The main objective of our research work is the development of new methodologies that allow us to access new chemical entities (NCE= new chemical entities; structural skeletons capable of interacting with a therapeutic target). The generation of NCEs is currently one of the most important constraints in the drug discovery process. In this context, our research activity addresses the application of new methodologies recently incorporated into the arsenal of tools of organic chemistry to the preparation of new chemical structures of interest. The rise of organocatalysis and photoredox catalysis in the last decade has been extraordinary, due among other things to the operational simplicity of both methodologies, and to the incorporation of new ways of activating molecules through different mechanisms that allow new transformations to be carried out very efficiently. Both techniques are being studied in our working group. Specifically, we implemented enantioselective desymmetrisation processes using the intramolecular aza-Michael reaction. This gives us access to a new family of disubstituted piperidines, skeletons that are considered privileged structures given the wide range of biological activities they induce. Also within the framework of organocatalysis, we designed new organocatalytic tandem processes where one of the individual processes in an intramolecular aza-Michael reaction. This allows us to obtain new families of polycyclic nitrogenous systems with simultaneous generation of several stereocentres.

The combination of organocatalytic processes with dipolar cycloadditions is also being studied in our group. On the basis of iminic activation, organocatalytic nucleophilic addition on ortho-substituted cinnamaldehydes with a trifluorovinyl unit will give rise to the corresponding conjugated addition product, capable of undergoing an intramolecular (3+2) nitrone reaction. This process will allow us to generate quaternary centres containing a trifluoromethyl unit. The generation of such stereocentres is a major synthetic challenge, only partially solved by conjugated additions.

Finally, we intend to enter the field of photo-redox catalysis. Given our previous experience with fluorinated substrates, and the wide variety of fluoroalkyl radicals generated by this methodology, we intend to extend the generation of this type of radicals to difluorobromo propargyl systems and imidoyl halides. Therefore, the feasibility of these intermediates will be studied, as well as a preliminary evaluation of their reactivity, in insertion reactions on various unsaturated systems. As an application of this methodology, the synthesis of fluorinated gamma amino acids will be carried out.

This group specialises in analysing the Palaeozoic biota recorded in different marine and transitional environments, integrating the diverse palaeontological data in the construction of a biostratigraphic scale of the highest possible precision, allowing for global correlations to be integrated and contributing to the elaboration of the International Stratigraphic Chart. These data are also used in the recognition of Events (Geo and Bio, local and global), and in paleoecological, paleoclimatic and paleogeographic reconstructions.

The members of the group are international leaders in the Cambrian and Devonian Systems, as attested by the fact that Professors Gozalo and Valenzuela are Full Members (with voting rights) of the International Subcommissions on Cambrian and Devonian Stratigraphy respectively. Dr. Liao is also a Corresponding Member of the International Sub-Commission on Devonian Stratigraphy.

Another aspect that manifests this leadership is the recent organisation of a triple International Congress at the Universitat de València in which all members of the Group participated, Prof. Valenzuela being the President of the Congress and Dr. Liao the Secretary General. Last but not least, all four members have been involved in synthesising papers on the respective Cambrian and Devonian systems in prestigious journals and books.

The main scientific and technical objectives are as follows:

• Detect the existence of Global Events in selected Palaeozoic sections of Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Mongolia, Siberia, Uzbekistan, Morocco, China and the United States.
• Detect the existence of Global Bioevents in different groups of macro and microfossils, mainly in trilobites, brachiopods, conodonts, fish, ostracods and plants (macrofossils and spores).
• To make high-resolution correlations between the biostratigraphic scales provided by the fossil groups mentioned above.
• Identify the boundaries of the Cambrian and Devonian Series and their Floors in selected sections and refine their study according to the agreements and criteria of the International Commission on Stratigraphy and the two corresponding sub-commissions (Cambrian and Devonian).
• Compare the data obtained in Spain with those of the other regions mentioned above.
• To elaborate a standard reference scale for the Cambrian and Devonian of Spain to serve as a world reference.
• Tracing neritic and pelagic successions in order to refine and intercalibrate regional biostratigraphic scales.
• Coordinate with other national and, mainly, international groups to carry out interdisciplinary studies, mainly geochemical, geophysical and cyclo-stratigraphic studies that integrate and complement biostratigraphic studies.

