CONTACT INFORMATION:

Scopus Author ID: 15020384400
Researcher ID: N-1958-2014

Webpage

Section of Plant Physiology
Faculty of Biology
University of Barcelona
Av. Diagonal, 643

08028 Barcelona

criscaldelas(a)ub.edu

Research interests:

My research focuses on metal stress in plants, both from the agronomical and environmental perspective. Zinc deficiency is the most common crop micronutrient deficiency and causes malnutrition to millions of people. This area of my research focuses on zinc-efficiency and tolerance to zinc deficiency in rice. My research also deals with the effect of metal pollution on plants. I study the uptake, accumulation, and toxicity of metals and their nanoparticles in plants. Besides, I develop systems for heavy metal phytoremediation and biomonitor airborne metal pollution in cities. Finally, I study zinc isotopic fractionation in plants. Plants discriminate the stable isotopes of metals, a capacity that depends on the environmental conditions and physiological status of the plant. Zinc stable isotopes are useful to characterise the mechanisms of zinc uptake, translocation, and compartmentation in plants. 

Current research projects:

    • A novel isotope tool to assess nanoparticle toxicity in wetland plants (NANOREM). 2016-2018. Ref. H2020-MSCA-IF-2015-704957. European Commission. PI: Jose Luis Araus.
    • Developing stable isotopes technologies for the study of plant metallomics: zinc deficiency in rice (STABLEPLANT). 2012-2015. Ref. FP7/2007-2013/299473. European Commission. PI: Dominik J Weiss.
    • Advanced Technologies for the Treatment of Industrial and Coastal Waters of the Mediterranean Region (MEDINDUS). 2004. Ref. INCO-CT-2004-509159. European Commission. PI: Jordi Bort Pie and Anna Febrero.
    • Improvement of native perennial forage plants for the sustainability of Mediterranean farming systems (PERMED). 2004. Ref. INCO-CT-2004-509140. European Commission. PI: Salvador Nogués.
    • Development of Viable Technologies and Monitoring Systems for the Remediation/Detection of Mercury in South American waters. Designs of Chelators with Therapeutical Properties (MERCURY). 2002. Ref. ICA4-CT-2002-10055. European Commission. PI: Jordi Bort Pie.

      Recent publications:

      1. Caldelas C, Poitrasson F, Viers J, Araus JL. 2020. Stable Zn isotopes reveal the uptake and toxicity of zinc oxide engineered nanomaterials in Phragmites australis. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.08.031179.
      2. Martín A, Caldelas C,  Weiss DJ, Aranjuelo I, Navarro E. 2018. Assessment of metal immission in urban environments using elemental concentrations and Zinc isotope signatures in leaves of Nerium oleander. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(4), pp. 2071-2080. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b00617. ISSN: 0013-936X
      3. Caldelas C,  Weiss DJ. 2016. Zinc Homeostasis and isotopic fractionation in plants: a review. Plant and Soil, 411(1-2), pp. 17-46. Open access link. ISSN: 0032-079X.
      4. Weiss DJ, Boye K, Caldelas C, Fendorf S. 2014. Zinc Isotope Fractionation during Early Dissolution of Biotite Granite. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 78(1), pp. 171 – 179. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2012.0426. ISSN: 0361-5995.
      5. Caldelas C, Araus JL, Febrero A, Bort J. 2012. Accumulation and toxic effects of chromium and zinc in Iris pseudacorus L. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 34(3), pp. 1217 – 1228. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11738-012-0956-4. ISSN: 0137-5881.
      6. Caldelas C, Bort J, Febrero A. 2011. Ultrastructure and subcellular distribution of Cr in Iris pseudacorus L. using TEM and X-ray microanalysis. Cell Biology and Toxicology, 28(1), pp. 57 – 68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10565-011-9205-7. ISSN: 0742-2091.
      7. Caldelas, C.; Iglesia-Turiño, S.; Araus, J.L.; Bort, J.; Febrero, A. 2009. Physiological responses of Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms to the combined exposure to excess nutrients and Hg. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology, 21(1), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-04202009000100002. ISSN: 1677-9452.
      8. de la Iglesia-Turiño, S.; Febrero, A.; Jauregui, O.; Caldelas, C.; Araus, J.L.; Bort, J. 2006. Detection and quantification of unbound Phytochelatin 2 (PC2) in plant extracts of Brassica napus grown with different levels of mercury. Plant Physiology, 142, pp. 742 – 749. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.106.085068. ISSN: 0032-0889