This group has extensive experience in the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of neurogenesis in adult mammals and in the evolution of neurodegenerative diseases using genetically modified animal models. Likewise, they work on the identification of new biomolecules that play a key role in the development of these and other diseases such as brain tumors. These molecules are potential selective targets for the design of new drugs of therapeutic interest. They also perform clinical studies in patients with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders using human brain stimulation, intracranial recordings and evaluation of cognitive deterioration through EEG-ERP.

Principal Investigator: Carmen Castro González (carmen.castro@uca.es)

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This research line is devoted to the study of the kinetics and mechanisms of relevant chemical reactions, most often these featuring biological importance. In this regard, it is worth noting that in recent years bioinspired model complexes of oxygenases have gained increased attention in the group. These systems are able to catalyze the oxidation of organic substrates with high selectivity and yield. It is of great importance to determine the mechanistic details of the transformations that they catalyze, and to do so kinetic studies are extremely useful. Understanding how each of the individual steps involved in the overall process work is, obviously, necessary to develop more efficient, selective and stable catalysts.

Principal Investigator: Manuel García Basallote (manuel.basallote@uca.es)

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Chemical Biology is a field that has emerged from the interface between Chemistry and Biology and focuses on the study of the interactions of small molecules, including natural products, with proteins to identify their function in biological processes. This line of research includes metabolomic and genomic studies of phytopathogenic fungi, and the isolation, design and synthesis of PKC agonist molecules for the design of neurogenesis-promoting molecules. It also focuses on the search for new drugs and bioactive molecules, by isolation and biotransformation from terrestrial and marine microorganisms, and by transition metal-mediated synthetic methodologies.

Principal Investigators: Isidro González Collado (isidro.gonzalez@uca.es) and Rosario Hernández Galán (rosario.hernandez@uca.es)

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This line research focuses on the field of Allelopathy, where natural products, isolated or synthesized, are used to understand the molecular processes that regulate communication in higher plants and microorganisms. Pure compounds, enriched extracts or compounds formulated in nanostructures are used. In addition, this line develops functionalization methodologies for C-H bonds in activated positions using catalysts, both metallic and non-metallic, and applying green chemistry techniques such as microwave radiation and ultrasound.

Principal Investigator: Francisco Antonio Macías Domínguez (famacias@uca.es)

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Development of anti-tumor, anti-infectious or pro-tolerogenic cell therapies using immune system cells modified by gene therapy and labeled using nanoparticles. Analysis of intracellular signals involved in lymphocyte activation and homeostasis and their possible implications in autoimmune diseases. Study of cell combinations for use in cell therapy in cardiovascular diseases and analysis of associated protein biomarkers. Study of phosphate polymers (polyphosphates) and their molecular interactions in human pathologies.

Principal Investigator: Francisco José García Cozar (curro.garcia@uca.es)

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