Marta Wilton Pereira Leite de Vasconcelos

Assistant Professor

Marta Wilton Pereira Leite de Vasconcelos

Assistant Professor

Bio

Marta Vasconcelos has a Degree in Biology from the University of Lisbon, and a PhD in Biotechnology (specialty in Biology) from Universidade Nova de Lisboa, with har practical work having been conducted at he International Rice research Institute (Philippines). She is an Auxiliary Professor at the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia (ESB) and a member of the Board of Directors of ESB, where she coordinates the Master programmes.

She is a senior scientist at the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), where she leads the Environment and Resources Group and the Plant Nutrition and Biotechnology laboratory. Her research interests focus on plant nutrition, genetics, and promoting more sustainable food systems, including agrobiodiversity and neglected crops (e.g. legumes).

She is president of the International Plant Nutrition Council (2022-2025), and Honorary Associate of the James Hutton Institute (2024-2026). She is editor in-chief of Frontiers in Plant Nutrition and is involved in several European Projects where Biotechnology is one of the essential tools explored in their programs.

Areas of Research:

Publications

Paper

Resistance of Pinus pinea to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus explained by the dynamic response of phytohormones, antioxidant activity, and stress-related gene expression

Marta Wilton Pereira Leite de Vasconcelos (with Marta Nunes da Silva). 2025. Trees

Rodrigo Ribeiro: "Being President of the ESB Student Association is testing my work ability and leadership skills."

Da terra à refeição: os benefícios das leguminosas

Alumni event: "2nd careers: challenges and opportunities"

Marta Wilton Pereira Leite de Vasconcelos

Marta Wilton Pereira Leite de Vasconcelos

Bio

Resistance of Pinus pinea to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus explained by the dynamic response of phytohormones, antioxidant activity, and stress-related gene expression

Low water supply differentially affects the growth, yield and mineral profile of kabuli and desi chickpeas (Cicer arietinum)

Nutritional value and environmental footprint of muffins made with green-lentil flour

Sustainable food chains designed for optimised resource use: Optimising downscaled food chains for sustainable resource use: A comprehensive case study on tomato juice

The effect of silicon on the antioxidant system of tomato seedlings exposed to individual and combined nitrogen and water deficit

Challenges in pea breeding for tolerance to drought: Status and prospects

Conceptualisation of an Ecodesign Framework for Sustainable Food Product Development across the Supply Chain

Defence‐related pathways, phytohormones and primary metabolism are key players in kiwifruit plant tolerance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae

Genotypic variation in the response of soybean to elevated CO2

Integrated policy analysis to identify transformation paths to more sustainable legume-based food and feed value-chains in Europe

Policy Interventions Promoting Sustainable Food- and Feed-Systems: A Delphi Study of Legume Production and Consumption

Short Term Elevated CO2 Interacts with Iron Deficiency, Further Repressing Growth, Photosynthesis and Mineral Accumulation in Soybean (Glycine max L.) and Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Legume Biofortification and the Role of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in a Sustainable Agricultural Era

Pulse Consumption among Portuguese Adults: Potential Drivers and Barriers towards a Sustainable Diet

The Effect of Sprouting in Lentil (Lens culinaris) Nutritional and Microbiological Profile

“Flavescence dorée” impacts growth, productivity and ultrastructure of Vitis vinifera plants in Portuguese “Vinhos Verdes” region

A biofertilizer with diazotrophic bacteria and a filamentous fungus increases Pinus pinaster tolerance to the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)

Conventional and novel approaches for managing “flavescence dorée” in grapevine: knowledge gaps and future prospects

Editorial: Improving the nutritional content and quality of crops: Promises, achievements, and future challenges

Growth and Nutritional Responses of Bean and Soybean Genotypes to Elevated CO2 in a Controlled Environment

Preserving the nutritional quality of crop plants under a changing climate: importance and strategies

Prospects for Durable Resistance Against an Old Soybean Enemy: A Four-Decade Journey from Rpp1 (Resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi) to Rpp7

Safety of Yam-Derived (Dioscorea rotundata) Foodstuffs—Chips, Flakes and Flour: Effect of Processing and Post-Processing Conditions

Sargassum muticum and osmundea pinnatifida enzymatic extracts:Chemical, structural, and cytotoxic characterization

Understanding the role of the antioxidant system and the tetrapyrrole cycle in iron deficiency chlorosis

Variation in Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Seed Quality Traits Defined by Physicochemical Functional Properties

Relationship between seed traits and pasting and cooking behaviour in a pulse germplasm collection

Study of the proximate and mineral composition of different Nigerian yam chips, flakes and flours

Unravelling Actinidia molecular mechanisms against Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae and P. Syringae pv. Actinidifoliorum – First steps

