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Excited State Quantum Chemistry Research Group - QCEXVAL

The main objective of the QCEXVAL group is to determine, with high precision, chemical mechanisms derived from the interaction between visible-UV radiation and relevant molecular systems in biology, medicine, nanotechnology and the environment, thus establishing the basis for predicting innovative electronic properties and proposing new molecules for their applied use in these fields. To this end, the tools of theoretical and computational chemistry and computationally powerful computer farms are used. Furthermore, we contribute to the development of new methodologies and computational procedures to solve highly complex problems.

Frailty and Cognitive Impairment Research Group - FROG

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.

Pathophysiology, Prevention and Treatment of Eye Diseases Research Group - FIPTEO

Study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that trigger retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Approaches for the prevention of the development of these pathologies, as well as therapeutic approaches to the development of advanced stages of the disease. To this end, we consider: 

  • To study the role of redox regulation in the development of retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy of age-related macular degeneration. 
  • Analysis of the protective role of natural antioxidants in the development of eye diseases related to oxidative stress. 
  • Identification of markers in tears to determine and follow the evolution of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. 
  • To study the physiopathology of uveal melanoma, search for new therapeutic approaches and biomarkers for its early detection.
Research Group in the Joint Stroke Research Unit IIS Research Foundation Hospital La Fe - Universitat de València - UMIC

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).

Research Group on Addiction Neuropharmacology - NEUROPHARAD

Our team has been working for approximately 20 years on several research lines related to different neuropharmacological and neurochemical aspects of the treatment of alcoholism relapse.

One of our current research lines focuses on the study and analysis of drugs for the treatment of relapse that act on new potential therapeutic targets. In this sense, our research has allowed us to demonstrate that acetaldehyde sequestration, using D-Penicillamine (DP), is an effective and promising therapeutic strategy to block relapse in alcohol consumption. In addition, we have demonstrated the advantage of the combined use of PD with naltrexone (an opioid receptor antagonist currently used in the treatment of relapse in alcohol dependence, although with very limited efficacy) compared to single treatment with naltrexone for relapse prevention. 

We are currently evaluating the effectiveness of a new drug in alcoholism relapse: N-acetylcysteine, an amino acid that could potentially normalise the alteration of glutamatergic homeostasis caused by ethanol at the level of GLT-1 and xCT transporters. 

Our second research line is focused on establishing the mechanistic basis underlying the action of ethanol on the mesolimbic system. Activation of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is an initial event necessary for the development of drug addiction. Although the mechanisms involved in this activation are known in detail for drugs such as psychostimulants, opiates or nicotine, the same does not apply to ethanol. Our research aims to specify certain aspects of the mechanism by which ethanol takes over this important dopaminergic pathway. 

Our group has suggested that the action of ethanol on the mesolimbic system is dual: on the one hand, those responsible for the activation of this system would be the products derived from the brain metabolism of ethanol and, among them, salsolinol (a product derived from acetaldehyde and dopamine) which would act through mu-type opioid receptors. On the other hand, the non-metabolised fraction of ethanol would act in the opposite direction, limiting the activation of DA neurons by promoting of GABAergic inhibition of these neurons. This knowledge may be useful for identifying new therapeutic targets, as well as developing new pharmacological strategies for the treatment of alcoholism.

Currently, two new reseach lines have been incorporated into our group. In the study of relapse, certain factors that may promote relapse and/or the risk of suffering a new drug use disorder play a major role. Among these factors, we are currently analysing how the presence of pain alters the mesocorticolimbic system and, in particular, the pharmacology of opioid receptors. These neurobiological alterations may lead to the development of comorbidities, such as negative-affective states. Negative-affective states are a known component that can either increase the risk of suffering a drug use disorder or precipitate relapse in their consumption, including alcohol. In this sense, we are analysing the neurobiological alterations that allow us to detect new therapeutic targets which, in a more selective and effective way, can prevent initiation or relapse in drug use. As a result of the analysis of these new targets, we are developing pharmaceutical forms that allow us to vectorise treatments to the central nervous sytem, thus limiting the appearance of side effects on other organs.

Finally, the last research line incorporated analyses the role of microglia in the regulation of the expression, internalisation and function of opioid receptors in the mesocorticolimbic system in pathological situations such as the presence of pain and/or drug use disorder.

Research Group on Applied Psychophysics - GAP

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.
Research Group on Asymmetric Catalysis with Metal Complexes and Organocatalysts - AsymCat

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.

Research Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacology - FarCardVas

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.

