ASSOCIATE
caruso@unitus.it
publications: Orcid
personal details and research activity: People
Curriculum Vitae
The research activities have focused on the isolation and structural and functional characterization of Pathogenesis-Related (PR) genes and proteins using different plant species. Molecular modeling and site-specific mutagenesis techniques have been used to study the structure-function correlation, particularly demonstrating that the ribonuclease activity of wheat PR4 proteins is associated with their antifungal activity. Additionally, the effects of fungal infection, wounding, or the exogenous application of phytohormones on the induction of PR genes and proteins in different plant systems have been explored. The effects of overexpressing PR proteins on the resistance of tobacco and tomato plants, either infected with fungi or treated with SAR inducers, have also been investigated. The transcriptional regulation of PR genes by newly identified transcription factors has been analyzed, as well as the role of plant hormones and their cross-communication in finely tuning the plant immune response against biotic and abiotic stresses.
Another interesting area explored has been the study of the molecular and epigenetic bases of the priming phenomenon in rice plants, with a particular focus on proteome reprogramming and chromatin remodeling.
In the last ten years, she has also been engaged in research on the adaptation of Antarctic plants to the hostile habitat in which they have evolved and their resilience to climate change. In particular, the research has delved into the adaptation of the Antarctic plant Colobanthus quitensis to global climate change using transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic approaches. Additionally, the influence of environmental factors on the interactions between the plant and its associated microbial community has been studied using samples from both Antarctica and the Arctic, with a particular focus on the tripartite relationship between plants, fungi, and viruses. Finally, the bioprospecting of microorganisms from extreme environments has been explored for their potential applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry.