Education

Ph.D. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. University of São Paulo – Brazil (2020)

MSc. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. University of São Paulo – Brazil (2015)

B.S. Biological Sciences. University of São Paulo – Brazil (2012)

Research

Dr. Vendemiatti’s research integrates plant developmental genetics, molecular biology, and sustainable crop protection to better understand the mechanisms underlying natural insect resistance in tomato. Her work focuses on unraveling the genetic and molecular control of glandular trichome development, particularly type-IV trichomes, which are specialized epidermal structures involved in secreting acylsugars – specialized metabolites that play a critical role in defense against herbivores.

Using tomato as a model system, Dr. Vendemiatti investigates the regulatory networks controlling trichome patterning and metabolite biosynthesis through classical genetics, transcriptomic analyses, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The long-term goal of her research is to develop molecular breeding strategies that harness natural plant defenses to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides, contributing to ecologically sound and economically viable agriculture. In addition to its translational impact, her research also supports undergraduate education by engaging students in hands-on molecular and phenotypic analysis of traits critical to plant-insect interactions and sustainable crop improvement.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Lateef S, Mueller V, Gigliotti JC, Vendemiatti E, Benedito VA, Tou JC. Hypothalamic Regulated Physiological Function and Gene Expression Changes Suggests High Fructose Corn Syrup Intake Affects Neurodevelopment in Adolescent Female Rats. Nutritional Neuroscience, https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2025.2509751

Mabel-Ojo F, Vendemiatti E, Lourenço Júnior J, Kumar-Mahto M, Benedito VA, Simões ANG. Determining trichome elemental composition in tomato, potato and wild relatives (Solanum, Solanaceae) using SEM-EDS. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87643-y

Vendemiatti E, Moreira R, Lasmar dos Reis G, Hernandez-De Lira IO, Peña-Yewtukhiw E, Hippler FWR, Dorante LOT, Pavuluri K, Valentine A, Nascimento VL, Benedito VA. 2024. Global transcriptional modulation and nutritional status of soybean plants following foliar application of zinc borate as a suspension concentrate fertilizer. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87771-5

Vendemiatti E, Nowack L, Peres LEP, Benedito VA, Schenck C. Sticky Business: The Intricacies of Acylsugar Biosynthesis in the Solanaceae. Phytochemistry Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-024-09996-y

 Vendemiatti E, Hernández-De Lira IO, Snijders R, Therezan R, Prants G, Lopez-Ortiz C, Reddy U, Bleeker P, Schenck C, Peres LEP, Benedito VA. 2024. Woolly mutation with Get02 locus overcomes the polygenic nature of trichome-based pest resistance in tomato. Plant Physiology https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiae128

Warren D, Benedito VA, Skinner CR, Alawadi A, Vendemiatti E, Laub DJ, Showman C, Matak K, Tou JC. 2023. Low-protein diets composed of protein recovered from food processing supported growth, but induced mild hepatic steatosis compared with a no-protein diet in young female rats. Journal of Nutrition 153(6):1668-1679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.03.028

Vendemiatti E, Therezan R, Vicente MH, Pinto MS, Bergau N, Yang L, Bernardi WF, Alencar SM, Zsögön A, Tissier A, Benedito VA, Peres LEP. 2022. The genetic complexity of type-IV trichome development reveals the steps towards an insect-resistant tomato. Plants 11(10):1209. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11101309

Therezan R, Kortbeek R, Vendemiatti E, Legarrea S, Alencar SM, Schuurink Robert, Bleeker P, Peres LEP. 2021. Introgression of the sesquiterpene biosynthesis from Solanum habrochaites to cultivated tomato offers insights into trichome morphology and arthropod resistance. Planta 254:1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-021-03651-y

Vendemiatti E, Zsögön A, Silva GFF, De Jesus FA, Cutri L, Figueiredo CRF, Tanaka FAO, Nogueira FTS, Peres LEP. 2017. Loss of type-IV glandular trichomes is a heterochronic trait in tomato and can be reverted by promoting juvenility. Plant Science 259:35-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2017.03.006

Courses Taught

BIOL121 – Biological Diversity

BIOL385 – Cell Biology

BIOL444 – Plant Physiology