Research Group on Cell Cycle Regulation in Eukaryotes - CC

The Cell Cycle Regulation in Eukaryotes group is a basic research group that has been working for years in one of the most interesting areas of Molecular and Cellular Biology: cell cycle control and in particular, the mechanisms of DNA integrity checkpoint, a process directly related to the development of cancer. As a result of this work, the control of the genomic integrity checkpoint by protein kinase C (PKC) has been characterised in recent years. In addition, the group is studying the characterisation of new mechanisms to control the function of cell cycle regulators such as cyclins or transcriptional factors. Our group has recently characterised an important new regulator in the Start transition: Whi7. Whi7 acts as a transcriptional repressor of the Start programme, collaborating with Whi5 in this function, so that, as in mammals with the Rb family, the control of cell cycle initiation depends on the interplay between different repressors. The fact that a member of the Rb family is mutated in almost all tumours further reinforces the importance of studying the role of these G1 repressors. In addition, the relationship between Whi7 and the protein kinase C pathway is being investigated.

Research Group on Cellular and Organ Organismal Pathophysiology of Oxidative Stress and Rare Diseases - COPOS

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.

Research Group on Comparative Neurobiology - NC

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.

Research Group on Emotional Education in Childhood and Adolescence - EMINA

The trajectory of the research group "Educating in emotions in childhood and adolescence" goes back more than 10 years. During these years, different professionals from other national and international universities have joined the group, contributing research in the area of emotional development in children and young people.

Currently, the group is formed by researchers from the Universitat de València, Universidad Jaume I, Universidad Católica de Valencia, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Leiden University, University of Bologna, the University of Berlín, as well as the Instituto Tecnológico del Juguete (AIJU), and other professionals in the field of psychology.

The members of the research team have extensive teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and in the direction of collaborative grants, research work and doctoral theses, certified in the CVs.

In 2010, the group started a new stage in the development of emotional education with the project 'Identificación de los perfiles de competencia emocional en la infancia para la mejora de la convivencia entre iguales' (Identification of emotional competence profiles in childhood for the improvement of coexistence between equals) (PSI2010-18742).

The research that is currently being carried out focuses on the results obtained in this project carried out in childhood, where the power of emotional competencies in the integral development of the child has been observed. Taking these results into account, we have considered how the development of emotional intelligence is affected during adolescence.

In 2013 the new project 'Potenciar el bienestar psicológico y la convivencia escolar en adolescentes a través de la educación en emociones: estudio longitudinal' (Promoting psychological well-being and school coexistence in adolescents through education in emotions: a longitudinal study) (PSI2013-43943-R), begins, in which an intervention programme in Emotions in public and subsidised schools in the Valencian Community has been designed and applied. The study has allowed the detection of the benefits of this programme in adolescents at a personal, school and family level. Thus, it will be possible to identify the variables on which it is beneficial to intervene in this age group. The aim is for the programme to be described rigorously, but at the same time to be simple both in its application and in the evaluation of the psychological benefits it provides.

Research Group on Epidemiology and Environmental Health - GIESA

The research group conducts its research activity in different lines of work: 

  • Childhood and environment line

Cohort study in collaboration with other research centres (INMA project) to share methodologies and knowledge on the effects of the environment on children's health, to describe the level of exposure and pollution during gestation and early childhood, to assess the role of the most common environmental pollutants and dietary protective factors on foetal growth and neuro-endocrine-immune development in order to develop environmental health indicators. 

  • Air pollution and health line 

Study of the relationship between air pollution and health effects, developing multi-centre studies. Studies are also carried out to evaluate the impact of pollution on the health of the population.

  • Weather and climate line

Evaluation of the relationship between climatic factors and meteorological variables, especially ambient temperature and health, as well as public health measures that can minimise the impact of foreseeable future climate changes.

  • Line of evaluation of the health impact of various environmental risks 

Through the measurement of the degree of exposure to risks, the development of biological markers and the relationship between these factors and the incidence of various pathologies. This impact is evaluated from different perspectives, ranging from environmental pollution (through biomarkers of exposure) to climate change (heat and cold waves), as well as the impact of certain technologies affecting the environment (mobile telephony, power lines, etc.).

Research Group on Experimental Gastroenterology - Gastro

Study of the Physiopathology of acute pancreatitis. Study of the Physiopathology of liver cirrhosis. Study of the cell cycle in hepatocytes.

Research Group on Experimental Hepatology Joint Unit - UVLAFE

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
Research Group on Extracellular Matrix Proteins. Implications for Cell Adhesion - ProMaEx

Our group studies how cells attach to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its implications. Cell-ECM adhesions modulate mechanical signals and control growth factor signalling, determining cell survival, differentiation, migration and extravasation. ECMs are organised into fibrillar lattices of varying complexity to which cells attach via specialised membrane receptors, such as integrins, that act as a link to the cytoskeleton. Among the proteins and proteoglycans that make up ECMs, the fibronectin (FN) protein is particularly interesting as it offers multiple cell adhesion motifs and its polymerisation is the initial step for the organisation of the rest of the components of many ECMs, mainly those that promote embryonic development and those transient matrices that allow tissue regeneration and tumour development.

