MicroRNAs as global regulators of common bean symbiosis and of the response to abiotic stress

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs 21-24 nt long, are essential post-transcriptional regulators for plant development and response to stress; their characterization and function in legumes is yet scant. We are interested in enhancing the knowledge about miRNAs in common bean, focusing in SNF nodules. Projects in this area include: a) miRNAs expression profiles through RNA-seq and b) defining specific functions of selected miRNAs in nodule development and/or in the response of SNF common bean plants to abiotic stress using reverse genetic approaches. Our projects include comparative analysis with miRNAs from the model legume Medicago truncatula (collaboration with M. Crespi, ISV-CNRS France).