The main research topics in our group focus on evaluating different intervention strategies that can act as protective against changes induced by both social stress and ageing as well as the role of new technologies in mental and cognitive health. In animal models, our studies are based on the environmental enrichment paradigm of providing high social, physical and mental activity. In human subjects, our interest is focused on the evaluation of lifestyle factors that can help to reduce the effects of chronic stress and promote cognitive reserve, thereby counteracting or delaying the cognitive decline associated with ageing and Alzheimer's disease. We are also interested in assessing the impact of new technologies on mental health and on the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive decline associated with ageing and chronic and neurodegenerative diseases. The ultimate goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms that favour more active ageing and the prevention of cognitive decline.

The UBIC research group is registered in the Register of Research Structures of the Universitat de València (REIUV) under the authority of the Office of the Vice-Principal for Research and Science Policy, regulated in the 1st Chapter of the ACGUV48/2013 Regulation. UBIC works in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of pathologies, both musculoskeletal and neurological. Furthermore, it also proposes actions in the preventive sphere, both in healthy people, to avoid the subsequent development of pathologies, to carry out secondary prevention and avoid possible comorbidities. The research group has experience in biomechanical analysis, from a clinical point of view, having carried out several studies on physical qualities in healthy and pathological populations. Some examples of studies carried out by the group include the evaluation of balance in different pathological populations and the development of balance intervention programmes. In addition, the UBIC has worked on several projects focused on the analysis of joint mobility and human gait using different tools ranging from photogrammetry to different clinical tests that assess the movement quality. Apart from biomechanics, the group also has experience in physiological assessment, in aspects such as the analysis of energy expenditure, the evaluation of muscle activation in patients with pain or heart rate variability with Autonomic Nervous System dysfunctions. Currently, following the physiological assessment, in populations with chronic pain, work is being carried out on the analysis of plasma biomarkers of pain.

All these methods of analysis are the basis for the definition of subsequent physical interventions to address the ailments of the above populations, as well as for the measurement of the effect of the different interventions developed.

The prevalence of frailty syndrome and cognitive impairment represent an often overlapping clinical entity that has a major health, social and economic impact. Frailty and cognitive impairment have also been shown in several international studies to be a precursor to disability, dependency and premature mortality.

The group’s research activity focuses on two fundamental aspects of ageing

1) The pathophysiological alterations that induce and accompany frailty syndrome and cognitive impairment in older people or in younger people whose pathologies and comorbidities lead to earlier development of frailty syndrome and cognitive impairment (such as people with psychiatric illnesses or oncology patients).
2) Nursing multidisciplinary interventions that are able to delay the onset or slow the progression of frailty and cognitive decline.

The first aspect is approaches from a clinical perspective by looking for biomarkers in blood, saliva or other biological samples that characterise the frailty syndrome and cognitive impairment or are predictive of its appearance and changes either in the sense of progression or improvement after clinical interventions. The use of a panel of biomarkers that can be measured in routine clinical testing allows the detection of individuals at risk of developing frailty and cognitive decline or progressing to more severe stages of frailty and dependence, monitoring the effectiveness of treatments, non-pharmacological interventions and care that slow or delay frailty and cognitive decline or its progression. In the aspect of clinical interventions, the impact that these have on other fundamental variables in the integral assessment of the patient is also evaluated, such as their functional state, mode and quality of life from a holistic perspective of people.

Research into the historical and social studies of medicine, technology and science. Collective lines and research projects are devoted to both documentary and material sources of science and technology. Contemporary medicine, its knowledge, practices and scenarios; public health, the relations between science, culture and society, the processes of circulation of scientific knowledge, and the processes of production and social use of science, medicine and technology, especially in the Modern and Contemporary Ages are some of the priority and characteristic research areas of the group.

The research group GIDOP (Optimal Development Research Group) has its origins in two research groups of the Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology of the Universitat de València and was created with the aim of combining efforts and resources in related lines of work.

On the one hand, the GIOE (Research Group in Evolutionary Optimisation) created in 2001 is a multidisciplinary group whose strategic philosophy is the optimisation of human development from a contextual perspective with an emphasis on applied research. The work is applied developmental psychology combines a developmental and community approach and is guided by the values of participation, social justice, collaboration of the groups involved and personal and community empowerment.

On the other hand, the Affective Attachments Research Group, also created in 2001, studies affective attachments: their formation, their development, their loss, and their implications in different areas of development. Its interest lies in the analysis of the most significant bonds throughout life: the parent-child bond, infant attachment and bonds after infancy: adolescent attachment, adult attachment, friendship, couple relationship, etc.

Our research group has extensive experience in research projects funded both by national and international public bodies and by contracts with companies, institutions and social entities. It has also published numerous scientific publications in the form of books, articles and contributions to conferences. The participation of team members in the design and implementation of training courses requested by different entities is very relevant.

Finally, an area of special interest since our origins has been the transfer of knowledge through coordinated community-university work that has allowed the continuous application of actions with theoretical and methodological rigour in schools, town councils and social entities.

Our central focus is on evolutionary optimisation by promoting optimal development throughout life. At present, GIDOP's research activity is structured into six main lines of research that study optimal development and emphasise all those areas that have a major impact on development. Specifically, we work on perinatal development; the exercise of parenthood and its implications; development in adolescence, a crucial stage in the construction of personal identity; affective bonds throughout life, including the main important relationships in our development; the development of personal, emotional and social competencies to promote strengths and reduce possible limitations; and finally, the development of tolerance and the promotion of coexistence, a line that has yielded important results in recent years.

The main objectives of the research group are: 

• To advance the conceptualisation of optimal development at all stages of life.
• To study in depth methods and strategies to optimise development and promote well-being and health. 
• To develop and validate instruments for the evaluation and diagnosis of the psychological variables worked on.
• To work in the field of applied developmental psychology, facilitating the optimal development and well-being of individuals. 
• To offer services and interventions to public and private entities with the aim of increasing potentials and strengths, as well as decreasing personal and social limitations.

The research group “Physical Activity, Education and Society” has been working together since 1997, when a core group of professors with common interests founded the former Research Group UV 0657 (transferred to the Office of the Vice-Principal for Research).

The research activity resulting from this group was an important piece in the development of an emerging field of knowledge in the Spanish context. Educational research on curricular innovations in Physical Education, research on prisons and their link with physical exercise and sport, and the evaluation of scientific production and dissemination in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences stand out.

Over the years, new members and external collaborators have joined and contributed to consolidate this initial activity. In recent years, research has focused on vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, teenagers and transgender people, among others. Likewise, the research methodology used encompasses both qualitative and quantitative methodology.

The work of the group is aimed at:

1. To study social phenomena in the field of physical activity and physical education.
2. To create knowledge in relation to vulnerable groups in the field of physical activity.
3. To disseminate and transfer research results aimed at social transformation.

On the other hand, the group carries out an important task of research training, participating in the direction, coordination and operation of the “Master’s Degree in Research and Intervention in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences”, the “Master’s Degree in Secondary Education Teacher Training”, the “Master’s Degree in Research in Specific Didactics”, the “Doctoral Programme in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences” and the “Doctoral Programme in Specific Didactics”.

The group has research staff in training, and regularly receives students from other universities, both national and foreign who carry out research stays. This way, the group endorses its ability to give continuity to its lines of research and to transfer scientific knowledge to the academic and professional community.

La seua activitat se centra en les àrees de neurociència i investigació cardiovascular, sent els seus objectius principals l'estudi de la fisiologia de la circulació cerebral, la prevenció, fisiopatologia i tractament de l'ictus isquèmic, i la fisiopatologia de la vasculopatia diabètica, com a factor de risc cerebrovascular. Es realitza tant investigació preclínica (models animals d'ictus i diabetis) com a clínica (pacients de d'ictus).

From Psychology, and with emphasis on methodology, the main themes or fields of application are:

• ageing and quality of life;
• comprehensive palliative care and humanisation of care;
• innovation and educational quality (commitment, entrepreneurship, employability in graduates with functional diversity, occupational health in education professionals...)
• and systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The technological offer of the group is based on the development, analysis and technical report of predictive and/or explanatory models based on surveys and opinion studies on issues affecting quality of life. Design and study of the efficacy of interventions in quality of life. Cross-cultural validation, adaptation of measures and creation of surveys and new protocols in the field where there is a lack of the necessary tools. Unique characteristics of this group are its interest in training future researchers in the fields of our research, its commitment to transfer to society and internationalisation. With regard to training, in recent years, numerous PhD theses have been supervised, several of which have been awarded the Extraordinary Doctorate Award.

Most of the researchers in the group are competent in coordinating or directing interdisciplinary doctoral programmes (Promotion of Autonomy and Social and Health Care for Dependency) and the Master's Degree in Social and Health Care for Dependency. At the same time, we have experience in teaching in numerous fields focused on cooperation, health promotion and in general the improvement of the living conditions of citizens, such as the Master's Degree in Comprehensive Palliative Care for People with Advanced Diseases (UAB, Barcelona), the Master's Degree in Psychological Rehabilitation in Community Mental Health (UJI, Castellón), Master's Degree in Health Psychology, Master's Degree in Educational and Developmental Psychology in Multicultural Contexts (UV Master in Peru and the Dominican Republic in the context of cooperation), and the Expert Programme in Health Interventions (EVES). Several members of the team have received awards for their quality career (Valencian government and UV Social Council Award, 2015), Award for the transfer to the quality of life of citizens (award from the Valencian Federation of Neighbourhood Associations), national awards for our contributions in the field of vulnerable groups (Prevent Foundation Award, 2012; Asindown Foundation Award in 2017) and also recognition for innovation in care at local level (2nd prize for innovative ideas INCLIVA 2019).

Transfer to society is a strong idea in our research initiatives. In addition to the more orthodox conduits of publication in scientific journals and forums, it is disseminated in audiovisual formats (training videos for elderly care: “Tú que cuidas, cuídate (Unión de Mutuas)” and “Buenos Recuerdos sobre Deterioro Cognitivo Leve”) and apps (under the direction of the director of GESS-in Prof. Navarro-Pérez and in collaboration with IRTIC, the Liad@s app and later the DAP360º programme), but also establishing synergies with the administration, with professional associations and colleges and with neighbourhood movements, participating in working groups and various initiatives.
The international projection is deeply rooted, since the different lines maintain ongoing collaborations over time with prestigious centres with renowned academics such as: Kenneth A. Bollen (UNC Chapel Hill), Alistair Cheyne (Loughborough University UK and later at ESSCA School of Management, Bordeaux, France), Barry Schneider (University of Ottawa and later Boston College) or Julian Montoro (UNCC at Charlotte), Shane Sinclair (U. of Calgary), Gustavo de Simone (Pallium Latinoamérica, Buenos Aires), Michael Silberman (Middle East Cancer Consortium, Israel), Tomás Caycho (Universidad Privada del Norte, Lima, Perú), Undergraduate and graduate school at ESAN University, Lima, Perú.

