The Organic Geochemistry Lab investigates the elemental composition, optical properties, molecular structure and reactivity of dissolved organic matter in coastal and oceanic marine systems worldwide, in a planet under growing anthropogenic pressure.

Our group has been largely researched on bacterial conjugation using biochemical, structural, evolutionary and genetic approaches.

Molecular mechanisms of the functional and structural maintenance of the synapse. The synapses are the points of contact where neuronal communication takes place that underlies the correct operation of the brain. The nerve endings house synaptic vesicles loaded with neurotransmitters that are released after the arrival of a nerve impulse. This phenomenon can occur thousands of times a day in terminals that are very remote from the neuronal body, as in the case of motor neurones.

We investigate the possible nature of dark energy and dark matter from the viewpoint of diverse approaches to quantum gravity and modified gravity theory, as f(R), f(R,G) and certain non-local theories. Regularization procedures of quantum vacuum fluctuations by using techniques of operator zeta functions and other special functions of mathematical physics, as well as very useful formulas involving such functions, as several extensions of the celebrated Chowla-Selberg series formula, and their application in the calculation of determinants and effective actions in quantum field theory.

The Theory and Simulation Group focuses on the theoretical study of the atomic and electronic structure of nanoscale systems, including the dynamics in response to external excitations.

Our research line has been focused during these past years in the study of PDZ (PSD-95, Dlg, ZO-1) domain-containing proteins, as we consider that they are excellent candidates as hubs of cross-talk between signaling cascades during development. In addition, malfunction of many PDZ proteins has been linked to diverse neuropathologies and types of cancer.

The group activity focuses on research on nanomechanical and nanoelectronic structures and their application to devices used in miniaturized integrated systems. It works specifically in nanofabrication technologies, nanoelectronic devices and their applications as electronic circuit elements and sensors, advanced methods of characterization at nanoscale and the study of the functional properties of nanostructures.

Design, development and characterization of functional polymer blends and nanocomposites based on graphene and related materials (GRMs) and sustainable nanostructured porous materials for sustainable smart textile, energy and environmental applications. Design / fabrication of multiphase materials with tailored functionality, and thermal, structural and morphological characterization to understand their solid-state behaviour. We study the parameters that control the interphase in heterogeneous polymeric materials, essential to develop new, advanced materials for specific applications.

The activities of the research group have the benefit of more than 25 years of studies, mainly under the institutional framework of CSIC, about different aspects regarding Earth and Planetary Sciences. Our research of meteorites covers the characterization of various types of asteroidal and Martian specimens (also considering their museistic significance). These studies are linked to the investigation in the field of meteoritic impact events and structures in Spain and other countries (e.g. Mauritania).

Since its creation in 1990, the research group has been studying continent-ocean interactions within the coastal ecosystem, including continental flows and their implications for the marine environment, mainly the nutritional enrichment of coastal waters and its consequences: harmful algal blooms and eutrophication. These studies include researching the mechanisms relevant to the associated biological processes and the relationships between continental inputs, spatial structure, and land use.