This research group is focused in the replicative sequences that have colonised and multiply within the human genome, known as mobile genetic elements (MGEs) or mobile DNA. MGEs’ replicative activity led to an accumulation of copies that accounts for ~50% of the human genome. They cause insertional mutagenesis, leading to an increase of genetic diversity and occasionally responsible of spontaneous genetic disease and cancer. Epigenetic silencing is known to minimise their deleterious impact, although the mechanism responsible for driving this silencing to active MGEs is largely unknown.

Our research team focuses on the study of the tissue remodelling that occurs during the development, progression and resolution of chronic diseases, with a special emphasis on fibrosis and cancer. Tissue remodelling involves both the cellular components of the tissue and the extracellular matrix (ECM) in a complex interplay where both send signals to each other, triggering important biological events such as cell death/proliferation, ECM synthesis/degradation, regeneration and inflammation among others.

Since their appearance on earth, plants have naturally evolved mechanisms to thrive in every possible ecosystem. Some of the most interesting cases of plant adaptation have occurred during domestication, where humans strongly selected for characteristics of agricultural interest. Understanding the molecular basis of these adaptive mechanisms is one of the mayor quests in modern biology and the goal of the Adaptive Genomics and Genetics group.

Our group is interested in finding out how post-translational modifications of proteins contribute both to cell-autonomous transformation and permissive tumour micro-environments in response to hormonal stress or obesity, and its influence on aberrant proliferation, DNA damage response or aberrant migration and angiogenesis processes, using cellular models and mice models of mammary glands development.

The study of the relationship between the composition, structure and functionality of relevant biocolloids and nanoparticles in biology, pharmacy and food science. In our laboratory we have instruments sensitive to surfaces such as the dissipation quartz microbalance, spectroscopic ellipsometry, atomic force microscope, Langmuir balance, surface plasmonic resonance and fluorescence microscopy. We are regular users of the most important European large-scale facilities for neutron scattering and X-rays such as ILL, ISIS, FRM2, DESY, MaxIV and also the Australian ANSTO facility.

Using Drosophila, our research focuses on the Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) pathway's roles in regeneration and tumorigenesis. JNK induces apoptosis in damaged cells and promotes proliferation via paracrine signaling, impacting the JAK/STAT, Wingless, and Decapentaplegic pathways. We've identified JNK's significance in tumorigenesis, studying its effects in mutations like scribble, erupted, and polyhomeotic. Moreover, we've revealed how overgrowing tumor cells can restrict normal tissue growth.

Microbial diversity is a rich source of genetic information with industrial potential, including biosynthetic gene clusters and novel enzyme catalysts. The synergy between biology-based and nanotechnology-based experimental tools is crucial for faster and more efficient gene discovery, particularly benefiting academic labs for screening campaigns. In the HT Discovery lab, we focus on methods to discover and engineer industrially relevant enzymes and biosynthetic gene clusters, utilizing biological selections and microfluidic screening.

The Transformation and Metastasis group at IBBTEC investigates the signaling pathways involved in abnormalities during cancer and metastasis. The ultimate goal of these studies is to identify new modulators that can represent new therapeutic targets to stop metastasis and that can be directly translated into effective prevention or treatment strategies.