Our research group is aimed to develop knowledge on coastal and marine sustainability by focusing on modern interdisciplinary social-ecological research. Its final goal is to provide a solid scientific basis to solve concrete present problems of sustainability inside our today’s social-ecological paradigm. In order to do that, the team members strongly interact with other different interdisciplinary groups of research.

Our research group is devoted to the research on calcium signalling, mitochondria and calcium channel remodelling in cell proliferation and cell death as well as its their contribution to proliferative and neurodegenerative diseases as cancer, restenosis and Alzheimers disease. On the other hand, we investigate the use of calcium channels as novel targets for the treatment of the above mentioned diseases. Particularly we study the role of calcium channels in the chemopreventive and neuroprotection mechanisms of aspirin and other NSAIDs against cancer and Alzheimer¿s disease.

The group is focused on studying the role of innate receptors in inflammatory diseases; particularly on Toll-like receptors (TLRs). These are sensors of molecular patterns from pathogens as well as endogenous molecules released after tissue damage with an important role in both the immune responses and inflammatory diseases. Using basic and translational approaches, the group investigates TLR-mediated signaling and its modulation by cytokines such as interferons and lipid mediators in the context of cardiovascular disease, i.e.

The group launched the molecular diagnosis of breast / ovarian cancer and hereditary colorectal cancer using the technique HA_CAE. In addition to the clinical diagnosis, the group has developed several research projects based on the characterization of founder mutations, variants of unknown effect and analysis of the promoter regions of genes. There have been several doctoral theses and published more than twenty publications on the work performed.

Sphingolipids are relatively minor components of cell membranes, but the last two decades have witnessed an increased interest in these molecules, and particularly the simplest of them ceramide and sphingosine, due to (a) their proposed role in cell signalling, and (b) their unusual biophysical properties. The latter include the tendency of ceramides to form non-lamellar structures, to permeabilize bilayers, and to promote transbilayer (flip-flop) motion of lipids. These properties were discovered in our lab.

- Assessment and in-situ and ex-situ conservation of populations of Sahel-Saharan ungulates and their habitats - Trophic ecology, behaviour and sustainable management of native and exotic ungulates We analyze the ecological characteristics of the environment, social structures of animals and factors affecting reproductive success, population dynamics and associated adaptive processes, trophic interactions and health status of populations. We also evaluate the effect of captivity on animal stress and its consequences at the behavioral, physiological and well-being levels.

The group of Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change of the IdAB represents a line of new creation in 2016. The general objective of the group is to characterize the effect of environmental variables (drought, temperature, CO2 and nutritional deficit) on the yield, efficiency in the use of resources and quality of crops. With a multidisciplinary nature, the working methodologies of this group encompass the most traditional agronomic characterization with the new tools of molecular biology.

The main objective of the group MICROHEALTH focuses on clarifying the functions of beneficial microorganisms related to food and health. We have the knowledge and technology required for the analysis of microbiotas and microbiomes, as well as for the isolation and characterization of intestinal and food bacteria to be used in biotechnological processes that contribute to improve food quality and safety, human health and sustainable food systems.

The group lead by Salvador Conejero and Amor Rodríguez has been established in December 2016 with the name “Design of Organometallic Molecules and Applications”. The aim of this group is to develop organometallic catalysts and to study the mechanisms by which these molecules operate. Both Salvador Conejero and Amor Rodríguez have a very broad experience in organometallic chemistry and catalysis, an expertise that has been acquired over the years in renowned research centers in Spain, France and USA.

Our research focuses on understanding the role of cell mechanics in tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this context, cell mechanics refers to the biophysical properties of solid tumor matter. We are particularly interested in the effect of the mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment in the ability of tumor cells to proliferate and migrate to distal places (metastasis) as well as their ability to evade the anti-tumor immune response.