Adult stem cell populations are critical to maintain tissue function and, therefore, balanced self-renewal/differentiation, and the prevention of senescence are thus critical for tissue homeostasis. The group work in the study of several adult stem cells, including stem cells derived form bone marrow, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and, more recently, cardiac progenitor cells.

Our group is focused in the study of the cellular processes and molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of synaptic transmission. We are particularly interested in the ability of neurons to regulate the synaptic strength over time, a process called synaptic plasticity, which is crucial both during physiological and pathological conditions of the Nervous System (NS). In our studies, we apply several functional and structural approaches to the experimental animal models, including: a. Extra and intracellular (patch- clamp technics) recordings of neuronal electrical activity. b.

Our interest is focused on the molecular mechanisms and intercellular processes involved in bidirectional communication between neurons and astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell of the Nervous System (NS). The fully understanding of the features that rule this neuron-astrocyte signaling, and the implications it may have on different aspects of the physiology and pathology of the NS are the basis of our scientific goals. Our general line of research investigate the role of astrocytes in different aspects of the pathophysiology of the Nervous System.

We aim to understand the molecular mechanisms by which lipids regulate membrane protein activities and function and the impact of such lipid/protein assemblies in a subset of human diseases (cancer, neurodegenerative) and to map membrane protein-lipid interactome networks in the cell. The long-term objective is to obtain the cell blueprint that will help to understand and overcome biological processes and their consequences in human diseases.

Our research is focused in understanding protein translocation through membrane pores and on the biotechnological applications of such processes.

We develop 2 synnergetic research lines: 1.- Materials and devices for the digitalization of society: 0-1-2-3D magnetic, superconductors, ferroelectrics and semiconductors materials and their heterostrcutures with enphasis in highly correlated oxides as the basis for new device concepts that imply the creation of quantum matter at the interfaces and can be manipulated by external stilmuli at the microscopic or macroscopic scales.

The group is committed to explore, obtain, study and optimize new materials 2D materials (graphene and TMDCs), 0D nanostructures, thin films and heterostructures for optoelectronics, magnetoelectronics and, recently, quantum technologies. Currently: development of materials for thermoelectric applications, new photovoltaic solar cells, biodetection and optical imaging and, recently, a disease diagnosis system based on Brillouin spectroscopy. Studies of a fundamental nature, always with the focus on applications, but also with an applied aspect.

Our group takes inspiration from the field of Evo-Devo. We approach basic evolutionary questions taking into account the embryological (developmental) data. In addition our group goes one step forward because we have included functional genomics with a wide comparative perspective. Our group uses a great variety of model and non-model organisms (see below).

The ABE programme clearly fits the scope of the area VIDA and we study animal biodiversity from a phylogenetic perspective, aiming at an increased knowledge of the Tree of Life. Our scientific interests cover from the origin and distribution of biodiversity (from morphological, genetic, ecological and functional standpoints), the systematics of selected groups, diversification and speciation, hybridisation, biogeography and evolutionary ecology, to phylogenetic methods.