Although in the same way we could provide knowledge on the promotion of quality of life in the framework of palliative care, education, humanisation of care... We choose as an example of the clear emphasis in the methodology, of what our group can contribute in the research on the promotion of quality of life, the subject of ageing. This topic is at the intersection of biological, social and psychological processes, and since it is a biopsychosocial model, theories or models about it emerge from all these areas.

The ageing process, in addition to the physical-medical aspect, in psychosocial terms speaks of the relationship between individuals, their development in society and the interpretation of the events that happen to them according to the cultural framework. Starting from classical sociological theories, it has led to more psychological models that have described the strategies and ways people use to manage the difficulties associated with ageing in order to achieve well-being (Rowe & Kahn, 1997; Kahana & Kahana, 1996; Baltes & Baltes, 1990; Brunstein, 1993; Diener, Suh, Lucas & Smith, 1999; Rapkin & Fisher, 1992), among others, as well as “harmonic” models or models based on Eastern perspectives.

Our work as a group is, to a large extent, to use the most advanced methodology so that the data from our groups of interest respond rigorously to the questions we pose from the knowledge of all these theoretical approaches and models.

Improvements in health care during the 20th century, as well as in living conditions and quality of life, have led to a dramatic increase in life expectancy, among other things. This, together with the drastic drop in the birth rate, is leading to an ageing population. As a result, the elderly population segments are the fastest growing, and something that is becoming an indisputable reality is that we are heading towards an ageing population. This is why it seems necessary to discuss what kind of problems and challenges are faced by the elderly and what are their solutions.

In this way, we present a research group, focused on the analysis of cognitive and emotional aspects as well as on the intervention and development of the elderly, being able to distinguish two main lines of work, one focused on the aspects of so-called normal ageing and another line oriented towards aspects related to the cognitive pathologies associated with ageing, mainly mild cognitive impairment, dementia of the Alzheimer's type and other dementias and Parkinson's disease.

The first of the lines aims to analyse the basic processes of psychological ageing by studying aspects related to cognitive development such as cognitive reserve and brain plasticity, and in the social area, the type of relationships established in ageing and the changes and evolution of these relationships. Finally, in relation to emotions, the aim is to analyse the importance of emotion regulation as a basis for behavioural development and correct adaptation.

The second line, under an experimental methodology, is applying assessment systems for the detection of possible cognitive changes, as well as possible deterioration, by means of cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. In addition, this line offers novel cognitive interventions based on cognitive stimulation, reminiscence therapy and the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). As a result of the verification of the efficacy of these interventions, various contracts have been signed with companies for the application of the same in patients with varying degrees of deterioration.

The research group participates in various master's degrees in the Faculty of Psychology and in the area of Health Sciences. The team's greatest participation is in the master's degree in Psychogerontology, where subjects related to cognitive ageing are taught, both in the normal population and in the elderly with dementia, as well as subjects related to social intervention. In addition, there is an important participation in the direction of Master's final projects. It also participates in the University Masters in General Health Psychology and in Psychological Intervention in Social Areas.

In relation to doctoral studies, the research team is fully integrated in the PhD in Psychogerontology: Life Cycle Perspective, where the line of Development and Optimal Ageing and Cognition is directed, from which there is an important production of doctoral theses.

The group works on clinical and technological applications of the Physics of Vision (psychophysical physiological optics and mathematical models of visual processing), without neglecting basic research in this field. The three main working lines are:

1. Basic research in vision: Obtaining information on the structure and function of the visual system from psychophysical experiments. Modelling of visual processes.
2. Applications to clinical psychophysics, with two different working lines:
   • Development of psychophysical tests for detection, screening or classification of vision problems: Evaluation of existing devices. Analysis of respectability, sensitivity, specificity in normal and pathological populations. Study of measurement distortion factors. Analysis of concordance between devices.
   • Technological applications of Vision Sciences: Characterisation of image capture and display devices. Development of specific colourimetric characterisation methods (point-to-point methods). Applications of image display devices as generators of visual stimuli in clinical psychophysical tests. Applications of image capture devices as colorimeters. Applications of colour measurement in green chemistry, for estimation of chemical parameters correlated with the colour of samples. Characterisation of optical elements. Development of protocols for measuring optical quality in vitro. Measurement of optical and visual quality of intraocular lenses.
3. Clinical applications for the improvement of visual function in patients. Basic studies and development of applications, especially aimed at amblyopia (lazy eye), to determine which stimuli would favour concordance with the dominant eye.

Chirality is a property related to the three-dimensional shape of molecules. Chiral molecules can exist in two forms (enantiomers) that are mirror images of each other. This subtle difference has tremendously important implications in chemistry, as two enantiomers can exhibit completely different or even opposite biological or pharmacological properties. Similarly, the mechanical, magnetic or electrical properties of many materials can vary completely depending on whether they are made up of a single enantiomer or mixtures of enantiomers.

As a consequence of all this, there is a real need at both laboratory and industrial level for synthetic procedures that allow chiral compounds to be obtained selectively in a defined enantiomeric form. Among the different methodologies available for this purpose, those using chiral catalysts are the most suitable, as they allow minimising the consumption of chiral starting materials and reducing waste production, contributing to more efficient, more economical and more environmentally friendly chemical processes.

In this context, the asymmetric catalysis group investigates the development of new chiral catalysts based on both metal complexes and organocatalysts and their application in various enantioselective C-C bond formation reactions aimed at the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched chiral organic compounds of pharmacological interest. These reactions include functionalisation reactions of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds (Friedel-Crafts reactions), carbanion addition reactions (aldol reactions, Henry reactions), addition reactions of organometallic reagents (alkylation and alkynylation) or cycloaddition reactions (Diels-Alder reactions, 1,3-dipolar addition) etc.

We have recently incorporated the use of photoredox catalysis in C-C bond formation reactions.

There is a clear concern about the use of alcohol and/or cannabis among young people and adolescents, as they give less importance to the health risks involved in the consumption of these substances. Thus, cannabis use, together with alcohol use, forms part of the habits and lifestyles of a significant proportion of young Spanish adolescents. The pattern of intensive alcohol consumption (also known as "binge drinking"), alone or together with cannabis, initiated at an early age, generates a range of undesirable effects on cognition and stress response in this at-risk population such as adolescents and on a brain that is still developing. A better understanding of the neurotoxic effects associated with heavy alcohol consumption in an at-risk population such as young people and adolescents can promote greater social awareness, involving society as a whole as an active participant. This greater social awareness will make it possible to delay the age of onset and reduce the consumption of alcohol and/or cannabis, and will help to establish better intervention strategies (pharmacological, social or educational) necessary for the prevention and treatment of the deterioration observed, contributing to the achievement of more specific and effective action programmes.

Identification of molecular mechanisms, new pharmacological targets and active molecules in cardiovascular pathologies such as hypertension, human heart failure and obesity.

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death in our environment and research into the mechanisms that generate them, as well as the possibilities of pharmacological action to modulate these mechanisms, are priority lines of research at national and European level. Our group focuses on three pathologies, obesity, hypertension and heart failure, and carries out translational research dedicated to the identification of new pharmacological targets and active molecules in these pathologies, working in both animal and human models. In addition, from a healthcare approach, its activity also focuses on research into the rational use of drugs in the field of community pharmacy, pharmacovigilance, public health, etc. The group's research focuses on identifying the changes that occur in obesity, hypertension and heart failure at the level of molecular mechanisms related to adrenergic regulation (via alpha1 or beta receptors) of the heart, vessels or adipose tissue, and their interrelation with the nitric oxide (NO) pathway. In this direction, the role of neurotrophin-3, which regulates neuronal growth during embryonic development, is also being analysed. The aim is to find new pharmacological targets to normalise altered cardiovascular function through its regulation. Knowledge of new targets will also allow the testing of molecules active on them as possible therapeutic tools. Thus, and within a translational research framework, the lines described below are being developed:

• Characterisation of the pathways mediated by alpha1 and beta adrenoceptors as possible pharmacological targets in obesity and cardiovascular pathology.
• Gene and protein expression of neurotrophin-3 and its receptor TrkC.
• Characterisation of the neurotrophin-3 pathway as a new pharmacological target in animal models of obesity and cardiovascular pathology.
• Characterisation of the NO pathway and the role of constitutive NO synthases as possible pharmacological targets.
• Relationship between the NO pathway and adrenergic or TrkC receptor-mediated transduction pathways.
• Characterisation of the angiogenic process in human/murine vessels and its regulation by adrenoceptors, NT-3 and NO.
• Consequences of hypoxia/ischemia on these pathways.
• Identification of the changes observed in animal models and in obese, hypertensive, heart failure and heart transplant patients.
• Identification of human biomarkers in these pathologies.
• Search for molecules active on these pathways.

To develop these lines, collaborations have been established, consolidated in projects at national and international level, with groups of researchers from other universities, private companies or the CSIC, and with clinical groups from the Hospital La Fe, the Hospital de La Ribera-Alzira and the INCLIVA Health Research Institute.

The group focuses its efforts on unravelling the pathophysiological mechanisms of rare diseases, mainly progeroid processes and neuromuscular diseases. This research helps to understand the process of organic ageing.

We have provided a new animal model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and contributed to a better understanding of the relationship between oxidative stress and gene regulation mechanisms modulated by epigenetic factors. Down's syndrome, the disease that most frequently develops mental deficiency, has also been approached from the perspective of changes in cell turnover processes, contributing to elucidating its pathophysiology. In Lafora disease, which has a poor prognosis, we have described the presence of oxidative stress and the lack of antioxidant defence.

Our group is focused on morphological and dynamic studies of the organisation of adult neurogenic zones of the central nervous system, and their comparison from fish to mammals (including the human species). We have pioneered the identification of areas of adult neurogenesis, as has been the case in reptiles and other vertebrates, and the identification of the stem cells responsible for such neurogenesis, as has been the case in fish, birds and mammals. These comparative studies have been very useful, allowing us to discover the existence of a cilium that acts as an antenna and is essential for activating neurogenesis. This discovery has helped cancer research groups to use it as a therapeutic target.

One of our main lines of research is based on the study of the activation or modulation of these areas in neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the potential effect on the activation of neural stem cells (NSCs), neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis for myelination. On the other hand, we are not only dealing with problems with endogenous cells, but we have also tried to use exogenous stem cells, from bone marrow and fat. To this end, we have developed a number of techniques, notably the refinement of immunolabelling for electron microscopy in order to be able to monitor transplanted cells.

