Benjamin Rodriguez-Garay

• Dr.
• Senior Researcher at Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco

Asparagaceae’s large embryo sacs display a central cell nucleus polarized toward the chalaza, which means the sperm nucleus that fuses with it during double fertilization migrates an atypical long distance before karyogamy. Because of the size and inverted polarity of the central cell in Asparagaceae, we hypothesize that the second fertilization pr...

Asparagaceae's large embryo sacs display a central cell nucleus polarized toward the chalaza, which means the sperm nucleus that fuses it during double fertilization migrates a long distance before karyogamy. Because of the size and inverted polarity of the central cell in Asparagaceae, we hypothesize that the second fertilization process is suppor...

Agave colimana, subgenus Littaea (Asparagaceae) is a wild plant that belongs to the Asparagaceae family, and in this species, the formation of its female reproductive system is unknown, probably because it has no commercial use. However, A. colimana recently has been considered as a candidate for marketing as a succulent plant because of its floral...

During plant sexual reproduction, F-actin takes part in the elongation of the pollen tube and the movement of sperm cells along with it. Moreover, F-actin is involved in the transport of sperm cells throughout the embryo sac when double fertilization occurs. Different techniques for analysis of F-actin in plant cells have been developed: from class...

Manfreda Salisb. belongs to the Asparagaceae family and is a genus of a high ornamental potential due to the beauty and varied morphology of its leaves, as well as it provides flowers of different species throughout the year. In spite of its economic relevance, little is known about its sexual reproduction. This work aimed to characterize the femal...

Protein display approaches have been useful to endow the cell surface of yeasts with new catalytic activities so that they can act as enhanced whole-cell biocatalysts. Despite their biotechnological potential, protein display technologies remain poorly developed for filamentous fungi. The lignocellulolytic character of some of them coupled to the c...

Calcium is a secondary messenger that regulates and coordinates the cellular responses to environmental cues. Despite calcium being a key player during fertilization in plants, little is known about its role during the development of the endosperm. For this reason, the distribution, abundance, and dynamics of cytosolic calcium during the first stag...

The genus Agave originates from the American continent and grows in arid and semiarid places, being México the center of origin. Many species of the genus are a source of diverse products for human needs, such as food, medicines, fibers, and beverages, and a good source of biomass for the production of biofuels, among many others. These plants are...

Species of the genus Agave are distributed originally in the tropical and subtropical areas of the American continent with about 200 taxa and 136 species, and its center of origin is probably limited to México. These kind of plants usually grow and live in extreme environmental conditions such as heat and drought where their CAM pathway for fixing...

In this work, the origin of micronuclei production as well as microsporogenesis in Agave tequilana Weber cultivar “Azul” and A. angustifolia Haw. cultivar “Lineño” was studied. Both species showed a successive type of microsporogenesis; mainly tetragonal, although some decussate and linear tetrads were also found. Besides this, abnormal metaphase I...

Los agaves pertenecen a la familia Asparagaceae y forman la subfamilia Agavoideae. La suma de adaptaciones morfológicas y fisiológicas a la sequía y temperatura permite a estas plantas adaptarse a una gran variedad de ambientes, lo que contribuye a su amplia dispersión. No existe una filogenia de la familia Asparagaceae que permita delimitar los gé...

Ca+2 in the cytosol functions as a second messenger involved in many cellular processes. For this reason it is important to study this element in the polarization of DNA, which is a characteristic in embryogenic somatic cells. The distribution and concentration of cytosolic calcium in polarized and non-polarized cells of Agave tequilana was studied...

This study is a cytogenetic characterization by karyotyping and determination of the DNA content by flow cytometry of Agave angustifolia Haw. “Cimarron” and “Lineño” that were collected in the southern region of the State of Jalisco, Mexico. These cultivars are particularly important in the production of spirits. A. angustifolia “Cimarron” and “Lin...

Tequila is a Mexican drink obtained from the distillation of fermented agave juice. There are two categories of tequila: tequila 100% (derived uniquely from the fermentable sugars from Agave tequilana Weber var. azul juice) and tequila (49% of the fermentable sugars can come from sources other than agave). Depending on the aging process, tequila is...

Studies involving the formation of gametes, double fertilization, and embryo and endosperm development allow the understanding of factors that control the processes of embryo and seed development. In this context, the female gametophyte plays a critical role in every stage of the reproductive process including the transport of sperm nuclei inside t...

The genus Polianthes belongs to the subfamily Agavoideae of the Asparagaceae family formerly known as Agavaceae. The genus is endemic to México and comprises about 15 species, among them is Polianthes tuberosa L. The aim of this work was to study and characterize the embryo sac and early embryo development of this species in order to generate basic...

The genus Agave is a monocotyledonous group of species that belong to the Asparagaceae family. Because of its CAM metabolism and other botanical features, the genus Agave is gaining importance throughout the world to address the challenges that climate change is imposing with regard to food, medicine, and bioenergy. On the other hand, it is importa...