FN is secreted as a soluble dimer and its polymerisation depends on the cell, as only if it binds to integrins and these are activated and stimulate the contractility of the cytoskeleton does it exert traction on the FN allowing it to unfold and self-polymerise. Fibronectin fibres are undergoing continuous remodelling and disruption of this process can lead to fibrosis, arthritis and defects in development and angiogenesis.

In our group, we have generated and analysed different strains of fibronectin-expressing knock-in and conditional knock-in mice with mutations in residues potentially critical for cell adhesion. We are interested in which adhesions are really limiting and how each adhesion influences cell behaviour and ECM secretion, structure, maintenance or stiffness; factors that ultimately determine tissue formation and regeneration. We are using these mice to find out how essential proteins or sequences involved in adhesion are in vivo and to define pathologies caused by their deficiency. Regions of the FN that we consider crucial to its function:

  1. the RGD motif of the FNIII10 module is the main integrin-binding sequence. FN-RGD adhesion is very complex: it has been said to be the only one that allows the formation of FN polymers; it links two distinct families of integrins:
    1. the first consisting of Alpha5Beta1 and AlphaIIbBeta3 (exclusive to platelets);
    2. Alphav-containing dimers, with different, but in many tissues complementary, functions. It has been described that in the first group, adhesion is enhanced, under conditions of increased stress, by the binding of an amino acid sequence, called the synergistic site, which is located in the FNIII9 module.
  2. the heparin II region (modules FNIII12-14) which on the one hand binds Syndecan-4, another cellular receptor, and on the other hand binds numerous growth factors involved in angiogenesis and cell proliferation, such as the FGF family, the TGFBeta family and the PDGF family. This region has been hypothesised to allow signalling by growth factors in a cooperative manner with RGD adhesion. This region is of particular interest in the area of tissue regeneration.
Research Group on Functional Genomics of Yeasts - GFL

Our fundamental interest is to understand how cells respond to the signals they receive by modifying their gene expression. Our aim is to address changes in gene expression by studying its different stages, from the transcriptional activation of genes to the formation of messenger RNA molecules and their translation, paying attention not only to the factors involved and the mechanisms, but also to the connection or crosstalk that is established between them and makes gene expression not a linear process but one that is interconnected forwards and backwards, in time and space.

In addition, we pay special attention to some factors that appear to be key in the control of gene expression and that often act in a multidisciplinary way in several biological processes and different cellular compartments. One such factor is the eIF5A protein, highly conserved from yeast to humans and essential in eukaryotic cells. eIF5A is a translation elongation factor required in the synthesis of proteins containing amino acid motifs with consecutive proline or combinations of proline, glycine and charged amino acids.

Our interest is to understand the mechanism of translation regulation by eIF5A, determining which are the proteins whose synthesis requires this factor and how, directly or through its targets, eIF5A acts in pathological processes such as fibrosis, cancer or during ageing. In our group, we mainly use the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism, since it is the best known eukaryote and a model for understanding evolutionarily conserved molecular processes at the cellular level. Furthermore, we have found that the conclusions of our research can be generalised to mammalian cells using mouse or human cell cultures. 

Research Group on Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology - EPIGEM

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.

Research Group on Human Genetics and Disease Models - GEHUMEN

Basic research in genetic diseases with neurological alterations. Our group mainly studies the Friedreich's Ataxia and Spastic Paraplegia Type 7 diseases, which are rare mitochondrial pathologies with Mendelian inheritance, and Schizophrenia, relatively more frequent, but whose inheritance is complex. Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA): Through the development of different experimental models of the disease (animal models created in Drosophila and cell models from lines of human origin), we generate tools that allow us to address:

  1. The identification of genes that, by altering their expression, can increase the level of frataxin, a protein deficient in FRDA, or improve some of the pathological phenotypes in the models. 
  2. The search for new molecules with therapeutic potential to be proposed in preclinical trials, together with a methodological strategy that facilitates the identification of the molecular mechanism underlying the action of these molecules. 
  3. The identification of new targets that make it possible to design different therapeutic strategies.

Spastic Paraplegia Type 7 (SPG7): It is a neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the SPG7 gene that encodes the paraplegin protein. So far, the only models described are those of total loss of paraplegia function due to a complete deletion of the gene. However, the effects caused by complete loss of function may be different from those caused by a particular point mutation. New mass sequencing methodologies identify genetic changes that are often difficult to characterise as pathological. Our aim is to use Drosophila to assess the possible pathogenic effect of genetic variations identified in the SPG7 gene in patients with the disease. In addition, these humanised Drosophila models will make it possible to understand the pathological mechanism of these mutations in order to propose actions aimed at a more personalised medicine.

