Irene had a degree in Biology from the Autonomous University of Madrid in 2017. In 2018, she began a Master's Degree in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology at the Complutense University of Madrid, during which she enjoyed a Collaboration grant from the Ministry of Education and Science in the Department of Microbiology III.
The search for a master's degree project focused on microbial interactions and their biotechnological applications led her to join into Intergenomics Group at IBBTEC, led by Fernando de la Cruz. In this project, she accomplish the methodological optimization of wheat seed endophytic microbiome analysis.
After concluding her Master's degree, Irene begins her doctoral thesis under the supervision of Marta Robledo and Fernando de la Cruz. Her principal aim is expanding knowledge on plasmid metagenomics and its applications in environmental biotechnology.
Environmental microbiomes and RNA biotechnology (EMiR)
Research lines
- Vertically-transmitted core seed endophytes co-evolution mechanisms with their host
- Functional dynamics, genomics, RNomics and structure of the seed symbiotic microbiome.
- Breeding of plant biostimulants based on portable plant growth promoting traits.
- Development of environmental-friendly solutions to prevent or treat the emerging global pest Xylella fastidiosa.
- Application of targeted control methods against bacterial pathogens, particularly within complex native bacterial communities.
Funding
BREED-SAGE. “Bacterial Breeding with Portable Plant Growth Traits for Sustainable Agriculture”. (CPP2022-009595). Public-private collaboration call of the Spanish National Research Plan. Biomar MT-Universidad de Cantabria. 2023-2026. IP: Marta Robledo
Ramón y Cajal research award (2024-2029). Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competence.
Marta Robledo Garrido (emergent PI)
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