My research interest is currently focused on the study of epigenomic plasticity in Vitis vinifera. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of Genotype per Environment (GxE) interactions in order to explore the transcriptome and epigenome plasticity of the same grapevine variety cultivated in different Italian wine production areas. In this contest, the induction of somatic embryogenesis in vitro will be used as tool for maximizing the potential of a single genotype to express its phenotypic plasticity. Indeed, it is well known that the somatic embryogenesis process can be a source of genetic variation with potential applications in plant breeding. The results of this project will help to identify new molecular markers specifically affecting the grapevine physiological status under diverse growing conditions. The project has been carried on together with the University of Verona and the University of Udine.

During my PhD and the following postdoc period at University of Torino I worked on the aquaporin-mediated water transport in grapevine, with particular attention to molecular and physiological aspects related to drought stress. Recently, I have worked as postdoc at the Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC) in Sweden in the frame of the UPRA International Program “European Open Laboratories”, funded by the Kempe Foundation. My research has been addressed to the molecular characterization of adventitious rooting process in poplar and it has been carried out both at the UPSC (Catherine Bellini’s group) and at the INRA of Nancy (F) (Valérie Legué and Francis Martin’s group).