Machine learning and Data Science are disciplines that are at the core of many current significant societal developments.

The researchers included in the Habitability group are related with the field of Astrobiology and Habitability. Several principal investigators of the group belong to science team in several space missions as the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL / curiosity) studying the physico-chemical parameter of the Mars surface. They are interested on the habitability potential of the red planet. One of the main objectives of the MSL mission is the look for signatures of life.

Research focuses in our group in two main areas in grapevine breeding: the genetic analysis of agronomic and oenological traits relevant for grapevine and the study of grapevine-powdery mildew interaction with special focus on powdery mildew genetic diiversity. The ultimate goal is the selection of elite genotypes better adapted to climate change in collaboration with breeding nurseries-and the development of sustainable strategies against powdery mildew.

This research group studies interrelated issues on the origin and early evolution of life (including experimental and theoretical approaches to the RNA world hypothesis), genetics of RNA viruses (dynamics of viral quasispecies and sequence-structure-function relationships in viral genomic RNA), in vitro evolution of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA aptamers), and biosensor development (DNA microarray technology, aptamers and peptide nucleic acids-based biosensors, bionanotechnology-inspired sensors).

Study of the dynamics and molecular basis of biological adaptation through controlled experiments carried out at the laboratory with viruses and bacteria.

Lipid-protein interaction in different processes where a membrane remodelling is taking place. In particular, we are now concentrating our studies on the autophagosome generation /elongation and further fusion with the lysosomes . Our methodological approach is multidisciplinary with a combination of biophysical, cellular biology and nanotechnological techniques.

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.

The Group's research is oriented to the study and resolution of problems related to the use and conservation of soil and water resources in agro-forest systems.

Bacterial infections are a serious public health problem, which has been exacerbated by the emergence of pathogens that are resistant to most of the antibiotics used in hospitals. The prevention and treatment of infectious diseases are key objectives of all national and international action policies. Aligned with these health needs, it is required to understand the molecular bases of the infections to advance in the design, development and implementation of effective treatments.