This group focuses its activity on the analysis of the mechanisms and factors involved in the generation of scientific knowledge, processes of transfer of scientific and technological knowledge to the productive and social sectors and on the study of the social and economic impacts of the science. The main target fields concerned are Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Energy and sustainable technologies and Biomedical sciences. The group is also interested on foresight analysis in order to improve the scientific development of the above mentioned fields.

The ACUTE team carries out research in the field of quantitative studies of science and technology, with special interest in the development of bibliometric indicators suitable for the study of the research process and the analysis of the activity of researchers, teams and centres in different disciplines. Likewise, methodological advances relating to the treatment of information and the design of indicators constitute an essential transversal line in the group's activity.

Development of computational methods for genomics and transcriptional regulation of plants. Structural and functional analysis of proteins. A complete description of our research and resources is available at https://www.eead.csic.es/compbio.

Studies on the physiology of abiotic stresses in plants with particular reference to deficiencies and toxicities of metals, using, among other techniques, proteomics and metabolomics

(1) Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and antioxidants in legumes. (2) Abiotic stress and oxidative/nitrosative stress in nodules. (3) Natural and stress-induced nodule senescence. (4) Roles of RONS as molecular signals. (5) Structure and function of plant hemoglobins. (6) Structural and functional genomics of model and crop legumes.

The NPCF group is dedicated to deepening in the understanding of the genetic control and the physiology of the fruit quality, introducing new technologies for the agri-food industry, and improving the quality of the products through sustainable production techniques, competitive and environmentally friendly. Our studies focus on the optimization of the physiological processes that regulate the production and quality traits of deciduous fruit species, following a holistic approach.

Plant Breeding and Bank germplasm conservation of fruit tree species from the Rosaceae family (Prunus and Malus): i) Breeding and selection of Prunus rootstocks and peach cultivars with good organoleptic properties and well adapted to the Mediterranean fruit growing areas; ii) Development of multidisciplinary techniques to be applied in Breeding Mass Selection; and iii) Conservation and characterization of genetic resources in fruit trees (apple, peach and Prunus rootstocks).

Research topics of the group are: i) water erosion and soil and nutrient redistribution (C and N); ii) erosion factors (soil types, land use, rainfall erosivity); and iii) agroclimatology and hydrologic resources in the agriculture. The group uses a variety of methods including soil characterization and mapping, isotopic and nuclear analysis, field process monitoring, and numerical simulation.

The interface between crop agronomy, water, soil and the environment is scientifically addressed from the perspective of one of the most arid regions of Europe: the Ebro Valley. The agricultural sector currently faces constraints related to: globalization of agricultural markets; concurrent water and soil uses; regulations derived from European Union policies; increasing societal exigencies of sustainability and nature preservation; and the need to satisfy the growing demand for agricultural products.