Dr. Mirella P. Santos
Senior Plant Cell and Molecular Biologist (Visiting Scientist)
Education:
- D.Sc., Plant Genetic Improvement, North Fluminense State University (UENF), Campos, Rio de Janeiro.
- M.S., Plant Biology, Espirito Santo Federal University, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil.
Work History:
- Bio Huma Netics, Inc. (2022)
- Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Brazil (2015)
I am a Brazilian scientist with extensive experience in molecular biology and plant physiology, specializing in abiotic and biotic stress responses. My expertise includes plant genomics, plant physiology, biodiversity studies, tissue culture, genetic transformation, germplasm conservation, and bioenergetics. I hold a Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from North Fluminense State University (UENF) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship (PDE) at Arizona State University, focusing on biotechnology under the mentorship of Prof. Roberto Gaxiola. I also pursued postdoctoral research at PNPD/CAPES (bioenergetics with Arnoldo Facanha) and EMBRAPA CENARGEM (with Dr. Francisco Aragão, working on crops such as beans, soybeans, tomatoes, tobacco, and sugarcane).
I hold a patent for a method to produce plants that are tolerant to abiotic stress, with increased biomass, desiccation-tolerant pollen, and associated molecules for plant transformation. At the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, I was responsible for the administrative and technical supervision of teams evaluating the mitigation of plant stress using humic and nanocarbon products through public-private partnerships.
Currently, I am a visiting scientist at Huma, where I enjoy collaborating with fellow researchers on various projects. As a Senior Plant Cell and Molecular Biologist in the Huma R&D team, my work focuses on studying plant responses to Huma products. Specifically, my research examines the mechanisms of action of humic acids, investigating morphological, biochemical, and molecular changes in plants. These studies include the expression of key hub genes and enzymes critical to plant metabolism. In addition to conducting experiments and analyzing results, I also assist with training and supervising the research team.
Publications
Original Articles
Santos, M. P., dos Santos Prado, L. A., Cogo, A. J. D., Lopes, A. V. S. A., Caldeira, C. F., Cavalcante, A. B., … & Zandonadi, D. B. (2022). High irradiance impairs Isoëtes cangae growth. Aquatic Botany, 103590.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304377022001024
Citadin, C. T., Santos, M. P., Andrade, E. R., Cipriano, T. M., & Aragão, F. J. (2022). Colorimetric and chlorophyll fluorescence assays for fast detection and selection of transgenic events of cotton, cowpea, soybean and common bean expressing the Atahas gene. Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, v. 10, p. 94-101, 2022.
https://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/bitstream/doc/1143918/1/ksbs010-02-94.pdf
do Rego, T.F.C., Santos, M.P., Cabral, G.B. et al. (2021). Expression of a DREB 5-A subgroup transcription factor gene from Ricinus communis (RcDREB1) enhanced growth, drought tolerance and pollen viability in tobacco. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 146, 493–504.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11240-021-02082-7
Caldeira, C. F., Lopes, A. V., Aguiar, K. C., Ferreira, A. L., Araujo, J. V., Gomes, V. M., … & Santos, M. P. (2021). Distinct Reproductive Strategy of Two Endemic Amazonian Quillworts. Diversity, 13(8), 348.
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/348
Souza, A. C., Zandonadi, D. B., Santos, M. P., Canellas, N. O. A., de Paula Soares, C., da Silva Irineu, L. E. S., … & Canellas, L. P. (2021). Acclimation with humic acids enhances maize and tomato tolerance to salinity. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 8(1), 1-13.
https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40538-021-00239-2
Cavalheiro-Filho, S. L., Gestinari, L. M., Konno, T. U., Santos, M. P., Calderon, E. N., Marques, M. C., … & Campos, N. V. (2021). Morphological Plasticity in the Endemic Isoëtes Species from Serra dos Carajás, Amazonia, Brazil. American Fern Journal, 111(3), 174-195.
Dalapicolla, J., Alves, R., Jaffé, R., Vasconcelos, S., Pires, E. S., Nunes, G. L., … & Oliveira, G. (2021). Conservation implications of genetic structure in the narrowest endemic quillwort from the Eastern Amazon. Ecology and evolution, 11(15), 10119-10132.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.7812
dos Santos Pereira, T., Monteiro de Paula, A., Ferrari, L. H., da Silva, J., Borges Pinheiro, J., Navas Cajamarca, S. M., … & Busato, J. G. (2021). Trichoderma-enriched vermicompost extracts reduces nematode biotic stress in tomato and bell pepper crops. Agronomy, 11(8), 1655.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/8/1655
Zandonadi, D. B., Duarte, H. M., Santos, M. P., dos Santos Prado, L. A., Martins, R. L., Calderon, E. N., … & de Assis Esteves, F. (2021). Ecophysiology of two endemic Amazon quillworts. Aquatic Botany, 170, 103350.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304377020301601
Santos, M. P., Zandonadi, D. B., de Sá, A. F. L., Costa, E. P., de Oliveira, C. J. L., Perez, L. E., … & Bressan-Smith, R. (2020). Abscisic acid-nitric oxide and auxin interaction modulates salt stress response in tomato roots. Theoretical and Experimental Plant Physiology, 32(4), 301-313.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40626-020-00187-6
Santos, M. P., Araujo, J. V. R., Lopes, A. V. S. A., Vettorazzi, J. C. F., Boechat, M. S. B., Arêdes, F. A., … & de Assis Esteves, F. (2020). The genetic diversity and population structure of two endemic Amazonian quillwort (Isoetes L.) species. PeerJ, 8, e10274.
