NATURAL SCIENCES

CIMA is a multidisciplinary centre of excellence of marine and environmental research. CIMA engages with society to implement important decisions about Blue and Green Growth at the national and international level, and thus contribute to the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals. The mission of CIMA is to deepen scientific knowledge of marine and environmental systems, to support and encourage innovation, and to provide training. CIMA integrates two main research areas: Ocean and Coastal Dynamics and Environmental Systems and Resources.

The group has been publishing a significant number of peer-reviewed journals. Also, the group sits on editorial boards and as a reviewer in most of the journals in the field. Furthermore, the group has been organizing conferences and working as part of scientific committees nationally and internationally. The group also counts on a significant international network, whether as joint research, publications, keynote speakers, organization of events and conferences or Projects.

Bacteria are found everywhere: in clouds and raindrops, on tree leaves, in soil and oceans, on and in our body. Unlike eukaryotes, bacterial evolution comprises both vertical and horizontal components. Recombination at the species level plays a role in selective sweeps through the population, while inter-species lateral gene transfer (LGT) has important implications to microbial adaptation and evolutionary transformations. In our research we study molecular and genome evolution of microbial genomes.

Catalysis; Organic Chemistry; C-H Activation; Transition Metals

I am currently working on the immunologic features of human podocytes, as well as role of Klotho and NPP1 proteins in the course of diabetic nephropathy. Previously, I studied genetics and immunology of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. I work with cell lines, I perform quantitative analyses of gene and protein expression. I also implement techniques like immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, and analyse glycolitic parametres of podocytes by measurement of extracellular acidification.

My research group has two main foci: anthropogenically driven evolution and life history evolution. We study both aspects by investigating the molecular ecology of aquatic invertebrates. In the last years, my colleagues and I have taken advantage of the newly developing  field of museomics. Using genomic information extracted from natural history collections, we can begin to understand how humans have altered microbiomes, populations, species and whole communities. 

Our main research topics are: (1) zoobenthos with a special emphasis on species as well functional diversity, (2) biology, ecology and ecophysiology of benthic invertebrates with a special emphasis on non-indigenous species and anthropogenic pressure (3) innovative aquaculture with a special emphasis on recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and invertebrates. We work in the field, mainly in coastal waters, and conduct laboratory research based on an experimental approach.