The group is mainly dedicated to the research of the molecular bases that control different polyphenisms present in the biological cycles of aphids. In particular, we studied which genes are responsible for the induction of the sexual phase produced by short days and which genes are responsible for the maintenance of parthenogenesis during seasons with long days. Although we work with different types of genes, for some years now we have focused our activity on the possible role played by circadian clock genes, as well as genes and molecules related to the circadian clock. 

We also studied the interaction of some aphid species with different ant species and the factors responsible for the variation in this interaction. In particular, we are interested in a polyphenism related to this interaction. Again, our main interest is to identify the molecular basis controlling this polyphenism. In the group we have been handling common molecular biology techniques such as cloning, PCR, real-time quantitative PCR (to quantify gene expression under different conditions), classical and NGS sequencing, etc.

We also developed, among others, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry techniques (both of which involve the mastery of aphid dissection techniques).

Research activity focused on the conservation and improvement of forest and aromatic species. It comprises two lines subsidised by MINECO, EU and Valencian Government (PrometeoII):

1. Biotechnology of forest species. Apply somatic embryogenesis (SE) as a tool to increase the resilience of forest species for sustainable forestry. In recent years, we have optimised HE protocols in Pinus pinaster (maritime pine) and Quercus ilex (holm oak), highlighting the selection of Pinus pinaster families with high embryogenic capacity; the creation of a germplasm bank with these lines; the development of genetic transformation protocols in maritime pine and stone pine; and the development, for the first time, of a protocol to establish embryogenic lines of adult holm oak genotypes. The current project (AGL2013-47400-C4-4-R) addresses two strategies for breeding stress-tolerant genotypes. One takes advantage of natural variability and uses the protocols developed to clone and test holm oak genotypes with and without "la seca" symptoms; the second aims to induce epigenetic memory "priming" by applying biotic and abiotic stress treatments during the proliferation-maturation phase. The project also addresses various physiological and molecular aspects of the embryogenic process as a strategy to improve the induction and maturation phases. We collaborate with national forestry HE expert groups from IMIDRA, CSIC and Neiker. The group participates in national and European initiatives using maritime pine as a conifer model for functional genomics studies. In the SustainPine project (Plant-KBBE, PLE2009-0016) we generated transgenic plants with variable levels of expression (overexpression, or silencing with RNAi) of genes involved in growth associated with nitrogen metabolism and which are in the process of evaluation. We also participate in the European project ProCoGen (FP7-KBBE-2011-15) generating a haploid maritime pine cell line that is being used as a source of DNA for the sequencing of its genome.
2. Metabolic engineering of terpenes. It studies the mechanisms that regulate the synthesis and accumulation of terpenes in glandular trichomes of lavender (Lavandula latifolia). All terpenes are derived from the C5 precursor IPP (isopentenyl bisphosphate) and its isomer DMAPP (dimethyl allyl bisphosphate), which in plants can be synthesised via two routes, the cytoplasmic (MVA route) and the chloroplastic (MEP route). To study the contribution of both pathways to final essential oil production, we overexpressed in lavender Arabidopsis genes involved in the first steps of both pathways. We show that the enzyme 1-Deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate (DXP) synthase (DXS), which catalyses the first step of the MEP pathway, plays a crucial role in IPP biosynthesis as its overexpression increases essential oil production in leaves. In contrast, overexpression of the enzyme DXP reductoisomerase (DXR), which catalyses the conversion of DXP to MEP, is not a limiting enzyme in the process. Overexpression of HMG1 (cytoplasmic) also significantly increased essential oil production suggesting an interconnection between the two pathways. To study the contribution of the MVA route to the biosynthesis of lavender oil, studies have been carried out with labelled precursors showing that although the chloroplastic route is the most important, under certain conditions there may be a flow of cytoplasmic IPP into the chloroplast. The essential oil profile has also been modified by overexpressing the linalool and limonene synthase genes without altering the total oil content. The glandular trichome isolation technique is being optimised to complete metabolic studies.

Since 2009 we have been working with the company SAT Even 46 CV to produce healthy mother plants of oleander varieties.

