Conversion of solar energy into fuels and chemical compounds. The group has capabilities for the preparation of metal-free photoactive materials (graphene and carbon nitrides), 2D nanomaterials (MXenes, metal chalcogenides and hydrotalcites) as well as perovskites and other oxides, sulphides and phosphides. The group characterises the band energies (XPS, Tauc plot, Mott-Schottky). Transition states are characterised by nano- and femtosecond laser flash, charge carrier density and resistance (photolelectric response and Nyquist curve) and electrochemical techniques.

The group is a well consolidated and internationally recognized team. It has pioneered several breakthrough developments in the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) of semiconductors and related techniques. Being active along the last 25 years in the field of optoelectronics, our laboratories are equipped with state of the art characterization and nano-fabrication facilities and are continuously updated with research tools to be able to keep at the forefront of the rapid evolution of optoelectronics and laser technology.

Our research encompasses the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of tissue injury by immune-mediated mechanisms and the characterization of the main chemical mediators recruited upon engagement of receptors for both pathogen-associated molecular patterns and receptors for the Fc portion of IgG class antibodies. The cooperation between these receptors helps explain the current models of function of the immune system, where poorly soluble ligands and particulate stimuli are the driving force of the acute inflammatory reaction and the initiation of the adaptive immune response.

Our group is focused on the study of the mechanisms by which proinflammatory stimuli regulate gene expression and modulate the proliferation, differentiation and survival of different cell types. We are especially interested in the molecular and biological actions of the secreted phospholipase A2, an enzyme involved in inflammatory and degenerative diseases.

The mucosal immune system represents the first line of defense against the external microenvironment to the body, acting as a filter, to discern between potentially damaging microorganisms and innocuous dietary proteins, while maintaining the absorption of nutrients. All the components are involved in the maintenance of the equilibrium active immunity/oral tolerance: genetic factors, efferent mechanisms, receptors and innate cells, antigen presentation, cytokines and growth factors, and regulatory cells.

In our laboratory we aim at understanding the mechanisms underlying NERVOUS SYSTEM development, understanding DEVELOPMENT as the whole process in an organism life: from embryonic development to aging. We are also interested in the processes of NEURODEGENERATION. We have centered our research efforts in the analysis of a particular family of proteins, the LIPOCALINS, and in the members of this family that are expressed in the nervous system at key moments during DEVELOPMENT.

Molecular genetics, genomics, transcriptomics and cell biology of thyroid cancer genesis, maintenance and progression, with especial emphasis on translation of multilevel genomic data obtained in the field of tumor dedifferentiation, invasion / metastases and therapy resistance. Identification of new molecular targets and diagnostic - prognostic - therapeutic algorithms, that may help clinicians on patient surveillance and mangement.

Our objective is to determine the molecular mechanism by which membrane glycoproteins of some viruses (HIV, Ebola) induce the fusion of the cell and viral membranes. Prediction tools have been developed to detect the domains that are inserted into the target membrane. In parallel, we are studying the mechanism of cell membrane permeabilisation, induced by certain viral products (viroporins) during infection (this work on viroporins is in collaboration with L. Carrasco, CBM, Madrid).

Our research activity is focused on computational and mathematical analysis of biological systems at their various levels of organization, from molecular properties to cell behaviour and the role these play in the cell population dynamics. The main objective is to deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and to use this information for the controlling and designing cellular processes.