Biochemical markers to predict internal browning disorders in ‘Rocha’ pear during storage under high CO<inf>2</inf>

Chemical and structural characterization of Pholiota nameko extracts with biological properties

Iron biofortification in the 21st century: setting realistic targets, overcoming obstacles, and new strategies for healthy nutrition

Mineral concentrations at harvest as novel markers to predict internal browning disorders in ‘Rocha’ pear during storage under high CO<inf>2</inf>

Moderate salinity improves stomatal functioning in rose plants grown at high relative air humidity

Transcriptional and biochemical regulation of internal browning disorder in ‘Rocha’ pear as affected by O<inf>2</inf> and CO<inf>2</inf> concentrations

Whole-plant mineral partitioning during the reproductive development of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Biochemical basis of CO2-related internal browning disorders in pears (Pyrus communis L. cv. Rocha) during long term storage

Biochemical basis of CO<inf>2</inf>-related internal browning disorders in pears (Pyrus communis L. cv. Rocha) during long-term storage

Dothistroma needle blight, weather and possible climatic triggers for the disease's recent emergence

Dynamic controlled atmosphere for prevention of internal browning disorders in ‘Rocha’ pear

Effect of tris(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinonate) iron(III) complexes on iron uptake and storage in soybean (Glycine max L.)

Gene expression and physiological responses associated to stomatal functioning in Rosa × hybrida grown at high relative air humidity

Root-to-shoot ABA signaling does not contribute to genotypic variation in stomatal functioning induced by high relative air humidity

Stress signaling responses in plants

A review of Pinaceae resistance mechanisms against needle and shoot pathogens with a focus on the Dothistroma-Pinus interaction.

Advances in refrigerated and controlled atmosphere of fruits and vegetables. In: Handbook of Research on Advances and Applications in Refrigeration Systems and Technologies

Advances in refrigerated and controlled atmosphere storage of fruits and vegetables

Chemical composition and nutritive value of Pleurotus citrinopileatus var cornucopiae, P. eryngii, P. salmoneo stramineus, Pholiota nameko and Hericium erinaceus

Chemical composition of red, brown and green macroalgae from Buarcos bay in Central West Coast of Portugal

Chemical composition of red, brown and green macroalgae from Buarcos bay in Northern Portugal.

Dothistroma needle blight, weather and possible climatic triggers behind the disease’s recent emergence

Dynamic controlled atmosphere for prevention of internal browning disorders in 'Rocha' pear.

Effects of air humidity and air movement on growth, visual quality and post-production stress tolerance of pot rose 'Toril'

In vitro fermentation of lupin seeds (Lupinus albus) and broad beans (Vicia faba): Dynamic modulation of the intestinal microbiota and metabolomic output

Internal browning disorders in 'Rocha' pear stored under high CO&lt;inf&gt;2&lt;/inf&gt; atmospheres are triggered by oxidative stress

Intraspecific variation of anatomical and chemical defensive traits in Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) as factors in susceptibility to the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)

Iron partitioning at an early growth stage impacts iron deficiency responses in soybean plants (Glycine max L.)

Iron partitioning at an early growth stage impacts iron deficiency responses in soybean plants.

QTL analysis for stomatal functioning in tetraploid Rosa × hybrida grown at high relative air humidity and its implications on postharvest longevity

Respiration rate and functional quality of rocket leaves as affected by passive modified atmosphere packaging

Susceptibility to the pinewood nematode (PWN) of four pine species involved in potential range expansion across Europe

The impact of iron deficiency on the tetrapyrrole and antioxidative systems in soybean plants (Glycine max L.).

Utilization of a novel biofertilizer for iron deficiency chlorosis prevention in common bean and soybean plants.

Chitosan and chitooligosaccharide utilization in phytoremediation and biofortification programs: current knowledge and future perspectives

Chitosan as a biocontrol agent against the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)

Chitosan as a biocontrol agent against the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus).

Cultivar variability of iron uptake mechanisms in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Evaluation of chitooligosaccharide application on mineral accumulation and plant growth in Phaseolus vulgaris.

Evaluation of constitutive iron reductase (AtFRO2) expression on mineral accumulation and distribution in soybean (Glycine max. L)

Evaluation of constitutive iron reductase (AtFRO2) expression on mineral accumulation and distribution in soybean (Glycine max.L).

From soil to seed: micronutrient movement into and within the plant.

High relative air humidity influences mineral accumulation and growth in iron deficient soybean plants

Internal Browning Disorders in ‘Rocha’ Pear Stored under High CO2 Atmospheres are triggered by Oxidative Stress.

Morpho-physiological parameters affecting iron deficiency chlorosis in soybean (Glycine max L.)

Internal browning disorders in 'Rocha' pear stored under high CO<inf>2</inf> atmospheres are triggered by oxidative stress