The research activity of the GI-PVC (Research Group on Cenozoic Vertebrate Palaeontology) focuses on the study of seven main lines of research: 

• Cenozoic Macrovertebrates (Baetic Basins and Iberian Cordillera). 
• Study of the Mio-Pliocene transit in continental facies in the Valencian Community. 
• Study of the Lower Miocene and Middle Miocene faunas of the Eastern Iberian Peninsula.
• Study of the Tertiary and Quaternary faunas of Ecuador. 
• Isotopic analysis of fossil remains of micromammals. 
• Application of GIS tools (Geographic Information Systems - spatial analysis) in palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction based on fossil remains of microvertebrates. 
• Combined application of GIS (Geographic Information Systems - spatial analysis) and Image Analysis tools in the study of shape in Palaeontology.​

The object of study of the seven aforementioned lines of research are the remains of fossil vertebrates (mammals, reptiles, amphibians) from the Cenozoic of Europe, and especially from the Iberian Peninsula, as well as from the same period in the central and western regions of Ecuador. In both geographical contexts, the aim is to approach the detailed palaeontological study of this type of remains from the different sub-disciplines of palaeontology (taphonomy, systematics, biostratigraphy, biogeography, palaeoecology, study of shape, etc.). 

The main areas of study are the Tertiary and Quaternary basins of the Iberian and Baetic Domains in the Iberian Peninsula, and the areas with Eocene-Quaternary deposits in central and western Ecuador. The Iberian Peninsula is a region where a large number of palaeontological studies on Cenozoic vertebrate faunas have been carried out. Thus, since the middle of the last century, a large number of researchers from Europe and other latitudes have selected the Iberian basins as the preferred place to study this type of fossils. The magnificent exposition of the outcrops and the large palaeontological record found contributed to consider this area as the main source of palaeontological information on Cenozoic vertebrates in Europe. As a result of this work, the Spanish School of Vertebrate Palaeontologists was created, which over the years has become the largest and most powerful in our continent.

Our efforts are aimed at completing the large number of works in Vertebrate Palaeontology already existing in these basins, and especially at complementing the scarce works that have been carried out in the East of the Peninsula and which, as our latest works show, contain very relevant information that contrasts with the results from other areas of the Peninsula and the rest of Europe. Our results allow us to verify significant differences in the palaeontological record of Cenozoic vertebrates, as well as the discovery of new events of palaeoenvironmental changes hitherto unrecorded in other study areas.

In addition to deepening studies that complement existing information from other areas, our team is developing its research work on other fronts in order to create new approaches to the knowledge of the palaeoenvironmental conditions of the most recent past (Pleistocene-Holocene) and their relationship with the processes of climate change that have occurred in this time span. On the other hand, although closely related to this last point, we are developing new spatial analysis applications to handle environmental-climatic and biogeographical information that will allow us to tackle the process of paleoclimatic reconstruction of the recent past. From these new applications we analyse, for example, the extinction context of the last Neanderthal groups based on the Pleistocene microvertebrate record.

The Analysis Group on Climate Change, Meteorological Hazards and Inputs to the Mediterranean Hydrological System (CLIMAMET) carries out two types of activities: research and scientific-technical assistance to the public administration. 

Within the research activity, CLIMAMET works on three scientific lines: 

• Climate change analysis.
• The study of meteorological hazards.
• The examination of new inputs to the hydrological system.

The first of these focuses on the analysis of the spatio-temporal variability of air temperature and precipitation, as well as other climatic elements, with emphasis on the Valencian territory and the Mediterranean area. The research carried out by members of the group on the changes observed in air temperature in the Valencian Community by means of statistical downscaling techniques, or the climatic trends in precipitation according to its typology, stand out for their pioneering nature.

 The group has extensive experience in the monitoring of temperature and precipitation variables, using surface and satellite data, and their short- and medium-term forecasting, as well as the analysis and forecasting of extreme events, with cross-comparisons between statistical and mesoscale models, and observed and satellite data of great importance in meteorological hazard studies. This is done using advanced techniques in reconstruction-homogenisation of observed data, remote sensing, modelling and prediction.

The second line of research focuses on the analysis of the causes and dynamic processes that control meteorological hazard situations in the western Mediterranean basin, with the aim of helping to improve the prediction of three of them: torrential rainfall, extreme temperatures and forest fires. The group counts on tools (change mapping, impact indices and forecasts) to improve the management of the effects of climate change in the IMB and of extreme event warning systems, for the activation of social and environmental intervention protocols.

