Ioan Bacila
Research Scientist II - Experimental Biology
Biography
Researcher in molecular biology, specialised in the study of Romanian maize germplasm in order to obtain new hybrids with improved nutritional qualities. Interested also in plant molecular taxonomy, molecular phylogeny, population genetics, biotechnology, monitoring the genetic stability of ex-situ conserved germplasm and assessing plant genetic diversity.
Publications
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article
Evaluating Maize Hybrids For Yield, Stress Tolerance, And Carotenoid Content: Insights Into Breeding For Climate Resilience |
Popa Calin; Calugar Roxana Elena; Varga Andrei; Muntean Edward; Bacila Ioan; Vana Carmen Daniela; Racz Ionut; Tritean Nicolae; Berindean Ioana Virginia; Ona Andreea D.; Muntean Leon | Plants-Basel, 2025 | |
AbstractTo ensure food and feed security, modern maize hybrids must not only perform well under changing climate conditions but also consistently achieve higher and stable yields, exhibit maximum tolerance to stress factors, and produce high quality grains. In a study conducted in 2022 and 2023, 50 maize hybrids were developed from crosses of five elite (highly productive) inbred lines and ten lines possessing favorable genes for carotenoid content. These hybrids were tested under particularly unfavorable conditions for maize cultivation. The aim was to identify which lines effectively transmit the desired traits to the offspring (general combining ability-GCA), and to identify superior hybrids in terms of productivity, adaptability, and quality (specific combining ability-SCA). The study revealed that total carotenoids ranged from 2.30 to 40.20 mu g/g for the inbred lines and from 7.45 to 25.08 mu g/g for hybrids. A wider distribution of values was observed in the inbred lines compared to the hybrids for key carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, and beta-carotene. Among the hybrids, notable performers in yield, adaptability, and carotenoid content included E390xD302, A452xD302, and A447xD302. The paternal inbred line D302 exhibited a high general combining ability for yield (1446 kg ha-1) and, when crossed with several inbred lines, produced hybrids with enhanced yields and higher levels of zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta-carotene, as well as improved unbroken plants percent. |
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article
Cross-Species Transferability Of Specific Ssr Markers From Carex Curvula (Cyperaceae) To Other Carex Species |
Suteu Dana; Puscas Mihai; Bacila Ioan; Balazs Zoltan Robert; Choler Philippe | Diversity-Basel, 2024 | |
AbstractMicrosatellites are codominant markers that, due to their high polymorphism, are a common choice for detecting genetic variability in various organisms, including fungi, plants, and animals. However, the process of developing these markers is both costly and time-consuming. As a result, the cross-species amplification has become a more rapid and more affordable alternative in biological studies. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of 13 SSR markers, originally designed for Carex curvula, in other 14 species belonging to different sections of the genus. All the markers were successfully transferred with a mean of 90.76%, and 100% transferability was reached in two species (C. baldensis and C. rupestris). The lowest transferability was registered in the G165 marker, which did not produce amplification in six species. Together, the microsatellites amplified a total of 183 alleles, ranging from 10 to 19 alleles per locus, with an average of 14.07. The mean number of different alleles ranged from 0.846 to a maximum of 2.077 per locus. No significant departures from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected in polymorphic loci. The transferability of the 13 SSR markers proved highly successful in various Carex species, across different clades and sections of the genus. |
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article
Genetic Diversity And Population Structure Of The Mountain Species Telekia Speciosa (Asteraceae) In The Se Carpathians; [Diversitatea Genetică Și Structura Populațională A Speciei Montane Telekia Speciosa (Asteraceae) În Carpații De Se] |
Băcilă I.; Șuteu D.; Balázs Z.R.; Coldea G. | Contributii Botanice, 2024 | |
