The DNA topology Lab (IBMB-CSIC) was created in 1997 by Prof. JOAQUIM ROCA, who returned from Harvard University after serving there as Postdoctoral and Research Associate (1998-2006). This laboratory investigates how DNA topology (the twisting, coiling, and entanglement of DNA) interacts with genome architecture and function, and how enzymatic ensembles and motor activities regulate this interaction. To this end, the Roca Lab develops novel methods to assess the topology of intracellular DNA and complements their experimental findings with in vitro and in silico analyses.

i) Synthesis and physical characterization of photonic materials Optoelectronic properties of new materials: ii) Design, make up, and simulation of optoelectronic devices such as optical amplifiers, lasers, light conversors, etc. iii) Optical characterization of photonic materials by using high resolution spectral and temporal spectroscopies. iv) Theoretical and experimental studies of laser-induced cooling processes in solid-state materials. v) Theoretical and experimental studies of light propagation and confinement in micro-nano structurated inhomogeneous media: random lasers and biomedical

The Group's research is centered on the analysis of the contemporary cultural and publishing field (centuries XIX-XXI), beginning with (fundamentally) New Cultural History. From an interdisciplinary perspective the Group undertakes the study of the circuit that involves literary communication, as well as the study of its implied agents (writer, editor, cultural intermediaries and readers).

The long-term research goal of the PIDRU team is to translate our understanding of fundamental molecular mechanisms of pancreatic islet physiology to `drugable¿ targets for the development of innovative therapies for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. More specifically putative targets implicated in ß-cell regeneration as well as survival are being investigated using a combination of molecular and cellular tools with subsequent validation in animal models of diabetes. A Medicinal chemistry program is also being developed on promising candidates. Several candidate targets are in the pipeline.

DNA Double Strand breaks are the most citotoxic DNA lesions. When left completely unrepaired they cause cellular and embryonic lethality. However, mutations that affect but not block their repair cause an increase in genomic instability, a driving force in cancer development and the molecular root of several rare genetic diseases. The phenotypes associated to defective DNA double starnd break repair vary enormously. DNA double strand breaks are repaired basically by two alternative pathways that compete for the same substrate.

The group is specialized in the Astrophysics area of "Formation and Evolution of Galaxies". The main focus is the study of different galaxy types observed across the history of the Universe. This research is based on data obtained with ground based and spatial telescopes, optimized in X rays, optical, infrarred and millimetric. The group also have an important implication in technological projects of astronomical instrumentation, both spatial and ground based.

The group of Planetary Geology and Atmospheres is devoted to the study of planetary objects in the Universe that have solid surfaces, including Earth. Specifically, we investigate the origin, composition, structure and processes and agents by which planets, satellites, comets, asteroids and meteorites evolve since its formation. These issues are key in determining the habitability of planetary environments.

The active members of the group are staff scientists, trainees (postdocs and graduate students) and technicians. Among the scientists there are astrophysicists with strong expertise in general stellar evolution in its final stages: white dwarfs, novae and supernovae of type Ia. They use large telescopes and both X and gamma rays satellites for the diagnostics of the theoretical models. In addition, some members of the group have a strong background in nuclear and particle physics.

The group has wide experience in the development and implementation of atomistic computational methods (for example, the very well-known SIESTA code), and in the formulation of new frameworks for theoretical analysis (such as the computation of the magnetoelectric coefficient, and the first-principles theory of flexoelectricity). Due to their great versatility, the group's methods can be applied in a variety of fields, such as functional oxides, nanoscale heat transport, low-dimensionality systems, and soft matter.

SUMAN (www.icmab.es/suman) research focuses on the study of nanostructured functional oxides grown from chemical solutions. The major effort is on superconducting materials, including high throughput growth methods for thin films, nanocomposites and coated conductors, ink-jet deposition and combinatorial approaches for fast screening, search of new mechanism for vortex pinning and their correlation with nanoscale strain and atomic defects. A crucial initiative is the customization of coated conductors and advanced characterization for their integration in large scale applications.