And the third scientific line is about analysing new inputs to the hydrological system, specifically the contribution of fog water and potential environmental uses. 

These lines of research find support in the scientific infrastructure available to CLIMAMET, specifically in the presence of a series of meteorological sensors supported, in part, by the Network of meteorological towers of the Centre for Environmental Studies of the Mediterranean Foundation (CEAM), and in the spatial data management tools available in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory of the Department of Geography. The generation of meteorological databases is essential for climate studies, as well as for feeding the RAMS (Regional Atmospheric Modelling System) meteorological model, adapted to Mediterranean conditions by the group's researchers and used to support weather hazard forecasting. 

CLIMAMET has extensive experience in providing scientific and technical assistance to the public administration. In fact, before the creation of the CLIMAMET group, its members, led by María José Estrela (Director of this group), made up the research team of the Joint Unit Climatology Laboratory CEAM_UV, which actively participated in assisting the public administration. Of particular note is the design and management since 2006 of the "Operational prediction of hazard levels due to heat waves in the Valencian Community" programme for the Regional Ministry of Health, as well as, since 2007, the "Data validation service of the ultraviolet B radiation measurement network and optimisation of UVI level prediction processes in the Valencian Community" for the Conselleria de Territori y Habitatge of the Valencian Government. Subsequently, as the CLIMAMET Research Group (GIUV2014-209), it has continued to provide assistance to the administration, specifically to the Conselleria de Medi Ambient, agua, Urbanisme i Habitatge with a "Study to obtain fog water for the provision of watering places for native fauna in the Muela de Cortes hunting reserve". In turn, the Group's director Dr. Estrela is a member of the Committee of Experts on Climate Change of the Valencian Government.

CLIMAMET is a multidisciplinary Research Group with the participation of researchers from different fields such as Physical Geography, Climatology, Atmospheric Physics, and Hydrology, with objectives around common lines of research. Participating as members of CLIMAMET are Dr. María José Estrela (Director), Dr. Javier Miró, Dr. Alejandro Pérez Cueva and Dr. Ana Camarasa, all of them from the Department of Geography of the UV; Dr. Vicente Caselles and Dr. Raquel Niclós from the Department of Earth Physics and Thermodynamics of the UV. The collaborating researchers are Dr. Igor Gómez Assistant Professor at the University of Alicante, Dr. José Antonio Valiente and Dr. Francisco Pastor Senior Researchers at the CEAM Foundation.

The group of “Ecology, Ethology and Evolution” gathers researchers from the Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology and is dedicated to fundamental and applied research at the interphase between ecology, animal behaviour and evolutionary biology. The aim is to contribute to the scientific knowledge of complex biological phenomena in which the relationship between individuals and their biotic and abiotic environment plays a fundamental role.

Examples include animal communication, sensory ecology, characteristics and behaviours associated with sexual and asexual reproduction, complex life cycles, non-linear population dynamics, response to environmental fluctuation and uncertainty, response to spatial heterogeneity, processes of co-evolution between symbionts, and the effects of anthropogenic factors on organisms.

From the methodological point of view, an integrative approach is used, combining theoretical analysis, laboratory experiments and field experiments and observations, as well as a wide range of conceptual and instrumental techniques: modelling, computational simulation, molecular, microscopic and audiovisual techniques, spectrophotometry, bioacoustics, demography, phylogenetic analysis, determination of parameters, classical and molecular taxonomy, etc.

The emphasis of the group is on basic or fundamental research, but attention is paid to all those branches of applied relevance: toxicity bioassays, aquaculture, population viability analysis, climate change effects, etc. In its researches, the group seeks to solve general, theoretically motivated biological problems using model systems and organisms in which its members are experts.

The Elcis research group has carried out research into reading, literary, media and linguistic training in multicultural and multilingual contexts at different educational levels in both L1 and L2 and foreign languages. It began when we were awarded the research project "Globalisation, exclusion and multiculturalism in Children's and Young Adult Literature" (UV-AE-20060713) in 2006.

Since then and until now we have been working on different research, cooperation and innovation projects. A determining factor for the consolidation and expansion not only of research lines, but also of members and collaborators was the award of the R+D+I project "Literary Education and Interculturality" of the Ministry of Science and Innovation (EDU 2008-01782/EDUC), National Programme for Fundamental Research in the framework of the 6th National Plan for Scientific Research.