https://peerj.com/articles/10274/
Vieira, P. M., Santos, M. P., Andrade, C. M., Souza-Neto, O. A., Ulhoa, C. J., & Aragão, F. J. L. (2017). Overexpression of an aquaglyceroporin gene from Trichoderma harzianum improves water-use efficiency and drought tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum. Plant Physiology And Biochemistry, 121, 38-47.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29080426/
Zandonadi, D. B., Santos, M. P., Caixeta, L. S., Marinho, E. B., Peres, L. E. P., & Façanha, A. R. (2016). Plant proton pumps as markers of biostimulant action. Scientia Agricola, 73(1), 24-28.
https://www.scielo.br/j/sa/a/LdffZHXnxLshbkX3HtfCMJg/?lang=en
Zandonadi, D. B., Santos, M. P., Medici, L. O., & Silva, J. (2014). Action of organic matter and its fractions on vegetables physiology. Horticultura Brasileira, 32(1), 14-20.
https://www.scielo.br/j/hb/a/kgCM4D8ZwrFVc4DQMJ6K3fv/abstract/?lang=en
Paez-Valencia, J., Sanchez, J., Marsh, E., Dorneles, L. T., Santos, M. P., Sanchez, D., … & Gaxiola, R. (2013). Enhanced H+-PPase activity improves nitrogen use efficiency in Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. conquistador). Plant Physiology.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3585616/
Zandonadi, D. B., Santos, M. P., Busato, J. G., Peres, L. E. P., & Façanha, A. R. (2013). Plant physiology as affected by humified organic matter. Theoretical and Experimental Plant Physiology, 25(1), 13-25.
https://www.scielo.br/j/txpp/a/N5WkJPCFMpjPFhrz4gBST5Q/?format=pdf&lang=en
Undurraga, S. F., Santos, M. P., Paez-Valencia, J., Yang, H., Hepler, P. K., Facanha, A. R., … & Gaxiola, R. A. (2012). Arabidopsis sodium dependent and independent phenotypes triggered by H+-PPase up-regulation are SOS1 dependent. Plant Science, 183, 96-105.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168945211003323
Shaun Buss, D., Bueno Dias, G., Pupo Santos, M., Aires Ventura, J., & Machado Bueno Fernandes, P. (2011). Oxidative stress defence response of Carica papaya challenged by nitric oxide, Papaya meleira virus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Open Nitric Oxide Journal, 3(1).
https://benthamopen.com/ABSTRACT/TONOJ-3-55
Zandonadi, D. B., Santos, M. P., Dobbss, L. B., Olivares, F. L., Canellas, L. P., Binzel, M. L., … & Façanha, A. R. (2010). Nitric oxide mediates humic acids-induced root development and plasma membrane H+-ATPase activation. Planta, 231(5), 1025-1036.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20145950/
Fontes, R. V., Santos, M. P., Falqueto, A. R., Silva, D. M., & Bacarin, M. A. (2008). Photosynthesis and growth changes in papaya plants under different water supply conditions. Revista Brasileira Agrociência, 14, 182-187.
Martim, S. A., Santos, M. P., Peçanha, A. L., Pommer, C., Campostrini, E., Viana, A. P., … & Bressan-Smith, R. (2009). Photosynthesis and cell respiration modulated by water deficit in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology, 21(2), 95-102.
https://www.scielo.br/j/bjpp/a/XXwBZvcxQmT3WdzfLGbtHkQ/?format=pdf&lang=en
Garcia, R., Alves, E. S., Santos, M. P., Aquije, G. M., Fernandes, A. A. R., Santos, R. B. D., … & Fernandes, P. (2008). Antimicrobial activity and potential use of monoterpenes as tropical fruits preservatives. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 39(1), 163-168.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768356/
Fontes, R. V., Santos, M. P., Falqueto, A. R., & Silva, D. M. (2008). The pectinmethylesterase activity and its relation with the loss of firmness of the pulp in papaya fruits cv. Sunrise solo and Tainung. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura, 30(1), 54-58.
Fontes, R. V., Santos, M. P., Falqueto, A. R., & Silva, D. M. (2008). Nitrate reductase activity and chlorophyll a fluorescence in papaya. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura, 30(1), 251-254.
Book Chapters
Zandonadi DB, Santos MP, Olivares FL, Canellas LP. 2022. Humic acids and fatty acid amides: soil-plant interactions. In: Strigolactones, Karrikins and Alkamides in Plants. Taylor and Francis, USA (“in press”).
Santos, Mirella Pupo. A importancia dos fatores de mendel: aspectos genéticos, moleculares e fisiológicos relacionados ao estresse abiótico. Mendel: das leis da hereditariedade `a engenharia genética. 220ed.Brasilia: Embrapa, 2017, v. , p. 150-169.
Fernandes, P.M.B., Santos, M.P., Ventura, J. A. Indução de resposta a estresse em mamoeiro após tratamento com levedura e óxido nítrico. Papaya Brasil: mercado e inovações tecnológicas para o mamão, edited by David dos Santos Martins. 231-234. Vitória: Incaper. 2005.
Falqueto, A.R., Santos, M.P., Alves, E.S.S., Silva, D.M. Respostas fotossintéticas de Carica papaya L. à infecção fúngica. Qualidade do Mamão Para o Mercado Interno, edited by: David dos Santos Martins; Helder Paulo Carnielli; Pedro de Faria Burnier. (Org.). Papaya Brasil. ed 1. Vol. 1, 427-429. Vitoria-ES: DCM 2003.
Marques, S.S, Santos, M.P., Alves, E.S.S., Thabita T.D.V., Santos, R. B., Ventura, J.A., Fernandes, P.M.B. uso de óleos essenciais no controle de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, In: Papaya Brasil: qualidade do mamão para o mercado interno, edited by: David dos Santos Martins. Vol. 591-593. Vitória: Incaper, 2003.
