Our group is interested in understanding how epigenetic processes are implicated in host-parasite interactions by regulating gene expression in response to changing environments, and how those processes impact adaptation and disease. We work with human malaria parasites and their mosquito vectors because they show striking plasticity in their phenotypes during development and in adaptation to hosts. We combine field work, diverse epigenetics and genomics techniques and computational biology to decipher the mechanisms underlying plasticity in malaria.

The NFP Group was created in 2007 by researchers from different backgrounds, with the aim of concentrating efforts in the development and application of nanostructured materials, with an emphasis on nanoparticles, nanoporous interfaces and hybrid systems. The NFP Group belongs to the Nanoscience and Materials Institute of Aragon (INMA), a multidisciplinary institute where researcher backgrounds include Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Medicine and Biochemistry. At the INA and beyond we find numerous opportunities for lateral thinking and scientific collaboration.

In vivo implementation and optimization of different CRISPR-Cas systems using zebrafish as model system. Applying CRISPR-Cas and other molecular and genomic approaches to uncover novel factors involved in early development in vertebrates. Modeling human diseases and developmental disorders in zebrafish

Our focus is on unraveling the genetic and molecular mechanisms that underlie sex-related differences in the nervous system, contributing to neuropsychiatric disorders. We explore the role of DMRT genes, which regulate sexual features in animals, in controlling sex-specific neuron identities, connections, and transcriptional differences. Our research aims to shed light on brain sexual differentiation principles and provide insights into the genetic factors influencing the onset and gender bias of mental disorders.

Our group studies the interplay between DNA replication dynamics and cellular identity. We are interested in understanding how the composition of the DNA replication machinery is shaped by the modification of replication factors with the small proteins ubiquitin and SUMO. These post-translational modifications control the presence of proteins in the replication forks leading to alterations in DNA replication dynamics. We aim at identifying new mechanisms of control of DNA replication that impact chromatin metabolism.

Virus evolution. Experimental evolution. Viral emergence. Virological factors promoting cross-species transmission. Viral tropism mediated by receptor binding proteins. Viral metagenomics. Analysis of the plasma virome in human populations. Virus discovery in wild species. Virus-virus interactions and how they determine viral fitness, drug resistance, and genetic diversity. Rates of spontaneous mutation and other sources of viral genetic diversity. Mathematical modeling. Use of deterministic models and simulations to model viral infections and viral evolution. Directed evolution.

Theory, Bioinformatics and Computation (formerly Dynamics of Living Systems) is a research group created in the new research institute I2SysBio (2017), which includes physicists, biologists and computer engineers with research interests in systems biology. Our team develops basic and applied research in the area of Systems Biology, with emphasis in theoretical models, bioinformatics and computational studies of complex biological systems with interest in biomedicine and biotechnology.

RNA viruses have the highest mutation rates of any organism, which allows them to evade immunity, escape antiviral therapy or vaccines, and emerge into hosts causing devastating pandemics. Our group uses both recent system biology tools and traditional virology experiments to understand the effect of mutations on RNA virus biology, evolution, and pathogenicity as well as to devise novel therapies.

The group is dedicated to the study of insect and human microbiota from an evolutionary point of view and a systems biology perspective. Symbiosis in insects. The study of the integration at the molecular level between host and symbiont requires a joint analysis of the eukaryotic host and its closely associated microorganisms.

The group was initially created by I2SysBio researchers and researchers from the ADM-Biopolis company with the aim of collaborating in the development of R&D projects by applying Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology to the optimization of industrial biotechnological processes in different fields such as the production of biopolymers, biofuels, enzymes, small molecules, probiotics, etc. The group uses omics techniques and metabolic modeling to understand and optimize these processes.