Plants have developed mechanisms to deal with adverse environmental conditions, like storing up polyamines (PAs). We intend to characterise the role of PAs as molecules that regulate the response to stress and their interactions with other phytohormones.
Line of work carried out in collaboration with the company DADELOS SA. Two approaches are developed: The identification and semi-quantitative analysis by mass spectrometry of the chemical components of the different products. The analysis of the effect of the products on crops.
Study of interrelationships between tumour neovascularisation, the presence of immunoregulatory cell populations and recurrence or progression in the tumour microenvironment.
We are interested in addressing different bioinformatics data coupled with experimental data to model plant stress responses, using grapevine as a model for non-climacteric fleshy fruits.
Lichen microalgae are able to grow in solid or liquid environments under conditions that are difficult for other organisms to grow in. This fact makes them candidates for being used in bioreactors or for producing biomass and compounds obtained by transformation.
Isolation and characterisation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in different helminth parasites. Identification of molecules present in EVs. Analysis for the usefulness of EVs in helminthiasis control and other diseases (diagnosis, vaccination and treatment).
Our group has characterised a new important regulator of the Start transition: Whi7. Whi7 acts as a transcriptional repressor of the Start programme, collaborating with Whi5 in this function, so that, as occurs in mammals with the Rb family, the control of cell cycle initiation depends on the interplay between different repressors. The group's work aims to advance in the characterisation of the regulation and function of Whi7 and its comparison with Whi5 in different physiological conditions, which may help to understand how the action of different repressors is coordinated in the control of cell cycle initiation. In addition, the relationship between Whi7 and the protein kinase C pathway is being investigated. 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.
Identification of B. thuringiensis toxin receptors. Ligand-receptor binding assays. Gene silencing experiments. Performance of toxicity assays. Analysis of insect immune response to B. thuringiensis intoxication.
Assessment of biological effects of components of food and food ingredients: cytoprotection and/or cytotoxicity, markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, using cell cultures.
Yeast Pkc1 and the mammalian PKCd isoform share the same function of controlling the genomic integrity checkpoint. A parallel study in both organisms is proposed to characterise the molecular keys to this mechanism.
Yeast Pkc1 and the mammalian PKCd isoform share the same function of controlling the genomic integrity checkpoint. A parallel study in both organisms is proposed to characterise the molecular keys to this mechanism.
Expression analysis of genes involved in defence mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses. Identification at genomic level by massive sequencing of miRNAs related to biotic and abiotic stress situations in plants.
- Isolation and characterisation of novel B. thuringiensis genes encoding proteins with high insecticidal action.
- Use of natural or genetically modified isolates with high effectiveness and/or broader spectrum of action.
The development of the Yeast Surface Display methodology is addressed, not only in Sacchomyces cerevisiae but also in other non-Saccharomyces years. In addition, the aim is to develop applications in biocatalysis, bioremediation and health through the exposure of specific proteins and peptides.
The detailed description of the content of this line of research is included in the description of the group's research activity.
Obtaining experimental models and characterisation of the effects produced by:
- Systemic and tissue-specific loss/gain of frataxin and paraplegia function in Drosophila.
- Functional alterations of both proteins in humanised paraplegia and frataxin models in Drosophila.
Fundamental and applied limnology: Dynamics and functioning of epicontinental aquatic ecosystems. Community structure and functional diversity. Assessment of environmental and conservation status. Microbial ecology in lentic ecosystems: Study of the composition and functionality of the microbial community by molecular techniques. Metagenomics. Metabarcoding and e-DNA Biogeochemistry and carbon balances in Mediterranean wetlands, fluxes of carbonate greenhouse gases. Effects of environmental properties and conservation status on the climate change mitigation capacity of lentic ecosystems. Ecotoxicology. Geographic information systems (GIS). Remote-sensing. Polar limnology.
Study of gene expression, identification of biomarkers of treatment response in schizophrenia, and characterisation of the cell response to the drug in models derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs).
We attempted to characterise the MYB family in different plant species by combining genome-wide and plant functional characterisation studies.
