| CaRed
Research
History
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Events
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Participating
groups
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| Principal Investigator |
Institution |
Acronym |
Web |
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Ángel Rodríguez de Lera |
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vigo |
UVIGO |
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| Antonio J. Meléndez Martínez |
Department
of Nutrition and Bromatology, Toxicology and Legal
Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville |
FAR-US | |
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| Begoña Olmedilla Alonso | Institute of Food
Science and Technology and Nutrition - ICTAN-CSIC,
Madrid |
ICTAN-CSIC | |
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| Dámaso Hornero Méndez | Instituto de la Grasa,
IG-CSIC, Seville |
IG-CSIC |
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| Félix López Figueroa | Institute of
Biotechnology and Blue Development - IBYDA, University
of Malaga |
IBYDA-UMA | |
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| Joan Ribot Riutort | Nutrigenomics,
Biomarkers and Risk Assessment Group (NuBE). LBNB,
University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca |
UIB | |
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| Juan Antonio López Ráez | Zaidín Experimental
Station - EEZ-CSIC, Granada |
EEZ-CSIC | |
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| Lourdes Gómez Gomez (coordinadora) | Botanical Institute,
Department of Agroforestry Science and Technology and
Genetics, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete |
UCLM | |
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| Manuel Rodríguez Concepción | Institute of Molecular
and Cellular Biology of Plants - IBMCP-CSIC, Valencia |
IBMCP- CSIC | |
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| Mª Carmen Limón Mirón | Department of Genetics,
Faculty of Biology, University of Seville |
BIO-US |
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| Mª Jesús Rodrigo Esteve | Institute of
Agrochemistry and Food Technology - IATA-CSIC, Valencia |
IATA-CSIC |
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| Mercedes Garcia González | Department of Plant
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Institute of Plant
Biology and Photosynthesis. IBVF-US, Seville |
IBVF-US | |
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| Raquel Esteban
Terradillos |
Department of Plant
Biology and Ecology. Faculty of Science and Technology,
University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bilbao |
UPV/EHU |
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| Ruperto Bermejo Román | Department of Physical
and Analytical Chemistry, University of Jaen, Linares |
UJA |
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| According
to their working subjects, the groups are distributed
in four areas: (1) Metabolism and regulation, (2) Food
and feed, (3) Biotechnology, and (4) Nutrition and Health. |
Research lines
ORCID 
SCOPUS
| Institution |
Summary |
PIs |
||
UVIGO Vigo |
As a contribution to the understanding of the biological activities of the corresponding receptors, our group develops protocols for the stereocontrolled synthesis of natural polyenes, including carotenoids, retinoids and apocarotenoids, both endogenous ligands and possible higher activity derivatives, by transition metal catalyzed coupling processes. In addition to ligands of nuclear receptors RARα and RARβ with potential therapeutic application in the treatment of cancer, obesity and associated metabolic disorders, we collaboratively addressed the biological activities and effects of zaxinone metabolites on rice root growth, as well as their biogenesis from the corresponding (apo)carotenoids. |
 Ángel Rodríguez de Lera |
 Rosana Álvarez Rodríguez |
 Belén Vaz Araújo |
| FAR-US Sevilla |
The group is interested in the study of carotenoids and other compounds of interest in food, nutrition, health and cosmetics with a "from chemical structure to biological actions" approach. In this sense, the team has experience in the study of physicochemical properties (susceptibility to oxidation, color, etc.), analysis and isolation of compounds, study of their bioaccessibility and bioavailability and, lately, in the evaluation of their biological actions in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. |  Antonio J. Meléndez Martínez |
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| ICTAN-CSIC Madrid |
We work in four main areas, which are (1) Carotenoids and vitamins A and E (analysis in biological samples and food, nutritional status and bioavailability in humans), (2) Lutein and zeaxanthin (intake and visual function), (3) Intervention and observational studies in humans (design and evaluation of biomarkers of intake and effect/function), and (4) Functional foods (design and evaluation of effects in humans). |  Begoña Olmedilla Alonso |
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| IG-CSIC Sevilla |
The main research focuses on the isolation, identification and analysis of carotenoids in fruits and vegetables, and other natural sources, as well as understanding the biochemical processes that govern their accumulation, especially xanthophyll esterification. Correlating this knowledge with the quality and acceptability of foods and the health benefits derived for consumers is a primary objective. |  Dámaso Hornero Méndez |
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| IBYDA-UMA Málaga |
Ecophysiology of aquatic
systems. Research on photobiology of algae, especially
on acclimatization strategies to ultraviolet radiation
and climate change factors focused on photosynthesis (in
vivo chlorophyll fluorescence), nutrient assimilation,
pigments, photoprotectors and antioxidants.
