This research area focuses on the protection, management and conservation of local agrobiodiversity, through genetic traceability, proteomic analysis and chemical characterization of food and nutraceutical resources.
The specific activities of this research sector include:
- Development and validation of molecular tools for authenticity and traceability.
- Genetic and proteomic characterization of plant germplasm.
- Characterization of nutraceutical properties of fresh and processed plant foods.
- Analysis of environmental stresses that affect plant productivity.
- Analysis and creation of databases for native crops.
Research lines
Farming Lab. Management of the hydroponic, aeroponic and Microcosmo labs located at the Santa Chiara Lab. Research projects in this area: (1) Analysis and characterization of drought-tolerant grapevine genotypes (in collaboration with prof. Brancadoro of the University of Milan and prof. Barcaccia of the University of Padua), (2) Analysis of plant thermoregulation and CO2 uptake, (3) Formulation and recycling of organic media for hydroponic systems (in collaboration with prof. Pogni of the Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy), (4) Improvement of ancient varieties grown in soilless environments. https://santachiaralab.unisi.it/it/strutture/farming-lab
FU.S.T.O. Project for the promotion of the "From the Field to the Table" path, an interdisciplinary path of innovation, technology transfer, and orientation to highlight that we start from the soil, arrive at the table, and go beyond, following social and economic perspectives (resources acquired from the Agritech and Metrofood-IT programs). https://santachiaralab.unisi.it/it/fusto-dal-fuori-suolo-alla-tavola-e-oltre
External services
DNA extraction from plant matrices for the genetic traceability of Olea europea L. phenotypes collected in the municipality of Calenzano.
Genetic characterization of the olive biodiversity of Valdambra Valley, supported by the Municipality of Bucine.
Prin 2022: Deciphering global warming effects on reproductive biology of Mediterranean mandarins. Coordinated by the University of Siena, in collaboration with the Universities of Catania (prof. Gentile) and Bologna (prof. Del Duca), the project aims to study the effects of heat stress on the reproductive phases and physiology of Mediterranean mandarins using cytological, molecular and genetic approaches. https://sites.google.com/unisi.it/prin2022si-ct-bo/home-page - https://research.unisi.it/2023/10/13/global_warming/
PNRR Agritech, spoke 9, task 1: Genetic Traceability of the Olive Oil Supply Chain. The project (coordinated by prof. Riccaboni) aims to develop and implement innovative methods to ensure the authenticity, quality and sustainability of olive production using genetic, chemical and biological methods. https://agritechcenter.it/it/
Methods for the agro-organoleptic characterization of the Selva onion and the Macchie potato (Call for Measure 16.2 of the Tuscany Region. M.A.C.O.CI.PAT. project). The project aims at preventing the decline of biodiversity through the promotion of local varieties and the recovery of abandoned agricultural land. In collaboration with CNR-IBE (Dr. Cantini). https://www.farmaremma.it/scheda-progetto-macocipat/
Reduction of spoilage of high-quality Tuscan wines (No-Brett). The project is an initiative of the Region of Tuscany, funded by PSR, carried out in collaboration with CAIM Analysis Center, CNR-IBE, University of Siena and Coldiretti Toscana. It aims to reduce the defects caused by Brettanomyces in quality Tuscan wines (https://www.caimgroup.it/servizi/progetto-nobrett/?form=MG0AV3 ).
DRAGO-TECNOQUALISALUS, part of the D.R.A.G.O. ("Distretto Rurale Agricolo Gastronomico Organizzato delle Colline Metallifere") Supply Chain Project, funded by the Rural Development Plan (RDP) of the Region of Tuscany, aims to innovate the cereal supply chain of the Colline Metallifere by improving the health and organoleptic quality of finished products such as flour, pasta, bread and biscuits. It involves bakeries, the University of Siena, CNR-IBE, farms and the Colline Metallifere National Park. (https://parcocollinemetallifere.it/tecnoqualisalus/?form=MG0AV3 )