AbstractTelekia speciosa (Schreb.) Baumg. was selected to investigate the phylogeography of tall-herb species, an ecological group in which the Quaternary history has been rarely studied. This species is a characteristic component of mountain forest communities in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains. The analysis employing Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting has revealed a notable absence of a well-defined phylogeographical structure among the populations assessed. This finding implies that the various regions of the current distribution range of Telekia speciosa in the SE Carpathians have not undergone extended periods of isolation. Such a pattern suggests that this mountain tall-herb species might have experienced the possibility of long-term persistence along a wide altitudinal gradient in isolated mountain ranges, also encompassing the lowlands between them in glacial periods. Beside the unique vegetation history experienced during the most recent glaciation in the SE Carpathians, the observed weak phylogeographical structure of Telekia speciosa can be reasonably attributed to its inherent biological traits, particularly its proficiency in long-distance dispersal. Additionally, the species' ecological adaptations, which facilitated its survival in riparian zones of relatively low, forested mountain ranges, might contributed further to maintaining genetic connectivity among populations, thereby mitigating substantial genetic differentiation across its distribution. The study concludes that the genetic variation observed in T. speciosa is relatively evenly distributed across the species' distribution area. © 2024, Babes-Bolyai University, "Alexandru Borza" Botanic Garden. All rights reserved. |
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article
Development Of Ssr Markers For Carex Curvula (Cyperaceae) And Their Importance In Investigating The Species Genetic Structure |
Suteu Dana; Puscas Mihai; Bacila Ioan; Miclaus Mihai; Balazs Zoltan Robert; Choler Philippe | Molecular Biology Reports, 2023 | |
AbstractBackgroundMicrosatellite primers were developed and tested to genotype several populations of Carex curvula s. l. (Cyperaceae), in order to infer the phylogeographic relationships of the populations within species and the boundaries between the two described subspecies: C. curvula subsp. curvula and C. curvula subsp. rosae.Methods and resultsCandidate microsatellite loci were isolated based on next-generation sequencing. We tested 18 markers for polymorphism and replicability in seven C. curvula s. l. populations and identified 13 polymorphic loci with dinucleotide repeats. Genotyping results showed the total number of alleles per locus varied from four to 23 (including both infrataxa), and the observed and expected heterozygosity ranged between 0.1 to 0.82 and 0.219 to 0.711, respectively. Furthermore, the NJ tree showed a clear separation between C. curvula subsp. curvula and C. curvula subsp. rosae.ConclusionThe development of these highly polymorphic markers proved to be very efficient not only in delineating between the two subspecies, but also in genetic discriminating at population level within each infrataxon. They are promising tools for evolutionary studies in Cariceae section, as well as in providing knowledge on patterns of the species phylogeography. |
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article
Epidemiology Of Enterococcus Faecium Isolates Sampled From Different Sources In Romania Using Mlst Technique And Eburst Algorithm |
Băcilă I.; Jakab E.; Şuteu D.; Popescu O. | Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 2023 | |
AbstractEnterococcus faecium is emerging as an important cause of multidrug resistance and hospital acquired infections, special attention being paid to the vancomycin resistant species. Therefore, the characterization of pathogenic strains/isolates plays an important role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases. The enterococcal rate was determined from wastewaters in Cluj-Napoca area. As presence of E. faecium was detected, a number of isolates from wastewater, birds and humans were epidemiologically analyzed according to the MLST website. Comparisons were performed against a collection of available isolates, with multiple origins, contained in the MLST database. Out of the Enterococcus isolates collected from wastewater, 11 were identified as E. faecalis (40.74%); 8 as E. casseliflavus (29.62%); 5 as E. faecium (18.50%); 2 as E. gallinarum (7.40%) and one isolate as E. durans. Based on the MLST data and using the eBURST algorithm, the isolates of E. faecium sampled from Romania were split in three groups: one group comprised isolates from human hosts and wastewater (Cj316, 106/6, Cj197, Cj22, 129/6, Cj117, Cj24, 284/7, and 43/7), while the second (G9, G10-2, G7, G3-2, and G9-1) and the third group (G8, G6, and 40/7) originated from bird hosts. The rest of the isolates were not joined in a particular group, assuming the lack of a phylogenetic bond between these isolates. The obtained data suggested the existence of at least two phylogenetic lines of E. faecium in Romania: a line that had mainly human host prevalence, while in the other line the animal hosts dominated. © Articles by the authors; Licensee SMTCT, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. |