We have taken part in other projects such as "Diversity and (in)equality in contemporary Spanish literature for children and young people" (UV-IMV-PRECOMP-13-115502), "Literary images of diversity: citizenship and identity through reading and literary education" (GV 2015-050). Or the centre innovation projects "Innovation, Research and Quality in Higher Education: Projects and Proposals in teaching research in the Complementary Activities Weeks" in different editions or "Work on the impact of the use of interactive whiteboards in the higher education of teachers of Infant, Primary and Secondary Education". As well as "Comparative study of DLL subjects in the new degrees of Early Childhood Education" project awarded by the University of Seville. Projects for Teaching Research (038-A6-2010) with researchers from the universities of Seville, Jaén, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, A Coruña; the project DETERMINING FACTORS IN THE READING HABITS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION STUDENTS (PR2017-040) granted by the University of Cadiz. Or the cooperation project "Preparation of teacher training agents and institutional teams to enable innovation and improvement in research and teacher training in intercultural bilingual education in the Andean and Caribbean areas" of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (D/030992/10); "Linguistic competences and cultural identity of students of immigrant origin - integration variables in immigration contexts" (APE/2015/004).

We have also been part of the project "MEDIATIC COMPETENCIES OF THE CITIZENSHIP IN EMERGING DIGITAL MEDIA (SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS): INNOVATIVE PRACTICES AND EDUCOMUNICATIVE STRATEGIES IN MULTIPLE CONTEXTS of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. National Programme for R&D Projects (EDU2015-64015-C3-1-R) with 40 researchers from 11 Spanish universities and 8 Latin American and European countries or the project "YOUTUBERS AND INSTAGRAMMERS: MEDIATIC COMPETITION IN EMERGING PROSUMERS" of the STATE RESEARCH AGENCY - 2018 Calls for Knowledge Generation R&D Projects and R&D Projects and RESEARCH CHALLENGES.

The Elcis group has also organised all kinds of scientific meetings related to our research: among others, the 3rd International Conference on Catalan Literature for Children and Young Adults (2006); and the International Conference on Literary Education and Society. The teaching of literature to young adults (2007); Interdisciplinary Conference on Women's Studies (2009); : 3rd Conference on Teaching Innovation in Higher Education (2014); 1st and 2nd International Conference Teaching Literature in English for Young Learners (2012) and (2015); 15th International Conference of the Spanish Society of Language and Literature Didactics (2014); Conference on Research, Innovation and Best Practices in Early Childhood Education (2014), (2015), (2016), (2017) and ((2018) or the Conference on Reading, Literary and Linguistic Education. They are currently part of the network of excellence of the project EXCELLENCE NETWORK IN MEDIATIC EDUCATION of the Ministry of Economy, Programme of Dynamisation Actions Networks of Excellence R+D (Action 2016) (EDU2016-81772-REDT) participating entities: 10 R+D IPs 10 Spanish universities.

Main research lines:

• Symbiosis evolution: The Symbiosis is an important factor for the promotion of evolutionary novelties. Studying it requires a joint analysis of the eukaryote host and its closely associated microorganisms by employing genomics and metagenomics. Moreover, the symbiosis of insects and humans is studied in a fundamental manner.
• Synthetic biology. The study of genomes of a microorganism variety offers clues for the comprehension and synthesis of minimal cells with applications in biomedicine, bioremediation and biotechnology.
• Genetic study of aphids: Taxonomy and reproductive polyphenism. Identification of genes and regulating channels for aphid reproduction (parthenogenesis vs sexuality).

The study area of the Global Change Unit is related to the changes that our planet has experienced, which are analysed with the support of remote sensing satellites and the digital processing of the images provided by them. The aim of the research group is to develop operational algorithms in order to estimate different parameters such as land and sea surface temperature, land surface emissivity, albedo, thermal inertia, evapotranspiration, net radiation, total atmospheric water-vapour content, etc. The spatio-temporal dynamics of land cover from satellites is also studied. All of this is done based on the data provided by satellite-based sensors located on satellites platforms (AVHRR, TM, AATSR, MODIS, SEVIRI, METOP, ASTER, etc.) and airbone sensors (DAIS, AHS, etc.). In addition, the UCG also organises and carries out frequent field campaigns to determine some of these parameters using radiometers, thermal cameras, etc. 

