Membranes and nanostructured materials: focuses on three main lines: (1) Synthesis and characterization of nanoporous materials: zeolites, titanosilicates, lamellar materials, ordered mesoporous silicas, graphene derivatives, MOF and COF, controlling their surface chemistry and textural properties. (2) Development of mixed membranes: dense and supported on flat and hollow fiber polymeric supports for molecular separations.

Our research focuses on the engineering of intestinal pathogens to better understand the infection processes that follow and how the immune response associated with infection occurs. In particular, we study the effect caused by proteins injected through the Type 3 Secretion System, which act as a network within infected cells. We also develop biotechnological tools in probiotic strains, which allow their beneficial action to be enhanced and serve as a chassis for the development of new therapies.

The research activity focuses on studying complementary aspects of disease prevention by consuming bioactive compounds present in the diet, plant extracts, or nutraceuticals, mainly phenolic compounds. Using a comprehensive approach, an exhaustive characterization of the phytochemical compounds in the raw material is carried out, and their bioavailability and metabolism are evaluated through metabolomic analysis. Additionally, their effects on health are studied, with particular emphasis on cardiometabolic diseases.

The Exposomics, Pollution, and Agriculture (EPA) group focuses on understanding pollution sources and the key processes influencing their environmental and health impacts.

Numerous proteins initially identified as regulators of cell death programs appear to support basic cellular functions without inducing cell death. Leveraging our lab's expertise and resources, we aim to uncover the molecular regulation and implementation of these newly emerging non-lethal functions in both physiological and pathological contexts, with a special focus on the evolutionarily conserved caspase protein family.

The Synthetic Biology and Biocatalysis Group (SynBioCat) focuses on understanding and applying enzymatic and cellular processes in organisms to design biosystems for strategic application in various biotechnological sectors. We utilize advanced synthetic biology tools to develop enzymes, metabolic pathways, and genomes with functional or innovative improvements.

The Neuroscience-inspired Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NAIR) group, led by Pablo Lanillos, focuses on transforming our brain knowledge into technologies of the future. On the one hand, by investigating how humans process and integrate information from the senses to generate behaviors, new AI and machine learning algorithms are developed to improve the perception, control and decision-making of robotic systems.