Presentation

In 1999, our team started research on some aspects related to the mechanisms of starch biosynthesis in plants. We soon discovered the fascinating and fruitful world of microbiology and confirmed that, from a metabolic viewpoint, "anything that is true for E. coli must be true for plants".

In the past years we have had the opportunity of collaborating with prestigious foreign researchers who, while on sabbatical leave, have made a substantial contribution to our team's efforts. Mention must be made of the presence of Professor Takashi Akazawa (Isabel la Católica award for his contributions to Science and the development of our Institute), Dr. Ed Etxeberria (University of Florida, U.S.) and Dr. Alejandro Viale (University of Rosario, Argentina), as well as Toshihiro Yagi (JCR Pharmaceuticals, Co. Ltd., Japan), with whom we have maintained a close and very productive collaboration.

Our research in metabolic engineering is centered on mechanisms, both biochemical and molecular, that are implicated in the metabolism of starch in plants and glycogen in bacteria.

Awards:

- Ideactiva Award for the best project involving the transfer of technology in 2005.

- Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science in recognition of the most outstanding paper on horticultural cross-commodity research.

Key words: starch, glycogen, bioethanol, endocytic sucrose uptake, metabolic engineering, carbohydrates, potato, maize, arabidopsis, endocytosis, ADP-glucose, biofuels, energetic crops.