We study microorganisms and biomolecules to explore new applications in biotechnology, health and agriculture.
At the Molecular Microbiology Laboratory of the Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, we study microorganisms, enzymes and other biomolecules to understand their functions and explore applications in biotechnology, health and agriculture. We combine experimental microbiology, molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics and protein engineering. Our research spans biocatalysis and biomolecule production, the search for antimicrobial compounds and peptides, and interactions between microorganisms and plants. We integrate research with undergraduate and graduate training, involving teams from different disciplines and institutions.
01Principal investigator (PI)
Associate Professor · Grade 4 · Full-time dedication
Biocatalysis and metabolic engineering
She studies the use of enzymes to synthesize bioactive molecules and the development of microorganisms that produce biomolecules. Her research combines biocatalysis, metabolic engineering and yeast expression platforms.
02Principal investigator (PI)
Assistant Professor · Grade 3 · Full-time dedication
Plant pathogens and biological inputs
She studies plant-pathogenic bacteria, their interactions with plants and strategies for disease management. Her work combines epidemiology, molecular diagnostics, genomics and microbiome research with the development of biological inputs for plant health.
A shared commitment to research across areas and disciplines.
03Teaching and research assistant · Grade 2 · Full-time dedication
Antimicrobial peptides
She studies antimicrobial peptides from native plants and actinobacteria, combining recombinant production, functional characterization and the study of mechanisms of action, with potential applications in microbial control and infection diagnosis.
04Teaching and research assistant · Grade 2 · Full-time dedication
Mineral nutrition and plant resistance
She studies how environmental factors and mineral nutrition influence plant resistance and disease. Her research examines their effects on bacterial virulence, colonization, microbiomes and the molecular responses of the organisms involved.
05Teaching and research assistant · Grade 2 · Full-time dedication
Genome mining and biocatalysis
He investigates the biosynthetic diversity of actinobacteria from extreme environments through genome and metagenome mining. His work seeks to identify biosynthetic pathways and candidate enzymes for developing bioactive compounds and biotechnologically relevant transformations. He co-leads the biocatalysis for bioactive molecules research area with Sonia Rodríguez Giordano and participates in bioinformatics and biocatalyst design.
06Teaching and research assistant · Grade 2 · Full-time dedication
Bioinformatics and protein design
She studies enzyme and protein design and optimization using bioinformatics and artificial intelligence, combined with experimental validation. Applications include biocatalysts for drug and radiotracer synthesis, and proteins that bind to microorganisms.
From microbial diversity to protein design and plant health.
Research leadsSonia Rodríguez Giordano and César Iglesias
We identify and develop biocatalysts through microbial isolation, genome mining and enzyme engineering. We apply them to selective synthesis routes for molecules of pharmaceutical interest and to radiotracer preparation, in collaboration with CUDIM.
Sonia Rodríguez Giordano (Lead), César Iglesias (Lead), Paola Panizza, Paula Rodríguez, Gonzalo López
Research leadSonia Rodríguez Giordano
We develop microorganisms that produce molecules of industrial and biomedical interest by modifying their metabolism. We work with yeast platforms, glycoengineering strategies and gene regulation through CRISPR and CRISPRi to study and modify biomolecule production and glycosylation.
Sonia Rodríguez Giordano (Lead), Emiliana Botto, Julieta Garcé
Research leadMaría Inés Siri
We study bacteria that cause disease in agricultural crops. We integrate epidemiology, molecular diagnostics, genomics, and analyses of virulence and plant defence to understand these interactions and contribute to disease management and breeding for resistance.
María Inés Siri (Lead), Virginia Ferreira, Felipe Clavijo, Stefanie De Armas, Lucía Coimbra, Nicol Denis, Andrés Costa, Camila Raimonda
Research leadMaría Inés Siri
We investigate microorganisms and biological resources with potential to improve plant health. We study plant growth-promoting bacteria, bacteriophages and plant-associated microbiomes to identify mechanisms and resources for biological control and the development of biological inputs.
María Inés Siri (Lead), Virginia Ferreira, Felipe Clavijo, Stefanie De Armas, Lucía Coimbra, Nicol Denis, Andrés Costa, Camila Raimonda
Research leadPaola Panizza
We design and optimize enzymes and other proteins using bioinformatics tools and artificial intelligence models, followed by experimental evaluation. We explore applications in drug synthesis and PET radiotracers, as well as miniproteins that bind to microorganisms for detection and potential therapeutic strategies.
Paola Panizza (Lead), César Iglesias, Gonzalo López, Paris Mage Teliz, Quirella Martinez, Pablo Dans, Sonia Rodríguez
Research leadCésar Iglesias
We explore genomes and metagenomes to identify biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and prioritize candidates for experimental characterization. We seek metabolites with potential bioactivity and enzymes that transform tryptophan-derived compounds, including halogenases, imine reductases and N-methyltransferases.
César Iglesias (Lead), Mariana Barraco Vega, Florencia Cavallaro, Sofia Zeballos, Sonia Rodríguez Giordano, María Inés Siri, Fiorella Ríos
Research leadMariana Barraco Vega
We identify, produce and characterize antimicrobial peptides, including defensins from native plants and peptides from Antarctic actinobacteria. We study their activity and mechanisms of action against microorganisms of clinical, agricultural and food-related interest, and explore variants for infection diagnosis through molecular imaging.
Mariana Barraco Vega (Lead), Gianna Cecchetto, Gabriela da Rosa, Roberto Castro Rosas, María Fernanda Ramos, Constanza Ceretta, Paul Strauch, María Inés Siri
Research leadVirginia Ferreira
We study how calcium and other mineral elements modulate plant–pathogen interactions. We analyse their effects on plant resistance, bacterial colonization and virulence, the microbiome and gene expression to inform sustainable disease management.
Virginia Ferreira (Lead), Camila Raimonda, Estefani Reyes, Agostina Galliazzi, María Inés Siri
Research brings together academic staff, graduate students and research assistants.
Ten papers from across our research areas, listed from newest to oldest.
Shin, G. Y., et al. · Microbial Genomics, 12(2), 001624
Lapaz, M. I., et al. · Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 142, 103072
Umpiérrez Puchalvert, D., et al. · Process Biochemistry, 149, 137–143
Clavijo, F., et al. · Phytopathology, 115(9), 1097–1108
Osorio, J., et al. · Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 104(1), e14578
Ferreira, M. V., et al. · Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 90(5), e00242-24
Barraco-Vega, M., et al. · PLOS ONE, 19(10), e0313174
Villamil, V., et al. · ACS Omega, 8(45), 42114–42125
Moraes, M. I., et al. · Results in Chemistry, 5, 100760
Iglesias, C., et al. · Frontiers in Catalysis, 1, 785963
For enquiries about collaborations or research training, please contact the investigator leading the research area that interests you.