Among the models with potential clinical use, we have chosen cerebral stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS). In the case of stroke, we have transplanted human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and multipotent adult progenitors (hMAPCs), observing that cell transplantation provides neuroprotection and prevents secondary brain damage. This neuroprotective function is mediated through different therapeutic effects such as induction of angiogenesis, decreased inflammation and scarring, and increased proliferation of NSCs. In the case of the MS, we used classical MOG peptide lesion models and injected factors for oligodendrocyte activation, invading adjacent areas. Within the transplantation line, and in collaboration with the University of San Francisco, we have performed transplants of the medial ganglionic eminence from mouse embryos into early postnatal mice. Because the transplanted cells were fluorescent (GFP) we were able to analyse their distribution in the cerebral cortex and surprisingly and contrary to what is accepted, at least for the central nervous system, neuronal populations determine their number intrinsically, rather than due to external factors.

Other ongoing research is the discovery of the existence of neuronal migrations that take place in the human brain from the ventricles to the prefrontal cortex. These migrations are rarely observed in a very short window of life, ranging from embryonic stages to 6 months of life. We interpret this as our brain's ability to rapidly increase the cell population of the prefrontal cortex, which is well known for its importance in memory and learning.

Finally, we have observed that some of these chains appear to be directed to other regions as well, which would add valuable novel information unique to mammals. This series of findings are part of a macro-project, which aims to learn more about the fine and functional organisation of the human brain, and which is framed by other discoveries of ours such as the existence of stem cells in our brain, which helped to change the idea that there are no new neurons formed after birth.

Last but not least, we are a national and international reference in electron microscopy techniques for morphological diagnosis and not only for nerve cells, but also for stem cells, as confirmed by our numerous collaborations.

DATS is a Research Group attached to the University Research Institute on Traffic and Road Safety (INTRAS). The research group was created in 1995 and is formed by professors and researchers of renowned prestige.

The aim of the DATS Group is focused on Consulting, Research, Development, Innovation, Training and Dissemination Projects in the fields of Transport, Traffic, Mobility and Road Safety.

It develops its projects both for administrations and institutions as well as for companies, whether public or private, national or international, in order to respond to the needs of its clients, as well as in general to solve the social problems represented by traffic accidents, poverty and environmental degradation across the world, with special attention to developing countries.

Therefore, one of the main activities is the accompaniment in the diagnosis of problems and detection of opportunities, as well as the definition of solutions and strategies to guide decision-making.

The work of the DATS Group has contributed to increase knowledge in the field. In this sense, the group has made an effort to disseminate findings through books, articles in scientific journals and/or scientific and outreaching conferences. Likewise, the group has actively participated in and with mass media with the aim of communicating and raising public awareness.

Consequently, the following services are included in its Service Charter:

• Preparation/Drafting of Strategic Plans for Transport, Logistics, Sustainable Mobility, Local and Urban Planning, Road and Workplace Safety (in-itinere and in-mission accidents).
• Definition, development and implementation of interventions, measures and counter-measures in the fields of Transport, Mobility and Road Safety.
• Legislative, Regulatory and Normative development.
• Deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
• Assessment and recruitment, especially of drivers, both positive and negative, including the development of instruments to achieve these goals.
• Design and teaching of training and education programmes, as well as the necessary teaching tools and resources (including those based on technologies such as Virtual Reality, especially simulators, and Augmented Reality). It is aimed at scholars, professionals, technicians and users/citizens in general.
• Creation of communication and advertising campaigns, including Corporate Social Marketing campaigns.
• Evaluation of Plans, Programmes and interventions, including those related to legislative, regulatory and normative development (Legislative Assessment).

Multidisciplinary analysis of the impact of digital disconnection within the framework of labour relations. The technological transformations that the current labour market is undergoing are causing significant changes in the sphere of workers and in business management. Without a doubt, this is a challenge for the agents involved in the workplace (workers, employers, Governments, trade unions and business associations) to strengthen the protective spirit of labour regulations and guarantee basic labour rights such as rest, health and safety at work, privacy, work-life balance, secrecy of communications and data protection. In this sense, the research group analyses the worker’s right to digital disconnection, as well as its possible impact on people management and business competitiveness. All this always pointing out that it is a labour right whose effectiveness ultimately comes both from a mechanism to enhance the freedom and self-determination of the worker’s plan, as well as a guarantee of effective, free and equal business competition within the framework of a social market economy. In this context, the research group clarifies a basic and fundamental labour right today, but with many edges that need to be polished. To this end, in line with its multidisciplinary nature, it deals with the legal assets protected in labour law: to a greater or lesser extent and directly or indirectly, health (art. 15 EC); freedom (art. 1.1 EC) - including freedom of enterprise and productivity (art. 38 EC) -; dignity and free development of personality (art. 10 EC); equality (arts. 1.1; and 9.2 EC); confidentiality and privacy (art. 18.1, 3 and 4 EC); honour (art. 18.1 and 4 EC); and family (39.1 EC). Succinctly, the group intends to deal with the exercise of the right, its legal-practical implications in labour relations (with special emphasis on telework), its current state in the world (with international studies of the law in other countries), its relationship with the prevention of occupational risks (computer fatigue and hyperconnectivity), as well as with gender perspective, diversity, confidentiality and privacy, work-life balance, video-surveillance and corporate control (the need for all kinds of digital software means that the control of workers is growing considerably) and the technological side of it, among other aspects: the BYOD ("bring your own device") study, internal protocols on the use of digital devices and work time management software available to private and public companies.

The Environmental and Biomedical Viruses Lab is located at the Insitute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio, UV-CSIC). Research at the EnBiVir lab is focused in the isolation and detection of viruses in nature with biomedical applications. Environmental virology, viral emergence, virus evolution, and phage discovery in the biomedical context, are the main research lines. Phages are ubiquitous in the environment and immensely diverse, making phage discovery a powerful source of new therapies against pathogenic bacteria, due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. In addition, the lab is interested in environmental epidemiology, mainly in SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater and other natural environments, as a tool for monitoring populations and as early detection tool in surveillance. In addition, the group is interested in translational research, and has transfer contracts with national companies with biomedical and biotech purposes.

The main objective of the EXINH research group is the design, application and execution of interventions based on physical exercise, as well as the study of the effects that this can have on people's health, whether at a preventive, therapeutic or simple physical conditioning level. The fields of action in which our research activity is currently being developed are varied, from the clinical field in collaboration with various public hospitals of the Valencian health system, the study of work-related problems in health personnel (orderlies, nursing staff, physiotherapists), non-health personnel (musicians, administrative staff, lorry drivers) and the effect of interventions with physical exercise on these problems, as well as in the field of sport. In view of the above, various lines of research have been underway for some time, and at present, numerous projects are being developed, with various scientific publications in prestigious journals, as well as participation in national and international congresses on subjects related to exercise and its effects on people's health.

The Joint Research Unit on Experimental Hepatology was established in 2008 through a research agreement between the Universitat de València and the La Fe Hospital Research Foundation, integrating teaching and research staff from both the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the UVEG and the Health Research Institute of La Fe Hospital. Its main objective is translational research in hepatology. Based on the study of the cellular and molecular biology of hepatocytes, the group conducts in-depth research into problems of clinical relevance in hepatology, using complex cellular models capable of mimicking the behaviour of the human liver. In addition, with the support of advanced analytical technologies, we develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

More specifically, the group carries out relevant and pioneering research activity in:

1. The development of human liver cell models with a differentiated phenotype, which are able to reproduce the pathophysiology of hepatocytes.
2. The study of drug-induced hepatotoxicity, trying to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and genes involved, and searching for new biomarkers for clinical translation.
3. Research into non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. With a particular emphasis on 
4. The development of new strategies for diagnosis, monitoring and clinical prognosis in drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and their validation in clinical trials.
5. Improving cell transplantation as a therapy for certain liver diseases

The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress represent a mechanism of action that underlies the aetiopathogenesis of various pathophysiological processes, including different types of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The Oxidative Pathology Unit (UPOX) has the experimental objective of describing the redox changes that establish the balance between the levels of activity and expression of antioxidant systems and the formation of ROS in human pathology. Special attention is devoted to oxidative modifications of organic macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. The oxidation of genetic material (DNA) is analysed by choice techniques in order to establish the role of 8-oxo-7,8-2'-dihydro-guanosine (8-oxo-dG) and repair systems (hOGG1, MUTYH, MTH1 RAD51) as mediators of degenerative and neoplastic diseases. Experimental strategies for the identification and validation of new markers in clinical pathology are among the milestones proposed. 

The impact of oxidative stress on the development of metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and obesity, as well as other cardiovascular risk factors, is currently being studied in different cohorts of affected subjects. The role of the mutagenic base 8-oxo-7,8-2'-dihydro-guanosine (8-oxo-dG) in human carcinogenesis is investigated by analysing this metabolite in different biological media. The identification and assessment of 8-oxo-dG in serum and urine allows us to know the degree of DNA oxidation and its mutagenic potential in the evolution of human tumours, such as colorectal, gastric and prostate carcinoma, together with other blood neoplasms. This line is in line with the possible validation of this oxidative modification product as a tumour marker. 

In parallel, different ROS-regulated signalling pathways and oxidative changes induced in different cell lines in culture and circulating mononuclear cells from patients with diseases that are the focus of our biomedical research are identified and described. 

During the last few years we have described different types of alterations in redox metabolism in different pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular evolution. Initially, we identified reduced levels of antioxidant enzymes and high concentrations of lipid oxidation products (MDA) in nucleated cells of hypertensive patients, and for the first time high levels of the mutagenic base 8-oxo-dG in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA that are reduced back to the values of the healthy population after normalisation of blood pressure either by pharmacological or dietary treatment.

 In this regard, our contribution to the multicentre project of the PREDIMED Network stands out, where we first demonstrated the increase in oxidative stress and damage to genetic material in a large population at high cardiovascular risk and then the remission of this oxidative phenomenon through dietary intervention based on a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil or nuts. As a result of these collaborations, novel results have been published in relation to dietary intervention rich in antioxidants and the modulation of different oxidative parameters. 

In the field of experimental and human carcinogenesis, different mechanisms of action have been identified that are regulated by certain free radical species that act as inducers of the expression of transcriptional factors involved in the differentiation and apoptosis of tumour cells. The antitumour effect of various agents is mediated by and is dependent on the reduction of antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased DNA oxidation, as a step prior to the activation of signalling pathways.

Based on the prior research experience of María Celia García Álvarez-Coque, the activity of the FUSCHROM group began under her lead in 1992, in the Micellar liquid chromatography field, applied to drug analysis in biological fluids and to the improvement of the characteristics of chromatographic peaks in basic compounds. As a result of these researches, the group specialised in fundamental studies and chemometric developments, aimed at extracting the potential information contained in chromatographic signals and improving separations, extending its application field to other chromatographic modes. In particular, new optimisation strategies, peak models, purity tests, deconvolution methods and quantitative structure-retention relationships have been developed. In addition, numerous analytical methods for the analysis of pharmaceutical, clinical and food samples have been published. The group is currently involved in the use of secondary equilibria in liquid chromatography, development of clean analytical methods, rapid chromatography, chromatographic column characterisation, column coupling and two-dimensional separations.

The members of the group have jointly published more than 400 scientific articles, approximately half of them in journals belonging to the first quartile of the ISI Web of Knowledge, with more than 110 articles in Journal of Chromatography A. In addition, they have published 40 review articles, 25 book chapters, and three books (Micellar liquid chromatography, Chemometrics and Ionic Liquids in Analytical Chemistry: New Insights and Recent Developments, published by Marcel Dekker, Síntesis and Elsevier, respectively). The group director is part of the editorial board of the Journal of Chromatography A, Analytica Chimica Acta and Separation and Purification Reviews.

For its researches, the group has received continuous funding from several Ministries for more than 30 years. Under the direction of group members, 30 students from different countries have received their PhDs. Of these students, 8 have been awarded doctoral prizes, 3 have received Marie Curie grants from the European Community, 3 have been awarded Ramón y Cajal contracts, and 12 have been professors at various universities.

It is noteworthy the collaborations with Alain Berthod (Université de Lyon, France), Desiré Massart (Vrije Universeit Brussel, Belgium), Michael Abraham (University College London, UK), Daniel Armstrong (University of Texas, Arlington, USA), Peter Schoenmakers (van't Hoff Institute of Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Elisabeth Bosch and Martí Rosés (University of Barcelona), and Benjamín Monrabal and Alberto Ortín (manufacturing company of scientific instrumentation for polyolefin characterisation, Polymer Char, Valencia).

Multidisciplinary biomedical research group established in 1998 within the EPIGEM (Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology) Research Unit, recognised at the Universitat de València. This group was recognised by the Valencian Government in 2000 and again by the Valencian Government as a group of excellence in 2004. Since then, it has participated in research on genetic and environmental risk factors in the aetiology of complex diseases, mainly cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, etc. Since 2003 it has been part of the PREDIMED study and is currently part of the PREDIMED PLUS study. Since 2006 it has been part of the CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition. The group has more than 350 publications in scientific journals. It has participated in more than 30 public and private research projects and is a pioneering group in Nutritional Genomics.

Facthum is dedicated to training and research in the field of basic psychology and road safety, focusing on the human factor as the main factor involved in or responsible for traffic accidents. The research activity focuses on:

• Study of methodologies and technologies applied to road safety education.
• Study of methodologies and technologies applied to driver and pre-driver training.
• Study of the effect of substance consumption (drugs and pharmaceuticals) on driving.
• Study of the psychological profile of drivers and offenders.
• Study of the effectiveness of passive safety elements and user habits.
• Study of personality and psychophysical aptitudes in driving.
• Intervention in recidivist and multi-recidivist drivers.
• Study of basic psychological processes related to driving vehicles.
• Study of decision-making processes at the wheel.
• Study of drivers' attitudes towards road safety.
• Study of human behaviour to reduce traffic accidents.
• Study of road safety awareness campaigns.
• Study of the causes of traffic accidents and methods for their prevention.
• Study of variable messaging signalling.
• Accident investigation.
• Study of mobility and strategic road safety plans.

This research group is interested in the analysis of human movement related to motor control and physical activity from a health perspective. Therefore, its interest is focused both on the dynamic, kinematic and electromyographic analysis during the performance of activities such as static balance and gait and the analysis of the amount of physical activity (voluntary movement) performed by people and the relationship of this with their health. On the other hand, the group also conducts research in other areas related to physical exercise, applying advanced data analysis techniques (e.g. neural networks, text mining, data mining). During the last 5 years the research group has published around 40 articles indexed in JCR, of which we highlight the following 5 for their importance in the opinion of the members of the group:

• González, L.-M., García-Massó, X., Pardo-Ibañez, A., Peset, F., & Devís-Devís, J. (2018). An author keyword analysis for mapping Sport Sciences. PLOS ONE, 13(8), e0201435. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201435
• García-Massó, X., Ye-Lin, Y., Garcia-Casado, J., Querol, F., & Gonzalez, L.-M. (2019). Assessment of haemophilic arthropathy through balance analysis: A promising tool. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 22(4), 418-425. https://doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2018.1561877
• González, L.-M., Devís-Devís, J., Pellicer-Chenoll, M., Pans, M., Pardo-Ibañez, A., García-Massó, X., Peset, F., Garzón-Farinós, F., & Pérez-Samaniego, V. (2021). The Impact of COVID-19 on Sport in Twitter: A Quantitative and Qualitative Content Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4554. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094554
• Maitre, J., Noé, F., González, L.-M., García-Massó, X., & Paillard, T. (2021). The tightening parameters of the vibratory devices modify their disturbing postural effects. Journal of Biomechanics, 126, 110624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110624
• Pellicer-Chenoll, M., Pans, M., Seifert, R., López-Cañada, E., García-Massó, X., Devís-Devís, J., & González, L.-M. (2021). Gender differences in bicycle sharing system usage in the city of Valencia. Sustainable Cities and Society, 65, 102556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102556

We are the "Excellence PROMETHEUS PHASE II Group" of the GVA, G24 member of the Networked Biomedical Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM-ISCIII). Since 2013 we are active partners in Europe within the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (Acción 3) Cognitive Decline Group of the European Innovation Partnership for Active and Healthy Ageing (EIPAHA) Programme; we actively participate in defining a clinically useful position on Mild Cognitive Decline. We direct and coordinate the Assessment Unit for Personal Autonomy, Dependency and Mental Disorders (TMAP) located at the Faculty of Medicine UCIM-INCLIVA, with a service offer including biomechanical and neurocognitive assessments as part of the prevention of fragility signs in populations at risk. The TMAP Unit is the pioneer in carrying out and implementing assessments for patients with mental disorders and / or cognitive and functional deterioration in a comprehensive and personalised manner. These assessments are necessary to determine how people cope with everyday activities in case of disease or deterioration, and to provide them with useful information in order to apply measures allowing for an healthy and independent life.

From the group's formation in 2001 to its consolidation in 2007, work was carried out to contribute to the knowledge of cognitive and functional deficits of serious mental illnesses, with a special focus on schizophrenic and bipolar patients and their first-degree relatives. Currently, our knowledge is also focused on direct and inverse Multimorbidity in patients with complex diseases such as CNS disorders, cancer or metabolic diseases. The group can also be found in research areas such as: studies on disease burden (Global Burden of Disease studies), systematic review and networked meta-analysis, neurogenetics and cell therapy (stem cells,) and, finally, Nutritional Psychiatry.

For almost a decade now, there has been a significant increase in studies related to digestive tract cancer and its treatment, as shown by the different clinical guidelines disseminated at European and global level. For this reason, the development of new drugs and their testing in clinical trials is one of our main lines of research. We also focus on the study and identification of new prognostic and predictive biomarkers of response through the use of liquid biopsy with special interest in the analysis of circulating free tumour DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumour cells (CTC) for the characterisation of minimal residual disease. We also studied the prognostic and predictive value of using an artificial intelligence-based radiomic model in this group of patients. Finally, the use of organoid models generated from the patient's own tumour cells (or normal tissue) for molecular characterisation of the disease and drug testing is another of our priorities.

Since 1986 we have been studying the brain of reptiles, birds and mammals. Our aim has been to understand the common traits of organisation of the vertebrate brain. In this never-ending task we have focused our attention mainly in the amygdala, but also in other structures of the 'limbic' forebrain such as the septum and hippocampus, as well as in the visual systems at all levels (from the retina to the visual cortex). We have collaborated with several grups from Europe and the USA, such as those of Luis Martínez-Millan (Euskal Herriko Unibersitatea, Leioa, Spain), Tomás González-Hernández (Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain), Salvador Guirado (Univ. Málaga, Spain), Piet Hoolgand (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Jeús Perez-Clausell (Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain), Margarita Belekhova (Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburgh, Russia), Ceri D Davies (Imperial College, London, UK) and Mimi Halpern (State Universty of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn, USA). We are currently collaborating with Joseph LeDoux, (New York University, USA), Alino Martinez-Marcos, (Univ. Castilla La Mancha), Jane Hurst (Univ. of Liverpool, UK), Karim Nader (McGuill Univ, Canada), Mike Ludwig (Univ. Edimburgh) and Trése Leinders-Zufalla and Pablo Chamero (Saarland Univ., Germany).

Our main lines of research are:

1. Anatomy of the amygdala. Our main goal is to try to characterise the organisation of the amygdala, a portion of the brain involved in both chemoreception and emotions. This functional heterogeneity parallels the anatomical complexity ofthe amygdala which includes derivatives of the embryonic pallium (thus, portions of the cerebral cortex), of the subpallium (striatum and pallidum) and even of portions of the hypothalamic neuroepithelium. We are using tract-tracing techniques and the presence and distributoin of many neurochemical markers.
2. Neurobiology of the reinforcing properties of sexual pheromones in mice. In fact, the cortico-medial and basolateral-central divisions area apparently involved in independent functions, related to chemosensibility (cortico-medial) and to eliciting innate and learned emotional responses (basolateral-central). The results of our research on the reinforcing properties of a vomeronasal stimulus, sexual pheromones in mice, suggest that both functions of the amygdala are interrelated, thus giving a functional explanation for the profuse interconnections found between the different divisions of the amygdala in different vertebrates.
3. The neural basis of maternal aggression. In the last years we have moved to further understand the role that the amygdala and its connections with the rest of the brain are playing in the control of soxio-sexual behaviour in response to conspecific chemosignals, e.g. pheromones. We are currently analysing how the brain of female mice changes from a regular status in which the animal likes male pheromones, to a maternal status in which the female fiercely attacks male intruders. This will allow better understanding the neural basis of aggressive behaviour. In this respect we are developing two lines of research:
   • Neuropeptides and sociosexual behaviour. In the change from attraction to aggression ocurring in the brain of lactating females, the circuits using neuropeptides (especially vasopressin and oxytocin) are likely fundamental. Therefore we are currently analysing these nonpeptide-containing circuits in the brain of males and of females in different physiological situation.
   • Neuroendocrinology of maternal aggression. In addition, we are trying to understand the endocrine agents acting during pregnancy, delivery and lactation, that may explain this behavioural changes in females. We are currently exploring how sexual steroids and prolacting combine their actions to promote maternal behaviours including aggression.

