The main objective of this research group is the study of the major parasitic and infetious diseases affecting livestock. Research activities are focused on the investigation on pathogenesis, diagnosis, epidemiology and integrated control -chemical, biological, genetic and management procedures- of the diseases with the greatest impact on livestock, mainly ruminants.

Our research is focused on the study of the origin of plant diversity, integrating molecular, morphological and functional data using different approaches, including phylogenetic, biogeographic/phylogeographic and population, as well as niche modeling and evo-devo.

The research group has been studying dispersal patterns of mosses and angiosperms over the last decade. In the current research period, the group is devoted to reconstruction of colonization processes and further evolution of species on oceanic islands based on floristic, taxonomic, chorological, phylogeographic, phylogenetic and population genetic analyses. A three-scale approach is proposed to be undertaken for the inference of the colonization history of plants in any oceanic archipelagos.

The general objective of the group is the analysis of the diversity of fungi based on studies of their morphological, ecological and molecular characters, with a view to reconstructing the phylogenetic histories of the taxa and thus approaching the study of some of the fundamental aspects that govern their evolution and the patterns that determine their distribution, in addition to addressing issues related to the conservation of biodiversity. In addition, a specific objective is to support the Spanish collections and centers on biodiversity, since one of the members of the group is, since 2

We work on evolution, diversity and ecology of enigma organisms, neglected by traditional researchers, but which are key to understand the origins and diversity of life, and ecosystems’ functioning. We use phylogenetic and phylogenomic approaches to reconstruct evolutionary patterns. We study their biodiversity in strategic regions, such as biodiversity hotspots, or extreme environments.

Study the genetic basis of autoimmune diseases though genomic approaches –genome wide association studies, epigenetics, whole gene expression and new generation sequencing

T lymphocytes are characterized by the expression of a specific antigen receptors, TCR, composed by two chains: alpha and beta, or gamma and delta. Our interests are focused in the study gene expression of the TCR genes T during development through the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved s that control the expression of these genes at large distances by transcriptional enhancers during T lymphocyte development. These enhancers are regulated by the binding of transcriptional factors that depends on the signaling received by thymocytes: mainly, Notch, TCR and IL-7.

To know the relationship between the central nervous system and the immune system, characterizing the connection between infectious diseases and their effects on neurodegenerative disorders, and on pathological aging processes. We are looking for endogenous mediators shared by both systems (neuropeptides) with a therapeutic profile in these disorders and/or that are relevant in the development and evolution of neuroinflammatory/neurodegenerative disorders (multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral stroke).

Identification of regulatory variants and causal genes in multiple sclerosis and associated pathogenic activity. The identification of causal variants and genes and disease-related dysfunction is essential for the establishment of molecular pathways and mechanisms of disease, for the rational design of therapies and diagnostic systems and prognosis applications. Search of genetic, molecular targets, pathogenic and etiologic mechanisms, functioning and application in diagnosis, disease progression and treatment of neurological diseases and other complex diseases.