The complexity of the phenomenon of gene expression will be better understood if techniques for measuring transcription in vivo at the genomic level are improved and genetic and genomic approaches are used to clarify the functional connections that control transcription.
Analysis of histone marks during yeast cell ageing, globally and at the level of individual genes. Analysis of the enzyme complexes responsible for histone marks in old and young cells.
- To delve into the molecular mechanisms that control the interaction of insects with their viral and bacterial pathogens.
- To develop strategies that enhance the use of bioinsecticides by modifying the immune response to pathogen attack.
The detailed description of the content of this line of research is included in the description of the group's research activity.
The detailed description of the content of this line of research is included in the description of the group's research activity.
Lichen microalgae play a very active role in the ability of lichens to survive in extreme environmental conditions. The aim of this line of work is to determine the metabolites involved in the adaptation of lichen microalgae to extreme conditions such as desiccation or cold in order to develop possible biotechnological applications for crops tolerance.
The group's work also focuses on the study of spatial regulatory mechanisms in cell cycle control, mechanisms that involve the control of the sub-cellular localisation of key proteins for progression in the cycle. In particular, the role of karyopherin Msn5 in the control of transcription factors (Swi6, Swi4, Mbp1, Swi1, Whi5) as well as Start cyclins (Cln1, Cln2) has been studied. Furthermore, determinants of cyclin functional specificity and the identification of new mechanisms controlling cyclin synthesis and degradation (Cln2, Clb2) are investigated.
The group's work also focuses on the study of spatial regulatory mechanisms in cell cycle control, mechanisms that involve the control of the subcellular localisation of key proteins for cell cycle progression. In particular, the role of the karyopherin Msn5 in the control of transcription factors (Swi6, Swi4, Mbp1, Swi5, Whi5) as well as Start cyclins (Cln1, Cln2) has been studied. Furthermore, determinants of cyclin functional specificity and the identification of new mechanisms controlling cyclin synthesis and degradation (Cln2, Clb2) are investigated.
Protein trafficking in plant cells, with special emphasis on functional studies of proteins of particular physiological relevance.
Role of p38 alpha MAP kinase in the regulation of antioxidant defence in hepatocytes.
Study of the mechanisms of resistance to synthetic pesticides and promotion of their selectivity.
Our group has characterised a new important regulator of the Start transition: Whi7. Whi7 acts as a transcriptional repressor of the Start programme, collaborating with Whi5 in this function. So that, as occurs in mammals with the Rb family, the control of cell cycle initiation depends on the interplay between different repressors. The group's work aims to advance in the characterisation of the regulation and function of Whi7 and its comparison with Whi5 in different physiological conditions, which may help to understand how the action of different repressors is coordinated in the control of cell cycle initiation. In addition, the relationship between Whi7 and the protein kinase C pathway is being investigated. 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.
eIF5A is an elongation factor that binds to ribosomes when they get stuck during the synthesis of some proteins containing proline, glycine and charged amino acid motifs. Our group has determined that eIF5A is required for the synthesis of formins (yeast, fly and mouse), collagen (mouse and human) and human proteins that are prone to aggregation in aged cells. Our aim is to mechanistically determine the function of eIF5A, through the synthesis of its target proteins, in pathologies such as fibrosis, cancer or during ageing. Understanding these mechanisms will help in the development of specific therapies aimed at regulating eIF5A function.
Identification of new plant defence proteins against pathogens through massive and targeted proteomic analysis. Analysis of the potentiating effect of natural inducers of plant defences on the action of B. thuringiensis toxins.
Study of molecular interactions between helminth parasites and their hosts. Tools destined to the control of said parasitosis (proteins and recombinant peptides along with polyclonal antibodies) stem from identified molecules.
Lichen microalgae play a very active role in the ability of lichens to survive in extreme environmental conditions. The aim of this line of work is to know the transcriptional mechanisms that modulate this response.
Our main research goal is to decipher how eukaryotic cells regulate gene expression to correctly transport, distribute and utilise iron in response to the frequently low availability of this essential micronutrient. We use the yeast Saccharomyces.
