Michela Osnato / Ricercatrice Legge 240/10 a tempo determinato

I am a plant biotechnologist with expertise in Developmental Genetics, Functional Genomics and Physiology.

I completed my academic studies at the Università degli Studi di Milano, with a MSc in Plant Biotechnology (Experimental thesis: Physiological and functional analysis of OsMYB4, a rice gene presumably involved in cold acclimation) and a PhD in Plant Biology and crop productivity (experimental thesis: Molecular characterization of putative regulators of Bkn3, a barley homeobox gene involved in meristematic activity).

Since my graduation, I have worked in European institutions investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying plant development and plant adaptation to environmental fluctuations (e.g., ambient temperature, daylength, substrate conditions). Precisely, I have deciphered the function of several transcription factors and elucidated the crosstalk with components of hormone signalling pathways in the control of developmental plasticity. The regulatory genes examined play key roles in keeping the balance between cell proliferation (maintenance of stem cell niche in apical meristems) and cell differentiation (formation of lateral organs such as leaves, inflorescences, flowers) throughout the plant life.

I have carried out my research by undertaking a reverse genetics approach, which relies on the functional characterization of plants mis-expressing the genes under study (overexpression, knock-out, knock-down). Specifically, I have used different biological materials such as: germplasm and mutagenized populations, loss- and gain-of-function mutants generated via genetic transformation (e.g., RNA interference, artificial micro-RNA silencing, epitope-tagging, overexpression, genome editing), higher order mutants obtained by genetic crossing.

To understand the biological roles of selected regulatory genes, I gained expertise in a wide range of molecular and biochemical techniques. Over time, I acquired advanced technical skills in the manipulation of microbial culture, micropropagation and in vitro tissue cultures, production of recombinant proteins, genetic transformation of plant tissues and treatment with different plant growth regulators.

In parallel, I performed plant phenotyping by gathering quantitative data on developmental alterations of the plant life cycle (from seed germination to seed maturation) and qualitative data on morphological alterations of vegetative and reproductive structures. In particular, I have focussed on important agronomic traits related to architecture (e.g., tillering, overall plant growth, inflorescence branching) and yield (e.g., flowering time, gynoecium development, seed formation).

Furthermore, I have evaluated physiological indicators of plant response to abiotic stresses (e.g., changes in ambient temperature, decreasing water availability and increasing soil salinity) to determine damages caused by oxidative stress (Reactive Oxygen Species accumulation and scavenging), alterations in photosynthetic efficiency and Non-Photochemical Quenching. I also monitored the progression of stress-induced senescence and assessed the impact on survival rate.

Beside basic research in model species and cereal crops, I have worked on the applied research project “Hairy but Aromatic plants: a possible solution to improve cancer treatment”. As plant biotechnologist, I have improved protocols for the cultivation, treatment, and in vitro manipulation of selected medicinal plants that produce molecules of pharmaceutical interest - which accumulate mostly at the floral transition. 

I have always contributed to a collaborative atmosphere by stimulating scientific discussion, cooperating with team-members, and establishing partnerships with international research groups.

Evolution of flowering time genes in rice: From the paleolithic to the anthropocene. Osnato M. Plant Cell Environ. 2023 Apr;46(4):1046-1059. doi: 10.1111/pce.14495.

Photoperiod Control of Plant Growth: Flowering Time Genes Beyond Flowering. Osnato M, Cota I, Nebhnani P, Cereijo U, Pelaz S.Front Plant Sci. 2022 Feb 9;12:805635. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.805635.

The floral repressors TEMPRANILLO1 and 2 modulate salt tolerance by regulating hormonal components and photo-protection in Arabidopsis. Osnato M, Cereijo U, Sala J, Matías-Hernández L, Aguilar-Jaramillo AE, Rodríguez-Goberna MR, Riechmann JL, Rodríguez-Concepción M, Pelaz S.Plant J. 2021 Jan;105(1):7-21. doi: 10.1111/tpj.15048. 

Genes of the RAV Family Control Heading Date and Carpel Development in Rice. Osnato M, Matias-Hernandez L, Aguilar-Jaramillo AE, Kater MM, Pelaz S.Plant Physiol. 2020 Aug;183(4):1663-1680. doi: 10.1104/pp.20.00562.