Marcel Pagès

Marcel is from Barcelona, Catalunya. He studied Biology with specialisation in Plant Sciences and Ecology in the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and a Masters in Molecular Biotechnology in the Universitat de Barcelona. Marcel earned his DPhil (PhD) in Interdisciplinary Biosciences from the University of Oxford, under the supervision of Prof. Gail Preston. He is now a postdoctoral researcher in the labs of Prof. Gail Preston and Dr. Alfredo Castello.

Research Area

I focus on the study of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) involved in plant immunity and their role in plant defence responses against pathogens. RBPs have emerged as master regulators of gene expression and are essential for cellular RNA homeostasis. Upon pathogen attack, the transcriptome of plants changes dramatically and RBPs have been shown to be important players orchestrating these changes. We are studying, in a comprehensive manner, the role of RNA-binding proteins in plant immunity using a technique that we recently developed termed ‘plant RNA interactome capture’ (ptRIC).

Hobbies

Outside the lab marcel enjoys nature, travelling, mushroom picking and fishing.