Borghi Lab
PROJECTS
Flowers have evolved an organ-specific type of metabolism where primary and specialized metabolites contribute to bolstering reproduction, the ultimate physiological function of flowers. Flower primary metabolites sustain development and the initial phases of fruit and seed set. Metabolites of the central pathway also serve as precursors for the synthesis of pigments, scents, and nectar, which attract and reward pollinators, as well as bioactive molecules that offer protection towards biotic and abiotic stresses. In the lab, we utilize a metabolomic approach to measure the whole spectrum of primary and specialized metabolites of flowers. We further integrate these measurements with transcriptomics and genomics and experiments with animal pollinators. Our research aims at understanding how metabolism changes during flower development and in response to climate change, and ultimately drives pollination in selfing and outcrossing species.
Vaccinium corymbosum (blueberry)
The down-bell shape of blueberry flowers makes wind-pollination challenging to occur, so that blueberry crops require animal-mediated pollination to set fruits. Bumblebees and solitary bees are the natural pollinators of blueberry flowers; however, farmers are using honeybee hives that they place in and around blueberry fields to promote the movement of pollen. Despite the heavy usage of honeybees around blueberry fields, little is known about the content of metabolites in blueberry pollen and nectar and the floral traits attracting pollinators to the flowers. We investigate the genomic underpinning floral metabolic differences in blueberry cultivars and perform comparative transcriptomics to interrogate how these traits depend on environmental regulation.
Phaseolus (common bean & runner bean)
Bean plants have zygomorphic flowers which differ in size, color, and mating behavior. The color varies from white to red and lilac. As for their mating behaviors, Phaseolus vulgaris is autogamous, and Phaseolus coccineus, allogamous. All bean species originated in Central America, but after the travels of Columbus, they have been dispersed to all continents. Nowadays, Europe represents a center of secondary diversity as many cultivars and landraces have diversified once brought to the old continent. Questions arise about how flower metabolism changed to attract the new pollinators and as a result of selections. We are investigating the metabolome of nectar and floral traits in species of the genus Phaseolus.
Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress)
Arabidopsis represents a great model to study floral traits. In the lab, we use mutants and natural accession lines to investigate the metabolism of flowers and how it changes in response to environmental and genetic perturbations.