Geociencias Barcelona (GEO3BCN) is an innovative working group set up in order to provide the best possible response to the requirements of our society with regard to geosciences. GEO3BCN builds upon the former Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera and brings together high profile research specialists from different disciplines into a singular multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research team. GEO3BCN aims at promoting geosciences at a national and international level, as well as integrating geosciences in society.

Meiosis is an essential process during gametogenesis, giving sexually reproducing organisms the ability to adapt to the environment through evolution. Our research focuses on the ability of cells to correctly perform the processes of homologous recombination (HR) of the DNA during meiosis, and to identify the response of those same cells when recombination is defective or absent. When these defects occur, problems during recombination could have a major impact on gamete quality.

Our research line is focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of giant cell arteritis. Specifically, the main objective of our research group is to determine the genetic and epigenetic contribution to the pathogenesis of this disease by using genomic (genome-wide association studies, GWAS), epigenomic (DNA methylation and chromatin conformation analysis by ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq) and transcriptomic (RNA sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing) approaches in cell types with a relevant role in giant cell arteritis.

At the Pathogen Gene Regulation Unit, we combine cutting-edge techniques and bioinformatic analyses to understand how microbial pathogens infect, survive, cause disease, and develop antibiotic resistance, both at the molecular and cellular levels. Our main research focus is centred on understanding how translational regulation and alternative initiation mechanisms contribute to phenotypic adaptation and antibiotic resistance in bacteria. We have a special focus on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of human tuberculosis.

The genetic information in eukaryotic cells is tightly wrapped around histone proteins to form chromatin, which is highly repressive to processes occurring on DNA. However, we know since pioneering studies by Vincent Allfrey in the early 1960s that histones are subjected to a wide variety of covalent post-translational modifications (PTMs) that can modulate DNA accessibility, thereby playing key roles in many biological processes.

The Epigenetics & Cellular Senescence lab is interested in understanding the basic mechanisms regulating cellular senescence and its influence on the microenvironment

Telomeres are crucial components of our genome, protecting it from deterioration. They consist of repetitive DNA sequences and specialized proteins at the ends of chromosomes. Telomere fusions, where chromosome ends join, are important in cancer and regeneration. Our group studies telomere fusions in cancer, finding varied rates and patterns among different cancers, including links to telomere lengthening pathways. We've detected these fusions in blood, offering potential for early cancer detection.

The study of the relationship between the composition, structure and functionality of relevant biocolloids and nanoparticles in biology, pharmacy and food science. In our laboratory we have instruments sensitive to surfaces such as the dissipation quartz microbalance, spectroscopic ellipsometry, atomic force microscope, Langmuir balance, surface plasmonic resonance and fluorescence microscopy. We are regular users of the most important European large-scale facilities for neutron scattering and X-rays such as ILL, ISIS, FRM2, DESY, MaxIV and also the Australian ANSTO facility.

My laboratory's research focuses on the generation and characterization of mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases that truly recapitulate the pathogenesis, neuropathology, and symptoms, and that often allow for the characterization of existing therapies and the testing of new ones. Significant milestones include the demonstration, using transgenic mouse models, that neurodegenerative diseases are partially reversible (using Tet-OFF/ON transgenic systems or pharmacological approaches).