BBuji

The Biochemistry and Biotechnology group began in 1993. Since it was set up this group has been working on the development of alternative methods to the use of pesticides and chemical inputs through the use of new resistance-inducing compounds as well as on the study of nitrogen metabolism. Over the last 20 years the research of the group has focused on the development of inducer molecules that help the plant to better adapt to biotic or abiotic stress, obtaining as a result the identification of hexanoic acid. The use of this natural compound as a defence inducer in plants as well as its use as a natural fungicide in agriculture has been patented. In addition, the group has continued to work on the search for and characterisation of new mechanisms for inducing resistance in plants, such as the application of 1-methyl tryptophan or nitrogen fertilisation, which has shown promising results in terms of inducing resistance against biotic stresses. In order to find new methods to improve plant resistance, the study of the plant phytobiome is one of the most promising fields. Our goal is to find new fungal endophytes compatible with commercial crops that could improve plant performance in the field. Another new line of research focuses on developing antimicrobial treatments using natural compounds from plant extracts for application against pathogens of clinical interest. Likewise, we also aim to test and validate the anti-tumour effect of these compounds in human cells.