Microbial biodiversity

The group is specialized in the study of microorganisms and microbial populations inhabiting terrestrial environments analogous to potentially habitable extraterrestrial worlds. Specifically, it focuses on the study of their biodiversity, ecology and evolution. It also investigates the limits of life and the molecular and cellular mechanisms of adaptation to extreme environments. The experimental study is based both on the fieldwork -collection of samples and determination of environmental parameters-, as in laboratory work.