Schizophrenia: This disease is clinically very heterogeneous with complex inheritance involving factors of different aetiology. The identification of genetic risk factors is still a challenge. Our group carries out, in chronic patients and in patients with first psychotic episodes, expression studies of candidate genes that have been identified in Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). We also analyse the effect of medication on gene expression patterns in blood samples by identifying biomarkers of treatment response. By generating Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) from psychotic patients and healthy individuals, differentiated into different neuronal types (inhibitory, excitatory and dopaminergic), the group aims to understand why some patients respond to medication while others are totally refractory to treatment.

Research Group on Human Translational Genomics - GT

Our research activity focuses on studying mechanisms of pathogenesis and discovering potential drug therapies for rare diseases of genetic origin, in particular Myotonic Dystrophy (DM1 and DM2), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMDD2). To this end, we used Drosophila as an initial experimental model, whose genome we manipulated to create suitable models for our studies. We apply the results obtained in cell cultures, murine models or human samples. One of our main objectives is to identify and develop drugs from both repositioning strategies and RNA oligonucleotide-based drugs.

Research Group on Ideapsychiatry, Research Excellence Group - GIEX-TMAP

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.

Research Group on Innovative Diagnostic and Therapeutical Developments in Solid Tumors - InDeST

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.

Research Group on Intracellular Traffic in Parkinson's Disease - BioCelPARK

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting 1% of the population over 65 years of age. The most characteristic histopathological effect of this disease is the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the appearance of intracytoplasmic protein aggregates called Lewy bodies, with alpha-synuclein being the most abundant protein in these aggregates. Recent studies have shown that in Parkinson's disease, as in most human neurodegenerative diseases, the Golgi apparatus is fragmented and dispersed as a consequence of alterations in intracellular trafficking. Our research group has extensive experience in the morphofunctional analysis of intracellular transport both in basic aspects and in the development of the nervous system and in pathological conditions. In this line of research we have worked with cellular models of the disease, human necropsy samples and a hemiparkinsonian rat animal model. The main objective of our line of research is the analysis of the cytopathological mechanisms involved in the fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus and in the alterations of intracellular traffic in the dopaminergic neurons affected in this disease by means of high-resolution morphological techniques supported by biochemical and molecular biology techniques.

Research Group on Molecular Genetics of Development and Biomedical Models - GMDMB

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.

Research Group on Molecular Neurobiology - NEUROMOL

During embryonic development of the nervous system, neural stem cells (NSCs) are responsible for generating the different types of neurons and glial cells in each of its different regions. The control of the correct proliferative and differentiative activity of these NSCs is crucial to form the complex network of connections that will allow the brain to function properly throughout an individual's life. Although neurogenesis was long considered to be exclusive to embryonic periods, it persists in a restricted manner after birth in specialised microenvironments or niches. Despite the incessant production of new neurons, adult NSCs are relatively quiescent and show high cell cycle control. Neurogenic niches appear to dynamically regulate NSC activity both in homeostasis and in situations of injury, through extrinsic signals (niche signals) that modulate the quiescence-activation state of NSCs, their self-renewal and the production of progeny. 

Our group is therefore interested in

  1. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs both during development and in the adult stage.
  2.  The molecular regulation of the quiescent state and 
  3.  its relationship with elements of the natural microenvironment or niche that these cells occupy. 

Disturbances in the production of the correct number of different neuronal types are associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia or mental retardation. Likewise, changes in neurogenic niches that occur with ageing and disease, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, can profoundly affect the function of NSCs. On the other hand, loss of regulation in the behaviour of these cells can induce pathologies such as cancer. Thus, the study of these regulatory mechanisms has implications not only for our understanding of the basic biology of these cell populations but also for aspects related to pathology and loss of homeostasis.

With respect to the study of neurodevelopmental alterations, our group analyses how defects in the proliferation of NSCs during the development of the cerebral cortex are related to cognitive and social alterations such as those observed in patients with autism spectrum disorders. To this end, we have murine models that affect adhesion molecules and show macrocephaly as observed in a subpopulation of autistic individuals. 

In relation to neurodegenerative processes, the group performs genetic-functional analysis of molecules in which mutations have been mapped that are associated with familial cases of Parkinson's disease, such as alpha-synuclein. We studied the possible normal function of these molecules and their relationship with neurodegeneration using genetically modified mouse strains (transgenic, null mutants...) or infection with viral vectors for somatic modification. 

