Molecular strategies and metabolic functions required for the adaptation of bacteria to extreme conditions, using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches. Special interest in the rizosphere of plants from extreme environments. Multicellularity and social behaviour in Bacillus subtilis. Study of genetic material transfer in bacterial populations by extracellular DNA.

Multidisciplinary group with biologists, chemists, engineers, technicians and students of different levels (training, Ph.D., degree) whose goal is to understand the metabolic potential and the preservation of molecular biomarkers (in space and time) in terrestrial environments analog to those found in other planetary bodies.

The group of Planetary Geology and Atmospheres is devoted to the study of planetary objects in the Universe that have solid surfaces, including Earth. Specifically, we investigate the origin, composition, structure and processes and agents by which planets, satellites, comets, asteroids and meteorites evolve since its formation. These issues are key in determining the habitability of planetary environments.

The Research Group is devoted to develop space instrumentation and technology for planetary exploration and astrophysics, as well as to develop simulation chambers and nanotechnology in support of those developments.

Our institute is organized as a single group, mainly because the main research themes we address are interdependent. The group studies the processes of knowledge generation and use, their contribution to innovation in different areas and oganizational settings, and the design and evaluation of policies addressing these themes. All academic and support staff are assigned to this group, and all the technical and administrative staff support it.

The research group on the multi-messenger approach to astro-particle physics (MAP) was founded in 2006. Its aim is doing frontier research in astrophysics. In particular, improving our understanding of compact objects and their surrounding nebulae, the origin and whereabouts of cosmic-rays, and the unification of the pulsar zoo. With members currently involved in Fermi-LAT, MAGIC and the planning of CTA and other satellites, we surf between theory and observations across the whole electro-magnetic spectrum.

The coming years are called to revolutionize our understanding of planetary systems in the Universe. Major advances are expected from the deep scrutiny of the sites of star and planet formation with ALMA, from the discovery and characterization of exoplanets of all sizes and properties, and from investigation of the materials composing the most primitive bodies in the Solar System.

The group focuses its research in the study of the structure, composition and evolution of the universe. The characterisation of the universe requires sampling large volumes in different epochs. The best way to achieve this goal is to carry out large galaxy surveys and to study the cosmic microwave background radiation. Our group is involved in the development of large observational surveys as well as in their interpretation. For that purpose, we also develop cosmological simulations.

The active members of the group are staff scientists, trainees (postdocs and graduate students) and technicians. Among the scientists there are astrophysicists with strong expertise in general stellar evolution in its final stages: white dwarfs, novae and supernovae of type Ia. They use large telescopes and both X and gamma rays satellites for the diagnostics of the theoretical models. In addition, some members of the group have a strong background in nuclear and particle physics.

The research area of ​​the group is Gravitational Wave Astronomy, an area that was inaugurated in 2015 with the first detections of gravitational waves, which deserved the Nobel Prize in Physics 2017. The group's interest is focused on the study of space observatories of gravitational waves. These observatories will open the low frequency gravitational-wave band. The group led the Spanish contribution - the data and diagnostics subsystem - to LISA Pathfinder, a mission to demonstrate the necessary technologies for the detection of gravitational waves from space, launched in 2015.