Established in 2008 with the inclusion of researcher J.M. Gutiérrez and part of his group, founded in 1999 at the University of Cantabria (UC, http://meteo.unican.es). With over 20 years dedicated to climate research, the group addresses theoretical aspects of its nonlinear dynamics and applied aspects such as simulation, processing, and analysis of meteorological and climatic predictions.

The group studies the contribution of vitamin K-dependent proteins and their receptors in human pathology. The processes of coagulation and immune response are intimately intertwined. Today we consider the mechanisms of coagulation, and more generally of hemostasis, as an integral part of the body's response to injury and are part of the activation cascades that lead to inflammation and thrombosis. Therefore, it is not surprising that genes for components of hemostasis have effects on the activation or regulation of inflammatory pathways.

Our team studies cerebrovascular disease physiopathology. Stroke is a devastating disease of sudden and commonly unpredictable onset. About 1.20 million strokes occur each year in the EU, and about 25% of men and 20% of women can expect to suffer a stroke if they live to be 85 years old. Aging is associated to gradual vascular dysfunction that can acquire diverse manifestations like small vessel disease, or multiple microinfarcts and microhemorrhages often associated with common pathologies such as arterial hypertension.

Tissue regeneration in acute renal damage and organ transplantation. Study of the mechanisms associated with regeneration, prevention and monitoring of ischemia/reperfusion damage, either associated with transplantation or in pathologies involving ischemic processes. Discovery and application of cellular and pharmacological therapies aimed at preventing tissue damage and promoting regeneration. In both cases the different members of the group are part of CIBEREHD (CIBER of hepatic and digestive diseases) and CIBER-BBN (CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine) respectively.

The Neurobiology Unit investigates molecular mechanisms of neuronal death with the aim of identifying targets for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative diseases. Our team is also part of CIBERNED. The general lines of research are: 1) Molecular mechanisms of synapse elimination in models of Alzheimer's disease, 2) Regulation of mitochondrial DNA transcription and replication in genetic models of neurodegeneration. 3) Mitochondrial DNA as a biomarker in early stages of Parkinson's disease. This last line financed by the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

The group has a long trajectory in oxidative stress and lipid signaling in cell death. In particular, we have described the key role of mitochondrial GSH (GSHm) in mitochondrial function and susceptibility to apoptosis / necrosis. The dynamic properties of the membrane by the cholesterol / phospholipid ratio regulates the GSHm and its depletion sensitizes both hepatocytes and neurons to TNF / Fas, hypoxia and β-amyloid peptide, contributing to steatohepatitis and Niemann Pick and Alzheimer's diseases.

In our research group we are studying neuroinflammation in the context of neurodegenerative diseases and acute neuronal damage. It is suggested that neuroinflammation, in which activated glial cells (mainly microglia) are involved, play a role in the etiopathogenesis and/or in the progress of these pathologies. Our working hypothesis is that the modulation of neuroinflammation/glial activation can be a therapeutic strategy to act against the neuronal damage that occurs in neurodegenerative diseases and acute neuronal damage.

The Systems Neuropharmacology group examines the brain circuits and neuronal elements involved in the pathophysiology and treatment of major depression and schizophrenia, as well as in psychiatric and cognitive aspects of the Parkinson's disease. We use a wide range of experimental strategies in animal models, including molecular, histological, electrophysiological, neurochemical and behavioral approaches. This allows a detailed assessment of brain circuits at different levels of complexity, and facilitates the identification of new therapeutic targets.

Study of pathological processes related to inflammation, fibrosis and tissue regeneration. Our research group focuses on the study of the regulatory mechanisms of inflammation and fibrosis using models of pancreatic and pulmonary pathologies. In particular, acute pancreatitis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Our group is focused on understanding the role of epigenetic regulators in gene transcription during development, in particular during early neurogenesis. We are working to find out the contribution of histone methylation on chromatin homeostasis and activity and how its alteration leads to disease. To do that, we are using neural stem cells and chicken spinal cord as in vitro and in vivo models respectively.