The research group aims to generate scientific knowledge on the impacts of bottom fisheries and other human activities on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the High Seas (international waters) and to integrate this information into the advisory cycle of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and other relevant national and international bodies.

The evaluation of living marine resources is a necessity for society to guarantee the sustainability of these resources and maximize the social benefit of their exploitation. The evaluation process aims to quantify the consequences of different management alternatives. For this objective, it is necessary to have knowledge of the dynamics of the populations and ecosystems studied and how fishing activity affects these populations. This can be done, preferably, by developing mathematical models that incorporate biological and fisheries information.

Our research focuses on the engineering of intestinal pathogens to better understand the infection processes that follow and how the immune response associated with infection occurs. In particular, we study the effect caused by proteins injected through the Type 3 Secretion System, which act as a network within infected cells. We also develop biotechnological tools in probiotic strains, which allow their beneficial action to be enhanced and serve as a chassis for the development of new therapies.

Our research focuses on understanding the effects of different environmental disturbances and global change factors on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, with a specific interest in the functioning of soil microorganisms, nutrient cycling, and the exchange of greenhouse gases between the soil and the atmosphere. We participate in or lead scientific projects involving various types of ecosystems (agricultural, forest, and natural), at different spatial scales (from local to global), and with different approaches (from observational to experimental studies).

The research activity of the group focusses on the study of the molecular action of dietary phyochemicals, mainly phenolic compounds and their metabolites, and their potential effect on health and the prevention of highly prevalent chronic diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation. The group is also interested in investigating the beneficial effects of these natural compounds on gut microbiome and their potential impact on the metabolome.

Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources.

The research group is focused on the synthesis of nanoparticulated materials to be applied in antimicrobial therapy, pain management and osteoarthritis. Primary research directions are also focused on designing on-demand drug delivery systems. The group is interested in the development of new antimicrobial nanomaterials and devices with no cytotoxic effects on human cells, and with demonstrated superior efficiency than conventional strategies.