Monica De Palma

Monica De Palma is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), based in the Portici division. She has held a permanent research position since 2011 and has been actively contributing to plant biotechnology and molecular biology research, particularly in crop species such as tomato, cardoon, and eggplant. Her work is centered on understanding plant responses to environmental stresses and improving agro-industrial traits through biotechnological approaches.

• PhD in Plant Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II (2005)
• Master in Plant Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II (2005)
• Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II (1998)
• Visiting Scientist, Biochemistry Institute, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (2001)

Her research interests focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-environment interactions, particularly in response to abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought. She investigates the genomic and transcriptomic responses of crops like tomato and cardoon to beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Trichoderma spp.) and stress conditions. A major component of her work involves the isolation, cloning, and functional analysis of genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, especially in species like Cynara cardunculus and Solanum melongena. She also studies the nutritional and merceological quality of food crops and characterizes lignocellulosic species for stress tolerance.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics applied to crop improvement and stress resilience. Her work integrates molecular biology with sustainable agriculture, focusing on biorefinery applications, plant probiotics, and climate-resilient crops. The studies frequently involve multi-omics approaches to dissect gene regulatory networks, epigenetic modifications, and metabolic fluxes under stress.

Monica De Palma has participated in several significant research projects funded by MIUR, Fondazione Cariplo, and regional programs such as PSR Campania. These include initiatives on sustainable bio-based production (BOBCAT), green technologies for biochemicals (BioPoliS), food safety (Safe&Smart), and tomato post-genomics (GenoPOM-pro). While no specific scientific awards are listed, her sustained involvement in high-impact collaborative research underscores her scientific recognition.

She collaborates extensively with other researchers and institutions, often co-supervising studies and contributing to team-based grants. Though formal advisees are not listed, her leadership in research projects implies mentorship roles. She is a key contributor to the 'Genetics and biotechnologies for the improvement of agro-industrial productions' group at CNR-IBBR.

Her laboratory work is conducted within the CNR-IBBR Portici division, where she utilizes advanced genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic tools. She is part of a larger network of scientists working on plant stress responses, crop genomics, and sustainable agricultural biotechnology.