For NSCs, we have characterised intracellular signalling signals and pathways involved in the control of their activation/quiescence, their genetic stability and the maintenance of their potentiality, derived from the interaction of these cells with vascular elements, innervation or cells that inhabit with them in the neurogenic niches both embryonically, postnatally and in the adult state. 

We have also studied some intrinsic regulators, especially those that regulate the cell cycle of NSCs or their response to damage. Finally, we are studying epigenetic mechanisms, such as genomic imprinting, that regulate the function of NSCs and the process of adult neurogenesis. Apart from the specific studies within each of these lines, we work on aspects that combine all of them and that have to do with the regulation of embryonic and adult neurogenesis in physiological and pathological conditions.

Research Group on Molecular Oncology - OncoMol

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.

Research Group on Neuroplasticity - NBL

The main objective of our research group is to investigate the structural plasticity of the adult brain. We analyze this process at the level of synaptic reorganization, neurite and spine remodeling and neuronal production/incorporation. We are particularly interested in how this structural plasticity is involved in psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and major depression and their treatment. To achieve this objective, we use animal models of these disorders and postmortem material from psychiatric patients. We use different strains of mice expressing fluorescent proteins in selected neuronal populations to visualize structural remodeling, both in fixed tissue and in real time, using organotypic cultures and cerebral windows.

Research Group on Obsessions and Compulsions Research and Treatment - I'TOC

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.

Research Group on Organic Materials for Detecting and Controlled Release - MODeLiC

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.

Research Group on Physiotherapy in Movement. Research Group on Multi-specialty - PTinMOTION

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.

Research Group on Psychological Development, Health and Society - PSDEHESO

The study of human development and its optimisation is a challenge not only for personal health but also for public health worldwide. The most current approach in health psychology is not focused on illness but on health behaviours, assessment and early detection, intervention in everyday life contexts, approaches centred on the family and the context, lifestyles, etc., and their effects on the overall health status of the person.

In this sense our group frames its objectives in the WHO (1948) definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or disability. Challenges include, for example, early intervention in developmental disorders, developmental optimisation throughout the life cycle, as well as assessment and intervention in other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (such as cognitive impairment, frailty syndrome, etc.), changing lifestyles, improving quality of life, fostering positive and meaningful social and family interaction in development and health, etc.

Our research activity has focused on the influence of social, family and cultural factors on positive and pathological human development, as well as their evaluation and intervention. We have carried out numerous basic and applied research projects, being therefore an example of a multidisciplinary group with interaction between basic and clinical researchers and with a profile of publications and funded projects that respond to this criterion.

Research Group on Psychological assessment and intervention in cognition in mental disorder - TMEIC

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).
Research Group on Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery in Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Rehapsi

Our research focuses on the psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery of people with long-term mental disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychoses and bipolar disorder. Over the last 20 years, we have worked on the clinical, neurocognitive, social cognition and social functioning assessment of this group of people with the aim of analysing the main deficits and implementing appropriate intervention programmes for the improvement of psychosocial functioning. These assessments and interventions aim to improve the process of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery of people with these difficulties.

Research Group on Rare Respiratory Diseases - ERR

The group has a double mission: on the one hand, to contribute to research into the Rare Respiratory Diseases-RRD area in order to improve diagnosis, prognosis and access to new therapies in the RRD treatment, as well as contributing to a higher care quality for patients with these pathologies. 

On the other hand, the group's mission is to raise social awareness of RRD through the scientific spreading of biomedical advances and socio-health policies aimed at improving the patients' quality of life in all its aspects. Therefore, the group's raison d'être is to generate as much knowledge as possible about the rare respiratory diseases that are a priority for the group, with the ultimate aim of helping to improve the RRD patients' quality of life.

The group is focused on studying molecular and cellular bases of RRD in depth, which will contribute to boost knowledge of the physiopathological mechanisms of these diseases. This approach will open up a field of possibilities for defining molecular targets that will be the basis for their subsequent translation into new methods of RRD diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. 

Likewise, as part of the group's mission, and being aware of the importance of both patients and their families are well informed, the members are committed to collaborating, organising and spreading the characteristics and possible biomedical advances related to RRD.

The RRD research group is led by Dr Amparo Escribano, and is made up of 5 regular members: 1 Doctor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, 2 specialists in Paediatric Pneumology (1 Doctor of Paediatric Pneumology and 1 pre-doctoral fellow), 2 graduates in Biology, who are doing the Doctoral Programme with excellence mention in Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine of the UV, and a journalist.

Since 2011, the laboratory has a training welcome programme to select future members of the group. Over the next 5 years, it is expected to increase its size and modify its composition thanks to the training of three postdoctoral researchers and the incorporation of three pre-doctoral fellows.

