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.

Design and synthesis of stable radicals, mainly centered on the carbon atom, which allow to be handling and storing as regular compounds. The stable radicals find a wide range of practical applications, ranging from their use as agents of polarization for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) in NMR experiments or in the molecular probes 'spin labelling' making use of the Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), up to the synthesis of organic compounds and/or non-metallic polymers, such as magnetic materials with high Tc, in the field of molecular magnetism.

Health and Biotechnology (SaBio; www.SaBio-IREC.com) contributes to health, production and conservation through research and development. SaBio strengths include a pronounced cross-disciplinarity, high levels of internationalization, scientific productivity and knowledge transfer capabilities. SaBio integrates some 40 excellent researchers in biotechnology, reproduction, health and related fields. Of these, 9 enjoy permanent contracts with UCLM or CSIC.

Our interest is focused on the structural and functional characterization of signal transduction mechanisms, as well as other cellular processes. Using protein crystallography techniques as the main experimental tool, we structurally characterize different molecular mechanisms that we later confirm at the functional level by biochemical and biophysical techniques. The "two-component" signaling systems, the most widespread in microorganisms, are one of our main objectives, being pioneers in the determination of their molecular mechanism of action and specificity.

The Ecology and Global Change group studies the functioning of ecological and agricultural systems and their relationship with global change. One area of the group focuses specifically on the ecology and evolution of natural systems, while the other is primarily concerned with the efficient use of natural resources, particularly water, in agricultural ecosystems.

Fertility is a complex function depending on the coordinated and combined action of the male and female reproductive systems and its dysfunction is a major health issue affecting one in seven couples in the first world. In addition, these reproductive problems are being exacerbated by societal changes in modern countries because both women and men have been delaying having children.The gametogenesis is among the most complex and highly regulated differentiation programmes that make use of a unique reductional division or meiosis to give rise to highly specialized cells: the gametes.

The main interest of our group is the control of proliferation and differentiation processes along nervous system development. Germ line and somatic mutations may cause an alteration of the mentioned processes, leading to an aberrant growth and in many cases prompting it to malignancies. Historically neoplastic growth has been associated to genes that either induce cell proliferation, or increase survival. Advanced tumours normally accumulate a large number of mutations, being difficult to discriminate which of those mutations were the founding ones.

The group STUDIES cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the proliferative and differentiative potentials of the neural precursors in the developing central nervous system. Our GOAL is to understand the basic processes that sustain neurogenesis in the brain and, particularly in the neocortex, and the pathology underlying congenital brain growth defects (microcephaly and macrocephaly) and other developmental disorders such as intellectual disability and autism.