Our work aims at understanding how gene networks and their architecture control cell specification and the patterning, size and shape of organs. To this aim we use genetics, genomics, quantitative imaging and advanced microscopy techniques, as well as mathematical modeling. The main model organism is Drosophila melanogaster. although we have more recently introduced new non-model dipteran and ephemeropteran species to study the control and evolution of organ size and shape. The main focus is on the visual system.

Our group studies how two-dimensional epithelial sheets of cells reorganize during development to make specific organs. To address this issue we are following two complementary lines of research: (1) Control of Hox induced morphogenesis and (2) Study of the Drosophila JAK/STAT signalling function during development.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating cell migration and morphogenesis

Under the strong selective pressure soil bacteria have due to competition for limited nutrients, they have developed the ability to grow using a wide range of unusual substrates, which include numerous organic pollutants. Our group characterizes the biodegradation of organic contaminants and the regulation of genes involved, a research line of great interest due to the increase of these contaminants in the environment over the past years due to industrial activity and the challenge posed by the new waste generated through chemical synthesis.

Work in the group is focused on the study of molecular regulatory mechanisms in bacterial metabolism and biofilm development, and the application of such knowledge to processes of biotechnological or environmental interest.

Our research interest is to study the mechanisms by which plants perceive and respond to changes in their light environment, specifically in the regulation of the light-induced developmental transition that occurs during seedling deetiolation and in the regulation of growth under diurnal conditions. The primary focus of our research is to identify the dark signaling mechanisms that operate in the regulation of these plant processes, using Arabidopsis as a model system and integrating a combination of multidisciplinary experimental approaches.

Molecular mechanisms of circadian clock function in Arabidopsis thaliana A wide variety of biological processes exhibit a cyclic pattern of activity with a period of 24 hours. The temporal coordination of these rhythms is regulated by an endogenous mechanism denominated circadian clock. From bacteria to humans, the presence of the circadian clock has provided a remarkable adaptive advantage throughout evolution. In past years, considerable research efforts have clearly improved our understanding of circadian clock progression.

Transposons make up an important fraction of complex genomes and, as it is becoming increasingly clear, they support important functions for genome structure and regulation. In addition, transposon movement is an important source of variability that complex genomes have used to adapt to new situations and that is therefore crucial for plant domestication and breeding.

Research in the San Segundo’s lab focuses on topics related to the plant defense response to pathogen infection. During the last years, different aspects have been investigated, including: analysis of sensing systems, initiation and maintenance of the host response, signal transduction pathways and effector elements in the plant defense response, and crosstalk events in biotic and abiotic stress responses.

The research activity of this group aims, on the one hand, to achieve a better understanding of the factors affecting the spatial and temporal development of the major crop pests. To accomplish this, monitoring tools and technologies are used to obtain and process spatial information, such as proximate and remote sensors, GIS and specific software for the analysis of geospatial data. In addition, the joint application of these technologies and Decision Support Systems is proposed to transfer the information to intelligent pest control.