Marc Valls

Marc Valls is a Full Professor at the University of Barcelona (UB), leading the research program Plant Responses to Stress and the Malalties bacterianes i proteòstasi de les plantes group. His research focuses on bacterial plant pathogens, particularly Ralstonia solanacearum, and mechanisms of plant proteostasis and stress response. He works in the CRAG (Centre de Recerca en Agrigenòmica) Building on the UAB Campus.

Research Interests: Marc Valls investigates plant-pathogen interactions, emphasizing bacterial wilt resistance, metacaspase functions in cell death regulation, and effector protein dynamics. His work spans

• Molecular characterization of plant immune responses
• Role of proteases in disease susceptibility
• Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling during infection
• Development of hydroponic infection models
• Genetic determinants of pathogen virulence
• Chemical barriers in vascular immunity

Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight his focus on Ralstonia solanacearum virulence, plant immune signaling (e.g., FERONIA pathways), effector-triggered immunity, and stress-induced proteostasis. Key themes include cytokinin signaling, ligno-suberin coatings, and metacaspase-mediated cell death. Collaborative efforts target type III secretion inhibitors for disease management.

Scientific Awards:

• Premio al mejor póster presentado en el XXXVI Congreso, Valencia (2015)

Labs & Teams: Based in the CRAG Building (Lab 1.03), his team explores plant stress responses and bacterial disease mechanisms. Contact: Office 1.13, +34 935636600 ext 3132 (Office), +34 935636600 ext 3121 (Lab).