Catalina Pislariu

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Catalina Pislariu

Catalina Pislariu

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Biography

Texas A&M International University - Biology

Assistant Professor at Texas Woman's University
Higher Education
Catalina
Pislariu
Denton, Texas
I am a highly experienced Research Scientist with expertise in the areas of plant molecular biology, plant-microbe interactions, and natural products research. I have strong background in functional genomics, gene discovery and characterization, phenotyping, genotyping, microscopy, chromatography, cell biology, and a good understanding of systems biology.

My research is on the symbiosis between the model legume Medicago truncatula and its nitrogen-fixing symbiont, Sinorhizobium meliloti. I am interested to expand my current focus to identify new genetic factors controlling symbiosis vs. pathogenesis, the genomic basis of host-strain specificity, nitrogen fixation efficiency, and plant growth under environmental stress. Furthermore, I seek to apply my knowledge in the phytochemistry of biologically-active plant extracts and compounds towards identifying new plant-derived pest control agents. The ultimate goal of my research is to improve crop production using low input agricultural practices.

Experience

  • University of North Texas

    Graduate Research Assistant

    Catalina worked at University of North Texas as a Graduate Research Assistant

  • University of North Texas

    Postdoctoral Research Associate

    Supervisor: Prof. Rebecca Dickstein
    Significant achievements:
    - Map-based cloning and functional characterization of the Medicago high-affinity nitrate transporter NIP/LATD, which is essential for integrating nutrient and hormone signaling with lateral root growth and nodule development (see publication list)
    - Functional characterization of the Medicago nodule-specific esterase, ENOD8 (see publication list)
    - Mentored undergraduate and graduate students

  • Noble Foundation

    Postdoctoral Fellow

    Supervisor: Prof. Michael Udvardi
    SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS:
    - Led a coordinated international effort to establish a collection of 179 tobacco retrotransposon (Tnt1)-insertion Medicago mutants with defects in nodule development and symbiotic nitrogen fixation (see publication list). This is the largest DNA-insertion symbiotic mutant collection in legumes.
    - Cloning and functional characterization of novel symbiotic genes by forward and reverse genetics approaches, using the Tnt1-insertion mutant collection. One of these genes encodes a nodule-specific PLAT domain protein which is critical for the stability of symbiosome membranes surrounding endocytosed rhizobia (manuscript in preparation).
    - Took the initiative to generate a spatially-resolved transcriptome of five dissected nodule zones. Co-expression Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) revealed developmental segregation of nodule-specific/enhanced transcripts (one manuscript under review, another one in preparation).
    - Optimized procedures to observe bacteria, gene expression, phenolic compounds, and protein fusions inside root and nodule tissue using bright field and confocal microscopy. Highly recognized microscopy skills within the legume research community.
    - Demonstrated versatility by collaborating with other scientists in projects outside the plant-microbe interaction area of expertise (see publications on the STAY-GREEN gene and on lignin modification)
    - Mentored high-school and undergraduate students, including a Noble Summer Scholar.

    LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
    - Postdoctoral representative-elect
    - Grant review panel expert - USDA/NIFA
    - Ad-hoc grant reviewer - NSF
    - Manuscript reviewer - The Plant Journal

    MEDIA COVERAGE
    Dixon, A. (2010). “A summer like no other”, Legacy Magazine pg. 27-29 (http://www.noble.org/Global/news/legacy/fall2010/Legacy_Fall10.pdf)
    Yancey, A. (2012). “Plant signaling”, The North Texan, pg. 32-35
    (http://northtexan.unt.edu/content/plant-signaling)

  • Noble Foundation

    Research Scientist

    - Grant review panel expert - USDA/NIFA

  • Texas Woman's University

    Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Taught Botany (2 regular semesters) and Ecology (1 regular semester) laboratory courses

  • Texas Woman's University

    Assistant Professor

    Catalina worked at Texas Woman's University as a Assistant Professor

  • Texas A&M International University

    Assistant Professor

    Catalina worked at Texas A&M International University as a Assistant Professor

Education

  • Ghent University

    Master of Science (M.S.)

    Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmacognosy
    Supervisor: Prof. Denis De Keukeleire M.S. research: Phytochemical analysis of flavonoids and alkaloids from the Madagascar native medicinal plant, Kalanchoe daigremontiana.

  • Texas Woman's University

    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) student - trasfered to UNT after 3 semesters

    Molecular Biology
    Supervisor: Dr. Camelia Maier Phytoestrogens from Maclura pomifera

  • Texas Woman's University

    Graduate Teaching Assistant


    Taught Botany (2 regular semesters) and Ecology (1 regular semester) laboratory courses

  • Texas Woman's University

    Assistant Professor



  • University of North Texas

    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

    Molecular Biology
    Supervisor: Prof. Rebecca Dickstein Ph.D. research: Cloning and characterization of a novel symbiotic gene, INCOMPLETE ROOT HAIR ELONGATION (IRE), in the model legume Medicago truncatula. The MtIRE gene, encoding an AGC kinase, was found to be a useful expression marker for the proximal part of the root nodule invasion zone.

  • Departmental Chair Award


    Outstanding Graduate Student Award ($1,000)

  • B. Craig Raupe Memorial Scholarship


    Travel award to participate at the Model Legume Congress, Pacific Grove, CA

  • University of North Texas

    Graduate Research Assistant



  • University of North Texas

    Postdoctoral Research Associate


    Supervisor: Prof. Rebecca Dickstein Significant achievements: - Map-based cloning and functional characterization of the Medicago high-affinity nitrate transporter NIP/LATD, which is essential for integrating nutrient and hormone signaling with lateral root growth and nodule development (see publication list) - Functional characterization of the Medicago nodule-specific esterase, ENOD8 (see publication list) - Mentored undergraduate and graduate students

Publications

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • From Model to Crop: Functional Analysis of a STAY-GREEN Gene in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Effective Use of the Gene for Alfalfa (M. sativa) Improvement

    Plant Physiology

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • From Model to Crop: Functional Analysis of a STAY-GREEN Gene in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Effective Use of the Gene for Alfalfa (M. sativa) Improvement

    Plant Physiology

  • Tobacco retrotransposon (Tnt1)-insertion mutagenesis in Medicago as a tool for genetic dissection of symbiosis in legumes (Chapter 97)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 2/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • From Model to Crop: Functional Analysis of a STAY-GREEN Gene in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Effective Use of the Gene for Alfalfa (M. sativa) Improvement

    Plant Physiology

  • Tobacco retrotransposon (Tnt1)-insertion mutagenesis in Medicago as a tool for genetic dissection of symbiosis in legumes (Chapter 97)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 2/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • The C2H2 transcription factor MtRSD represses MtVAMP721a transcription and promotes symbiosome development in Medicago truncatula

    The Plant Cell

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • From Model to Crop: Functional Analysis of a STAY-GREEN Gene in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Effective Use of the Gene for Alfalfa (M. sativa) Improvement

    Plant Physiology

  • Tobacco retrotransposon (Tnt1)-insertion mutagenesis in Medicago as a tool for genetic dissection of symbiosis in legumes (Chapter 97)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 2/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • The C2H2 transcription factor MtRSD represses MtVAMP721a transcription and promotes symbiosome development in Medicago truncatula

    The Plant Cell

  • Medicago truncatula DNF2 is a PI-PLC-XD-containing protein required for bacteroid persistence and prevention of nodule senescence and defense-like reactions

    New Phytologist

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • From Model to Crop: Functional Analysis of a STAY-GREEN Gene in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Effective Use of the Gene for Alfalfa (M. sativa) Improvement

