The group Symbiosis, Diversity and Evolution in Lichens and Plants: Biotechnology and Innovation has been developing its research activity since 1986. The 4 central axes of our research are the following:

1. Lichens and microalgae: Biodiversity and biogeography. We study the different biotechnological applications, the molecular biology of fungi and symbiont algae. HTS techniques are applied in DNA sequencing of chloroplasts, mitochondria and nuclei. Transcriptomics and Proteomics. Research on Lichen Microalgae studies especially ultrastructural, genetic and functional diversity as well as molecular response to adverse conditions and evolutionary patterns. New molecular markers are developed for the identification of microalgae and for applications to their phylogeny and evolution as well as the development of techniques for mass bioproduction of lichenic microalgae. Techniques of ultrastructural analysis of algae, lichens and plants are used, such as: MO, TEM, SEM and Confocal. Study of the ecophysiology of lichens, microalgae, plants and agricultural crops with applications in Bioclimatology (bioindication analysis of environmental conditions and atmospheric pollution), in the conservation of natural spaces and for the detection of areas at environmental risk. Study of the phenomenon of biodeterioration caused by micro-organisms and study of possible palliative remedies. Cork research focuses on the ultra-structural characterisation of the radial growth and density of cork, with a patent to certify its "quality". Development of lichen bio-indicators to predict cork quality and tree characteristics.
2. Massive sequencing of vascular plant chloroplasts: Chloroplast genome of a wild Mediterranean plant in the Iberian Peninsula of the species Arbutus unedo, the strawberry tree of the family Ericaceae. Study of biotechnological applications to dehydration, radiation and temperature stress in crops.
3. Evolutionary biology of plants: Research on various species and with a variety of objectives, both basic and applied research. Basic research integrates different types of characters (morphological, anatomical, karyological, palynological, reproductive and molecular) to establish the evolutionary patterns of various groups of plants. The specific objectives of this research are the biosystematic and phylogenetic study of various plant groups. The analysis of the genetic variability of endangered plants and its application to their conservation and the management of their populations is also addressed. Study of the reproductive system of various species with the aim of understanding the patterns of genetic variability in Mediterranean scrublands and their spatial distribution. Conservation of endemic and/or threatened plant species. Study of populations and their genetic variability. Study of threatened flora. Development of molecular markers applied to population biology and plant biosystematics. Study of genetic variability, biosystematics and phylogeny. Finally, in this area, research is carried out on the phylogeography of Mediterranean plants, their genetic variability and migratory routes.
4. Microbiomes (bacteria and yeasts) in lichen thalli: Study of their possible biotechnological applications. Isolation and taxonomic characterisation and functional activities of bacteria and yeasts associated with lichens: Contribution to the functioning of lichen symbioses. The group carries out this research and maintains close scientific collaboration with entities such as the Jardí Botànic; the Plant Physiology group "Plant responses to stress conditions" of the UAH; the "Agroforestry Ecosystems" group of the UPV; the "Conservation and Biodiversity" group of the URJC; the Plant Genetics Research Unit of the Missouri University; and the Institute of Biology of the UNAM (Mexico). He also maintains close scientific collaboration with other European and American researchers.

Collaborators

Cristina Branquinho - Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
Myriam Catalá Rodríguez - Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Madrid)
Francisco García Breijo - Universitat Politècnica de València (Valencia, Spain)
Alfonso Garmendia Salvador - Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain)
María De Los Ángeles Herrera Campos - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico)
Pavel Skaloud - Charles University (Czech Republic)

Research and experimental development on biotechnology