The group is characterised by its extensive experience in basic research and RRD clinical management. It is in fact one of the few groups with these characteristics within the UV.

The members of the research group have experience in handling different techniques for biomolecular studies that not all researchers at UV may be familiar with (cell immortalization, gene therapy, etc.)

However, the greatest strength of the group is the synergy obtained from its multidisciplinary nature: on the one hand, the main researcher (Dr Escribano) brings to the group a great deal of clinical medical knowledge of respiratory pathologies, and she is renowned for her work in paediatric pneumology. On the other hand, the group's researcher (Dr Dasí) has extensive technical experience and training in basic sciences, which are essential for managing the laboratory and implementing techniques, protocols, etc. Likewise, the IP has proved to be competent to develop projects and research hypotheses, which has led to place the group above the average quality in scientific publications produced at the UV.

As for the pre-doctoral members of the group, most of them are starting their doctoral training. It is therefore a young and motivated team with a great capacity for learning and a commitment to continuity in the short and medium term. The characteristics provided by the group members are essential to guarantee the success of the objectives set by the group in a minimum period of three years.

Research Group on Reproductive Medicine - MIR

Infertility or the inability to conceive a child is a medical condition recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that causes severe health problems to affected women as well as serious epidemiological and sociological repercussions to society. The calculations show that it's a pathology affecting 15% of all worldwide couples and its incidence rate keeps increasing; it affects 10% of couples wishing to have their first baby and 10 to 25% of those wanting to have a second one. Articles 25 and 26 of the European Parliament's report on Europe's demographic future (2007/2156 (INI)) highlight the necessity to consider infertility a sensitive and important matter.

The goal of our activity is to promote and start new research lines allowing to make progress in the field of reproductive medicine by improving assisted reproductive treatments, decreasing its adverse effects and establishing new techniques for diagnosis and fertility preservation.

 

Research Group on Tumours of the Central Nervous System - SNC

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.

Research Group on Valencian Anatomy - GIAVAL

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.

Research Group on Vascular Physiology - InVas

Vascular tone depends on circulating vasoactive substances and neurotransmitters released in the vessel wall. Sympathetic tone is a fundamental component of vascular resistance that can be influenced by the presence of an intact endothelium, so it could be involved in pathologies where sympathetic tone is elevated, such as in local spasm and hypertension. From the beginning of the formation of the research group, one of the main objectives has been to lay the foundations for understanding the participation of the endothelium and NO in the nervous and hormonal regulation of blood flow in human arteries and veins in different regions. We have also been able to verify that endothelium and NO release do not have a common pattern in the various vascular beds studied. We have assessed, by indirect methods, basal and induced nitric oxide activity in different vascular beds. Knowledge of the basic mechanisms that relate endothelial factors to the perfusion of various human organs or vascular beds allows us to understand the impact that the endothelial-NO system can have on cardiovascular pathology in humans.

The endothelial modulatory role can be altered in various pathological conditions such as bronchial hyperresponsiveness, arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, hyperthyroidism and obesity among others. These pathologies share several risk factors and can often occur in association. For example, obesity is frequently associated with hypertension and increased sympathetic tone. It is therefore possible that the adrenergic stimulation of resistance arteries is modified as a consequence of an altered release of endothelial factors. The same may be true for the response to substances such as vasopressin, endothelin, thromboxane, angiotensin, which are directly involved in the regulation of circulation.

A few years ago we initiated in vitro studies of the effect of endogenous NO synthase inhibitors on endothelial nitric oxide release and their effects on the endothelium-dependent response to acetylcholine in patients with chronic renal failure and undergoing haemodialysis. We have also been able to verify the correlation between liver dysfunction and increased plasma ADMA concentration. In studies of patients with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), we have shown elevated levels of ADMA and SDMA and correlations of SDMA with levels of renal impairment.

Our experience indicates that the contribution of the endothelium varies in different human vascular beds with varying pathology. Given the logical limitations of human experimentation, our studies in human arteries and veins are performed using in vitro techniques. These studies have many advantages from an experimental point of view, in particular the easy manipulation of vascular samples and the possibility of carrying out pharmacological studies with few limitations. For ethical reasons, studies cannot always be performed on human samples. In these cases we have resorted to different animal models. Recently, the study of vascular effects of new generation drugs has been added, including late sodium current blockers, levamisole interactions with cocaine, insulin degrading enzyme blockers, PPAR&#947 agonists and others.

Studies of vascular reactivity have been completed with analytical determinations by HPLC or colorimetric techniques of substances that can interfere with the endothelial nitric oxide-dependent vasodilator system (NOx, ADMA, SDMA, L-arginine among others) and determinations of protein and gene expression by western blot and PCR techniques.

