The RASMIA Research Group focuses its activity on the use of Synchrotron Radiation for research in materials science and nanotechnology, and low temperature techniques Our object of study are magnetic materials, oxides and molecular, with application in spintronics, investigated with various techniques and in particular, with Synchrotron Radiation. Spintronics is a new technology based on spin currents, relevant in ICTs today, and even more in the medium and long term, for enabling energy-competitive technological solutions.

The research carried out by the group is devoted to the study of the physical processes in the interstellar medium associated with the early and late stages of the stellar evolution. These are the phases of the stellar evolution where the stars have the strongest interactions with the interstellar/circumstellar medium through stellar winds, outflows, and accretion of material. The main topics covered in this line are: (i) Early Stages of Star Formation; (ii) Late Stages of Stellar Evolution: Planetary Nebulae and Radio Supernovae.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of solid catalysts based on mixed metal oxides for oxidation-reduction catalytic processes for the functionalization of paraffins, olefins and biomass derivatives. Partial oxidation and total oxidation reactions of hydrocarbons. Synthesis of solid catalysts (acids and superacids) for the transformation of petroleum derivatives, natural gas and biomass.

Multidisciplinary group in the ITQ. All members have a high background in Material Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine.

One of the greatest challenges of the 21st century is the rationalization, optimization and reduction of the environmental impact of the use and production of energy. World demand is growing, supplies are declining, and environmental conservation is a global issue. The group addresses three major issues within energy recovery and management: i) its extraction from the surrounding environment for its direct conversion into electricity, ii) increased energy efficiency, and iii) active heat management.

Our group has more than 30 years of experience in the study of intracellular calcium dynamics, especially at the level of intracellular organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum or secretory vesicles. Currently, our group is focused on the model of the nematode C. elegans, and our main interests are: Cytosolic and mitochondrial calcium dynamics in C. elegans worms in vivo and its relationship with the aging process. Study of the effect of modulators of intracellular calcium signaling on longevity and health in C. elegans worms.

Numerous signal transduction processes involve lipids as signaling molecules. Many of these molecules are generated by phospholipases, enzymes which cleave ester bonds within membrane phospholipids. Cells contain multiple phospholipase forms. Our goal is to understand the cellular regulation of these phospholipases under pro- and anti-inflammatory conditions. In our laboratory we combine a range of chemical, biochemical, pharmacological, and molecular cell biology techniques to study lipid metabolism and signaling in physiology and pathophysiology.

Our main research goal is to study lipid-modifiying enzymes in the immune system. Lipins are phosphatidic acid fosfatases that generate diacylglycerol, a signalling lipid that is involved in signal transduction during cellular immune activation. Althought mutations in human lpin genes promote inflammation-related disseases, very little is known about the role of lipin in inmune cells or the development of inflammatory processes. Our main goal is to answer these questions.

We are interested in several aspects of the physiology and pathofisiology of the auditory organ, including its development, damage and degeneration of auditory neurons and hair cells, and gene and cell therapy for the inner ear. At the molecular level we are focusing on members of the neurotrophin and Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gene families, and several transcription factors. To analyse the functions of these gene families in vivo we are using transgenic mouse models. These experiments are complemented with in vitro studies using primary cell cultures.