Over the past decades, neuroscience research has made astonishing discoveries that have transformed our understanding and improved our understanding of brain function. This has contributed to the development of new treatments and therapies for various neurological disorders and mental disorders. The convergence of different disciplines has allowed us to address questions fundamental to our understanding of human behaviour, thought and emotion.

Our group is part of this area, the Neurosciences, undoubtedly one of the most exciting areas of research in Health Sciences. The Social Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNSC) at the Universitat de València is part of the Department of Psychobiology of the Faculty of Psychology and the IDOCAL research institute. Since its beginnings, it has developed research focused on the study of the biological bases of the response to social interactions, especially stressful situations.

Specifically, we are interested in the psychobiological mechanisms involved in stressful situations and their cognitive and affective effects. The research carried out in our laboratory adopts an integrative approach based on the convergence of multiple study methodologies that allow us to advance in the understanding of the effects of stress on the brain and, as a consequence, on psychological processes and behaviour.

In our human studies we employ extensive neuropsychological assessments, electrophysiological recordings and neuroendocrine response analyses, with our target population being both young and old people of both sexes. In addition, we study the effect of stressful situations and the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy people and those with diseases associated with ageing (Mild Cognitive Impairment, Type II Diabetes, etc.). 

Self-assembly of amphipathic molecules with lipid and polypeptide characteristics, natural or synthetic. Characterisation of membrane structures of biological, biomedical and biotechnological interest, with special interest in pore, fusion and fission structures. Light-induced molecular changes in membranes, natural or synthetic. Design, implementation and applications of molecular switches in membranes.

The overall aim of the group is to search for metabolomic biomarkers, either individually or in combined profiles, of disease for early detection, new subgroups, patient stratification, prognosis and prediction of response to therapy. To achieve this, the group has developed proprietary analytical tools that allow it to address a wide range of biomedical problems.

The group has a joint publication record (55 publications in 10 years) and has had its own uninterrupted public funding since 2007 (>1.6 million euros).

It has achieved a cumulative impact factor of 185 for its publications over the last 7 years. It also receives more than 150 citations per year. It has participated and participates in 5 European projects (eTUMOUR, HEALTHAGENTES, FRAILOMICS, EUMASCARA and GUTMOM). The group's work has been published during this period in prestigious specialised journals (Gut, Hepatology, International Journal of Epidemiology, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Journal of Proteome Research and Cancer Research, among others).

The progressive incorporation of researchers to the group over the last 7 years has allowed it to increase its capacities and solve new problems, obtaining high quality research results. The translation of research results to clinical practice is achieved through established collaborations and the experience of more than 10 years of joint work with clinical groups at the Hospital Clínico de Valencia.

Since its creation in 2007, the group has characterised more than 12,000 biomedical samples of different nature (serum, plasma, urine, biopsies, tears, saliva, faecal extracts, culture medium, cells, etc.) for more than 30 national and international collaborations. The principal investigator has more than 22 years of experience (h-index 25) in the area of biomedical applications of NMR, has been invited to give numerous lectures on the subject, including the plenary Keynote Lecture at the recent congress of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH2017, Milan, >4500 participants; Gut microbiota and cardiovascular risk). He has also been scientific manager of a European project with 21 institutions and a budget of 7.5 million euros.

His research has been recognised with several awards and recognitions, including the Certificate of Merit of the European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology; and the I3 Certification for outstanding scientific career from the MICINN.

The Molecular Genetics of Development and Biomedical Models group uses the fly Drosophila melanogaster as an experimental organism. In recent years, Drosophila has become a very useful tool in biomedical research. The development of very powerful genetic techniques in this organism, and the fact that it shares part of its biology with that of humans, and that it contains homologues of most of the genes involved in human diseases, justify this success.

In this context, our group is using several approaches to study human genetic diseases in Drosophila in order to dissect their pathogenesis pathways and identify biomarkers that allow their diagnosis and/or study their progression, and to discover molecules with therapeutic potential to alleviate and/or delay their symptoms. Specifically, we are interested in the study of Parkinson's disease (PD), which is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Although most cases of PD are sporadic, familial forms represent 5-10% and appear as a consequence of mutations in certain genes such as DJ-1, the gene responsible for a recessive and juvenile form of familial PD. DJ-1 is a multifunctional protein involved in processes such as the response to oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial homeostasis and metabolism, the alteration of which is key to the onset of the disease.

The group has developed a model of PD in Drosophila based on the lack of function of the DJ-1beta gene (orthologue of the human DJ-1 gene), since the DJ-1? protein has biochemical properties similar to the human DJ-1 protein. The model flies show a high level of oxidative damage and reproduce some aspects of PD, such as high sensitivity to EO and motor defects.

We are currently using several experimental strategies in PD model flies in order to understand the pathophysiological alterations associated with the disease and to identify biomarkers that will allow us to establish new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. In addition, and given that PD is an incurable disorder for which there are only symptomatic treatments, we are looking for compounds capable of suppressing motor defects and reducing OE levels in model flies. The candidate compounds are then validated in human cells and in vertebrate models, and could therefore become potential therapeutic molecules for PD. Since the DJ-1 protein is inactivated in many patients with sporadic PD, the results obtained in model flies could be relevant for these more frequent cases of PD.

On the other hand, the group is interested in the study of basic developmental processes in Drosophila relevant to human health, such as embryonic dorsal closure (DC) and wound healing (WH) in this organism. DC is a morphogenetic process involving migration and fusion of epithelial layers and is used as an in vivo model of vertebrate CH, as the cellular machinery and signalling pathways involved in both are similar. Understanding the molecular basis of CH and regeneration is a major challenge in biology and medicine, as it will accelerate the repair of damaged tissues, the reconstruction of tissues/organs and the restoration of homeostasis.

The Molecular Oncology group is strongly involved in translational research in cancer with special interest in the search for biomarkers related to angiogenesis, immunoregulation and tumour stem cells in cancer, characterised by its multidisciplinary nature. The team includes researchers with expertise in different areas such as: molecular and cell biologists, clinical oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, pathologists and immunologists.

The group's research activity is linked to the General University Hospital of Valencia, a tertiary reference hospital in Valencia, and is closely associated with the activity of three important specialised departments: Medical Oncology (about 648,000 inhabitants), Thoracic Surgery (760,000 inhabitants) and Functional Breast Unit (648,000 inhabitants). They are also very active in recruiting patients for clinical trials.

The main lines of translational research of the group are:

1) Molecular markers in lung, colorectal, melanoma and breast cancer, mainly focused on early diagnosis and the search for prognostic and predictive factors of response to treatment through different omics approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics).
2) Liquid biopsy: for the analysis of markers in minimally invasive samples.
3) Angiogenesis and immunoregulation. Study possible interrelationships between tumour neovascularisation, the presence of immunoregulatory cell populations (Tregs cells, myelosuppressive cells, dendritic cells) and tumour recurrence or progression.
4) Tumour stem cells (CSC): characterisation and isolation of CSCs from lung cancer patient samples. Development of in vitro and in vivo models for the design of new therapeutic strategies for CSC population control.

Our research consists of the design of new chemical compounds, especially new drugs, using topological descriptors. The main task of our group has been the use of topological indices in reverse to the conventional, i.e. instead of predicting properties of molecules already existing, our group generates new molecules just from the existing properties, obtaining, thus, molecular fingerprints which enable the search for new compounds with improved features. Currently we use a large number of topological indices -most of them original- which allowed us to design and select new lead compounds in the following fields: Analgesics, antibacterials, hypolipidemics, hypoglycaemics, bronchodilators, antivirals, antihystaminics, antimalarials, antineoplastics and anti-Alzheimer. Moreover, good results have been obtained also in Green Chemistry by predicting reaction pathways, yields and times, which allows designing more sustainable and profitable chemical processes. These results demonstrate the great effectiveness of the topological method used, to the point that it could be considered as an alternative and independent way of describing molecular structures. The results of our research have also been reflected in more than 100 research articles published in international journals, book chapters, patents, conferences, congresses, etc.

Research and study of the activity of products of natural origin, mainly plant-based, in in vivo experimental models of dermatitis and intestinal inflammation. Study of the mechanism of action in different in vitro models. Measurement of inflammatory mediators in cell cultures.

The group has been active since 1999 in following fields: 

1. Heterogeneity of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), we have worked on defining the number and structure of the content dimensions that characterise obsessive intrusive thoughts and clinical obsessions, analysing the cognitive and metacognitive features that differentiate these dimensions, as well as their implications for the diagnosis and treatment of the OCD. 
2. Cognitive models of the OCD. We are working on analysing the validity of different cognitive explanatory proposals for obsessive-compulsive disorder. 
3. Transdiagnosis.- We are working on finding out which variables or factors operate transdiagnostically in the various dimensions and/or subtypes of OCD and in other disorders of the emotional spectrum. Specifically, we focus on the comparative study of unpleasant mental intrusions (IMD) with obsessive, dysmorphic, hypochondriacal, eating, and relational contents, and their respective functional consequences (i.e., appraisals, emotional impact, interference, and neutralisation/control strategies).
4.  Transculturality.- We are working on the cross-cultural validity of the explanatory cognitive model of the OCD, and we are currently examining the above-mentioned IMDs in different cultural and religious contexts (in connection with other research groups in Canada, Italy, Argentina, Iran, Israel, and Turkey). 
5. O-C Spectrum.- We are working on examining the comparative validity (in psychopathological terms) of the various current approaches to O-C spectrum disorders, specifically, those derived from the DSM-5, those proposed by the WHO (ICD-11), and those proposed by cognitive psychological research (e.g., approaches to the dysphoria vs. euphoria and harm avoidance/compulsivity vs. impulsivity/NJREs continuum).   Specifically, we focus on the study of the OCD, body dysmorphic disorder, hypochondriasis and anorexia nervosa (psychopathology, diagnosis and treatment).
6. Treatment.- We have worked on testing a cognitive treatment programme (TCE), derived from cognitive theories of the OCD and specifically designed for this disorder. We have compared its efficacy with that of Exposure with Response Prevention; we have analysed the efficiency in the application of the treatment and compared the application in individual and group format; as well as according to the type of obsessions and compulsions. In recent years we are developing, exploring and testing virtual reality procedures that can support conventional treatments.
7. Family relationships.- We are examining whether dysfunctional beliefs, held by parents about unpleasant mental intrusions of obsessive, hypochondriacal, and dysmorphic content, have any impact/influence on those of their children. 
8. Stigma: We have sought to combat the stigma associated with mental illness in general, and O-C spectrum disorders in particular, by disseminating current knowledge and the possibilities for effective treatment and recovery from these disorders. 