The UCG has, among other scientific instrumentation, satellite image reception antennas corresponding to the MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) and NOAA satellites, as well as a reception station for obtaining images from the TERRA and AQUA satellites (www.uv.es/iplsat/). The UCG is a reference group that allows to apply the developed algorithms to the images received in real time; to maintain an archive of satellite data that can be available to any public body interested in monitoring natural disasters, desertification, forest fires, etc.; and to participate in projects for the development of future space missions for earth observation, both nationally and internationally.

The UCG also has extensive experience with active participation in different research projects, leading two European projects:

• WATERMED "WATer use Efficiency in natural vegetation and agricultural areas by remalnom sensing in the MEDiterranean basin”, in which 5 groups from Spain, Denmark, France, Egypt and Morocco have participated. 
• EAGLE "Exploitation of Angular effects in Land surfacE observations from satellites”, in which groups from Spain, the Netherlands and France have participated.

And participating in numerous European projects: WATCH "Water and Global Change" of the 6th framework programme and CEOP-AEGIS "Coordinated Asia-European long-term Observing system of Qinghai - Tibet Plateau hydro-meteorological processes and the Asian-monsoon systEm with Ground satellite Image data and numerical Simulations" of the 7th programme. In addition, we have participated and/or led other projects financed by the European Space Agency (CEFLES2, AGRISAR, SEN2FLEX, SPARC, SIFLEX y DAISEX), the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI).

It is also worth mentioning the numerous collaborations of the UCG with research staff from national and international research centres, particularly with the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) of the Netherlands, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the Alterra Research Institute at Wageningen University and Research Center in the Netherlands, the University of Washington (USA), the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) of the Netherlands, the Institut National de Recherche Agronomique of Avignon and Bordeaux (France), the Groupe de Recherche en Télédetection Radiométrique at the Louis Pasteur University of Strasbourg (France), the Laboratory of Sustainable Agriculture of the CSIC in Córdoba, the Department of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Chile, the University of Marrakech (Morocco).

Lines of work:

• Ecology and diversity. Taxonomy. Molecular methods of detection and identification. Studies on the ecology of yeast and bacteria species in wine. Taxonomic analysis and description of new species. Development of different methodologies for the detection, identification and quantification of organisms present in wine. Quality control. Control of the implementation of starter cultures.
• Metabolisms of sugars, acids and aminoacids in lactic acid bacteria. This line of work is aimed at understanding the ability of microorganisms to use substrates present in must or wine, to determine how these substrates affect bacterial growth, and to determine the effect of their use on wine characteristics.
• Genetics, genomics and proteomics of Oenococcus oeni. O. oeni is the species responsible for malolactic fermentation in wines, a process that enhances the qualities of aged red wines. Most malolactic starter cultures are strains of this species. The aim of this line of work is to develop tools for the genetic manipulation of this species: plasmids for cloning, malolactic mutants and DNA introduction systems, etc. Comparative genomics studies to establish relationships between genome and resistance to wine stress factors.
• Malolactic fermentation. Selection of O. oeni and Lactobacillus plantarum strains as malolactic cultures. Development of advanced strategies to carry out malolactic fermentation: immobilised cells, continuous deacidification, non-proliferating cells. Adaptation of strains to SO2 and pH.
• Selection and adaptation of bacteria and yeasts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Correction of imbalances in the composition of musts and wines. Biological acidification of wines. Biological reduction of alcohol content.
• Microbial or enzymatic systems to remove toxic biogenic amines in food. Search for strains of lactic acid bacteria capable of degrading biogenic amines in wines. Search for enzymes responsible for the degradation of biogenic amines. Development of cellular and enzymatic systems that allow their use in wines and other food.

Fundamental studies and development of analytical applications in liquid chromatography in all modalities (conventional, capillary and nano), electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography and mass spectrometry. Studies on high-temperature chromatography. Development of new stationary phases with and without nanoparticles through chromatography, capillary electrochromatography and for pre-concentration in capillary electrophoresis. Fundamental studies on the design and manufacture of new monolithic stationary phases. Methods of analysis of industrial products: cleaning products, cosmetics, vegetable oils and others. Methods of analysis of industrial waste in the aquatic environment. Methods of analysis of chiral pharmaceutical compounds. Methods of analysis of biological samples.

