Maria Carlota Vaz Patto Lab

	At the PlantX Lab we unveil the genetic and genomic basis of plant Complex traits, such as nutritional or organoleptic quality or biotic/abiotic stress resistance, using different statistical genetic and genomic approaches.
	Maria Carlota Vaz Patto PhD 2001, Wagenigen University, The Netherlands Phone (+351) 214469631 | Extension 1631 cpatto@itqb.unl.pt

Research Interests

The Genetics and Genomics of Plant Complex Traits (PlantX) Laboratory develops research on molecular quantitative genetics applied to plant breeding. We want to identify genes controlling complex interesting traits, such as end-user quality (nutritional/health beneficial, organoleptic, processing), resistance to biotic (fungal diseases) and abiotic (drought) stresses on cereals and legumes (maize, common bean and grass pea) of national interest. This will allow us to develop control models, scientific methods and molecular tools to assist quality and resistance precision breeding programs.

We make use of different statistical genomics approaches, such as Linkage analysis, Genome-Wide Association and Genetical-Genomics, based on extensive DNA marker fingerprinting, transcriptional profiling and quantitative traits phenotyping.
Overall we are interested in exploiting the potential of national underused plant germplasm as source of interesting breeding traits and contribute indirectly to enhance its cultivation, increasing national food security and sustainability of agricultural systems.

Group Members

• Susana Leitão, Post-Doc
• Mara Alves, Invited Researcher
• Rita Maravilha Marques, PhD Student
• Matilde Sanches, PhD Student
• Sara Rodriguez-Mena, joint PhD Student from IAS-CSIC
• Francisco Mendes, PhD Student
• Guilherme Leitão, PhD Student
• Maria Mina, Field Research Technician
• Isabel Godoy, Research Fellow
• Lou Quadrio, Research Fellow
• Moses Taiwo, MSc Student

Selected Publications

1. Sanches M, Vuylsteke M, Santos C, Mhamdi A, Araújo S, Van Breusegem F, Vaz Patto MC (2026) Integrating natural variation through GWAS – genetics of drought and flood tolerance in grass pea reveal independent yet interconnected mechanisms. BMC Plant Biology 26:442. DOI: 10.1186/s12870-026-08229-y.

2. Rodriguez-Mena S, Vaz Patto MC, Leitão ST, Rubiales D, González M (2025) Identification of genomic regions associated with partial resistance to aphanomyces root rot in pea. Plant Genome 18:e70164. DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.70164.

3. Gonçalves L, Bento-Silva A, Bronze MR, Rubiales D, Vaz Patto MC (2025) Lathyrus cicera x Lathyrus sativus interspecific hybrids: a way forward to quality and agronomic beneficial traits combination? Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 23: 102210. DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102210.

4. Martins DC, Mendes F, Araújo SS, Rubiales D, Vaz Patto MC (2025) Differential regulation of antioxidant machinery on grass pea partial resistance against powdery mildew and rust pathogens. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 138: 102717. DOI:10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102717.

5. Maravilha RM, Fernandes T, Barros P, Leitão ST, Rubiales D, Vaz Patto MC, Santos C (2025) A dual transcriptome analysis reveals accession-specific resistance responses in Lathyrus sativus against Erysiphe pisi. Frontiers in Plant Science 16: 1542926. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1542926.

Laboratory's Website

For further information visit the laboratory's website.

Genética e Genómica das Características Complexas de Plantas (PT)

No grupo de Genética e Genómica das Características Complexas de Plantas (PlantX) desenvolvemos investigação na área da genética quantitativa molecular aplicada ao melhoramento de plantas. O nosso principal interesse é a identificação dos genes que controlam características complexas relevantes como a qualidade para o consumidor (nutricional, organolética, de processamento) e a resistência a estresses bióticos (doenças causadas por fungos) e abióticos (tolerância à seca) em cereais e leguminosas de interesse nacional (milho, feijão e chícharo). Com base nesta informação, desenvolvemos modelos de controlo, métodos científicos e ferramentas moleculares para apoiar programas de melhoramento de plantas de precisão.

Utilizamos diferentes abordagens de genómica estatística como ligamento genético, Genome-Wide Association e Genetical-Genomics, baseados numa extensiva genotipagem por marcadores moleculares, análise de perfis transcriptómicos e fenotipagem de características quantitativas.

No cômputo geral, estamos interessados em explorar o potencial do germoplasma nacional como fonte de características interessantes para o melhoramento de plantas e contribuir indiretamente para aumentar o seu cultivo, a segurança alimentar e a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas nacionais.

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