Research Group on study of the anatomical substrate of pain and analgesia - GESADA

The GESADA research group is an interdisciplinary group attached to the Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology of the University of Valencia, founded by Dr. Alfonso A. Valverde Navarro in 1994 and currently directed by Dr. Arantxa Blasco Serra. Valverde Navarro in 1994 and currently directed by Dr. Arantxa Blasco Serra. Since its beginnings it has focused its research on the study of the neural pathways involved in and leading to the processing of pain and analgesia. 
The main lines of research of our group have been carried out from pre-clinical research, although in recent years new lines of research have been created aimed at the study of interventional pain in patients with different painful conditions.

In our pre-clinical studies we use different animal models of acute and chronic pain with the aim of delving into the neuroanatomical and functional bases involved not only in the phenomena of pain and analgesia, but also in the comorbidity associated with chronic pain conditions. Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the interrelation of the complex symptoms that coexist in chronic pain conditions allows us to advance in the development of therapeutic targets of greater benefit to patients' quality of life.

On the other hand, in our clinical research we work in collaboration with the Pain Units of the main Hospitals in our area to deepen our knowledge of new access routes for the therapeutic approach to pain, using both medical imaging techniques and cadaveric studies.

Research group on General and Digestive Surgery - CIR-INVEST

Research in endocrine surgery, bariatric/metabolic surgery, coloproctology, hepato-biliary surgery, pancreatic surgery, oesophago-gastric surgery, abdominal wall surgery, breast surgery.

Research group on Laboratory of Neurological Impairment - LONI

Our research focuses on identifying the mechanisms by which chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) leads to cognitive and motor impairment in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and on finding new treatments and markers for early diagnosis of MHE. The group has made relevant contributions on MHE, such as: Characterisation of neurological alterations in MHE. We are characterising the earliest neurological alterations in patients with MHE. We found that cirrhotic patients classified by the PHES battery as not having MHE have attention and coordination deficits. We evaluate a wide range of neurological functions using more than 20 tests. 42% of cirrhotic patients have abnormalities that are not detected by PHES.

We are studying the usefulness of a new, rapid, objective, reproducible and highly sensitive procedure based on eye movement analysis to diagnose MHE and early cognitive impairment in patients with cirrhotic and fatty liver disease. Characterisation of brain alterations in MHE: We have found that patients with MHE have decreased mismatch negativity (MMN) area, an auditory evoked potential that we analyse by EEG, and that the MMN area is useful for diagnosing attention deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain has shown a loss of cortical thickness in certain regions that correlates with cognitive impairment. By arterial spin labelling we show that blood flow is increased in the cerebellum, correlates with attention and coordination deficits and allows detection of MHE earlier than PHES. We have observed reduced microstructural integrity of the white matter in MHE that correlates with deficits in attention and mental processing speed and reduced functional connectivity in neural networks involved in attention and executive control processes. Contribution of hyperammonemia and inflammation to MHE. Mechanisms involved. We analysed the presence of cognitive impairment in patients with different degrees of hyperammonaemia and/or inflammation, due to different liver and dermatological diseases and concluded that in patients with liver diseases (cirrhosis, steatohepatitis) cognitive impairment may appear before progression to cirrhosis, if ammonia and inflammation levels are sufficiently high.

We found that MHE correlates with an increase in IL6 and IL18, whose serum concentration allows us to discriminate between patients without and with MHE. We hypothesise that the onset of MHE is due to a change in peripheral inflammation that is transmitted to the brain. We analysed the differences in inflammation in patients with and without MHE. We have identified alterations in immunophenotype and inflammation associated with the development of MHE. We are further investigating the mechanisms of these alterations and their transmission to the brain and evaluating which ones are reversed by treatment with rifaximin. Rifaximin treatment reverses immunophenotype alterations and improves cognitive function in some MHE patients but not in others. We are characterising alterations in brain activity by functional MRI before and after rifaximin treatment. Peripheral inflammation may lead to neuroinflammation in patients with MHE, which would mediate cognitive and functional alterations. We have shown that neuroinflammation occurs in the cerebellum in early stages of chronic liver disease, before cirrhosis is reached. Creation of a bioinformatics model of molecular, cellular and intercellular communication events associated with the development of MHE. Using multi-omics bioinformatics analysis, we have identified two biological pathways associated with the development of MHE in cirrhotic patients, related to "adaptive immune response" and "G protein-coupled receptor signalling".