    Plant Physiology

  • Tobacco retrotransposon (Tnt1)-insertion mutagenesis in Medicago as a tool for genetic dissection of symbiosis in legumes (Chapter 97)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 2/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • The C2H2 transcription factor MtRSD represses MtVAMP721a transcription and promotes symbiosome development in Medicago truncatula

    The Plant Cell

  • Medicago truncatula DNF2 is a PI-PLC-XD-containing protein required for bacteroid persistence and prevention of nodule senescence and defense-like reactions

    New Phytologist

  • Functional genomics of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes (Chapter 162)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 3/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • From Model to Crop: Functional Analysis of a STAY-GREEN Gene in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Effective Use of the Gene for Alfalfa (M. sativa) Improvement

    Plant Physiology

  • Tobacco retrotransposon (Tnt1)-insertion mutagenesis in Medicago as a tool for genetic dissection of symbiosis in legumes (Chapter 97)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 2/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • The C2H2 transcription factor MtRSD represses MtVAMP721a transcription and promotes symbiosome development in Medicago truncatula

    The Plant Cell

  • Medicago truncatula DNF2 is a PI-PLC-XD-containing protein required for bacteroid persistence and prevention of nodule senescence and defense-like reactions

    New Phytologist

  • Functional genomics of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes (Chapter 162)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 3/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • A putative transporter is essential for integrating nutrient and hormone signaling with lateral root growth and nodule development in Medicago truncatula

    Plant Journal

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • From Model to Crop: Functional Analysis of a STAY-GREEN Gene in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Effective Use of the Gene for Alfalfa (M. sativa) Improvement

    Plant Physiology

  • Tobacco retrotransposon (Tnt1)-insertion mutagenesis in Medicago as a tool for genetic dissection of symbiosis in legumes (Chapter 97)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 2/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • The C2H2 transcription factor MtRSD represses MtVAMP721a transcription and promotes symbiosome development in Medicago truncatula

    The Plant Cell

  • Medicago truncatula DNF2 is a PI-PLC-XD-containing protein required for bacteroid persistence and prevention of nodule senescence and defense-like reactions

    New Phytologist

  • Functional genomics of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes (Chapter 162)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 3/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • A putative transporter is essential for integrating nutrient and hormone signaling with lateral root growth and nodule development in Medicago truncatula

    Plant Journal

  • A Medicago truncatula tobacco-retrotransposon insertion mutant collection with defects in nodule development and symbiotic nitrogen fixation

    Plant Physiology

  • Transcription of ENOD8 in Medicago truncatula Nodules Directs ENOD8 Esterase to Developing and Mature Symbiosomes

    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

  • Lignin modification leads to increased nodule numbers in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    Plant Physiology

  • From Model to Crop: Functional Analysis of a STAY-GREEN Gene in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Effective Use of the Gene for Alfalfa (M. sativa) Improvement

    Plant Physiology

  • Tobacco retrotransposon (Tnt1)-insertion mutagenesis in Medicago as a tool for genetic dissection of symbiosis in legumes (Chapter 97)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 2/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • The C2H2 transcription factor MtRSD represses MtVAMP721a transcription and promotes symbiosome development in Medicago truncatula

    The Plant Cell

  • Medicago truncatula DNF2 is a PI-PLC-XD-containing protein required for bacteroid persistence and prevention of nodule senescence and defense-like reactions

    New Phytologist

  • Functional genomics of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes (Chapter 162)

    The Biology of Nitrogen Fixation, 3 Volume Set, Volume 3/John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Frans J. de Bruijn (Ed.), in press

  • A putative transporter is essential for integrating nutrient and hormone signaling with lateral root growth and nodule development in Medicago truncatula

    Plant Journal

  • A Medicago truncatula tobacco-retrotransposon insertion mutant collection with defects in nodule development and symbiotic nitrogen fixation

    Plant Physiology

  • Extreme specificity of NCR gene expression in Medicago truncatula

    BMC Genomics

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BACT 1003

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BIOL 1311

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BIOL 4471

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