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.

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.

We are a multidiscplinary laboratory that combines theory and experiments to understand the mechanisms that control embryonic self-organization. The main goal of our research is to understand how embryonic stem cell spheroids called Embrioid Bodies are able to spontaneously form an embryonic axis and undergo gastrulation.

Fundamental understanding, rational design and optimization of solid catalyst materials capable of activating and selectively converting recalcitrant and multi-bond small molecules such as CH4, CO, CO2 and N2 into added-value (petro)chemicals.

The main scientific interest of our research group is to provide knowledge about palaeoenvironmental evolution during the Pleistocene and the Holocene, and the impact of anthropogenic activities and/or climate variability on the landscape and the vegetation history; especially through pollen records from both natural (e.g. lakes, peat bogs) and archaeological sites.

This Anthropology Research Group is composed by two Senior researchers, Yolanda Aixelà-Cabré and Bernhard Bleibinger, and one Tenured scientist (Cristina Enguita, pending appointment).

Through global massive sequencing techniques, mass spectrometry and molecular cell biology approaches the Chromatin and Gene Regulation Lab tries to elucidate the mechanistic basis of hormone-dependent tumor proliferation in breast cancer.