Cilia are microtubule-based plasma membrane protrusions emanating from a specialized centriole known as basal body. Conserved from unicellular eukaryotes to humans, cilia perform motor and sensory functions. Primary cilia are cellular antennae that specialize in the reception and transduction of signals, which can be optical (photons), mechanical (e.g. blood and urine flow) or chemical (odorants, hormones,...). Cilia dysfunction causes ciliopathies, diseases with diverse genetic origins, severity, prevalence, symptoms and organ involvement.

Gene expression (GE) is a coordinated process that comprises different linked steps like transcription, RNA processing, export to the cytoplasm, translation and degradation of mRNAs. Regulation of gene expression is vital to establishing the metabolic activities in every cell in all organisms, and allows their adaptation to both stress and developmental processes. Deficiencies in gene expression lead to a wide spectrum of severe human pathologies.

We applied a multidisciplinary approach including metabolic modelling, systems and synthetic biology to study bacterial metabolism from cellular to population level. Our final goal is to create a biological framework that allows the development of a broad range of novel and non-intuitive biotechnological processes, such as bioremediation solutions and sustainable production alternatives.

The Advanced Electronic Materials and Devices Group joined the ICN2 in September 2015. The group focuses on the material sciences and technology aspects of novel electronic materials, with a strong emphasis on carbon materials, such as graphene, as well as other 2D materials (MoS2). The group also works towards the development of technological applications based on these materials in such as electronics, bioelectronics and biosensing, energy storage and conversion, etc.

The increasing interest in Materials Science, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology has created a serious global need for the development of nanoscopy tools in order to be able to observe and chemically analyze the synthesized nanostructures at atomic scale. Exploring the limits of physical resolution in advanced electron microscopy and understanding the ultimate behavior of materials at the nanoscale and their related properties are the central aims of my research. The newest research lines we are working in are based on single atom recognition and localization in embedded quantum structures.

The ongoing research lines are focused on two main areas: • Development of nanocarriers for epigenetic antitumor drug delivery. • Identification of epigenetic changes in response to nanomaterials.

In January of 2015 I took possession of my position as Titular Scientist at CNB and in July 2016, the laboratory was equipped and staff trained and functional to work with the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. In our group we explored the cellular organization of S. aureus and its implications in infective processes.

Although difficult to appreciate at their fair value, the interactions of living beings through chemical compounds are present in all ecosystems, including agricultural ecosystems. These interactions can be both facilitative and pernicious and take place inter- and intra-specifically, among very diverse taxonomic groups. In natural ecosystems, allelopathies play a key role in the biotic associations which are possible, and are currently relevant for their role in the emergence of invasive plants.