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CECCHINI, Nicolas
,

CECCHINI, Nicolas

Assistant Researcher CONICET
Phone: +54 351 5353855 x 3422
E-Mail: ncecchini@unc.edu.ar

Research Topic

Priming of defenses against pathogens in Arabidopsis. Epigenetic factors and re/localization of defense proteins associated with its induction

Priming is a plant defense program based on an immune memory that allows the plant to anticipate new infections. Taking into account that two important factors involved in this program are changes in chromatin state and (re)localization of defense proteins, my research focuses on: 1- To determine the role of particular chromatin remodeling complexes and its target genes that promote the induction and/or maintenance of priming and defense against pathogens. 2- Evaluate whether the (re)localization of R proteins and other defense components in plastids and mitochondria affect the establishment of priming.

Selected publications

  • Cecchini NM, Steffes K, Schläppi MR, Gifford A, Greenberg JT. “Arabidopsis AZI1-family proteins mediate signal mobilization for systemic defence priming”. Nature Communications 6, Article number: 7658, doi:10.1038/ncomms8658.
  • Cecchini NM *, HW Jung *, Engle NL, Tschaplinski TJ, Greenberg JT. “ALD1 regulates basal immune components and early inducible defense responses in Arabidopsis”. Mol Plant Microbe Interact. 2015 Apr;28(4):455-66. *first co-authors.
  • Kang Y *, Jelenska J *, Cecchini NM, Li Y, Lee MW, Kovar DR, Greenberg JT. “HopW1 from Pseudomonas syringae Disrupts the Actin Cytoskeleton to Promote Virulence in Arabidopsis”. PLoS Pathog. 2014 Jun 26;10(6):e1004232. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004232. *first co-authors.
  • Cecchini NM, Monteoliva Álvarez MI and ME. “Proline dehydrogenase contributes to pathogen defence in Arabidopsis”. Plant Physiology 55:1947-5.
  • Cecchini NM, Monteoliva M, White F, Holuigue L and ME Alvarez. “Features of basal and race-specific defense of photosynthetic Arabidopsis thaliana suspension cultured cells”. Mol Plant Pathol. 10: 305-10.

(More publications-CONICET)

Brief CV

Academic Formation

  • 2011-2016 Postdoctoral Scholar. Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago. Research Project: “Priming in Arabidopsis Systemic Acquired Resistance”.
  • 2010 Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences. Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba. Córdoba, Argentina. Research Project: “L-proline metabolism and defense responses to pathogens in Arabidopsis”.
  • 2002 Biologist (five years career, MSc equivalent). School of Biology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina. Grade-thesis Project: “Karyotypic study of wild peppers” .

Research Background

  • 2016-present Research Associate (Research Associate, Code-UNC). Center for Research in Biological Chemistry Córdoba (CIQUIBIC), (CONICET – UNC). CCT CONICET – CORDOBA, Argentina.
  • 2011-2016 Postdoctoral Scholar. Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago. Research Project: “Priming in Arabidopsis Systemic Acquired Resistance”. Advisor: Dr. Jean T. Greenberg.
  • 2010-2011 Professor’s assistant position, Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba. Córdoba, Argentina. Research Project: “L-proline metabolism and defense responses to pathogens in Arabidopsis”.
  • 2004-2010 PhD Student. CIQUIBIC-CONICET, Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of, Córdoba. Córdoba, Argentina. Supervisor: Dr. Mary E. M. Elena Alvarez.
  • 2006/2007 Short-term training in Dr. Maria Loreto Holuigue laboratory. Joint Project financed by Chile and Argentina Research Councils (CONICET-CONICYT). Research Project: “Defense reaction to infection by pathogens in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana”.
  • 2003 Short-term training during the posgrade course “Bases in Biotechnology”. Research Project: “Study of Type IV transport systems and bacA gene of Mesorhizobium loti”. IIB-INTECH, National University of General San Martín, Argentina. Supervisor: Dr. Viviana C. gluten.
  • 2000-2002 Undergraduate research assistant. Laboratory of Genetics. School of Biology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina. Research Project: “Karyotypic characterization of some South American Solanaceae, with emphasis on the peppers”. Supervisor: Dr. Eduardo A. Moscone.

Teaching Background

  • 2011-2016 Research mentor of undergraduate and high school students at Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago.
  • 2003-2010 Professor’s assistant, Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba. Córdoba, Argentina. Disciplines: Plant Biotechnology (laboratory course), Molecular and Cellular Biology (Plant Cytogenetics and Photosynthesis laboratory courses).
  • 2008-2010: Lecturer in Plant Hormones Biotechnology.
  • 2000-2002 Undergraduate teaching assistant. Department of Genetics, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina. Discipline: General Genetics (laboratory course).
  • 1998 Undergraduate teaching assistant. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina. Discipline: General Chemistry (laboratory course).