Alejandra Bravo

Biotechnology Institute - National University of Mexico

Profile

Born 29 April 1961. PHD in Biomedical Research at the National University of Mexico

(UNAM) in 1988. Two Postdoctoral positions one in Plant genetic Systems, Belgium in 1991,

other in Institute Pasteur France 1995. Three Sabbaticals stays one in Embrapa –Brazil,

other in in Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

and other in Pioneer Hi-Bred International, USA 2014. Worked at UNAM since 1989, now

professor at Institute of Biotechnology /UNAM. SNI III since 2004 to date. L’Oreal-UNESCO

Award for Women in Science 2010. Member of “International cry Gene Nomenclature

Committee” since 1999.

Editorial Board of Journal Invertebrate Pathology; PloSONE; Journal of Biological Sciences;

Bioengineered Bugs; ISRN Toxicology; International Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular

Biology; Advances in Microbiology; Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Handling

editor of FEMS.

Publications in International Peer reviewed journal 167

Chapters in International Books 31

Edited Books 3

Patents 8

Transference of technologies 6

Citations (Google scholars citations) 11,089, h-index 55, i10-index 116

Participation in National scientific Meetings 103

Participation in International scientific Meetings 168

Theses Direction 13 Bachelors

11 Master Degrees and 11 Ph.D.

Alejandra Bravo

Biotechnology Institute - National University of Mexico

Abstract

“Crop protection from insect attack and evolution of resistance of insect to

GMO crops”

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins, are insecticidal proteins used worldwide used

for insect control, since they kill most important agricultural pests. Cry toxins

break down larval midgut cells by forming oligomeric pores in the membrane

of these cells. These toxins are harmless to humans or any vertebrate and to

plants. Genetically modified (GM) plants expressing B. thuringiensis Cry toxins

efficiently control insect pests. However, changes in the susceptibility of some

insects to these B. thuringiensis traits have evolved in some areas potentially

compromising the effectiveness of GM plants. Thus, the study of the mode of

action of these toxins and identification of additional strategies for insect crop

protection is necessary.