Louzada’s current research is focus on expression analysis of genes up-regulated by cold acclimation in citrus and on the development of a molecular approach for a broad spectrum disease resistance in citrus. A subtracted cDNA library was constructed to allow for the expression study of genes expressed during cold acclimation in citrus. Several genes were isolated and are currently being analyzed. To develop a broad spectrum disease resistance we isolated DND1-like (Defense, no Death) genes with high similarity to the DND1 gene family from Arabidopsis thaliana.  In A. thaliana it was observed that by silencing some genes from this family would induce broad spectrum disease resistance without the cell death observed during the hypersensitive response. We are going to over-express the genes and also silence it to determine which strategy will be better to induce disease resistance. Projects in other areas of molecular biology and breeding are also being carried out at the lab.

Education:

B.S. Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 1975

M.S. Soil Science, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 1978

Ph.D. Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and University of Florida, CREC, Lake Alfred;  1993

Professional Experience (Current appointment is 75% research and 25% teaching)

2002- Present    Associate Professor (Tenured), Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center

Sept. 1997- 2002   Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University- Kingsville Citrus Center

Sept.1995- Aug. 1997  Postdoctoral Associate, University of Florida, 

June 1994- July 1997  Senior Scientist, Ceres 2000 Inc., 

April 1993- May 1994 Postdoctoral Associate, University of Florida, CREC Lake Alfred

Teaching 

Courses taught in the last three years- All 6000 level courses:

Title: Advances in Scientific Writing 

Title: Advances in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture 

Title: Advances in Plant Biotechnology.

Graduate Education (as major professor)

- Students graduated in the last 6 years: 10 graduate students

- Current graduate student’s advisement: 7 graduate students

Undergraduate Education

In the year 2000 I started a hands-on undergraduate research internship program, in cooperation of two universities, with the objective of channel local undergraduate students to graduate studies. So far more than 45 students went through the program and more than 20 students were channeled to graduate studies, including four at Ph.D. level.

 Research Activities

Research Funding (last 6 years)

1.  From the Texas Citrus Producers Board (TCPB):  $ 182,861 
2.  From federal sources: $ 1,318,023

Ongoing Research Projects

- Expression analysis of genes triggered by cold acclimation in citrus.

- Development of a systemic disease resistance in citrus by over expressing or silence ion    channel genes.

 - Identification of citrus spider mite species using molecular markers 

- Molecular identification and population dynamic of two species of root-feeding aphids in Cruciferous.

Publications 

Book Chapter

Louzada ES (2006) Single Chromosome Transfer. In: IH Khan (ed) Citrus Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology. CABI International.

Louzada ES. (2006) Alternative Processing as a mechanism for regulating gene expression. In: Basset CL (ed) Regulation of Plant Gene Expression.  Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg. 

Louzada ES, and JW Grosser (1994)  Somatic   hybridization   of   Citrus with sexually incompatible  wild  relatives. In:  Bajah YPS (ed)  Biotechnology  in  Agriculture and Forestry 27(29) 427-438. Springer-Verlag,  Berlin Heidelberg.

Refereed Journal 

Palle SR, H Miao, M Seyran, ES Louzada, JV da Graca, and M Skaria. (2006) Evidence for association of Citrus psorosis virus with symptomatic trees and an Olpidium-like fungus in Texas. XVI  Int. Organ. of Citrus Virol Conference.

Kunta M, HS de Rio, and ES Louzada (2006) Isolation and molecular characterization of an ascorbate peroxidase from citrus. Submitted to HortScience. 

Bona CM, JH Gould, JC Miller Jr, GR McEachern and ES Louzada (2006) In Vitro Manipulation of Nine GrapeCultivars. Submitted to HortScience.

Robbins A and ES Louzada (2005) Expression analysis of a cold responsive transcript from trifoliate orange by RT-PCR and real-time PCR.  Plant Cell Rep.24:612-618.

Jia Y, D Xia, and ES Louzada (2005) Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a putative terpene synthase from Citrus.  J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130: 454-458.