Copper and iron are essential micronutrients for all eukaryotic organisms because they are involved as redox cofactors in a wide range of metabolic processes, such as energy generation in organelles and lipid biosynthesis. Physiological, biochemical and genetic studies have revealed the large number of connections between copper and iron homeostasis, which must necessarily be studied simultaneously. In our group, we use the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana in combination to explore conserved mechanisms of response to sub-optimal levels of copper and iron, with the aim of developing biotechnological applications in agriculture and human health. 
An important part of the control of the response to metal deficiency occurs at the post-transcriptional level, as corroborated by studies with mammalian iron regulatory proteins. In this regard, we study the involvement of mRNA degradation and translation machineries in the response of yeast cells to alterations in iron and copper levels, with special interest in the conserved RNA-binding protein Cth2, which controls cellular iron metabolism. In addition, we studied the role of Cth2 homologues in Arabidopsis in the response to metal deficiencies such as copper, iron and zinc, as well as the contribution of metal-regulated microRNAs to copper and iron homeostasis. Rising temperatures caused by climate change and the rise of organic farming are contributing to an increase in fungal pathogens in plants, which challenge food safety and quality. We explore the role of iron and copper in two important pest control strategies. First, iron is essential for the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and ergosterol, which determine the fluidity of cell membranes. The ergosterol biosynthesis pathway is used as a target for treatments with antifungal compounds. We use S. cerevisiae to study the connections between iron and lipid metabolisms, with the aim of finding out how iron modulates fungal resistance to antifungal compounds. Secondly, the excessive and toxic accumulation of copper in soils and in the edible part of plants is affecting agriculture in general and oenology in particular. Grape musts have high levels of copper that alter the quality and safety of wines. We will determine the tolerance and copper extraction capacity of a large number of Saccharomyces species and strains of oenological interest, which can contribute to reducing the detrimental effect of copper on wines. Finally, iron deficiency anaemia is the most widespread nutritional disorder in the world, with a greater impact on women and children. Food fortification and iron supplementation are strategies used to prevent and treat iron deficiency in humans and animals. We will exploit the recently characterised genomic sequence diversity in Saccharomyces species to obtain iron-enriched yeasts that can be used as iron supplements or for fortified bakery products.
 

Our current research interests can be reasonably covered by the following topics:

• Effects of reticulation in phylogeny reconstruction.
• Phylogeny of angiosperm groups using morphological and molecular data.
• Biogeography (and specifically, phylogeography) of plant groups in the Mediterranean region.
• What is the relation between high diversity (in terms of morphologically and ecologically distinguishable entities) and extensive hybridization in two angiosperm genera like Armeria (and Limonium (Plumbaginaceae)?
• Is there a biogeographical pattern at all in a disturbed region like the Western Mediterranean that we may seek to discover by conducting phylogeographic studies in angiosperm groups?
• Molecular Evolution in asexual plant lineages.
• Molecular and organismal evolution in islands, with an emphasis in the contrast betwween continental and oceanic islands.
• Detection of food adulteration using molecular markers.
• Biological identification using molecular and cytogenetic markers.

The main objective of the EVER Research Group is to study the early evolution and diversification of vertebrates through the taxonomic, histological, sclerochronological and functional characterisation of the main structures of their skeleton. Our group tries to answer questions related to the origin and early evolution of the large groups of basal vertebrates (i.e. non-tetrapod vertebrates), as well as the time and form of the appearance of the different types of tissues and skeletal structures, key to delimit their evolutionary scenario. In this way, our research combines the traditional palaeontological study of basal vertebrate remains (biodiversity and phylogeny), with the application of some of the most advanced techniques in virtual palaeontology (tomographic techniques and computational analysis); as well as studies of comparative anatomy and developmental biology in present-day organisms. Some of the specific questions we are currently working on are:

(i) The origin of dentition in vertebrates.
(ii) The homology or not of some of the mineralised tissues in different groups.
(iii) To provide new data to help resolve the deep phylogeny of the different groups of fish: agnathans (jawless fish) and gnathostomates (jawed vertebrates).
(iv) The identification of the functional diversity of the basal vertebrate exoskeleton using various biomechanical analysis techniques.

EVER is the first working group focused on the early evolution of our own lineage (vertebrates) in our country, a new line of research in the Spanish Science System. Collaborating members of the team are internationally renowned researchers, such as Prof. Donoghue (Bristol, UK) and Dr. Dupret (Canberra, Australia).

