Our group develops and applies gene editing tools in livestock. The main research focus is on developmental biology aiming to improve fertility and to understand failures in embryo development in farm animals and humans. We have been pioneer in applying gene editing tools (CRISPR) in farm animals in Spain and we use this technique combined with diverse in viro approaches to generate genetically modified embryos and animals. These models are used to understand diverse reproductive processes and processes of embryo development such as the first lineage differentiation events and gastrulation.

Study, development and application of reproductive management techniques to increase production and sustainability, facilitating both in situ and ex situ conservation, through the establishment of germplasm banks, mainly of domestic breeds and wildlife species in danger of extinction or of a special interest

Our work is oriented towards ticks and tick-borne diseases. We advise on identification, sampling, design control protocols, study resistance to acaricides and the acaricidal or repellent effect of new natural products as well as their competence and vectorial capacity with alternative methods in animal experimentation. Our main contributions to society are the following: i. we have demonstrated the transmission of the nematode A. dracunculoides by R. sanguineus, of the protozoan T. equi by R. bursa, and of the zoonotic bacterium C. burnetii by H. lusitanicum, ii. We have identified D.

We study the use of new technologies and the incorporation of ingredients, compounds, and microorganisms with functional activities, to improve the sensory quality and nutritional characteristics of dairy and meat products. We also investigate how to prevent the appearance of defects in these products to increase their shelf-life. To these aims, we investigate the use of innovative technologies, healthy ingredients, and microorganisms selected for the production of bioactive compounds or for their enzymatic activities.

​The group works on nutritional quality of plant foods, mainly bioactive compounds, and the application of processed to obtain formulations with health benefits. In addition, to obtain hypoallergenic foods, its protein and genomic analysis and the detection of allergens through molecular biology techniques.

Group leaders: Jose Antonio Jarillo Quiroga - Research Professor INIA and Manuel Angel Piñeiro Galvín - Research Professor INIA During their life cycle plants undergo a number of developmental phases, including embryonic, vegetative and reproductive development. These developmental stages are characterised by specific patterns of cellular differentiation.

My group has studied root development in response to nutritional deficiencies, salinity or drought stress. We have developed novel devices, D-Root and TGRooZ (patented), to grow plants in vitro with the root system in the dark and to generate soil temperature gradients to study the responses of plant roots to heat, mimicking conditions natural. With these systems we are studying the responses of plants to nutritional deficiencies and high temperatures, two factors that threaten food security.

Group Leader Joaquin Medina In nature, plants usually grow in soil that contains very low amounts of macronutrients like Nitrogen and Sulphur or conditions with an unbalanced proportion of both macronutrients. To adapt and grow in nutrient-deprived environments, plants have developed sophisticated strategies and molecular mechanisms.

Most plants complete their life cycle in a single location and, therefore, their development and reproduction depend on the environmental conditions to which they are exposed. Environmental stresses, such as drought, high and low temperatures, pathogen infection, etc., seriously affect the development and growth of plants. To face these challenges, plants have developed molecular strategies that allow them to survive in such adverse conditions. It should be noted that, in nature, plants are often challenged by multiple stresses simultaneously.