge to the PSSD lab.

Dr. Bran López Luengo

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

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What's new

Publications & News

microscope

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

sciencedirect.com

Leucine rich repeat-malectin receptor kinases IGP1/CORK1, IGP3 and IGP4 are required for arabidopsis immune responses triggered by β-1,4-D-Xylo-oligosaccharides from plant cell walls.

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sciencedirect.com

Plant cell wall-mediated disease resistance: Current understanding and future perspectives.

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onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Arabidopsis immune responses triggered by cellulose- and mixed-linked glucan-derived oligosaccharides require a group of leucine-rich repeat malectin receptor kinases.

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nature.com

A redundant transcription factor network steers spatiotemporal Arabidopsis triterpene synthesis.

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DNK

PRESS RELEASES

delegación.galicia.csic.es

Interview - In 2024, Patricia Fernández Calvo and Adrián Regos Sanz joined the MBG and formed their own group: Signalling Mechanisms in Stress and Plant Development and Landscape Ecology.

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gciencia.com

A Galician expert in plant praga, awarded by L'Oreal.

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mapfre.com

Patricia Fernández: 'We have to anticipate and develop crops that are resistant to the diseases that will be part of climate change"

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atom

DISSEMINATION

Lamas in Feminine

Talk at CEIP Lamas de Abade 8M 2024: “Lamas in Feminine”

WATCH VIDEO
Biomisión II biomision.eu

Science to Cultivate a Liveable Future / This project helps 5th and 6th grade students discover the value of plant biodiversity and seed banks. They grow different crop varieties and share their findings in a final student-led “scientific” conference. Researcher Patricia Fernández Calvo is part of the organizing team.

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Biodiversión 2024 (February) and 2025 (May)

Hands-on Science for Young Minds / 6th grade students from nearby schools visit MBG-Compostela to explore science through experiments. They learn about pH, how soil pollution affects seed germination, extract DNA from kiwis, and more. Our lab actively takes part in this initiative.

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Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture / agaca.cop

Talk titled "Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture" as part of the Environment and Cooperatives conference organized by the Galician Association of Agri-food Cooperatives.

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Immunogenic Sugars for Crop Protection / biociencias.es

On May 29 at 5:00 PM, Dr. Patricia Fernández Calvo will give a talk titled “Immunogenic Sugars for Crop Protection” at the Pre-CEBEI event, held in advance of the Spanish National Congress of Bioscience Students.

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