My research career follows a simple question: How do plants integrate danger signals to activate plant immunity? I am interested in how plants can sense endogenous damage signals, the so-called damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and respond to them, boosting defence responses. DAMPs are key integrators of plant immunity, connecting cell damage, systemic signalling, and immunity across trophic levels. Moreover, DAMPs are known as green vaccines, and some of these molecules can be utilised as an organic alternative to harmful pesticides in the field.

I am interested in understanding how plants perceive danger signals, particularly fragmented DNA, and how this perception activates plant immunity. During my doctoral research, under the supervision of Dr. Heil and Dr. Herrera-Estrella, I focused on connecting DNA-induced immune responses with the DNA Damage Response (DDR). In 2024, I joined Jordi’s lab, where I currently work as a Postdoctoral Researcher. My research aims to define how key components of the DDR contribute to DNA-induced immunity, with the long-term goal of identifying novel DNA receptors in plants. By connecting DNA sensing, immune signaling, and stress responses, my work seeks to establish a signaling model for DNA-triggered immunity in plants.

I am a specialised technician with over 10 years of experience applying cutting-edge molecular techniques to study plant-microbe-insect interactions. With a degree in Chemistry and previous experience working in Hospitals and private companies, I joined Gamir’s Lab in January 2022, and since then, I have been applying omics, biochemistry, and molecular biology techniques to uncover the mechanisms of plant defences following DAMPs recognition.

With a degree in Biotechnology from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and a master's degree in Plant Breeding from COMAV, my studies have always focused on molecular biology and genetic studies. As a PhD student at the Universitat Jaume I, the main objective of my research is to unravel the mechanisms underlying the DNA damage response (DDR) mechanism, as well as the possible implications of the plant's self DNA in the immune response of plants.