Our group investigates the transcriptional and epigenetic control of immune in homeostasis and disease, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of nuclear receptors. We use a combination of macrophage-specific knockouts, mouse models of disease, in vivo imaging, and next-generation sequencing technologies combined with bioinformatics approaches.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths both in Spain and worldwide. In addition, the 5-year-survival rate of less than 20Ͽas barely improved over the last decades. Approximately one quarter of these tumors are driven by mutations in KRAS, but so far no selective therapeutic strategy has been approved for these patients. Although inhibitors against a subset of KRAS oncoproteins have shown promising results in early phase trials, the majority of KRAS-mutant tumors will not benefit from these inhibitors. Moreover, resistance to these targeted therapies is a major concern.

The group has a long history of work in the Department of Animal Reproduction of INIA. Its projection in the swine sector has been developed through technology transfer related to reproduction and other fields related to this function (health, feeding and genetics). To achieve these goals, INIA has carried out many competitive projects, agreements and contracts with other institutions and companies at national and international level.

Plant Signaling in Stress and Development group (PSSD) is focused on the study of the mechanisms that regulate plant immunity in Brassica crops. We aim to identify and characterize new immunomodulators (compounds, genes, and molecular networks) that allow a better understanding of plant stress responses and help to build up more resilient crops.

Our research focuses on the analysis of early embryonic development in vivo and in vitro in mammals, the understanding of mechanisms controlling embryo-maternal interactions (reproductive fluids, Extracellular Vesicles/Exosoms, Organoids, Assembloids etc), the study of factors responsible for infertility in dairy cows, and the development of strategies reducing embryonic losses and increasing pregnancy rates.

The Exposomics, Pollution, and Agriculture (EPA) group is dedicated to comprehending pollution sources and the pivotal processes influencing their impact on the environment. Our research spans from environmental chemistry to analytical chemistry, utilizing non-target screening and metabolomic methods to discern the effects of pollutants on both the environment and human health.

The long-term interest of our lab is to contribute to the better understanding of (1) how the architecture and function of specific cell compartments is regulated, and how their integrity is ensured; (2) how these regulatory mechanisms are integrated with signalling networks controlling inflammation and innate immunity, and (3) how these principles modulate tissue repair and fibrosis, innate defence against pathogens, or aging-associated decline.

In imAIgene-lab, we utilize diverse artificial intelligence tools spanning computer vision, single-cell technologies, and data analytics to extract biologically significant insights from microscopy data. Our research encompasses two main areas. Firstly, we delve into understanding the intricate behaviors and functions of cells within two critical areas of oncology: (1) deciphering the mode of action and heterogeneity in tumor response to immunotherapy, and (2) investigating the complex dynamics of tumor invasion.