Benedetta Mattei

Benedetta Mattei has a long experience in the field of microbial enzymes that degrade the cell wall of plants and plant inhibitors of such enzymes. For her research she has developed methods for analyzing protein and carbohydrates using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and LC-MS/MS, 2D-DIGE and LC-MS/MS –based proteomic analysis and biomolecular interaction analysis using SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance). She employs proteomic strategies to study the responses induced in plants by oligogalacturonides (OG), an important class of endogenous elicitors or DAMPs (Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns). Current research projects are focussed on the conversion of biomass from agricultural and dairy industry waste into simple sugars to be used for the mixotrophic growth of microalgae.