Skin Respiratory System Pharmacology Research Group - FAREPI

The research group has extensive experience in the field of pulmonary pharmacology and its application in major respiratory diseases such as COPD, Asthma, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pulmonary Hypertensions and Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Different cellular and animal models of these diseases are available, as well as human samples for different public projects and the transfer of results to the pharmaceutical industry for the development and characterisation of new drugs.

The research group has implemented different vitro methods (such as 3D reconstituted skin cultures, keratinocyte, fibroblast and melanocyte cultures, detection of reactive oxygen species and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry) and their modification by drugs; and in vivo (studies on healthy volunteers and oncology patients) to observe the modification of the physical, biomechanical and physiological properties of the skin both by cellular ageing and by the possible effect of drugs used in oncology, such as the group of taxanes and in particular paclitaxel, in this area.

Some highlights:

  • The group’s research receives continuous competitive funding from various national bodies. It has also been financed by various grants from the Generalitat Valenciana, notably the PROMETEO PHASE I and PHASE II (PROMETEO/2008/045; PROMETEO II/2013/014) and with transfer contracts with the pharmaceutical industry, always through the OTRI office of the Universitat de València.
  • Scientific output of the principal researcher who is an established figure in this field.
  • Extensive experience in knowledge transfer to the pharmaceutical industry in this field (preclinical pharmacology in asthma / COPD), always through the University’s OTRI office as a way of promoting applied research and obtaining complementary funds from the private sector of entrepreneurs. e) Chronic lung diseases represent an important sector in terms of socio-economic costs to health. Hence the quest to establish in vitro disease models with human tissues to save in vivo animal use and to search for useful markers to predict clinical efficacy in the treatment of lung diseases for companies.
  • Scientific career focused primarily on the pharmacology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ASTHMA with experience in new target of potential clinical incorporation, both in experimental in vivo models and in vitro models using isolated human tissues and cells.

The dermatological pathway is also supported by several projects in collaboration with industry, such as the following:

  • Safety and efficacy studies of substances and drugs on the skin in vivo in collaboration with different companies.
  • Dermatological pharmacokinetics: validation of the ex vivo model in human skin to determine dermal absorption of drugs.
  • Validation of the in vitro model in human skin to determine drug phototoxicity.
  • Determination of the action of beta-2 adrenergic bookers on catecholamine-mediated vasodilation in the microcirculation of human skin tissues in vitro.
Social and Health Information and Research Unit Research Group - UISYS

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.
Vascular Immunopharmacology Research Group - INMUNOFARM

Our group belongs to two institutions: the Universitat de València and the INCLIVA Health Research Institute, a research institute based at the Hospital Clínic Universitari of Valencia. This situation allows us to collaborate directly with clinicians in a wide range of disciplines to develop appropriate translational research. 

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, remain the leading cause of death in most European countries and atherosclerosis is the main contributor to them. In recent years, it has become clear that systemic inflammation is the main driver in the development of premature atherosclreosis and its complications. In this regard, it appears that low-grade systemic inflammation is often associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. 

Since 1992 our group has been working in the area of immunity and inflammation and, more precisely, in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in endothelial dysfunction. As a result, we have found new potential biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and/or new therapeutic interventions to prevent endothelial dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), menopause or diabetes. In addition, we have proceeded to develop new active compounds with potential therapeutic applications in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders thanks to the union some years ago with the group of "Synthesis and Isolation of Bioactive Molecules" of the Department of Pharmacology with which we applied for and obtained joint projects in Competitive Calls. These collaborations will allow us to provide new insights into the understanding of the pathologies under study, therapeutic success and the generation of new patentable drugs. 

Today, inflammation and immunology are key areas in the understanding of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer and neurological disorders among other pathologies. We would also like to highlight that our group has received continuous funding since 1998 in Competitive Calls at national and regional level. It has also participated in several COST actions of the European Union and many of its members are part of different groups of CIBERDEM (CIBER on Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases). The principal researcher, Dr. Sanz, has more than 100 original articles in indexed journals, 3 reviews and 9 book chapters. Of the indexed journals, 70% of the articles have been published in Q1 journals in the category and of these 43% are in D1. The most important are those published in Circulation, Circ. Res., Blood, PNAS, Nat. Commun., J. Immunol., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol., Thorax, Cardiovascular Res., Br. J. Pharmacol., etc. It has an h-index of 34. 

All senior members of the research team have spent more than 2 years at prestigious research centres abroad. They have a notable number of publications in indexed journals with a medium-high impact index within their category. They have also supervised numerous doctoral theses in doctoral programmes with Quality Mention, many of them European. The group promotes short stays in research centres abroad during the pre-doctoral training of its doctoral students. A patent has recently been applied for with the new active ingredients synthesised and tested by our research group. Our group therefore carries out research that is clearly translational but with a clear projection towards the transfer of the results of its research.