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.

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.

Deteriorating environmental conditions, mainly caused by human activities, are a major health risk. Pollution, environmental degradation, deforestation and biodiversity loss are not only affecting ecosystems and climate, but also have serious consequences on the production of safe and quality food and on the population.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the safety of the food we consume and the environment where we live in has become a top priority for consumers and public authorities alike. The Research Group on Food and Environmental Safety (SAMA-UV) is dedicated to research in environmental and food sciences and provides state-of-the-art technology and analytical services for the determination of contaminants and natural compounds, focusing its activities in the areas of environmental health, food quality and safety as well as risk assessment and human exposure studies. The pollutants with which the research group works and for which it has advanced analytical methodology include both regulated and emerging pollutants and their degradation products (ex. pesticides, drugs of abuse, human and veterinarian medicines, perfluorinated compounds, flame retardants, etc…).

The results of this activity has enabled the research group to interact and collaborate with other national and European teams researching similar topics through the attendance and paper presentation at numerous international meetings and conferences and articles in scientific journals. As a whole, the research activity carried out has generated 15 book chapters and more than 180 publications in international CSI journals with a high impact rate such as Analytical Chemistry, TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Chromatography, Analytica Chimica Acta, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Food Chemistry, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, etc.

The group’s research is mainly funded through research projects within the framework of grants for R&D projects at both regional and national level, and also within the framework of various integrated actions with the cooperation of other research groups in the European Union. The group also has collaborations and agreements with companies in the food and environmental sector.

The Materials Technology and Sustainability Research Group (MATS) of the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Universitat de València focuses its research activity on the design, development, characterisation and validation of technologies for the preparation and functionalisation of materials with a multi-sectoral character, and with a focus on sustainability within the concept of circular economy. 

MATS' lines of work include: 

• the development of technologies for obtaining and functionalising (nano/micro) polymeric fibres and films, composites and hybrids, and their transfer to industrial sectors based on membrane technology: effluent treatment, packaging and biomedicine, among others; 
• research into the correlation between the physico-chemical properties of polymeric and hybrid materials and their performance in service conditions, aimed at design re-engineering; 
• the evaluation of alternatives for the material, chemical, energy and biological recovery of plastic waste, under the concept of circular economy and the use of bio-resources; 
• the development of advanced reaction techniques using supercritical fluids or emerging solvents to obtain polymers of interest; and 
• the design of nanostructured catalysts using electrochemical techniques for the preparation of hybrid membranes.

MATS is made up of a multidisciplinary team, with expertise in (bio)polymer and composite technology, advanced reaction processes with sustainable emerging solvents, hybrid catalyst generation for environmental technologies and corrosion control techniques. In this way, they are able to address the challenges of industries and institutions committed to sustainable innovation in environmentally efficient and value-added products and processes. MATS is also committed to the transfer of research and innovation results to society, by means of

• the training of qualified professionals in a scientific-technological and international environment, through internships, academic stays and the development of doctoral and master's theses; 
• the preparation of specialised training courses and workshops in the field of sustainability and the circular economy of materials; 
• dissemination in general and specialised environments and 
• collaboration in networks and technological platforms for the development of Research, Development and Innovation projects.

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.