We study plasmid molecular biology, rhizobium–legume symbiosis and bacteria with potential for biological control and the development of agricultural bioinputs.
Overview
Mission
Conduct basic and applied research in microbial molecular biology, genomics and bacterial ecology, focusing on microorganism–plant interactions and functional characterisation of biological control and plant-growth-promoting agents. The group trains undergraduate and postgraduate researchers and develops knowledge and technologies relevant to sustainable agriculture.
Vision
Advance work on plasmid biology, microbial ecology of agricultural systems and bioinput development, contributing to researcher training and strengthening Argentina's scientific system.
Research areas
Plasmid molecular biology and ecology
We investigate plasmid replication, conjugative transfer and ecology in rhizobia, particularly Sinorhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium favelukesii. Comparative genomics, transcriptomics and targeted mutagenesis help explain genomic plasticity and horizontal gene transfer. The proposal envisages extending this work to plasmids in clinically relevant bacteria.
Rhizobiology and rhizobium–legume symbiosis
We analyse determinants of environmental adaptation in alfalfa-nodulating rhizobia, particularly acidity, and factors influencing biological nitrogen-fixation efficiency, using functional genomics and omics approaches.
Biological control and bioinputs
We characterise Bacillus velezensis, B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens strains from grapevine rhizospheres and other agricultural systems. We investigate their potential against fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium and Alternaria alternata and their plant-growth-promoting capacity. SeedProtect is described as a proposed development, rather than an available commercial product.
Research areas shared with other units
These research areas are developed collaboratively by the participating units.
Genomic and functional characterization of environmental plasmids
Genomic and functional exploration of plasmids present in microbial communities under environmental selective pressures.
We use massive sequencing, bioinformatics and functional assays to recover plasmid biological activities associated with recalcitrant compounds. Knowledge of these elements allows us to study their replication, stabilization, partitioning and mobilization, as well as their role in horizontal gene transfer.
The information obtained can facilitate the identification of proteins and enzymes with biotechnological or therapeutic potential, or with applications in the degradation of pesticides, herbicides and other xenobiotic compounds, contributing to the development of bioremediation strategies.
Participants: Antonio Lagares, Mariano Pistorio and María Florencia Del Papa.
Team
- Mariano PistorioGroup director · CONICET Principal Investigator
- Antonio LagaresGroup director · CONICET Superior Investigator
- Juliet NilssonCONICET Assistant Investigator
- Constanza ReyCONICET doctoral fellow
- Ramiro Rocco WelshCONICET doctoral fellow
- Denise LajoinieANPCyT doctoral fellow
Projects and funding
- PICT-2021-I-A-00277, 2022–2026: “Factors involved in the adaptation of alfalfa-nodulating rhizobia to different environmental conditions”. ANPCyT; director Mariano Pistorio.
- Shared previous project: PIP 2022–2024, code 11220210100367CO, reported period 2022–2025. “Design of bacterial consortium inoculants that promote plant growth, nutrition and health”. CONICET; director Antonio Lagares and co-director Mariano Pistorio.
Selected scientific output
Selected publications associated with the group’s research areas and members. Work predating the reorganisation retains its institutional provenance; each shared publication has one catalogue record.
- Characterization of RcgA and RcgR, two rhizobial proteins involved in the modulation of plasmid transfer
- Comparative genomic analysis of Sinorhizobium meliloti LPU88: plasmid diversity and conjugative mechanisms
- Exploring the Cultivable Fraction of the Bacterial Microbiome from Tomato Plants for Growth-Promoting and Biocontrol Traits Toward Bioinput Development
- Microhabitat Primarily Structures Bacterial Communities, While Management History Shapes Functional Potential in Tomato-Associated Soils
- The Complete Genome of Rhizobium favelukesii LPU83T: Insights into Plastic pSym and Its Symbiotic Incompatibility with a Broad Range of Legume Hosts
Collaborations
Plasmid and symbiosis research maintains scientific links with Bacterial Signal Transduction and Molecular Mechanisms in Bacteria. The presentation includes participation in bioformulation consortium proposals; submission is distinguished from awarded funding.
Capabilities
Comparative genomics, transcriptomics, targeted mutagenesis, plasmid replication and conjugation studies, rhizobial characterisation and experimental evaluation of plant-growth-promoting and biological control bacteria.
Contact
Mariano Pistorio · pistorio@biol.unlp.edu.ar