OBJECTIVES

• The general purpose of the group is the search, isolation and study of vegetable and fungal proteins, with special emphasis on their possible biotechnological interest. Vegetable Ribosome Inactivating Proteins (EC 3.2.2.22) and fungal ribotoxins (EC 3.1.27.10) will be studied in particular.

The main objectives are:

Search, isolation and study of new Ribosome Inactivating Proteins (RIPs) of vegetables and ribotoxins of fungi.

Cloning and expression of RIPs and ribotoxins in bacterial heterologous systems.

Study of the toxicity and apoptotic activity of RIPs and ribotoxins in tumor cells.

Design and development of new conjugates and chimeras from RIPs and ribotoxins.

Study of the selective toxicity and apoptotic activity in tumor cells of conjugates and chimeras developed from RIPs and ribotoxins.

Study of the role played by RIPs and ribotoxins in the defense of vegetables and fungi.

Use of RIPs and ribotoxins for the biological control of diseases and pests of crops of agronomic interest, by applying biotechnological techniques.

RESEARCH LINES

• Characterization of Ribosome Inactivating Proteins (RIPs) found in various plant species (structure and biological activities).

• Characterization of ribotoxins found in various fungal species (structure and biological activities).

• Study of the effect of RIPs, ribotoxins, conjugates and chimeras on tumor cells.

• Study of the role of RIPs and ribotoxins in the antipathogenic response of cultivated plants and mushrooms.