ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF POPLAR DEVELOPMENT

Group leader: Isabel Allona Alberich - Professor
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  910679172 (Office 157 )   910679120 (Lab 135)

 

Group leader: Mariano Perales - Assistant Professor
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  910679193 (Office 157 )   910679120 (Lab 135)

 

 

Personnel:

 

Isabel Allona

Orcid:0000-0002-7012-2850

Scopus: 6601911052


Mariano Perales

Orcid:0000-0002-7351-8439\

Scopus: 8622144900


Daniel Conde

Orcid:0000-0001-8362-4190
Scopus: 55455766600 

 

Phenology of temperate woody perennials is determined by the environment. Long days and warm temperatures promote growth. Day shortening and a drop of temperatures induce dormancy, but once established, growth cannot resume until a minimal requirement of cold hours has been satisfied. Moreover, tree acclimation to seasons involves the activation of adaptative mechanism related to plant stress tolerance. Understanding woody perennials response to the environment will contribute with an efficient vegetative and reproductive tree growth, reduce economic costs in tree management, and improve productivity, adaptation and geographical distribution.

 

Poplar is regarded as a model temperate tree species in forest genetics, genomics, physiology and phytoremediation. Poplar (Populus spp.) is a genus of fast growing trees with economic importance for biomass production worldwide. We aim to understand fundamental mechanisms determining environmental control of poplar development for engineering the best climate-smart genetic material to develop plus trees. To achieve that, we are investigating the following processes:

 

 

PHOTOPERIODISM and LIGHT SIGNALING

Hypothesis: “Periodic genes are the first layer of environmental surveillance that guides plant developmental transitions, growth dynamics, periodic physiology and stress responses”


Our Approach: We investigate the function and molecular mechanism of periodic genes (diurnal and circadian) in poplar tree model. We apply genetics (CRISPR/Cas9), genomics, molecular and cell biology tools, and computational modeling in collaboration with Dr. K. Wabnik laboratory (CBGP, UPM-INIA/CSIC). We focus on poplar homologs to Arabidopsis genes with roles in:

 

  1. Flowering time regulators
  2. Circadian clock regulators
  3. Light signaling mediators

 

 

 

TERMORESPONSE and DORMANCY REGULATION

Hypothesis: “It is possible to bioengineer or biostimulate seasonal dormancy break and flowering in perennials”

 

Our Approach: We look for seasonal regulators and metabolites that promote shoot apical meristem growth reactivation. We focus on thermoresponsive genes, proteins, and metabolites obtained through:

 

  1. Transcriptomic and methylome studies
  2. Proteomic studies
  3. Non targeted metabolomic studies
  4. Chemical screening
  5. Plant phenological and biostimulation assays

 

 

 

POPLAR TREES FOR ZEROPOLLUTION

Hypothesis: “Stress related transcription factors can improve poplar heavy metals phytoextraction from polluted soil”

 

Our Approach: We investigate the phytoextraction potential of poplar overexpressing and knock out lines of stress-related transcription factors. Physiology and genomic of heavy metal accumulation are investigated to understand and improve poplar phytoextraction molecular mechanism. This project is developed in collaboration Dr. Michel Chalot laboratory (UBFC, France) and the bioremediation experts Horizon BIOSYSMO consortium.

 

 

 

 

UNDERSTANDING SECONDARY VASCULAR AND STOMATAL DEVELOPMENTAL PLASTICITY UNDER SEVERE DROUGHT

Hypothesis: “It is possible to bioengineer drought tolerant poplars by manipulating shoot vascular and stomatal development ”


Our Approach: We are implementing scRNA-Seq to identify unique cell types, states, and responses on a single- cell level of poplar under well irrigated and severe drought conditions. Using snRNA-seq pipeline, we will define complex regulatory networks that change in response to stress, providing a map to uncover critical mechanisms of cell specific drought stress tolerance in trees.  This work is conducted by Dr. Daniel Conde junior leader La Caixa in CBGP (https://www.cbgp.upm.es/index.php/es/?option=com_content&view=article&id=945) and Dr. Matias Kirst laboratory UF, USA

