Computational Biology and Comparative Genomics

The general objective of the group is to elucidate the characteristics of the metabolic network of phenyl-propanoids and potato (poly)-phenols and to identify the nutraceutical effects of these compounds. In that regard, and through different technical approaches of transcriptomics and metabolomics, we work on the characterization of the components of the metabolic network in tubers of different varieties of potato. In addition, the biological activities of (poly)-phenols and their mechanisms of action in various systems of medical and agricultural interest are studied. As a line of applied research, the development of an antioxidant dietary supplement based on nanoencapsulated (poly)-phenols from industrial potato skin waste is being initiated.

On the other hand, the group developed a kinetic model of the metabolic network using system biology and applied computational biology for the classification of superfamilies (such as cytochrome P450) involved in this secondary metabolism. This classification is used for structure-function prediction, in order to obtain fundamental knowledge of several of the enzymes involved in the network.

 

Members

Arjen researches bioinformatics and biocomputation.
Fernando works on the generation of a specific mathematical model of the metabolic network of (poly)-phenols in potato tubers.
Luciana studies the biochemical-molecular mechanisms that regulate the metabolism of phenolic compounds and characterizes the bioactive compounds in potato tubers.
Martín provides computational and bioinformatics assistance to researchers and interns. Thhat includes: search and mass processing of database sequences; assembly of sequences from RNAseq and/or genomes; search for sequences in databases; extraction of SNPs from sequences; installation and development of specific programs. – Maintenance and development of the local computer system, including remote access to users, installation and administration of computer equipment for bioinformatics analysis (Debian based, Ubuntu). – Monitoring of equipment and networks. – Assistance in the interinstitutional management of the computational cluster. – Assistance in the development of exercises for courses and subjects related to learning to use public sources of information and data science.