Biology subjects

Paniagua, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Paniagua, C..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

HSSM: A Widely Applicable Toolbox for Hierarchical Bayesian Neuro-cognitive Modeling

Computational models are central to cognitive neuroscience, but their rigorous application to experimental datasets is often constrained to a narrow set of canonical models that afford tractable analytical computations. We introduce the HSSM (Hierarchical Sequential Sampling Model) ecosystem, a Python toolbox that democratizes access to a broad, extensible array of neurocognitive process models through hierarchical Bayesian inference. Naturally leveraging simulation-based inference via likelihood surrogates, HSSM enables fast parameter estimation for models lacking closed-form likelihoods. Built atop PyMC and Bambi, HSSM provides a user-friendly formula syntax for specifying hierarchical mixed-effects regressions on model parameters, incorporating trial-by-trial neural or physiological covariates. The ecosystem allows fast model simulation and training data generation, as well as the neural network training utilities to deploy surrogate likelihood networks via HuggingFace. Contributions are designed to benefit not only the single researcher working on a problem, but organically, the entire research community. Together, the tools in the HSSM ecosystem bridge the interests of computational theorists as well as experimentalists, accelerating the cycle from model development to rigorous empirical testing.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Suppression of Pectinase Genes Confers Stable Enhancement of Fruit Firmness through Modulation of Pectin Structure in Strawberry

Fruit softening is primarily determined by modifications in the cell wall architecture, which are mediated by the coordinated activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes. In strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), transgenic suppression of the genes encoding the pectinases polygalacturonase (PG), {beta}-galactosidase ({beta}Gal), and rhamnogalacturonan lyase (RGLyase), reduced fruit softening. In this study, we evaluated the fruit firmness phenotype of selected transgenic lines across several harvest years, from 3 to 9 years depending on the line, and analyzed the cell wall composition of ripe fruits using a carbohydrate microarray. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that fruit firmness was significantly affected by both genotype and harvest year, while fruit size and soluble solids content showed no significant contribution. All pectinase-silenced lines exhibited increased firmness relative to the wild type, with those lines with PG down-regulated showing the most significant effects, followed by B-Gal and RGLyase fruits. The firmer phenotype was maintained stably in all the transgenic lines during the different years analyzed. Carbohydrate microarray analyses of sequentially extracted cell wall fractions demonstrated that transgenic ripe fruits retained higher levels of low methyl-esterified homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) epitopes compared to wild-type ripe fruits, resembling the composition of white-stage control fruits. Principal component analysis of microarray data revealed a clear separation between wild-type ripe fruits and transgenic lines, with the latter clustering near the earlier developmental stages of wild-type fruits. Correlation analysis further revealed positive associations between increased firmness and the abundance of high-methylated HG pectic epitopes in the water fraction, recognized with JIM7, and low-methylated HG abundance in the rest of the fractions (JIM5, LM18, and LM19). Overall, these results suggest that suppressing pectinase genes alters pectin remodeling during ripening, resulting in the retention of structurally intact pectin domains and increased fruit firmness. These genes are therefore excellent candidates for the improvement of this key quality trait in strawberry.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Cytokinin-inducible DIRIGENT13 involved in lignan synthesis and ROS accumulation promotes root growth and abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis

Dirigent (DIR) proteins mediate regio- and stereoselectivity of phenoxy radical coupling of monolignols for (neo)lignan or lignin synthesis. However, the role of DIR proteins and lignans in plant development and response to environmental stresses remains elusive. Here, we provide a functional characterization of the cytokinin-responsive DIRIGENT13 (DIR13) in Arabidopsis thaliana. DIR13 was localized to the root endodermis and at the margins of lateral root primordia and lateral roots. While not necessary for Casparian strip formation, DIR13 promoted both main and lateral root growth. Untargeted metabolomics and imaging mass spectrometry analyses unveiled the role of DIR13 in facilitating (neo)lignan synthesis in primary and lateral roots. Interestingly, DIR13 activated the production of putative oxomatairesinol and matairesinol-cysteine which are oxidative derivatives of the lignan matairesinol. Our data also identified DIR13 as an enhancer of salt and drought tolerance. Particularly, DIR13 attenuated salt stress-mediated inhibition of germination and root growth. Moreover, DIR13 activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation both under control and salt stress conditions, and cytokinin further enhanced the salt-induced ROS production specifically in the DIR13 overexpressing line. Our results uncover a role for DIR13-produced lignans in the priming of ROS accumulation, mediating both abiotic stress tolerance and the control of root architecture.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2021

A phylogenetic and transcriptomic study of the β-1,3-glucanase family in tomato identifies candidate targets for fruit improvement

Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, is one of the most cultivated fruits. However, between one-quarter and half of their production is lost during transport and storage. Modifications in cell walls, and specifically pectin composition, delay fruit softening but, so far, the impact of callose metabolism in this process has not been investigated. Callose accumulates in cell walls around plasmodesmata to modify symplasmic transport. It also plays a role in reinforcing cell walls in response to bruising or pathogen invasion. The aim of this work is to identify cell wall {beta}-1,3-glucanases expressed in tomato fruit that can be used as targets to modify callose accumulation during ripening. A phylogenetic analysis identified fifty candidate {beta} -1,3-glucanases in tomato distributed in three clusters (, {beta} and {gamma}) with evolutionary relations previously characterised in the model Arabidopsis thaliana. Analysis of tomato microarray data indicates different regulatory patterns: the expression of a subset of enzymes in cluster decreased during ripening, while enzymes in cluster {beta} and {gamma} displayed higher expression in white-red stages. qRT-PCR experiments confirm the differential regulation of enzymes in different clusters suggesting evolutionary divergences that correlate with differences in their predicted localization and function. The potential to exploit this information in the selection of targets to modify cell walls and fruit development is discussed.

plant biology↗