The Force Probe Microscopy & Surface Nanoengineering Group is devoted to the investigation and exploitation of interfacial phenomena arising from the nanostructuration of surfaces and from the interaction of surfaces with molecules. The main focus areas are (i) force probe microscopy & spectroscopy, (ii) interfacial water (structured & confined water, wetting), (iii) engineered surfaces (functionalization, graphene, polymers, etc.) and (iv) electronic properties of surfaces.

The Nanomaterials Growth Division, led by Dr José Santiso, provides support in thin-film fabrication and film characterisation to ICN2 researchers and external collaborators. The Division specialises in fabrication of oxide thin-films and heterostructures by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) and Metal-Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD), as well as advanced structure characterisation of these films by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), and their electronic-ionic conductivity properties, among other techniques.

Our group has focused on the development of new methodologies and processes to assembly (bio)molecules with specificity to generate nanomaterials with a designed property or function. Hierarchical nanomaterials, both bulk or nanostructured on a surface, are produced with controlled structures over different length scales and their properties investigated in terms of possible applications. The nanostructuration is achieved by different means. Bulk materials in the form of nanoparticles or nanotubes are prepared by means of self-assembly, coordination chemistry and templating techniques.

The Group works in Materials Science, Nanoscience and Electrochemistry for energy-related applications. It leads various research projects on energy storage and conversion, an increasingly strategic area which urgently needs fundamental improvements. The group is internationally recognized for work on hybrid nanocomposite materials, nanofluids and a growing activity on graphene (including synthesis, composites, nanofluids and energy storage). We design and synthesise new materials with a strong emphasis on structural control at different scales (from nano- to macro-).

The Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group focuses its activities in the development of novel nanobiosensors devices based on plasmonics, nanoplasmonics and silicon-based photonics principles, including surface biofunctionalisation, microfluidics and complete lab-on-a-chip integration for point-of-care devices. Application of the nanobiosensors for real clinical diagnostics and environmental control is one of the main objectives of the group.

IFISC is organized in a transversal line of research on 'Complex Systems, Nonlinear and Statistical Physics', participated by all permanent researchers, and 5 sublines of transfer to specific cross-disciplinary areas. The 'Complex Systems' group is an ad-hoc entity created to fulfill the constraints of the 'Aplicacion Grupos de Investigación', requiring the groups to be disjoint.

Our research is focused on two of the main neurodegenerative pathologies, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In AD, we studied the role of microglia in the development of the disease, with a special interest in the HIF-PHD3 signaling pathway. In the EP, we studied the reciprocal trophic relationships that maintain postnatally the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and the striatal interneurons. We use biochemical, genetic, bioinformatic, histological and behavioral approaches in genetically modified animals. In parallel, Dr.

Mechanisms of cellular sensitivity to oxygen. Neurodegeneration and neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease. Pathophysiological mechanisms of hypertension and vascular spasm.

In the Neurogenetics and Synaptopathies group we study autism and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) following approaches in Neurosciences and Human Genetics. We have identified a mutation in the synaptic gene neuroligin1 in AD, which inhibits its synaptogenic activity.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most frequent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide after Alzheimer's disease. Our group research lines are related to clinical and etiopathogenic aspects of PD.