 

 

SHOOT-ROOT SIGNALING

Hypothesis: “Light signaling modulate development of the root system, its function and response to drought”

 

Our Approach: We investigate the effect of the light quality and/or quantity signaling on poplar root system development using root clock luciferase reporter lines. We take advantage of CRISPR mutants of shoot light signaling regulators created in our laboratory to explore the effect on light quality and quantity on root development and function in collaboration with Dr. Moreno-Risueño laboratory (CBGP, UPM-INIA/CSIC).

 

 

FUNDING BY:

FRUITFLOW: Predicting and tuning seasonal responses of apple and peach to improve orchard yield and climate change resilience to Mariano Perales. 2021-2024.   ERANET Suscrop 2.


                                 

Identifying the molecular regulatory mechanisms of stem cell differentiation during the formation of new organs in trees, by applying single-cell transcriptomics to Daniel Conde. 2023-2026. La Caixa Junior Leader Fellowship Incoming.


 

MoReGrow: Molecular bases of poplar response to environmental cues and abiotic stresses for maximizing plant growth to Mariano Perales e Isabel Allona. 2022-2025. Proyectos I+D+i -Modalidades «Retos Investigación» y «Generación de Conocimiento». Proyecto PID2021-123060OB-I00 financiado por MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033/ y por FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa.


 

BIOSYSMO:Bioremediation Systems Exploiting Synergies for Improved Removal of Mixed Pollutants to Isabel Allona. 2022-2026. Funded by the European Union under the GA no 101060211.


 

PLANTG_05_ROOTCLOCK. UNDERSTANDING ROOT CLOCK FUNCTION TO GENERATE NEW BREEDING TRAITS FOR MORE YIELD AND RESILIENCE: TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. Reference: Mission Funding Agency: SEVERO OCHOA for CBGP2022-2025. PI: Moreno-Risueño CoIP: Wabnik, Medina, Perales, Allona, Del Pozo, Jimenez-Gómez. SO- CEX2020-000999-S-21-1.


R-C BOOSTS CDR: Secuestro del dióxido de carbono atmosférico en raíces de chopo empleando el reloj de la raíz y aumento del contenido de metabolitos de baja degradación. TED2021-129530B-I00


 

 


Representative Publications

Gómez-Soto, D., Triozzi, P.M., Conde, D., del Barrio, C., Allona, I. ✉, Perales, M. ✉ 2025. Overexpression of Tempranillo-Like Proteins Promotes Dormancy Release in Poplar. Plant, Cell & Environment. DOI: 10.1111/pce.70182

Gómez-Soto, D., Pereira, W.J., Piedrabuena-Díaz, A., Dervinis, C., Kirst, M., Allona, I., Perales, M., Conde, D. 2025. Single-nucleus transcriptomics revealed auxin-driven mechanisms of wood plasticity to enhance severe drought tolerance in poplar. Genome Biology 26, 312. DOI: 10.1186/s13059-025-03794-1

Ding, J., Wang, K., Pandey, S., Perales, M., Allona, I., Khan, M.R.I., Busov, V.B., Bhalerao, R.P. 2024. Molecular Advances of Bud Dormancy in Trees. Journal of Experimental Botany erae183. DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae183

Triozzi, P.M., Brunello, L., Novi, G., Ferri, G., Cardarelli, F., Loreti, E., Perales, M., Perata, P. 2024. Spatiotemporal oxygen dynamics in young leaves reveal cyclic hypoxia in plants. Molecular Plant 17, 377–394. DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.01.006

Alique, D., D., Redondo López, A., González Schain N., ,Allona, I., Wabnik, K., Perales, M. 2024. Core clock genes adjust growth cessation time to day-night switches in poplar. Nature Communications 15, 1784. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46081-6

