The group STUDIES cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the proliferative and differentiative potentials of the neural precursors in the developing central nervous system. Our GOAL is to understand the basic processes that sustain neurogenesis in the brain and, particularly in the neocortex, and the pathology underlying congenital brain growth defects (microcephaly and macrocephaly) and other developmental disorders such as intellectual disability and autism.

The research group focuses on the structure-function relationships of a diversity of proteins and macromolecular complexes directly involved in pathological processes. In particular, viral proteins and protein-complexes involved in RNA replication, viral particles and large macromolecular assemblies.

The work carried out in the lab is centered on the analysis of proteins, mainly proteases - including integral membrane proteases-, their zymogens, and their complexes with small-molecule and protein inhibitors at the molecular level. Another line of research deals with bacterial virulence factors and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Employed techniques include molecular biology, biochemistry, and X-ray crystallography. The lab is fully furnished with state-of-the-art equipment, enabling us to carry out cutting-edge science projects.

The goal of our group is to understand the structural basis of disorders associated with alterations of mitochondrial DNA regulatory proteins. Likewise, we are interested in proteins essential for pathogen viability and virulence. Understanding the molecular basis of diseases is a preliminary stage for target-based rational drug design aimed at therapy and cure. In the lab, we produce the proteins of interest and analyze them by X-ray crystallography.

Chromatin regulation of human and viral gene expression

Our group is focused on understanding the role of epigenetic regulators in gene transcription during development, in particular during early neurogenesis. We are working to find out the contribution of histone methylation on chromatin homeostasis and activity and how its alteration leads to disease. To do that, we are using neural stem cells and chicken spinal cord as in vitro and in vivo models respectively.

The DNA topology Lab (IBMB-CSIC) was created in 1997 by Prof. JOAQUIM ROCA, who returned from Harvard University after serving there as Postdoctoral and Research Associate (1998-2006). This laboratory investigates how DNA topology (the twisting, coiling, and entanglement of DNA) interacts with genome architecture and function, and how enzymatic ensembles and motor activities regulate this interaction. To this end, the Roca Lab develops novel methods to assess the topology of intracellular DNA and complements their experimental findings with in vitro and in silico analyses.

Theoretical studies of mesoscopic systems consisting of metals, ferrmomagnets, superconductors, semiconductors, cold atoms, organic materials and topological insulators, with emphasis in electronic transport (charge, spin, heat) and applications for nano electronics, spintronics and caloritronics.

The "Modelization and Simulation" group is devoted to theoretically study the electronic and structural properties of complex materials, clean and decorated surfaces, and nanostructures. We mostly use first-principles electronic structure methods for this purpose. An important part of our research activity is devoted to the development of simulation tools. We are one of the groups involved in the development of the linear-scaling SIESTA code (http://www.icmab.es/siesta). SIESTA is currently used by hundreds of research groups worldwide and freely distributed under GPL license.

The NanoPhysics Lab (NPL) initiated its activities in 2001, and has steadily grown in terms of equipment and personnel ever since. In the context of experimental surface science, we study structural, electronic, magnetic and chemical properties of in-situ and ex-situ grown nanostructures prepared in ultra high vacuum conditions (UHV). The NPL holds some of the most modern and complete set of surface-sensitive techniques and instrumentations, combined in a variety of multi-technique ultra-high-vacuum setups, and distributed in five different laboratory rooms.