We have worked on all these lines thanks, among other things, to the funding obtained in national (BSO2002-02330; SEJ2006/03893-PSIC; PSI2009-10957; PSI2010-18340; PSI2013-44733-R) and regional (GVAE2007-011; AE/07/022; SMI 6-2008; SMI 3/2008; PROMETEO 2013/066) competitive calls. We have published more than 50 articles in high-impact scientific journals, and made more than 100 presentations at national and international conferences with a selection committee.

Thirteen PhDs related to the objectives of the group and directed by the group leader have been defended, 5 of which obtained the extraordinary award in their respective calls.

The development of new complex chemical systems for industrial application, such as chemical sensors or new materials for controlled release, requires a multidisciplinary approach; including knowledge of fields such as analytical, organic and inorganic chemistry, electronics and engineering. The Research Group on Organic Materials for Detecting and Controlled Release, MODeLiC, of the Universitat de València, mainly works on two research lines:

1. Synthesis, characterisation and assessment of chemical sensors for the detection of all kinds of small species with environmental and biomedical applications. In this field, the group has been working in recent years on the design and assessment of sensors, mainly colorimetric and fluorometric, for the detection of chemical warfare agents (nerve gases). Over the last few years, work on sensors for this type of agents has aroused great interest in the international community as the existing methods are expensive and require specialised personnel, which makes their use complicated in situations of attack with this type of agents on civilians. The group’s second area of interest is the detection of pollutant gases. The area of application in this case is both industrial and in public environments. Within this section, the group is working on sensor preparation for nitrogen oxides, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide and other pollutant gases. It is noteworthy that some of these gases (nitric oxide, hydrogen sulphide) are species found in cells and are responsible for certain biological responses. For this reason, work is also being done on the assessment of the sensory response of prepared compounds in cells. More recently, work has been carried out on the preparation of colorimetric sensors for the detection of chemical submission drugs (particularly, GHB) in beverages. The prepared sensors are able to recognise the presence of the drug in all types of drinks. These sensors can be used “in situ” by anyone as they are easy to use, safe and selective.

2. Design and characterisation of materials for the controlled release of drugs, highlighting applications in the treatment of osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s syndrome and the detection and treatment of solid tumours (hypoxic environments). One of the current challenges raised in drug development is to find new methods or delivery systems that represent more effective and safer alternatives than the pharmaceutical forms already available. Therefore, in many cases, it is advisable to look for alternative dosage forms that allow better access of the drug to its place of action. In order to improve the control of drug release, our group employs a new approach consisting of the preparation of “smart materials” that are regulated by external stimuli. The design of nano- or micromaterials functionalised with molecular gates is a very fertile and promising area of work that is taking traditional coordination chemistry and supramolecular chemistry to the boundaries of nanoscience, molecular biology and biochemistry. These systems are inspired by bio-channels and bio-gates and generally by biological processes that originate transformations triggered by specific chemical species. The study of this release model can be applied to a large number of pathologies, but our group is studying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This disease includes two related pathologies, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Furthermore, the preparation of theranostic materials is a research field that is arousing more interest every day. These materials allow simultaneous detection of a pathology and its treatment. In this field, organic-inorganic hybrid materials have proven to be a very useful alternative for obtaining this type of compounds.

The fundamentally basic research activity of the ParaSalut group covers different aspects of the relationship between health and parasites, in both humans and animals carrying parasitic diseases or their models. The group presents lines of work on parasitic diseases caused by Protozoa, as well as Helminths and Arthropods. All the lines are already in progress and have numerous publications, as shown on the group members’ resumes.

Protozoa: One of the group’s research lines focuses on the influence of intestinal parasites (mainly protozoa) on human nutrition, given that said parasites interfere directly or indirectly with the nutrient absorption processes, maldigestion and / or malabsorption. Therefore, this line consists of two main objectives: 1) study on the relationship between intestinal parasites and food intolerances to carbohydrates, and 2) studies on the relationship between intestinal parasites and mother-child nutrition, as well as the analysis of the nutritional status of mothers and children and the effect of parasitosis on child development.

Helminths: Different aspects of helminthic diseases are addressed with a focus on epidemiology, ecology and parasite-host relationships.

Epidemiology / ecology: There are two lines addressing aspects on epidemiology and ecology of diseases caused by helminths. One of them analyses the study on biological cycles, transmission and population dynamic of helminths in murine models that have shown to be good bio-indicators of the parasite-host relationship. These studies are complemented by the line working on the creation of Geographical Information Systems with the use of satellite images and thematic maps for epidemiology modelling and the transmission of human and animal parasites, and the influence of climate change on them. Likewise, studies on food-transmitted parasitic diseases are addressed in another line in which the study of anisakiasis in fish for human consumption represents its basic pillar.

Parasite-host relationships: the establishment of a parasitic disease results from the parasite succeeding over the host. The analysis for the established relationships between both are fundamental to know the factors said establishment depends on, thus enabling the implementation of adequate preventive measures. Likewise, the specificity of this relationship is a tool for the improvement of current diagnostic methods.  In these parasite-host relationships, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have lately proved to be a valuable instrument for these purposes.

The ParaSalud group develops a line on the study of EVs in different helminths of human and veterinary interest. Said EVs are isolated and characterised by their composition (proteins, miRNAs) and their use as target molecules for diagnosis, treatment and / or vaccination is experimentally evaluated. This previously undertaken research line is reinforced by other lines from the group working on the study of parasite-host relationships by techniques generally referred to as “omics”, including genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics.

The line on human Taeniasis / Cisticerosis is part of both aspects: epidemiological studies of materials from different countries, and ultrastructural as well as secretomics studies of the infective form of human cisticerosis, the egg.

Arthropods: Equally important are ectoparasite arthropods, considering that in addition to being vectors of parasitic diseases, they have their own pathogenic potential. The Medical Entomology line carries out the diagnosis and epidemiologic analysis of mosquitos populations, lice, bedbugs and myisis cases.

This research group aims to promote interdisciplinary research on different topics related to physical activity and health. The group's lines of research focus on the study of physical activity patterns in different populations, especially in young people, as well as on the analysis of the correlates and determinants of physical activity behaviour. The research group is also interested in the study of the psychological processes associated with physical practice, as well as in the analysis of physical education and the school environment in the promotion of health.

Today, a more sustainable health system is being pursued in which the individual takes an active role in his or her health care, while adopting healthier lifestyles that prevent secondary pathologies and co-morbidities.

In this sense, this group considers, as a research activity, to determine ways of promoting health from Physiotherapy, taking into account the perspective of continuous change to which society is subjected on a daily basis. Specifically, this research group is characterised by its multi-speciality in the field of Physiotherapy, with the advantage that this entails in bringing together various new specialities in this area of health.

This group' s research activity aims, from the perspective of various physiotherapy specialities, to address different areas of assessment and intervention in healthy people (health promotion), in health problems of various kinds (chronic pain, haemophilia, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal pathology, women's health) in different population groups, as well as in aspects related to professional ethics and health in physiotherapy.

The research activity of the group is based on the determination of the main epidemiological indicators of oral health in the community (dental caries, periodontal disease, malocclusions, incisor-molar hypomineralisation, etc.) by means of Oral Health Surveys. In addition, the effect of the main risk factors related to this pathology such as cariogenic diet, hygiene habits, associated microbiology, social and economic environment, etc. are studied.

On the other hand, the group investigates Quality of Life in relation to Oral Health, mainly in the older adult population, using validated questionnaires, which sometimes have to be adapted cross-culturally and then psychometrically validated before use.

In addition, the group is involved in the analysis and evaluation of the provision and financing of dental services, oral health programmes, including the evolution of the dental profession at the community level.

Our research is focused on the neurobiological mechanisms of addictive disorders, specifically the environmental factors that influence cocaine-associated psychiatric comorbidities (including stress) and their impact on the different stages of development (prenatal, infancy, adolescence and adulthood), as well as gender differences. Cocaine remains the second most commonly used illicit drug in Europe, and levels of cocaine use are particularly high in Spain. The age at which initial consumption takes place is of special significance, as well as the environmental/epigenetic factors that modulate an overt clinical phenotype of cocaine addiction. Chronic consumption of cocaine can lead not only to addiction but also to several associated disorders, including psychiatric complications (depression, psychosis, attentional deficits/hyperactivity and anxiety disorders.

Cocaine remains the second most widely used illicit drug in Europe and levels of cocaine use are particularly high in Spain.

The age at which initial use takes place is of particular importance, as are the environmental/epigenetic factors that modulate the clinical phenotype of cocaine addiction. Chronic cocaine use can lead not only to addiction, but also to several associated disorders, including psychiatric complications (depression, psychosis, attention deficit/hyperactivity and anxiety disorders).

As part of our work, we develop animal models for translational research in humans. In addition, we assess the influence of cannabis, alcohol, heroin and MDMA use on the occurrence of comorbid disorders in cocaine addiction. Our specific objectives are:

a. To identify the neurobiological substrates underlying the increase in drug seeking triggered by social stress (brief and repeated social defeat), as numerous studies indicate that different types of physical and social stress are risk factors in the onset, escalation and relapse of psychostimulant use.

b. To identify the contribution of individual traits underlying the propensity for drug addiction, such as a high novelty-seeking phenotype

c. To study the long-term effects of drug use in adolescence, as this is a critical period in the maturation and final development of the CNS.

d. To study the neurobiological mechanisms of relapse in order to understand addictive disorders as a chronic and persistent disease.
 

We are currently working in collaboration with other groups of the Addictive Disorders Network (RTA), specifically with Dr. Consuelo Guerri, Dr. Jorge Manzanares, Dr. Olga Valverde, Dr. María L. Laorden, Dr. Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca and Dr. Paz Viveros. We have the following behavioural procedures in our laboratory: conditioned place preference (CPP), self-administration (SA), open field, elevated maze, water maze, active and passive avoidance boxes, ethopharmacological evaluation system (social interaction), prepulse inhibition (PPI), recognition test, computerised measurement of motor activity. The following neurochemical techniques are also frequently used in our research: high-precision liquid chromatography system to detect catecholamines in brain tissue; western blot to determine monoamine transporters; corticosterone and ELISA determination.

Overall, the research activity of our working group has focused on the assessment of cognitive functioning in patients with mental disorders, the development of alternatives to facilitate the assessment of their intellectual functioning, the specific study of implicit memory in these same patients to determine to what extent the types of tasks and the parameters used to assess the functioning of this memory system condition the results of such assessment and, finally, the evaluation of the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes of cognition in mental disorders, especially in schizophrenia. This work has been carried out for more than two decades with the support of research projects funded by the Universitat de València, the Consellería de Educación, the Consellería de Sanidad and the Ministerio de Educación. This research has resulted in the publication of numerous works which are listed in the attached CVs.

