Secondment of Natalia Pabón-Mora from the University of Antioquia (COL) to the University of Padova (IT) – June 2024

Natalia Pabon Mora spend one month At Unipd with the group of Dr. Barbara Baldan. During this time Natalia was able to collect Aristolochia rotunda  for transcriptome analyses from the historical collections of the Botanical Garden of Padova, the oldest in Europe. In addition, she performed In situ hybridization analyses of several MADS-box genes isolated from Hedyosmum goudotianum (Chloranthaceae) to test exactly when and where they are expressed in the carpel to fruit transition, and during the formation and growth of the fleshy bract, considered as a pseudofruit. Natalia also took advantage of this trip to attend the Workshop on Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Flowering in Palermo, where she presented on the genetic developmental mechanisms of holoparasitic Apodanthaceae. Natalia had wonderful scientific interactions with the staff of the University of Padua Botanical Garden and is looking forward to maintain ongoing projects build upon this visit.