Durante el año 2012 la Red Agaváceas atendió las propuestas establecidas en el plan estratégico, en el que se definió como prioridad la identificación del estado que guarda el material de herbario de la familia Agavaceae, para lo cual se realizó el registro y la captura de la información de 750 ejemplares de los géneros Agave, Beschorneria, Furcrae...

This study presents the cytogenetic characterization by karyotyping and a determination of the DNA content by flow cytometry of wild adult plants, plants grown from seeds of wild plants and bulbils of Agave parviflora subsp. flexiflora from Bacadehuachi to Nacori Town, Sonora, Mexico. The analyzed plants were diploids (2n = 2x = 60) and had three d...

Climate change is an overwhelming fact that is changing the way of life of the living beings. The years 1998 and 2005 have been the hottest years since 1850, being human activities as almost certainly causing the planet to warm. The main challenge for scientists and politicians is ensuring the food security, not only for the world’s poorest people,...

Agave tequilana Weber is a monocot plant species member of the Asparagaceae family. One of the characteristics of monocot species is that their embryos show only one cotyledon. In this work, the occurrence of embryos with two cotyledons and fused cotyledons in A. tequilana is reported for the first time. The occurrence of dicotyledonar embryos in a...

Agave tequilana is an angiosperm species that belongs to the family Asparagaceae (formerly Agavaceae). Even though there is information regarding to some aspects related to the megagametogenesis of A. tequilana, this is the first report describing the complete process of megasporogenesis, megagametogenesis, the early embryo and endosperm developmen...

Agave Linnaeus, 1753 is endemic of America and is considered one of the most important crops in Mexico due to its key role in the country's economy. Cytogenetic analysis was carried out in Agave tequilana Weber, 1902 'Azul', Agave cupreata Trelease et Berger, 1915 and Agave angustifolia Haworth, 1812. The analysis showed that in all species the dip...

Echeandia Ortega includes about 85 perennial herbaceous species. The subgenus Echeandia is distributed from USA, to Argentina and Chile. Mexico is considered to be the genus center of origin and diversity. Echeandia is considered as a monobasic genus with x = 8. Diploid plants (2n = 16, n = 8, x = 8) have been reported for 35 species of Echeandia....

A cytological analysis of the microsporogenesis was carried out in the Agave tequilana and A. angustifolia species. Several abnormalities such as chromosomal bridges, lagging chromosomes, micronuclei, monads, dyads and triads were found. The morphological analysis of the pollen, together with the above-mentioned 2n microspores, allowed us to confir...

The effect of para-fluorophenylalanine (PFP) on the production of trisomic plants of Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul produced through somatic embryogenesis was investigated. Normal diploid plants with 2n = 2x = 60 were obtained in the control treatment and with 4 mg L−1 PFP exposure, while use of 8 and 12 mg L−1 PFP led to production of trisomics w...

México es el centro de diversidad genética de la familia Agavaceae, plantas conocidas como magueyes o agaves todas ellas adaptadas a condiciones extremas de sequia y temperatura, existen aproximadamente 250 taxa, siendo México el poseedor del 75% de dicha diversidad. Ante esta riqueza fitogénetica, importante preservar este recurso natural y por ot...

It is reported for the first time an efficient protocol for indirect somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration for Jarilla heterophylla (Caricaceae). Initial explants were mature zygotic embryos obtained from seeds collected in two regions of the state of Jalisco, México (San Luis Soyatlán and Zacoalco de Torres). Two protocols for somatic embry...

Somatic embryogenesis in Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul was affected by the interaction between the light regimes applied during the induction phase and the expression phase. When embryogenic calli was exposed to white or red light during the expression phase, an average of two germinated embryos per explant was obtained regardless of the light tr...

A biolistic protocol for the stable genetic transformation of the hardwood tree Paulownia elongata was developed. Leaf explants were bombarded using the PDS-1000/He system with plasmid pBI121. The introduced DNA contained the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) as a selection marker. Transformed calli were in...

The genetic diversity in forty-nine Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul accessions from different regions of the Appellation of Origin Tequila, and eighteen Agave angustifolia Haw. var. Lineño accessions from the south of the state of Jalisco, were evaluated using morphological traits and RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers. Thirteen morp...

Difficulties to develop an easy and reproducible protocol to get healthy and well formed plants from somatic embryos of papaya (Carica papaya L.) had included low germination, callus production at the base of the embryo radicle and the occurrence of hyperhydric plantlets among others, and by consequence unsuccessful transfer to the field. With the...

Simple methods to evaluate the viability and to preserve Agave tequilana Weber var. azul and A. angustifolia Haw pollen were established. Pollen viability was assessed by improving a growing media and evaluating three common pollen germination media components: sucrose, boric acid, and calcium ion. Optimal germination of pollen was obtained at 0.30...

Somatic embryogenesis was achieved from leaves of Agave tequilana Weber cultivar azul utilizing MS medium supplemented with L2 vitamins and the addition of cytokinins: 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 1-phenyl-3(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)urea (TDZ), 6-(γ-γ-dimethylamino)purine (2ip) and 6-furfurylaminopurine (KIN), combined with the auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxya...

