We are currently characterizing and analyzing M. truncatula mutants defective in the later stages of nodule organogenesis: rhizobia in the symbiosomes does not undergo into terminal differentiation. In this premature form rhizobia is not able to produce all the machinery which are needed for the reduction of Nitrogen. 

The Medicago truncatula nodule-specific cysteine-rich peptides, NCR343 and NCR-new35 are required for the maintenance of rhizobia in nitrogen-fixing nodules

Loss of the nodule-specific cysteine rich peptide, NCR169, abolishes symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the Medicago truncatula dnf7 mutant

Host-secreted antimicrobial peptide enforces symbiotic selectivity in Medicago truncatula

We are also characterizing and analyzing M. truncatula mutants defective in the earlier or later stages of nodule organogenesis: how the rhizobia and the plant communicate to start the interaction and also what happens if a nodule-specific Vacuolar iron Transporter-Like (VTL) protein is not present in the nodule. Differentiation and nitrogen fixation is strictly regulated processes; any step is failed no functional nodule is formed.

The Medicago truncatula Vacuolar iron Transporter-Like proteins VTL4 and VTL8 deliver iron to symbiotic bacteria at different stages of the infection process

Amino Acid Polymorphisms in the VHIID Conserved Motif of Nodulation Signaling Pathways 2 Distinctly Modulate Symbiotic Signaling and Nodule Morphogenesis in Medicago truncatula

Our research is focusing also on the repression of the immune reaction during nodule formation. 

Suppression of NB-LRR genes by miRNAs promotes nitrogen-fixing nodule development in Medicago truncatula

NAD1 controls defense-like responses in Medicago truncatula symbiotic nitrogen fixing nodules following rhizobial colonization in a BacA-independent manner

Researching new resistance genes in crop plants and cultivated vegetables is always a is always a crucial topic. 

The bs5 allele of the susceptibility gene Bs5 of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) encoding a natural deletion variant of a CYSTM protein conditions resistance to bacterial spot disease caused by Xanthomonas species