Miguel A. Silvestre Camps has participated in and developed as the researcher responsible for different lines of research in the field of reproductive biotechnology in both its most basic aspects (oocyte activation or sperm morphometry) and technological aspects (artificial insemination, cryopreservation) and in both the female (oocyte maturation) and the male (conservation of spermatozoa). Proof of this is his participation in 42 JCR publications (most of which are in the top quartile of their category), of which in 25 (60%) he is first or last author. To date he has supervised 5 doctoral theses, 3 of which have been in the last 10 years. IP1 has supervised a total of 7 Master's Final Projects and 19 Undergraduate Degree Final Projects.

To date, he has participated with EDP in 6 research projects (5 national and 1 regional), participating in 3 of them as Lead Researcher. Carles Soler i Vázquez has worked on various lines of research related to animal and human reproduction, in close contact with other research groups from different countries.

During more than 35 years of scientific activity, CS has initiated new lines of research, some of which are still in full development. These include the development of computerised sperm analysis systems (CASA), several of which are commercially exploited. Carles Soler, together with his work group, has been a pioneer in the design and improvement of CASA systems worldwide, moving from conceptualisation to the commercialisation of a finished, functional and continuously evolving product.

All this in close and continuous collaboration with industry. As a result of these, it has 1 patent in operation and the scientific production has been high, highlighting the number and quality of the works published: 105 articles in SCI journals (most of which are in the top quartile of their category), in addition to numerous communications at national and international congresses, articles in national journals, etc.

The Research group to which this application refers is called “Sustainable development, global and regional governance, contemporary international and European order and values.” This is a subject on which the applicant Research group has been working for several years with the support of various regional, national and international research grants and projects.

In the current phase of development of the Research group’s activities, the focus is broadening from the perspective of environmental protection to the wider aspects of sustainable development, which includes three pillars: economic, social and environmental. This is an essential concern of contemporary international and European communities, whose constitutional foundations for the coming years have been set out in the document entitled “The Future We Want”, adopted at the Rio + 20 Summit on Environment and Development, held on June 2012 under the auspices of the United Nations. The main elements of the Research group’s activity, as its name suggests, are four.

Firstly, contents related to the paradigm on sustainable development in its international and European dimension, including, among other issues: the legal nature of the concept of sustainable development, the content of the notion of sustainable development in its economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects, the basic characteristics of the criterion of sustainability, issues linked to disparities in the development of peoples, the concept of common but differentiated responsibilities, the notions of developed countries, developing countries and emerging countries, as well as intergenerational justice.

Secondly, it will examine all the issues linked to global governance in the field of sustainable development, paying particular attention to the evolution of the international institutional framework, both at global level (institutions of the United Nations Organisation system) and at a regional level (Latin America, Africa, Asia, Antarctica, Arctic), proposals and implementations in the economic, social and enviromental fields in order to achieve sustainable development. In this context, particular attention will be paid to developments within the European Union and the Council of Europe.

Thirdly, as the Research group is mainly composed of internationalists specialised in Law and International Relations, particular attention will be paid, among other issues, to the impact of the concept of sustainable development in the various sectors of International Law (International economic law, International human rights law, International environmental law, International labour law), conceptual and normative developments at international and European level,  with particular attention to new legal instruments that have been recently adopted and those that will be adopted in the coming years. The results of the research will be issued in scientific publications, whether articles in national or international indexed journals, or monographs published by publishers of excellence.

Fourthly and finally, we will analyse the values that both the international community and the European Union consider necessary to govern their relations and therefore worthy of legal protection, both at international, European and national levels.

Continuing the tradition of the Research group, our activities will also include: participation in various research activities at transnational level, organisation of and participation in scientific conferences at international, European and national level, participation in the Meetings of the Parties on the International Conventions for the protection of the environment, contribution to the development of legal instruments in the status of international experts, membership in various bodies linked to the effective implementation of international and European standards in the field, etc.

The ZOORECERC group focuses its research on a rigorous and complete study of predatory and parasitoid insects and on the control of agricultural, forestry and public health pests, as well as on the knowledge of the parasite communities of vertebrate hosts from many different aspects. It also develops studies on animal conservation and on edaphic and arthropod-associated nematodes.