2024-09-27 22:00:00
Three Patagonian researchers from the Andean Patagonian Forest Research and Extension Center (Ciefap) have been selected by the Fulbright Scholarship Program in partnership with the Committee on Federal Investments (CFI) to advance research at two U.S. universities .
this is about Maximiliano Rugolo, Carolina Algiano and Lucia Molinafrom the fields of Phytopathology and Applied Microbiology of Ciefap, which operates in Bariloche, El Bolson, Esquel and Ushuaia.
“They are excellent fellowships that allow access to resources such as equipment, laboratories, and interaction with people experienced in the same field of work. In addition, Allow for future collaboration so high-quality research can continue«Researchers commented.
Rugolo, a PhD in biological sciences and Conicet fellow, is an expert on edible mushrooms and will spend his time at MSU.
His research focuses on two edible mushrooms native to Patagonia, the morel and the gargar, which have not yet been successfully grown on a commercial level. Its impact is significant for the region because «“These mushrooms are a valuable natural resource with huge economic and ecological potential.” More efficient culture protocols can be developed to increase yields.
Rugolo’s project aims to learn and perform metagenomics techniques (the study of genetic material) to understand the microorganisms associated with the natural environment of Patagonia’s high-value edible mushrooms. «It involves using metagenomic techniques to identify microbial communities associated with edible fungi. Here we are limited in our development; therefore, thought of going to a place where there are facilities and experience related to cultivating mushrooms Trying to answer questions we couldn’t answer before«Explained Rugolo, who is 36 years old and comes from Lago Puelo.
He believes that through training in cultivation and metagenomics during his stay, he will be able to “analyze and help clarify the requirements needed to successfully cultivate these indigenous fungal species under controlled conditions”.
Photo: Kindness
climate change
Biologist Carolina Arguiano, Ciefap’s Conicet doctoral researcher, has completed three months of study at the University of Michigan. His project simulates the impact of climate change on Patagonia’s Nothofagus (coihue, ñire and lenga) ecosystem.
Through advanced simulations, Aggiano’s team estimated Increased temperatures may lead to significant reductions in ectomycorrhizal fungal diversitywhich will directly affect the Patagonian forest.
Biologist Carolina Arguiano is a Conicet doctoral researcher at Ciefap. Photo: Courtesy
«Take two future scenarios: take mitigation measures, Species diversity will be reduced by 25%, and in the worst case scenario it is expected to be reduced by 28%. If we don’t take urgent measures, wealth will decrease,” the 31-year-old researcher explained.
With this information, he noted, it would be possible to select species that can tolerate increased temperature conditions in order to “grow seedlings, bring them into the forest and adapt to the adverse effects.” “A range of research is needed to open the door to the adaptation measures needed to generate forests,” he warned.
Biologist Carolina Arguiano is a Conicet doctoral researcher at Ciefap. Photo: Courtesy
Lucía Molina, PhD in biological sciences, on the other hand, also completed her studies at the University of Tennessee, where she studied the latest DNA sequencing technologies. The genome of an important indigenous pathogenic fungus affecting native forests and commercially important plantations such as eucalyptus and grapevines has been sequenced.
«In my case, my job is to deal with complex diseases of coihue and lenga in native forests. “They are not killed by a single killer, but by a combination of factors that contribute to tree decline: environmental, fungal, insect and site problems,” he points out.
He commented that genomics and metagenomics provide the tools to understand this phenomenon. “I brought back from the ranch the complete genome of a pathogenic fungus from the Patagonian forest that affects plantations of commercial interest, such as eucalyptus or vines. Information from the complete genome opens up new possibilities field of study,” Molina said.
Lucía Molina, PhD in Biological Sciences, has completed her studies at the University of Tennessee. Photo: Courtesy
The researchers underlined that the American program “aims to promote academic and cultural exchange. In this case, it is designed for scholarship recipients who can propose research projects that meet the strategic needs identified by each province. Chubut Province Attended Ciefap.
I am honored to receive this scholarship as it is very competitive and there are so many applicants. “It’s been really flattering to interact with other researchers from across the United States and around the world.”
Carolina Arguiano, Conicet PhD researcher at Ciefap.
first world resources
Three researchers highlighted the multiple benefits of Fulbright scholarships. On the one hand, it makes collaboration with foreign scholars possible, but in addition, “it provides material and intellectual opportunities”.
“There are the facilities of a world-class laboratory. Here we produce an equivalent product, but with greater effort, ingenuity and limited resources, which requires more of our time,” Molina explains and clarifies He said, “There are some investments that we cannot afford through devalued subsidies.
He gave his own research direction as an example: “Genome Pioneer involves very new DNA sequencing technology. The equipment is five years old and does not exist in our country. “I went to get training in data analysis,” he said.
He defined these technologies as part of the big data revolution of the past decade. “Not only is it a technology that requires training and training in the laboratory, but it is also challenging when dealing with large amounts of data. We need to develop data science in these dimensions, it is inevitable,” he said.
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