We demonstrate the effectiveness of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) for monitoring the development and stress detection of in vitro tissue cultures in a nondestructive and noninvasive way. The changes in LIF spectra caused by the induction of organogenesis, the increase of the F690∕F740 ratio as a result of the stress originated in the organogenic...

In this study, the effect of three factors on indirect organogenesis of Paulownia elongata was evaluated. Explants were exposed for four weeks to different treatments, which were obtained by combining: Factor I, culture media: MS and WPM. Factor II, growth regulators: 5 and 10 mg·1-1 BA, 0.5 mg·l-1 NAA, 1 and 8 mg·l-1 TDZ, 0.1 mg·1-1 KIN. Fator III...

A unique non-pathogenic strain of Fusarium oxysporum was isolated from field-collected plants of Agave victoria-reginae Moore. It was then re-introduced into micropropagated plants of the same species under greenhouse conditions. The fungic inoculation induced a 225% increase in the length of roots, 50% in the number of root branches and 50% in the...

leyes de Mendel a principios del siglo XX. Los fitomejoradores han creado un sin número de variedades con el objeto de incrementar la producción, resistencia a enfermedades, etc. Sin embargo, en ocasiones es difícil obtener plantas mejoradas por este medio y hay que recurrir a métodos alternativos para producir variantes genéticas útiles. La biotec...

Agave tequilana Weber var. azul, is the only one variety permitted by federal law in México to be used for tequila production which is the most popular contemporary alcoholic beverage made from agave and recognized worldwide. Despite the economic, genetic, and ornamental value of the plant, it has not been subjected to detailed cytogenetic research...

Greenhouse-grown plants of Agave tequilana Weber var. azul were inoculated with Erwinia carotovora, the causal agent of stem soft rot. We investigated the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) of agave plants to determine whether LIF can be used as a noninvasive sensing tool for pathological studies. The LIF technique was also investigated as a means of...

El mejoramiento genético de plantas es una de las hazañas más antiguas del hombre, que inició con la domesticación de las mismas bajo condiciones controladas y la selección de aquellas capaces de proporcionar una mejor fuente de alimentos. Esto marcó una de las fases más importantes en el progreso de la humanidad, al permitirle transitar de una vid...

The effect of temperatures between -10 degreesC and 60 degreesC, on the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra was investigated in Agave tequilana Weber var. azul. At high and low temperatures, fluorescence intensity decreased with a stronger effect at 740 rim than at 690 rim. At -10 degreesC and 60 degreesC, a sudden decrease was detected in the...

Effects on callus overproduction in cultures of shoots and calli of Aztekium ritteri were evaluated following co-cultivation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain LBA-9402. In vitro produced shoots and callus pieces were cultured on MS medium supplemented with L2 vitamins, 1 mg/l 6-benzylamino-purine + 0.05 mg/l l-naphthaleneacetic acid, with or wit...

An efficient method for the in vitro propagation of Agave parrasana Berger, an important ornamental plant species native to the state of Coahuila, Mexico, was developed. Proliferation of good quality shoots was achieved on agar-solidified basal MS medium supplemented with L-2 vitamins and 13.3 mu M benzyladenine. Rooting was successful in the basal...

Somatic embryogenesis is an asexual form of plant propagation in nature that mimics many of the events of sexual reproduction. Also, this process may be reproduced artificially by the manipulation of tissues and cells in vitro. Some of the most important factors for a successful plant regeneration are the culture medium and environmental incubation...

Ovules of flowers in anthesis of in vitro derived plants of Mammillaria san-angelensis Sanchez-Mejorada were cultured in a modified solid B5 medium supplemented with 2,4-D (4 mgl-1) plus Kin (2 mgl-1). Callus was induced from the integuments of the ovules. During the first three months in culture, early stages of somatic embryogenesis were detected...

Diamines and polyamines are ubiquitous components of living cells, and apparently are involved in numerous cellular and physiological processes. Certain "uncommon" polyamines have limited distribution in nature and have been associated primarily with organisms adapted to extreme environments, although the precise function of these polyamines in suc...

Shoot meristem tissues of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., were found by high performance liquid chromatography analyses to contain the uncommon polyamines, norspermidine and norspermine. The chemical structures of norspermidine and norspermine, purified from alfalfa, were confirmed by comparison of mass spectra with those from authentic standards. The...

Pollen from cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars, which demonstrate heat tolerance in the field, generally express higher fertility after heat treatment than pollen from heat sensitive cultivars. The objective of this study was to determine, if pollen could be heat treated to eliminate all but those grains with genetic heat tolerance. Genes fo...

Introducción. Se reporta por primera vez un protocolo para la regeneración in vitro de plantas de Jarilla heterophylla. La Jarilla, miembro de la familia Caricaceae, es un Género distribuido principalmente en México en sitios muy localizados y con una población muy reducida (1). Es una planta multianual y sus frutos son comestibles, se comercializa...

Thesis (Ph. D.)--New Mexico State University, 1985. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-57). Microfilm. s