Paulo A. Zaini

Cornell University New York State Agricultural Experiment Station

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Paulo A. Zaini
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology
New York State Agriculture Experiment Station
Geneva, NY 14456

2007 Ph.D., Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil.

2002 Lic., Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences and School of Education, University of São Paulo.

2001 BS, Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo.

E-mail: paz22@cornell.edu

Host: Harvey Hoch and Tom Burr

Research Focus

I’m interested in molecular aspects of plant-microbe interactions, focused in phytopathogenic bacteria, aimed at the groundwork of biological control of important plant diseases. I rely on a combination of genomic information, molecular biology and biochemical tools to unravel virulence determinants.

My postdoc position with Drs. Hoch and Burr is concerned with studying the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierce's disease of grape and citrus variegated chlorosis, among others. In the current project we are studying the significance of X. fastidiosa type I and type IV pili in biofilm structure, bacterial survival in biofilms and DNA secretion and uptake. These pili are involved in movement of the bacterium in xylem vessels and in the formation of biofilms and cell aggregates. Controlling their function is a promising way of preventing vascular plugging by the bacterium.

Professional Experience

2007-present.	Postdoctoral research associate, Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University. I’m adding cell biology and microscopy skills to my previous experience. I’m also learning how to perform plant inoculation experiments.
2003-2004.	Teaching assistant, Department of Biochemistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil. I prepared and graded reports for undergraduate Molecular Biology introductory courses and prepared and conducted lab experiments.
2002-2007.	Graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Aline M. da Silva, University of São Paulo. During my Ph.D. I developed molecular biology skills to work with DNA, RNA and proteins and basic bioinformatics skills applied to large scale gene expression analysis with DNA microarrays. I also worked with recombinant protein expression/purification and DNA-protein interactions, studying the iron stimulon of X. fastidiosa.

1998-2001.	Undergraduate student. I worked mainly with biochemistry, studying phosphatases. I also used molecular biology and microbiology methods to generate a site-directed mutant of PP1c phosphatase from the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum.

Professional Activities

Professional Assignments, Honors, and Awards

2002-2006.	Ph.D. fellowship from The State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).
1999-2001.	Scientific Initiation fellowship from FAPESP.

Elected and Appointed Offices

2005-2006.

Senator of the students of the Biochemistry Department at the Graduate Program Commission. This was a volunteer position that provided me administrative and leadership skills.

Professional Societies and Working Groups

Brazilian Society of Genetics
American Phytopathological Society

Publications

Cursino, L., Y. Li, L. De La Fuente, C.D. Galvani, P.A. Zaini, H.C. Hoch, and T.J. Burr. 2008. Identification of pilL and chpY as components of a chemosensory signal transduction system that controls twitching motility in Xylella fastidiosa. Journal of Bacteriology. Submitted.

Zaini, P.A., A.C. Fogaça, F.G. N. Lupo, H.I. Nakaya, R.Z. Vêncio, and A.M. da Silva. 2008. The iron stimulon of Xylella fastidiosa includes genes for type-IV pilus and colicin V-like bacteriocins. Journal of Bacteriology. In press.

Pashalidis, S., L.M. Moreira, P.A. Zaini, J.C. Campanharo, L.M. Alves, L.P. Ciapina, R.Z. Vêncio, E.G. Lemos, A.M. da Silva, A.C. da Silva. 2005. Whole-genome expression profiling of Xylella fastidiosa in response to growth on glucose. OMICS. 9:77-90. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Koide, T. , P.A. Zaini, L.M. Moreira, R.Z. Vêncio, A.Y. Matsukuma, A.M. Durham, D.C. Teixeira, H. El-Dorry, P.B. Monteiro, A.C. da Silva, S. Verjovski-Almeida, A.M. da Silva, S.L. Gomes. 2004. DNA microarray-based genome comparison of a pathogenic and a nonpathogenic strain of Xylella fastidiosa delineates genes important for bacterial virulence. Journal of Bacteriology. 186:5442-5449.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Andrioli, L.P., P.A. Zaini, W. Viviani, A.M. da Silva. 2003. Dictyostelium discoideum protein phosphatase-1 catalytic subunit exhibits distinct biochemical properties. Biochemical Journal. 373:703-711.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, 630 West North Street, Geneva, New York 14456
Telephone: 315.787.2011

Last Modified: February 6, 2008
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