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Evaluation Of Cross-Genus Transferability Of Ssr Markers From Other Legumes To Two Closely Related Onobrychis (Fabaceae) Taxa |
Băcilă I.; Şuteu D.; Coste A.; Balázs Z.R.; Coldea G. | Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 2023 | |
AbstractMicrosatellite markers previously developed for other leguminous species were tested for cross-genus transferability and evaluated for their potential usefulness in providing an improved assessment of the genetic relationships between two closely related taxa belonging to Onobrychis genus (Fabaceae). Candidate microsatellite markers were tested for polymorphism and replicability in sixteen populations of O. montana DC. subsp. transsilvanica (Simonk.) Jáv. and O. montana. Out of the 23 SSRs, there were identified seven polymorphic loci. In total 32 alleles were detected and the number of alleles per locus varied from two to six. PIC values ranged from 0.375 to 0.6454, and four SSRs displayed a PIC > 0.5. Relative uniform rates of genetic diversity were obtained. In case of O. montana DC. subsp. transsilvanica (Simonk.) Jáv. the observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.100 to 0.952 and from 0.219 to 0.525, respectively, while for O. montana ranged from 0.166 to 0.750 and from 0.083 to 0.375, respectively. Seven polymorphic SSRs with clear and reproducible amplification were identified. These markers proved to be very efficient for unambiguous population discrimination based on both geographic and taxonomic criteria. Hereafter, these SSR markers can be used as tools for evolutionary studies in Onobrychis genus, as well in providing knowledge on patterns of the species phylogeography. © Articles by the authors. |
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article
Extent Of Intraspecific Trait Variability In Ecologically Central And Marginal Populations Of A Dominant Alpine Plant Across European Mountains |
Turtureanu Pavel Dan; Puscas Mihai; Podar Dorina; Balazs Zoltan Robert; Hurdu Bogdan-Iuliu; Novikov Andriy; Renaud Julien; Saillard Amelie; Bec Stephane; Suteu Dana; Bacila Ioan; Choler Philippe | Annals Of Botany, 2023 | |
AbstractBackground and Aims Studying trait variability and restricted gene flow between populations of species can reveal species dynamics. Peripheral populations commonly exhibit lower genetic diversity and trait variability due to isolation and ecological marginality, unlike central populations experiencing gene flow and optimal conditions. This study focused on Carex curvula, the dominant species in alpine acidic meadows of European mountain regions. The species is sparser in dry areas such as the Pyrenees and Balkans, compared to the Central-Eastern Alps and Carpathians. We hypothesized that distinct population groups could be identified based on their mean functional trait values and their correlation with the environment; we predicted that ecologically marginal populations would have stronger trait correlations, lower within-population trait variability (intraspecific trait variability, ITV) and lower genetic diversity than populations of optimal habitats. Methods Sampling was conducted in 34 populations that spanned the entire distribution range of C. curvula. We used hierarchical clustering to identify emergent functional groups of populations, defined by combinations of multiple traits associated with nutrient economy and drought tolerance (e.g. specific leaf area, anatomy). We contrasted the geographical distribution of these groups in relation to environment and genetic structure. We compared pairwise trait relationships, within-population trait variation (ITV) and neutral genetic diversity between groups. Key Results Our study identified emergent functional groups of populations. Those in the southernmost ranges, specifically the Pyrenees and Balkan region, showed drought-tolerant trait syndromes and correlated with indicators of limited water availability. While we noted a decline in population genetic diversity, we did not observe any significant changes in ITV in ecologically marginal (peripheral) populations. Conclusions Our research exemplifies the relationship between ecological marginality and geographical peripherality, which in this case study is linked to genetic depauperation but not to reduced ITV. Understanding these relationships is crucial for understanding the biogeographical factors shaping trait variation. |
