Research lines

We study the genomes of acidophilic extremophiles, such as members of the genus Acidithiobacillus, to understand their physiology, ecology and the mechanisms that allow them to thrive in extreme environments. Through comparative genomics and metabolic reconstruction we explore carbon, nitrogen, phosphate and sulfur assimilation pathways, iron homeostasis and transcription factor-mediated regulation, with applications in biomining.

We apply genomic and transcriptomic strategies to understand the diversity, survival and pathogenicity of pathogens relevant to aquaculture, such as Piscirickettsia salmonis, and the response of Atlantic salmon to infection and co-infection. We search for biomarkers and candidate genes that support diagnostics and health management in the aquaculture industry.

We develop eukaryotic and microbial genomics projects in areas of biotechnological relevance such as agriculture, the wine industry and the food of the future. This includes the search for candidate genes in yeasts that affect wine quality, the study of native plant species and soil and phyllosphere microorganisms, and transcriptomic analysis of muscle cells for cultured meat production.

We create bioinformatics solutions and innovative technologies for processing and analyzing massive DNA sequencing projects and other OMICS data, with an emphasis on genetic variation studies at different levels of complexity. We integrate functional, comparative and evolutionary genomics, applied statistical genetics, systems biology and artificial intelligence to turn data into biological knowledge.