Jia Y, HS del Rio, A Robbins, and ES Louzada (2004) Cloning and sequence analysis of a low temperature induced gene from trifoliate orange with unusual pre-mRNA processing. Plant Cell Rep. 23: 159-166.

Hernandez- Jasso Julio C, J V da Graca, and ES Louzada (2004) Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes from Poncirus trifoliata Triggered by Citrus tristeza virus Inoculation.. Subtrop. Plant Sci.56: 26-32.

Louzada ES, H.S. del Rio, D. Xia and J.M.Moran-Mirabal (2002) Preparation and fusion of microprotoplasts from Citrus spp.  J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127: 484-488.  

Rojas  MM,   KJ Crosby and  ES Louzada (2002)  Differential gene expression analysis in melon roots under drought stress conditions. Subtropical Plant Sci.54:6-10.

Louzada ES , H.S. Del Rio, I.L. Ingelbrecht, and D. Xia (2001) Production of transgenic Valencia orange suspension cells to be used as donors for chromosome transfer.  Subtropical Plant Sci. 53: 9-13.

ZY Yang, IL Ingelbrecht, ES Louzada, M Skaria, and TE Mirkov (2000) Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the commercially important grapefruit cultivar Rio Red. Plant Cell Rep. 19: 1203-1211.

Louzada ES (2000) Register of new fruit and nut varieties HortScience 35(5) pp 815.

Grosser JW, J. Jiang, FAA Mourao-Fo, ES Louzada, K. Baergen, JL Chandler, and FG Gmitter Jr (1998) Somatic hybridization, an integral component of citrus cultivar improvement: I. Scion Improvement. HortScience 33(6) 1057-1059.

Grosser JW, J. Jiang, ES Louzada, JL Chandler, and FG Gmitter Jr (1998) Somatic hybridization, an integral component of citrus cultivar improvement: I. Rootstock Improvement. HortScience 33(6) 1060-1061.

Gmitter  Jr FG,  ES Louzada ,   Z Deng ,  and S Huang  (1998) A bacterial artificial chromosome  (BAC) library for cloning a citrus tristeza virus resistance gene. Acta Hort. 461: 355-359. 

Grosser JW, FAA Mourao FO, FG Gmitter Jr, ES Louzada, J Jiang, K Baergen,  A Quiroz, C Cabasson , JL Shell,  and JL  Chandler (1996)  Allotetraploid   hybrids between Citrus and seven related  genera produced by somatic hybridization. Theo. Appl. Genetics 92: 577-582.

Grosser JW, ES Louzada,  and  FG Gmitter  Jr  (1994)  Somatic  hybridization  of  complementary  Citrus rootstock: five new hybrids. HortScience 29(7) 812-813.

Louzada ES,  JW Grosser ,  and FG Gmitter Jr  (1993)    Somatic   hybrid   plants   from   sexually  Incompatible parents:   Citrus sinensis cv  Hamlin and Atalantia ceylanica. Plant Cell Rep.  12:687-690.

Lummerzheim M, de Oliveira D, Castresana C, Miguens FC, Louzada ES, Roby D,  Montagu MV,  and Timmerman B  (1993)    Identification   of  compatible  and  incompatible  interactions  between     Arabidopsis thaliana  and Xanthomonas campestris   and   characterization  of  the  hypersensitive  response. Mol. Plant Microb. Interact. St. Paul, MN: APS Press, 6 (5) 532-544.

Grosser JW, FG Gmitter Jr, ES Louzada, and JL Chandler (1992) Production of somatic hybrid  and  autotetraploid breeding parents for seedless Citrus development. HortScience 27(10) 1125-1127.

Louzada ES, JW Grosser,  FG Gmitter  Jr, N Tusa,  XX Deng, B Nielsen, and  JL Chandler (1992)  Eight  new  somatic  hybrid   Citrus  rootstocks  with  potential  for  improved disease resistance. HortScience 27: 1033-1036.

Tusa N, JW Grosser, FG Gmitter Jr, and ES Louzada (1992) Production of tetraploid somatic hybrid breeding parents for use in lemon cultivar improvement. HortScience 27(5): 445-447.