Cilia are microtubule-based plasma membrane protrusions emanating from a specialized centriole known as basal body. Conserved from unicellular eukaryotes to humans, cilia perform motor and sensory functions. Primary cilia are cellular antennae that specialize in the reception and transduction of signals, which can be optical (photons), mechanical (e.g. blood and urine flow) or chemical (odorants, hormones,...). Cilia dysfunction causes ciliopathies, diseases with diverse genetic origins, severity, prevalence, symptoms and organ involvement.

Gene expression (GE) is a coordinated process that comprises different linked steps like transcription, RNA processing, export to the cytoplasm, translation and degradation of mRNAs. Regulation of gene expression is vital to establishing the metabolic activities in every cell in all organisms, and allows their adaptation to both stress and developmental processes. Deficiencies in gene expression lead to a wide spectrum of severe human pathologies.

The ongoing research lines are focused on two main areas: • Development of nanocarriers for epigenetic antitumor drug delivery. • Identification of epigenetic changes in response to nanomaterials.

Our group is interested in elucidating the cellular principles and molecular mechanisms that govern vascular and immune responses during inflammation and how these can contribute to tissue repair. We focus on the actions of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs), a subfamily of proteases that can modify dynamically the extracellular matrix and the activity of soluble and membrane proteins, and particularly in their impact on the behavior of endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and of monocytes/macrophages.

The intake of animal products, especially meat products, constitutes a considerable and important part of our diet. The consumption of these products entails the intake of the lipids associated with them. This lipid fraction is not only characteristic of the animal species in question, but undergoes modifications during the elaboration processes of these meat products or their derivatives. Special attention is paid to products derived from the Iberian pig.

Our research group works on the design and development of new drugs, and pharmacological tools, aimed at the treatment and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. We use modern methodologies of organic synthesis, as well as tools and innovative concepts specific to research in medicinal chemistry, for their subsequent application in the area of biomedicine and health. We collaborate with research groups in the areas of chemistry, biology, medicine and nanotechnology for the design and development of our projects.

Our group uses the mouse limb skeleton as an experimental system to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms that coordinate morphogenesis and cell differentiation. To do so, we combine the strengths of mouse genetic analysis (using next-generation tools such as CRISPR-Cas9) with functional genomics approaches (ChiP-seq, ATAC-seq, 4C-seq, etc). In addition to the mouse model, we also use pig, bovine and chicken embryos to gain insight into the regulatory alterations that underlie the evolutionary diversification of limb morphologies in tetrapods.

We are part of Physical Chemistry Department at University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Biofisika Institute (CSIC – UPV/EHU). Our research focus on the accurate structural characterization of biomolecules and molecules of astrophysical interest and its molecular interactions by state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques in the gas phase. Our research encompasses different methodologies ranging from the microwave spectroscopy, laser spectroscopy and computational modelling. The group has an extensive network of national and international collaborations.

The main objective of Dr. Morales' Laboratory is the design, preparation and evaluation of potential drugs for different pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases, degenerative diseases of the retina, infections caused by parasites (Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major) and different types of cancer. Our approach is based in the concepts of prodrug and hybrid drugs.