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Funded research
From the molecular dialogue between gametophytes to climate-ready crops, our projects connect discovery, biotechnology and the field.
Current · Cowpea · Heat stress
HEAT4VIGNA investigates how heat affects reproduction and productivity in cowpea, combining controlled and field phenotyping with transcriptomics and functional validation. The project compares traditional and commercial varieties to identify resilient genotypes, genes and markers that can support breeding for hotter climates.
Current · Rice · Reproduction
PrOryza develops thermotolerant Portuguese rice by studying reproductive performance under high temperature. Field and controlled assays, molecular profiling and new genomic techniques are combined to identify resilient germplasm and candidate genes for future improvement of national varieties.
Current · MSCA Staff Exchanges · Rice
CRISPit bridges fundamental knowledge and genome-editing technologies to increase rice heat tolerance. Through international staff exchanges, the consortium integrates reproductive biology, omics, marker discovery and CRISPR-based approaches while training researchers across academic and non-academic environments.
Current · PRIMA · Mediterranean agriculture
HALO-FORCE explores the adaptive traits of wild halophytes and translates them into strategies for more sustainable, climate-resilient Mediterranean agriculture. Ecology, phenomics, omics and agronomic validation are connected with value-chain development.
Current · COST Action · Climate resilience
RECROP brings together researchers working on plant reproduction and crop resilience to understand how extreme climatic conditions compromise fertility. The network promotes shared methodologies, training and collaboration across species and research systems, helping translate reproductive knowledge into more resilient crops.
Completed · MSCA Research & Innovation Staff Exchange
SEXSEED built an international research and training network around the mechanisms governing sexual plant reproduction and seed formation. Secondments connected complementary expertise, accelerated knowledge exchange and supported the development of young researchers in reproductive biology.
Completed · FCT · Fertilisation
SeedWheels investigated the molecular machinery that drives male–female communication towards fertilisation and seed formation. The project focused on the interconnected signalling pathways that allow pollen tubes and female reproductive tissues to recognise, communicate and coordinate successful fertilisation.
Completed · FCT · Arabinogalactan proteins
This project examined how arabinogalactan proteins participate in the molecular dialogue between pollen and pistil in Arabidopsis. By combining genetics, cell biology and reproductive phenotyping, it helped establish AGPs as important components of pollen–pistil recognition and fertilisation.
Completed · FCT · Gametogenesis
This foundational project investigated the biological roles of arabinogalactan proteins and their glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring during Arabidopsis gametogenesis. It provided an early molecular framework for the laboratory’s long-standing research on AGPs in sexual plant reproduction.
From discovery to fields
Arabidopsis gives us mechanisms. Crops give those discoveries a destination.