Marta Robledo holds a PhD in Microbiology and Genetics from the University of Salamanca. After completing her postdoctoral research at the Centre for Synthetic Microbiology (Marburg University, Germany) and at the Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC, Granada), she joined the IBBTEC in 2017. Currently, Dr. Robledo leads research and transfer projects thanks to a “Ramón y Cajal” contract.
Her research focuses on the systematic study of bacterial adaptive strategies that enable survival and progression in changing environments, with particular emphasis on bacterial colonization and infection of eukaryotic organisms. Throughout her scientific career, she has uncovered crucial molecular mechanisms in the rhizobia-legume symbiosis, identified non-coding sRNAs that regulate key prokaryotic functions such as the cell cycle, and discovered novel proteins involved in riboregulation, like a single- and doble-stranded nuclease. She also contributed to the development of biopesticides, bioinoculants and a new methodology based on target DNA delivery into specific cells for biotechnological purposes, enabling genetic interventions in complex natural communities. These works have been published in top-ranked journals of the field (PNAS, NAR, mBIO, Plos Genetics…) and she has obtained competitive projects both from private and public founding agencies. In 2022, I received the prestigious “Antonio J. Palomares” Researcher Award from the Spanish Society for Nitrogen fixation for my relevant contributions to the field of beneficial plant-microorganisms.
Her current research lines include the development of targeted control methods against human and plant pathogens such as EHEC and Xylella fastidiosa, particularly within complex bacterial communities, as well as the development of plant biostimulants based on functional dynamics, genomics, RNomics and structure of the seed symbiotic microbiome.
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. IP: Marta Robledo. €311.122
Ramón y Cajal research award. Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competence. €50.000
“Microbiología y Genómica de microorganismos de interés biotecnológico” Research contract (Biomar MT-U. de Cantabria contract). €55.000
Vertical transmission of core endophytes through the seeds
Sanz-Puente I., Redondo-Salvo S., Torres-Cortés G., de Toro M, Fernandes S, Börner S, Lorenzo O, de la Cruz F, Robledo M
bioRxiv 2025.01.06.628327
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A double-negative feedback loop between NtrBC and a small RNA rewires nitrogen metabolism in legume symbionts
García-Tomsig NI, García-Rodriguez FM, Guedes-García SK, Millán V, Becker A, Robledo M, Jiménez-Zurdo JI
mBio. Dec 19; 14(6):e0200323.
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Targeted bacterial conjugation mediated by synthetic cell-to-cell adhesions
Robledo M, Álvarez B, Cuevas A, González S, Ruano-Gallego D, Fernández LA and de la Cruz F
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The noncoding RNA CcnA modulates the master cell cycle regulators CtrA and GcrA in Caulobacter crescentus
Beroual W, Prévost K, Lalaouna D, Ben Zaina N, Valette O, Denis Y, Djendli M, Brasseur G, Brilli M, Robledo Garrido M, Jimenez-Zurdo JI, Massé E, Biondi EG.
PLoS Biol. 2022 Feb 22;20(2):e3001528.
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Pervasive RNA regulation of metabolism enhances the root colonization ability of nitrogen-fixing symbiotic α- rhizobia
García-Tomsig NI, Robledo M, diCenzo GC, Mengoni A, Millán V, Peregrina A, Uceta A, Jiménez-Zurdo JI
mBio 13:e03576-21.
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An sRNA and cold shock protein homolog-based feedforward loop post-transcriptionally controls cell cycle master regulator CtrA
Robledo M, Schlüter JP, Loehr LO, Linne U, Albaum SP, Jiménez-Zurdo JI, Becker A.
Front Microbiol. 2018 Apr 24:9:763.
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A conserved α-proteobacterial small RNA contributes to osmoadaptation and symbiotic efficiency of rhizobia on legume roots
Robledo M, Peregrina A, Millán V, García-Tomsig NI, Torres-Quesada O, Mateos PF, Becker A, Jiménez-Zurdo JI
Environ Microbiol. 2017 Jul;19(7):2661-2680.
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