The group leads applied research projects aimed at scientific advice for the conservation of marine biodiversity, the development of non-invasive methodologies for studies of deep marine ecosystems and especially multidisciplinary studies for the monitoring of the conservation status of Marine Protected Areas.

The research group 'Harmful Microalgae and Plankton Ecology' (VGOHAB; https://vgohab.com/en/) is located at the Oceanographic Center of Vigo (COV) and is included in the Department of 'Oceanography and Global Change' of the Spanish National Institute of Oceanography (CNIEO-CSIC). The lines of research focus on the study of harmful algal blooms (HAB) and plankton ecology and the processes and dynamics that characterize them, at the level of organisms and planktonic communities.

The VULCANA research group focuses on studying the effects of volcanic processes on the marine environment of the Canary Islands, such as submarine volcanism, hydrothermal emissions, and lava inputs into the sea. It assesses their impacts on physical, chemical, and biological properties, as well as the associated geological, petrological, and geochemical processes. It highlights the long-term monitoring of the submarine volcano Tagoro in El Hierro, active since 2011, and involvement in the eruption of La Palma in 2021.

The underwater acoustics group at the IEO (Spanish Oceanographic Institute) is currently developing various lines of research, primarily related to passive acoustics. Among the activities carried out, monitoring underwater noise stands out through a dual approach to the problem.

We use murine and cellular genetic models to characterize new signalling pathways and oncogenic functions that govern the onset and progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Mounting evidences suggest that membrane-bound RAS molecules segregate into multimers known as nanoclusters. These structures are regulated through protein–protein and protein–lipid interactions but most of the molecular details that govern the biology and function of such membrane clusters are still ignored.

The main goal of our lab is to shed light on the fundaments of the intercellular and interorgan crosstalk mediated by extracellular vesicles, lipoproteins and protein complexes in living organisms, their role in the regulation of physiological processes with a special focus on metabolism and how their dysregulation could drive the development of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and immune system pathologies.

The major challenges facing future generations, such as climate change, demographic growth and food security, require new research approaches committed to ecosystem sustainability. The agrobiotechnology group uses the knowledge acquired in physiology, pathology, soil microbiology, molecular biology, natural products and organic chemistry, which interact in a transversal way, to respond to these societal challenges.

The main research areas are the assessment of marine living resources of interest for the Spanish fleet in Central Eastern Atlantic waters, and the determination of biological and biogeographical parameters of the main target species in the area (Northwest Africa and the Canary Islands).

The research group comprises scientists and technicians who develop their activity in all the world's oceans where the Spanish tuna fleet operates. The group's objective is to tuna fishing resources and the pelagic aquatic ecosystem as a Whole conservation. This involves the study of the biology and ecology of all the species impacted by these fisheries.