Filamentous, heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria are multicellular organisms in which the organismic unit is a chain of cells. Growth of these organisms depends on the metabolic activity of two cell types: the vegetative cells that perform oxygenic photosynthesis fixing carbon dioxide and the heterocysts that fix atmospheric nitrogen. By virtue of these activities, the cyanobacteria make an important contribution to the primary productivity of our planet.

The research group “Biotechnology of Microalgae” has focused its research activity in recent years on the photosynthetic production by microalgae of different compounds of commercial, industrial and energetic interest, such as carotenoids phycobiliproteins, lipids, alcohols or polyphosphate inositols. Based on the knowledge of organisms, the involved processes and culture systems, is intended to take advantage of the photosynthetic capacity of them to generate value products, while it helps to remove CO2 from industrial processes.

The research of the group has focused from its beginning on the metabolism of sulfur in plants. Our main focus is the study of cysteine ​​biosynthesis and metabolism and recently signaling by molecules related to cysteine. We have been pioneers in establishing a change of concept, so that these molecules are involved in the signaling pathways that regulate essential processes in the plant, such as the responses to both abiotic and biotic adverse conditions, autophagy and the root hair development.

The coding and processing of information in the CNS is based on the synchronous activity of neuron assemblies interconnected in a complex network of synaptic chains. Such activity can be recorded as rapid fluctuations in local field potentials (LFPs), a mesoscopic variable similar to electroencephalographic recordings that is on the intracerebral site of generation. LFPs allow access to population dynamics with full time resolution, unequaled by sophisticated and expensive modern techniques. However, theoretical and practical problems have prevented an efficient use of LFPs for decades.

Functional and molecular studies of normal and pathological synapses

Study of central and peripheral markers of neurodegenerative diseases. The research group work deals with the study of both the normal and the pathological involution markers of the Central Nervous System (neuronal and glial central biomarkers as well peripheral ones) in order to explain the pathogeny of neurodegenerative disorders and to open new therapeutical lines. Studies are carried out in a multidisciplinary approach, using morphological, histochemical and biochemical methods.

A general objective of our laboratory is to study how extracellular factors and transcription factors regulate the number of stem cells and the formation of functional neurons both in vivo and in cell culture. A second main objective of our research, is to study mechanisms of neurodegeneration and the search for new molecular targets in neurons and astrocytes generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from Parkinsons disease patients and Alzheimers disease patients.

The group of NEUROPHARMACOLOGY at the Cajal institute was formally constituted in the 90’s. Actually, we investigate the regulation of synaptic tonus and its influence on pain perception, drug dependence and mood diseases such as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder.

Neurons are highly specialized cells, differentiated into two compartments, axonal and somatodendritic. These compartments are completely different in their morphology and physiological function. Axon formation is an essential stage in neuronal polarization, followed by the formation of the axon initial segment (AIS), which controls the traffic of proteins into the axon, axon identity, maintains its integrity and is responsible for the generation of action potentials that allow the transmission of nerve impulses.

Research on the mediating mechanisms of lifestyle effects on brain and cognition, with special attention to physical exercise and stress. The group has focused in recent years on the associated neural plasticity mechanisms, with special emphasis on the inter- and trans-generational effects of the exercise that imply epigenetic mechanisms, as well as the relations between pain and memory.