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article
High Frequency Direct Organogenesis In Five Romanian Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill.) Cultivars |
Halmagyi Adela; Coste Ana; Deliu Constantin; Bacila Ioan | Horticulturae, 2023 | |
AbstractTomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) as the most economically important vegetable crop worldwide has been investigated intensively for the development of new and improved varieties. Most of these technologies require efficient protocols for in vitro regeneration and propagation of plant material. In the present study, an efficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration system for five Romanian tomato genotypes (cvs. 'Capriciu', 'Darsirius', 'Kristin', 'Pontica' and 'Siriana') has been established. The tomato genotypes were selected based on their horticultural and economically valuable traits. To study the in vitro morphogenic response, various explants, such as cotyledons, cotyledonary nodes, hypocotyls, leaf explants, internodes, stem nodes and apical buds have been selected. The highest efficiency in terms of direct shoot organogenesis was obtained in cv. 'Capriciu' (98% for apical buds and 94% for stem nodes) on culture media with zeatin and indole-3-butyric acid. One advantage of this regeneration procedure is beside its feasibility in handling, the high percentage of regenerated shoots and their rooting. The present protocol contributes to the existing information regarding the response of tomato cultivars to in vitro culture conditions. |
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New Insights Regarding The Taxonomy And Phylogeography Of Onobrychis Montana Dc. Subsp. Transsilvanica (Fabaceae) |
Băcilă I.; Şuteu D.; Coste A.; Balázs Z.R.; Coldea G. | Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 2023 | |
AbstractOnobrychis montana DC. Subsp. transsilvanica (Simonk.) Jáv. (Fabaceae) is a plant taxon, endemic to the South-Eastern Carpathians, whose taxonomic status is treated inconsistently by the classic taxonomy based on morphological traits. In a previous study, by sequencing several chloroplast DNA regions and AFLP genotyping, we tried to elucidate the controversy concerning its taxonomic status in relation to the more widespread O. montana DC., and determined its phylogeographic structure within the Carpathians. The present study, based on DNA fingerprinting by seven SSR markers, brings more insights on this problematic taxon by conferring higher resolution and sub-clustering previously identified phylogeographic groups. However, the newly SSR genetic data are in agreement with molecular evidence revealed by AFLP and chloroplastic SNPs and do not support O. montana DC. Subsp. transsilvanica (Simonk.) Jáv. As a distinct species from O. montana DC. © 2023, Horticulture and Forestry Society from Transylvania. All rights reserved. |
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article
Phylogeographic Pattern Of The High-Alpine Plant Species Eritrichium Nanum (Boraginaceae) Within The Carpathians |
Suteu Dana; Bacila Ioan; Stoica Adrian-Ilie; Balazs Zoltan R.; Puscas Mihai; Coldea Gheorghe | Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 2023 | |
AbstractThe Carpathians represent not only a European hotspot of plant diversity for both species richness and endemism, but also an important stepping-stone area in historical migrations between the flora of the Asian and European mountain systems and a starting point of postglacial recolonizations for many species. Yet, until recent years, phylogeographical studies for alpine or arctic-alpine plants were focused on the Alps, whereas peripheral mountain ranges, including the Carpathians, were either neglected or insufficiently sampled. In this study, we aimed to complement the Alpine phylogeographic structure of an emblematic high-alpine European endemic taxon, Eritrichium nanum, by focusing on the Carpathian range of the species. We sampled nine populations from the South-Eastern Carpathians and performed ITS1 sequencing and AFLP fingerprinting. In case of ITS1 region, all the populations, no matter of their geographic origin, presented the same ribotype. The AFLP analysis indicated that, within the Carpathians, the extant populations of E. nanum comprised two major allopatric lineages. One important result of the research was the discovery that the species' sole important genetic break was located in the Southern Carpathians, separating populations of the Retezat Mountains from all the others in the Carpathians. |
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