Perez-Garcia, P., Pucciariello, O., Sanchez-Corrionero, A., Cabrera, J., del Barrio, C., Del Pozo, J.C., Perales, M., Wabnik, K., Moreno-Risueno, M.A. 2023. The cold-induced factor CBF3 mediates root stem cell activity, regeneration and developmental responses to cold. Plant Communications 100737. DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100737

Sreedasyam, A., Plott, C., Hossain, M.S., Lovell, J.T., Grimwood, J., Jenkins, J.W., Daum, C., Barry, K., Carlson, J., Shu, S., Phillips, J., Amirebrahimi, M., Zane, M., Wang, M., Goodstein, D., Haas, F.B., Hiss, M., Perroud, P.-F., Jawdy, S.S., Yang, Y., Hu, R., Johnson, J., Kropat, J., Gallaher, S.D., Lipzen, A., Shakirov, E.V., Weng, X., Torres-Jerez, I., Weers, B., Conde, D., Pappas, M.R., Liu, L., Muchlinski, A., Jiang, H., Shyu, C., Huang, P., Sebastian, J., Laiben, C., Medlin, A., Carey, S., Carrell, A.A., Chen, J.-G., Perales, M., Swaminathan, K., Allona, I., Grattapaglia, D., Cooper, E.A., Tholl, D., Vogel, J.P., Weston, D.J., Yang, X., Brutnell, T.P., Kellogg, E.A., Baxter, I., Udvardi, M., Tang, Y., Mockler, T.C., Juenger, T.E., Mullet, J., Rensing, S.A., Tuskan, G.A., Merchant, S.S., Stacey, G., Schmutz, J. 2023. JGI Plant Gene Atlas: an updateable transcriptome resource to improve functional gene descriptions across the plant kingdom. Nucleic Acids Research 51, 8383–8401. DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad616

Vigneaud, J., Kohler, A., Sow, M.D., Delaunay, A., Fauchery, L., Guinet, F., Daviaud, C., Barry, K.W., Keymanesh, K., Johnson, J., Singan, V., Grigoriev, I., Fichot, R., Conde, D., Perales, M., Tost, J., Martin, F.M., Allona, I., Strauss, S.H., Veneault-Fourrey, C., Maury, S. 2023. DNA hypomethylation of the host tree impairs interaction with mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungus. New Phytologist. DOI: 10.1111/nph.18734

Gómez-Soto, D., Allona, I., Perales, M. 2022. FLOWERING LOCUS T2 Promotes Shoot Apex Development and Restricts Internode Elongation via the 13-Hydroxylation Gibberellin Biosynthesis Pathway in Poplar. Frontiers in Plant Science 12. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.814195

Gómez-Soto, D., Ramos-Sánchez, J.M., Alique, D., Conde, D., Triozzi, P.M., Perales, M., Allona, I. 2021. Overexpression of a SOC1-Related Gene Promotes Bud Break in Ecodormant Poplars. Frontiers in Plant Science 12. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.670497

Allona, I., Kirst, M., Boerjan, W., Strauss, S., Sederof, R. (Eds.) 2019. Forest Genomics and Biotechnology. Frontiers in Plant Science. DOI: 10.3389/978-2-88963-178-0

Ramos-Sánchez, J.M., Triozzi, P.M., Alique, D., Geng, F., Gao, M., Jaeger, K.E., Wigge, P.A., Allona, I., Perales, M. 2019. LHY2 Integrates Night-Length Information to Determine Timing of Poplar Photoperiodic Growth. Current Biology. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.06.003

Conde, D., Perales, M., Sreedasyam, A., Tuskan, G.A., Lloret, A., Badenes, M.L., González-Melendi, P., Ríos, G., Allona, I. 2019. Engineering Tree Seasonal Cycles of Growth Through Chromatin Modification. Frontiers in Plant Science 10. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00412