The ICREAs

ICREA Research Professors form a vibrant community of scientists and researchers in all areas of knowledge that contribute to the advancement of humankind by exploring, interpreting and questioning. Have a look and learn about their amazing discoveries and findings here:

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    Esteve Corbera
    Corbera Elizalde, Esteve
    Research Professor at
    Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
    Social & Behavioural Sciences
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    Research interests

    I am a political ecologist building knowledge on the environmental and wellbeing outcomes of climate change and biodiversity conservation policies and producing scientific findings that inform global policies for sustainable land use. I employ multiple quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate 1) the social-ecological and behavioral effects of policies aimed at conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change, such as payments for ecosystem services, the UN Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) framework, and biodiversity offsets; 2) the implications of global change for the vulnerability and resilience of farming communities, and their capacity to adapt; and 3) the politics of knowledge production in conservation and environmental science and policy. My research in these fields draws on data from multiple levels, from multi-actor views gathered ethnographically to secondary information collected for quantitative assessments.

    Key words

    sustainable land-use, biodiversity conservation, rural development, vulnerability, institutions, livelihoods

    ORCID

    : 0000-0001-7970-4411

    RESEARCHER ID

    : C-5368-2015
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    Alexander Coroleu
    Coroleu Lletget, Alejandro
    Research Professor at
    Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
    Humanities
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    Research interests

    Classical and Comparative Literature: Latin literary culture in Europe (ca. 1500 - ca. 1700) Intellectual History and Renaissance Studies: Hispanic, Italian and European Humanism The reception of Greek and Roman literatures in early-modern Iberia (1450-1600). In December 2022 I completed a monograph provisionally entitled Latin political propaganda in the War of the Spanish Succession and its Aftermath, 1700-1740, to be published by Bloomsbury.

    Key words

    Comparative Literature, Intellectual History, Renaissance Studies
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    Alfred Cortés
    Cortés Closas, Alfred
    Research Professor at
    Institut de Salut Global Barcelona (ISGlobal)
    Life & Medical Sciences
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    Research interests

    The central research interest of my team is epigenetic variation in Plasmodium falciparum, i.e., heritable differences between genetically identical parasites that result in transcriptional and phenotypic variation. We study the chromatin-based mechanisms involved in the epigenetic regulation of variantly expressed genes, and the role of epigenetic variation in the adaptation of parasite populations to changes in their environment. We combine genome-wide approaches with studies on specific variantly expressed genes that control important processes in parasite biology. Among these, we are especially interested in the genes that regulate solute uptake and sexual conversion. Regarding the latter, one of our current research priorities is understanding how some asexually-growing parasites “decide” to convert into sexual forms, which are necessary for malaria transmission. We also investigate the transcriptional response that secures parasite survival at febrile temperatures.

    Key words

    Plasmodium falciparum, malaria, erythrocyte invasion, epigenetics, variant gene expression, chromatin, sexual conversion, gametocytes, heat-shock response

    ORCID

    : http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0730-6582
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    Pia Cosma
    Cosma, Maria Pia
    Research Professor at
    Centre de Regulació Genòmica (CRG)
    Life & Medical Sciences
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    Research interests

    Main interests of Cosma's group are to dissect mechanisms and factors controlling somatic cell reprogramming and tissue regeneration in mammals. We are investigating gene networks and reprogramming factors controlled by the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Furthermore, by using super resolution microscopy we made discoveries on the remodelling and looping of the chromatin fiber during the reprograming process. The activation of Wnt pathway controls regeneration in response to damage in lower and higher vertebrates. We found that the Wnt/ß-catenin signalling is also key to control cell-fusion-mediated regeneration in mammals. We recently showed that human Muller glia cells can fuse with mesenchymal stem cells. The resulting hybrids can differentiate in retinal neurons in human retinal organoids. Moreover we identified the interactions between the chemokine receptors and specific chemokines able to enhance migration and integration of transplanted cells into the retina.

    Key words

    stem cell, reprogramming, Wnt/beta-catenin signalling, regeneration, super resolution microscopy, gene network, chromatin,
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    Xavier Costa
    Costa Perez, Xavier
    Research Professor at
    Internet i Innovació Digital a Catalunya (i2CAT)
    Engineering Sciences
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    Research interests

    The ever-wider availability of technologies such as mobile networks, artificial intelligence, cloud services, data analytics and ICT platforms is dramatically altering the way we live, work and interact – in what is usually referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The upcoming Beyond 5G disruptive technologies represent a key pillar for enabling this digital revolution unfolding around us. In contrast to previous mobile network generations, a key new aspect for the mobile industry moving forward is the need to expand the mobile ecosystem to also incorporate industry verticals like automotive, manufacturing, smart-grids and health. While early research and field-trials results are promising,  The AI-driven  automation of mobile networks for a cost-efficient digital transformation (DX) is still at its infancy and will require of a huge research effort to deliver on the DX promises in the next decades.  

    Key words

    Beyond 5G, 6G, Mobile Networks, AI/ML, Automation, Digital Transformation

    ORCID

    : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9654-6109

    RESEARCHER ID

    : AAY-7637-2020
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    Xavier Daura
    Daura Ribera, Xavier
    Research Professor at
    Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
    Life & Medical Sciences
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    Research interests

    The main objective of our research group is the development of new strategies to combat infections by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, in particular of the Gram-negative (GN) group. The increasing emergence and spread of MDR pathogens constitutes at present one of the major threats to public health. The shortage of effective antimicrobials for the treatment of MDR GN infections is particularly critical as cases of pan-resistance are not uncommon. The discovery of new drug targets and modes of action (MoA), less prone to the development of resistance, has therefore become a pressing need. In parallel, the development of effective vaccines may offer a solution for high-risk population groups. Our team combines a range of computational and experimental techniques for the identification of antimicrobial-target candidates with new MoA and vaccine candidates eliciting prescribed resposes. Much of this work is done in collaboration with the group of Bacterial Molecular Genetics of IBB.

    Key words

    multidrug resistance, synthetic vaccinology, antimicrobials, bioinformatics, biomolecular modelling, biomolecular simulation

    ORCID

    : 0000-0001-9235-6730

    RESEARCHER ID

    : C-9275-2009