Wagner Araújo
Life Sciences
For Wagner Araújo, from Minas Gerais, conversations are more than just a routine; they form an integral part of the scientific process. As an agronomist, he believes his most innovative ideas stem from discussions with colleagues from diverse fields. After completing his master’s degree in plant physiology at the Federal University of Viçosa, Wagner forged a connection with the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology in Germany, which paved the way for his doctorate in plant molecular physiology and his subsequent post-doctoral fellowship.
Currently, Wagner is a lecturer at the Federal University of Viçosa, where his research contributes to a deeper understanding of fertilizers, aiming towards more sustainable agricultural practices. A passionate fan of the Galo soccer team, he enjoys watching their matches with a beer in hand and engaging in lively conversation. Amidst his teaching and research commitments, he finds time to delve into the works of Dan Brown and Harlan Coben, and to care for his two-year-old son, Miguel.
Projects
Soil acidity (pH≤ 5.5), a major obstacle to sustainable food production in developing countries, leads to the solubilization of aluminum cations (Al). This process damages the DNA structure and alters mitochondrial respiration in plant roots. Despite intensive efforts to understand the role of DNA repair and mitochondrial organic acids in creating Al-tolerant plants, isolated manipulations at the DNA and mitochondrial metabolism checkpoints have not yielded sufficient results. This proposal, therefore, seeks to comprehend how DNA repair mechanisms can be integrated with mitochondrial metabolism in plants exposed to Al. Unraveling these connections could reduce the reliance on correctives and fertilizers, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and pave the way for developing the next generation of Al-tolerant materials.
Amount invested
Open Calls
- Topics
- Aluminum
- DNA
- metabolism
- Mitochondria