More specifically, our research activity has been developed through the following lines of work:

1. Cognitive assessment in schizophrenia. This line of research focuses on the evaluation of neurocognitive functioning, including social cognition, in the mental disorder in order to determine the interrelationships that exist between the different cognitive domains, and to assess the extent to which they determine the social functioning of the patient. In the context of this line of research, our attention has focused on the neurocognitive domains of attention, episodic memory and executive functioning, and within social cognition, on the domains of emotional perception, theory of mind, social perception and attributional style. Although they could be framed within the field referred to in our research line nº1, our research team has been developing two more specific lines of research (lines nº2 and nº3).
2. Intellectual functioning in schizophrenia. This line of research focuses on the development of abbreviated versions of the classic tests used to assess intellectual functioning, with the aim of facilitating their use in patients with mental disorders and allowing rapid screening of the patient. 
3. Implicit memory in schizophrenia. In general terms, scientific evidence indicates that implicit memory functioning is preserved in mental disorder. However, sometimes the evidence is contradictory and the reason may lie in the disparity of tasks used in the assessment of implicit memory and in the methodological conditions that occur within each test. In this line of research, our work focuses on clarifying which tasks are the most appropriate and which methodological conditions should be considered within these tasks in order to validly assess implicit memory. Assessment of cognitive deficits in people with different diagnoses of mental disorder, basically schizophrenia, by means of tasks widely used in experimental psychology such as lexical decision and fragment completion. 
4. Psychological intervention in cognition in schizophrenia. In this line of research our work focuses on the evaluation of programmes focused on the rehabilitation of neurocognition and social cognition to improve the social functioning of people with mental disorders (e.g. IPT, Gradior, EMT).

The proposed Research Group is created to carry out research, development and innovation activities in the field of Medical Physics, Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Instrumentation in Medicine, and whose main lines to be developed are the following:

• Clinical and physical dosimetry.
• In vivo dosimetry.
• Clinical applications in Brachytherapy and external beam Radiotherapy.
• Development of Monte Carlo techniques for clinical applications.
• Instrumentation for detection and dosimetry with ionising radiation.
• Design of applicators for use in radiation oncology.
• Study and design of solutions in the field of proton therapy.

The research activity of the members of this group can therefore be divided into a number of sections:

1. The Radiation Detector Technology Laboratory develops its research activity in all technological aspects related to the reading, conditioning, processing and transmission of data from both ionising and non-ionising radiation detectors. These include the development of discrete and integrated front-end electronics for the conditioning of signals from photomultipliers and photodiodes, the design and implementation of systems for the acquisition and processing of digital data from radiation detectors and the transmission of data in both electrical and optical media. The application of these developments focuses on experiments in experimental nuclear physics, particle physics and medical physics, as well as on the technology transfer of those useful in the industrial sector.
2. Algoritmos de cálculo de avance de dosis basados en modelos. At present, thanks to a research agreement signed between La Fe Hospital, the University of Valencia and the company Nucletron-Elekta, La Fe has the ACE system integrated into the Oncentra Brachy planner at the facilities of the Radiation Oncology service. This system, a pioneer in Spain, represents one of Nucletron-Elekta's main commitments in the field of high-rate brachytherapy dosimetry. Furthermore, Professors Facundo Ballester and Javier Vijande are members of the joint AAPM-ESTRO-ABG working group in charge of the study and characterisation of these systems, so the synergy between the clinical work carried out at La Fe with the use and development of this system and the theoretical study carried out by the UV professors will allow for a long-term study aimed at replacing the current dosimetric formalisms.
3. Characterisation of electronic brachytherapy systems. As an example of electronic brachytherapy systems, it is important to mention the Esteya system, which is the result of a collaboration between La Fe Hospital, the UV and the company Nucletron-Elekta. A full characterisation is currently being developed using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Other electronic brachytherapy systems, such as Intrabeam systems, are also being studied by this research group.
4. Study of new algorithms for the treatment of prostate tumour lesions using permanent brachytherapy implants. A dosimetric correction system is currently being developed at the UV with the aim of being implemented within a real planner. 
5. Development of planning systems based on Monte Carlo codes. A major effort is currently underway in the field of UV computing to develop Monte Carlo codes that can be implemented within a planning system. 
6. Renewal of TSR-398. Under IAEA mandate, the UV is to carry out the Monte Carlo simulation and the corresponding clinical measurements of several ionisation chambers under different radiation beams.

In the context of Social Psychology, a solid knowledge of the methodological aspects of research is becoming more necessary. Indeed, the analysis of social reality from the psychologist’s standpoint must be based on an understanding of concepts such as effect size, power or new techniques of statistical analysis. Likewise, the social psychologist must be guided in their research by firm foundations of design that guarantee the validity of the conclusions they reach.

On the other hand, the publication criteria of journals in the field of Social Psychology are increasingly stricter in this respect, and it is becoming more pressing and necessary for any type of social research to be clearly defined from the outset, as this ensures reliable results. Moreover, and given the heterogeneous nature of the causes of human behaviour, especially social behaviour, the members of the Unit are recognised specialists in different perspectives of analysis (from the handling of large samples, to the use of qualitative information, environmental studies, bio-physical analysis of behaviours, etc.) of people’s social behaviour. Thus, the objectives of this Research Unit are the analysis and study of the different research designs and techniques in order to establish clear and useful conclusions regarding their use in each of the different aspects of Social Psychology. 

We believe, therefore, that this is a field of research which, although in most cases theoretical, can be eminently useful and have a beneficial effect on the advances of studies in Social Psychology.

The “Social Neuroscience” research unit is focused on the scientific study of different social issues from a biopsychosocial perspective, considering the humanistic approach to understand human behaviour. The work being carried out is mainly focused on the study of cooperation and empathy, violence and social stress.

Neurocriminology aims to apply the methodology and techniques of neuroscience in order to understand, predict, treat and even prevent violence and criminality. Neurocriminological knowledge could be used in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of violence, as well as in the estimation of the probability of recidivism. While this is not free of ethical-legal issues, neuroscience is becoming an important influence on the understanding and study of violent and criminal behaviour. In this context, positive neurocriminology focuses on positive processes such as empathy, altruism, positive emotions and prosocial behaviour, among others. This knowledge derived from the research lines implemented could be used in the development of crime prevention and intervention programmes.

Cooperation is a typically human behaviour focused on social relationships, which can be defined as an adaptive strategy consisting of acting jointly with one another, increasing the probability of achieving a common purpose. Such cooperative behaviour is the result of cognitive and emotional processes related to constructs such as altruism and empathy.

Therefore, the most relevant application of this research is the use of the results obtained in the promotion of prosocial behaviour and the prevention and treatment of antisocial behaviour. However, there is still little research, under controlled laboratory conditions, that has analysed the psychobiological changes that occur when cooperating. One particular situation where cooperation, altruism and empathy occur is surrogacy, in which many women freely choose to participate in order to help others who are unable to be pregnant with their child. They expose their bodies and endanger their health to help others achieve their dream of parenthood. There are few comparable examples, perhaps a similar situation is when a living person donates an organ to someone they do not know. One of the most satisfying parts of the process for these women is the sight of the parents' faces as they hold their own baby in their arms at the moment of birth. Studying how these people’s brains work, the neurobiological mechanisms and the psychological aspects that lead them to be able to do something so wonderful for other people can help us to a large extent to be a more caring society, with greater moral development and, in short, more empathetic and less violent.

All of the above gives this research line a special neuroscientific relevance, since its main objective is to analyse the changes in activation, emotionality and stress induced by cooperation, as well as by other modulating factors such as gender and the result obtained in it. The results we are obtaining could be extrapolated to educational, work, political and any other social context in which interpersonal relationships are established.

Knowledge of the psychobiological mechanisms of cooperation would provide us with relevant information to advance in the development of a more cooperative and empathetic social model. In recent years, mindfulness has established itself as a very useful intervention strategy in the healthcare setting, as it has a beneficial influence on the health of different populations. In addition, some research has indicated that mindfulness-based interventions positively influence empathy in university students and healthcare professionals. These results are promising for the introduction of mindfulness in the training of psychologists. However, the studies conducted so far have only included self-report measures to assess empathy, which does not allow us to affirm that these interventions are really useful, since the increase in the subjective perception of the participants does not ensure an improvement in their empathic ability. In this regard, further research that includes situational assessment of empathy is needed, including performance measures and biological markers such as oxytocin, a hormone that has been linked to empathy and bonding. People with alcohol and/or drug dependence problems present neuropsychological and psychophysiological deficits that lead to alterations in emotional, cognitive and behavioural regulation. As a result, they tend to behave impulsively, without considering future consequences, whether negative or positive, and fail to use the information available in the environment to foresee the consequences of their actions and inhibit their behaviour. These impulsive behaviours in men convicted of violence against women in intimate partner violence (so-called batterers) have been directly related to violent behaviour, with this association being modulated, in a high percentage of cases, by the consumption of alcohol and/or other substances of abuse. However, other types of abusers often use a premeditated or proactive type of violence that has been consistently linked to psychopathy and is often also associated with alcohol and/or other drug use. These studies provide additional information on gender-based violence by allowing us to concretely describe its neurocriminological profile and to delimit the role of alcohol and/or drug use in the propensity to violence. It also makes it possible to analyse the effectiveness of the treatments on the neuropsychological and psychophysiological variables analysed. The results of this work are being applied nationally and even internationally, and could be extended to a multitude of people in similar situations. The fact that it includes physiological parameters together with psychological indicators makes it very valuable. The increase in life expectancy, together with advances in current health systems, are some of the most relevant factors in explaining the phenomenon of dependency in our country. This fact, together with the social change resulting from the progressive incorporation of women into the workplace, is detrimental to the traditional family-based care system, where the family caregiver was solely responsible for the care of the sick person. However, the informal caregiver continues to represent the main care resource for dependent people, in most cases embodied in women. Prolonged caregiving is a chronic stressor that has serious consequences for the caregiver’s health, directly affecting their quality of life. Our studies are aimed at the analysis of specific variables of particular conditions, with the aim of creating explanatory models of the caregiving situation. The search for happiness is universal and as ancient as humanity, which has pursued it incessantly since its origins. This desire to be happy is so important that some countries have now begun to measure their development in terms of Happiness Index per capita. Moreover, in recent decades the science of Psychology has gone from studying only mental disorders and their treatment to deciphering how to achieve an optimal functioning of the mind that allows us to live happily. This latter science is called Positive Psychology. Research is currently being carried out into the origins of happiness and the pleasant feelings that accompany it: contentment, hope, optimism and joy. Thanks to the great advance in knowledge about the brain, we know that happiness is not a state that is reached by chance, but is the result of the activity of brain circuits designed by evolution to produce this state of well-being.

