INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE IN GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH
This research line is focused on the study of the impact of diet and physical activity on gastrointestinal health. It is approached from different aspects, studying changes in the gut microbiota occasioned by different diets or food components and exercise, taking into account factors as the immune system, intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress.
IMPACT OF HOST GENETICS ON THE GUT MICROBIOTA PROFILE.
The gut microbiota is involved in different aspects of human physiology, but little is known about how the intrinsic factors of the individual influence its the composition. It has been proposed that the individual genotype would determine, in part, such composition, but to date, the interactions between the individual’s genetics and the microbiota are not well-known. Among the objectives of our research group is try to understand these relationships, specifically studying the influence of several polymorphisms involved in lipid metabolism and their impact in microbiota profile.
BIOPLAGUICIDE DEVELOPMENT.
The general objective of this research line is the production, optimization and search of botanical and fungal biopesticides, establishing biocidal profiles of extracts to determine their antifungal, insecticidal and antiparasitic activity. In addition, since endophytic fungi are involved in the defense mechanisms of plants through the production of bioactive metabolites, we perform the metagenomic studies of the diversity of endophytic fungi in botanical species with biocidal potential.