Happiness is therefore a product of the brain, which can be studied scientifically like any other function of the human mind. Knowledge on what activates these circuits allows us to act, voluntarily, to our benefit. We know that the brain is constantly changing throughout life, which is called neuroplasticity, no matter how old we are or what experiences we have had. Thus, by managing our thoughts and actions, we can bring about those brain changes that make us feel happy. This knowledge, based on the latest research in Neuroscience and Psychology on the neuroplasticity of the brain, enable us to restructure our brain in order to control our emotions and enjoy greater well-being and happiness. Scientific research shows that happiness is very beneficial, since it enhances the resources and tools that allow us to cope with the ups and downs that occur naturally throughout life. It also improves intellectual capacity and motivation, enhances creativity and increases interest in the world, cooperation and empathy, and is also very beneficial for health.

The ITEAC research group, which started in 2009, focuses mainly on the two most frequent neurodevelopmental disorders: Specific Learning Disorders (dyslexia, dysorthography, difficulties in comprehension and written expression, difficulties in calculus and in solving mathematical problems) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Both disorders have a prevalence of around 5-6%, with high persistence in adolescence and adulthood, causing negative consequences in personal, social, academic or occupational functioning (APA, 2014), reasons that justify our interest in their study.

Under these parameters, different lines of research are articulated, dedicated to the study of specific learning disorders throughout life, analysis of the impact of specific disorders and comorbidities on the personal, social, family and occupational levels, as well as the analysis of prevention and intervention programmes for specific learning disorders. In addition, the group is occasionally interested in other topics such as prevention and intervention in violence and bullying, the impact of other neurodevelopmental disorders in the family context, the analysis of affective variables in second language learning and teacher training at different educational stages.

The Sport Psychology Research Unit (UIPD) is an interdisciplinary group made up of specialists in Social Psychology, Clinical and Health Psychology, Psychological Assessment and Sport Sciences. In this way, the research carried out by this Unit is carried out from a multidisciplinary perspective.

The UIPD studies the psychosocial correlates of the optimal development of people, especially children and adolescents, in two main contexts, sport and education. The interrelationships between different psychosocial variables (i.e., motivation, self, values, self-efficacy, attribution) and some indicators of optimal development (i.e., lifestyles related to health, well-being, and performance) are analysed.

The main objective of this research group is to study the motivation of individuals in achievement contexts. More specifically, to explore the processes that favour both involvement in and adherence to activities and the development of well-being. Ultimately, we work to bring theoretical and research knowledge closer to the applied world by developing tools that enable the creation of positive climates that favour optimal development and well-being.

It is a research group dedicated to the study of tumours of the central nervous system, addressing clinical, neuropathological, genetic, molecular and metabolomic aspects. These studies are carried out in both "in vivo" tumours and "in vitro" experimental models, with a translational orientation with the aim of biopathological characterisation towards the identification of molecular targets with application to diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics.

The group's multidisciplinary research ranges from quantitative and radiological anatomy, together with medical imaging techniques applied to the identification of the anatomical bases of the pathology, to geometric morphometry. In terms of the anatomical bases of pathology, we specialise in the study of vertebral anatomical variants and their association with clinical symptoms (pain, neuropathies, dizziness, etc.) in both modern sapiens and extinct human species (Homo Neanderthalensis). Geometric morphometry has been used to investigate hominin craniofacial biology (morphological integration), with a special interest in the cranial base as an interface between the brain and the facial skeleton. A "systems model" of human evolutionary anatomy has been developed, which conceptually employs an organism-based perspective on craniofacial and postcranial variation in hominins. 

The group has also focused in recent years on the form, function and integration of the respiratory apparatus, which is an anatomical system connecting the skull and postcranium, of the human organism, as well as on the relationship between thoracic form in osteogenesis imperfecta and respiratory function, and on variations in form and their association with pain at both the cervical and lumbar levels. 

The group is also investigating the development of the trunk at the evolutionary level in both extinct hominins and modern sapiens. Members of the group are also specialising in the study of geometric shape and anatomical variants in fossil records of Homo Neanderthalensis, Homo Naledi and Australopithecus Sediba.

The area of work of this group is demographic studies aimed at the Valencian population. This group investigates classic demographic phenomena such as birth rates, fertility, marriage and the formation and dissolution of unions, ageing, morbidity, reproduction and migrations with special interest in their evolution from the existence of the first modern demographic sources to the present day and including projections of future developments. These studies focus on the population located in the Valencian territory, looking to locate it in the territorial breakdowns that go from the census section, the smaller entities, the municipalities and the counties.

In addition, this group carries out research on life trajectories or life courses. The life course perspective is applied to study life processes such as, for example, emancipation, entry into adulthood, training and work episodes, maternity-paternity or retirement. The analysis of life course trajectories takes into account temporal dimensions such as age, generation and time, gender and social class, origin and language. The object of study is also specific populations whose socio-demographic characteristics and social importance in the structure and change of Valencian society require specific analyses. Specifically, populations in situations of social vulnerability from a multidimensional perspective.

The group combines the production of data on population through the design of demographic surveys, the cataloguing of existing secondary data on the Valencian population (registers and population stocks from survey data), the cultivation of statistical modelling techniques, the calculation of indicators, the collection of discourses on life events and trajectories.

Both for the information it collects and for the analysis it carries out, DEMOVAL provides the business fabric, the administration at all levels and the third sector with valuable knowledge of the demographic, cultural and social characteristics, forecasts, diagnoses, situation in the territory, etc., related to the Valencian population. With all this, DEMOVAL potentially represents a substantial improvement in market studies, public policies, and social actions and interventions.

The group's research activity focuses on the cognitive and affective aspects associated with stress processes in healthy people and those suffering from a long-term pathology, from a multidisciplinary perspective. To this end, it records neuropsychological, electrophysiological and endocrine variables, using non-invasive procedures, in various laboratory, field and clinical studies. The end goal of the research is to contribute to clarifying the mechanisms involved in stress processes and how these may impact on health, as well as to pay attention to the modular factors that may play a role.

In thematic terms, the interaction between stress and decision-making in healthy individuals may have implications for maladaptive behaviours that may influence the health of healthy individuals. In people with long-term conditions, stress can act as a predisposing factor, precipitating factor or impact on recovery, cognitive processing, functionality and quality of life in people diagnosed with epilepsy. The results of these studies represent a relevant advance in the generation of basic scientific knowledge on the correlates of stress and cognitive and emotional processes, as well as a possibility of transfer to the clinical care setting, favouring the detection of the key aspects involved in quality of life and which may be useful for the design of cognitive-behavioural interventions.

Institutionally, the Research Group maintains collaborations with other groups at national and international level. The different lines of study are financed by different research grants from the Universitat de València itself, the Valencian Government (PROMETEO Excellence Group) and the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Excellence Projects).

Our research activity will consist of the development of the following lines of research:

• Research related to information systems and documentation. It includes the design, development and evaluation of scientific information systems, such as databases, interoperable digital libraries and websites that enable access to information and knowledge, as well as the development of value-added products that support informed decision making.
• Analysis of the sharing of raw research data in the various areas of knowledge. It includes research related to raw data and its sharing in science.
• Scientific activity indicators. It includes research related to the evaluation of scientific activity and the provision of adequate information to improve public research policies.
• Social and health sciences. It includes research on health and wellbeing issues, such as sport or addictive behaviours, form a social, biological or psychological perspective.

The Anthropology, Heritage and Cultural Imaginary Research Group (ANTROPIA) was created with the aim of researching the processes of heritage and the transformation and reinvention of cultural imaginaries from an anthropological perspective. In particular, it proposes the anthropological study of the processes of heritage construction and activation, especially those that revolve around the categories of natural and intangible heritage, the new spiritualities as an expression of meaning, the reinvention of cultural imaginaries in the digital society and the study of inter-ethnic relations from an anthropological-historical perspective. A study especially oriented to urban, rural and virtual contexts, in the past and in the present.

 The processes of patrimonialisation have acquired a special prominence in the transformations of contemporary societies, with an extension and expansion that, among other things, has ended up merging categories initially constructed as segregated groups (cultural/natural) and explicitly incorporating social actors in the process of identification and recognition of heritage through the category of intangible heritage, the value given to the institutionalisation of activations and the appeal to memory as a legitimising resource. The study of these processes –and of the negotiations, contradictions and disputes they involve– allows us to approach the policies and practices of government, governance, urban planning, territorial resource management, tourism and the construction of collective identities, from the point of view of the actions of the administration institutions, of the different social actors and, in particular, of the responses of social movements. It is also a challenge to explore the articulations between the recognition of cultural diversity, with all its variability and openness, and the construction of imaginaries of homogeneity and cultural heterogeneity and authenticity.

Transformations in the forms of social organisation, uses and management of public spaces or urban policies, whether or not they are related to processes of patrimonialisation, have an impact on the ways of imagining and inhabiting cities and constitute another one of the main ideas of this research group. A question that includes the construction and destruction of neighbourhood identities and the role of urban movements in the founding of community spheres and in the response to these transformations.

On the other hand, modern and post-modern deficits of meaning go through the recovery and reconfiguration of old forms of transcendent knowledge linked to ancient philosophies and religions. They are thus transformed into new cultural creativities linked to innovative transnational forms of ecology, spirituality, economics, politics and social relations that involve the recovery of ancestral practices and knowledge, the emergence of new values and lifestyles, the arrival of new medicines and therapies in the West, as well as the complexity of cyberspace with its networks and communities. This “re-enchantment of the world” falls within a context of progressive de-institutionalisation of religion that promotes personal research in the individual sphere and generates the phenomenon of “believing without belonging” at the same time that is articulated in modern, psycho-physical-spiritual movements that offer an experiential, emotional, mystical, strongly eclectic religiosity, with a pragmatic salvationist orientation, here and now, and a holism or universalism tinged with scientism, ecology and generic humanitarianism. 

Historical anthropology plays a key role in understanding the modern paradox that manifests itself in the tension between the notion of shared humanity and the emergence of more or less exclusive identity particularisms. The contemporary world is shaped by this paradox, and globalisation brings to light new tensions between universalism and identity particularisms. The study of local responses to these global processes is another one of the group's research lines.

These main lines will allow us to approach a series of cross-cutting analytical issues, among which we must highlight gender (segregation and social stratification around imaginaries, insofar as in the articulation of these phenomena we can observe clear differences between women and men), as well as globalisation (imaginaries accompany different globalisations), identity (adaptation and/or resistance to the global), sustainability (tension between universal concepts and local realities), emancipation (utopian movements, suspicious thinking and narratives of science) and global communities (contemporary imaginaries built from the articulation between global social networks).