Cosmeceutical application of extracts and bioactive
compounds extracted from algae. |
 Félix López Figueroa |
 Nathalie Korbee |
|
| UIB Palma |
The research group in
Nutrigenomics and Obesity of the University of the
Balearic Islands, which is part of the biomedical
research center network of Physiopathology of Obesity
and Nutrition (CIBEROBN) and the Institut d'Investigació
Sanitària de les Illes Balears (IdiSBa), has pioneered
the study of the biological activity, including
epigenetic effects possibly related to metabolic
programming, of active forms of vitamin A (retinoids)
and provitamin A carotenoids in relation to the control
of body adiposity and metabolic health, pointing to an
anti-obesogenic action. We have recently described their
epigenetic effects on early metabolic programming of
adipose tissues. |
 Joan Ribot |
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| EEZ-CSIC Granada |
Our group is interested in the use of beneficial soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, as biofertilizers and bioprotection agents for a sustainable agriculture of the future ('Second Green Revolution'). We investigate the chemical communication that takes place in the establishment of these symbioses, where certain carotenoid-derived metabolites are crucial. |  Juan Antonio López Ráez |
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| UCLM Albacete |
Crocus sativus
produces different types of carotenoid derivatives,
apocarotenoids, including crocin and picrocrocin, which
are responsible for the medicinal and organoleptic
properties of the saffron spice. We investigate the
elucidation of the synthesis pathways of these
apocarotenoids and the mechanisms that control them. |
 Lourdes Gómez Gómez (Coordinadora) |
 Oussama Ahrazem |
|
| IBMCP-CSIC Valencia |
Our research focuses on
understanding how plants regulate carotenoid production
and storage. As model systems we use Arabidopsis
thaliana, tomato and tobacco as well as bacteria.
In the laboratory we employ biochemistry, genetics,
molecular biology and biotechnology approaches,
including transgenesis and gene editing. |
 Manuel Rodríguez Concepción |
||
| BIO-US Sevilla |
Many fungi produce carotenoids, but their functions are poorly understood. The fungus Fusarium produces neurosporaxanthin, a carboxylic apocarotenoid derived from the oxidative cleavage of torulene. The group investigates the genes responsible for the synthesis of these carotenoids and their regulation. The pathway includes a second branch leading to the synthesis of beta-carotene and its cleavage into retinal, the chromophore of two fungal rhodopsins. Attention is also devoted to the biological properties of neurosporaxanthin and its potential biotechnological applications. |  Mª Carmen Limón |
 F. Javier Avalos
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| IATA-CSIC Valencia |
Our research activity is
focused on the characterization of metabolic pathways
involved in fruit quality (e.g. pigments and vitamins)
and on the study of the modifications that these
metabolites undergo during ripening and postharvest
conservation. This activity is developed with
multidisciplinary approaches, aimed at understanding the
physiological and molecular mechanisms related to fruit
quality and postharvest behavior. Our work is mainly,
but not exclusively, focused on citrus fruits due to
their high production in the world, and their high
consumption and nutritional relevance. |
 Mª Jesús Rodrigo |
 Lorenzo Zacarías |
|
| IBVF-US Sevilla |
The group's research
focuses on the production by photosynthetic
microorganisms of compounds of commercial, industrial or
energetic interest, such as carotenoids,
phycobiliproteins, polysaccharides, lipids, alcohols or
polyphosphate inositols. Based on the knowledge of the
organisms, the processes involved and the cultivation
systems, we aim to take advantage of their
photosynthetic capacity to generate valuable products,
while at the same time contributing to eliminate CO2
from industrial processes. Our objectives include
revealing the molecular mechanisms that control the
physiology and biosynthesis of carotenoids and other
compounds of interest in microalgae through the
integration of multi-omics data. |
 Mercedes García González
|
 Francisco J. Romero-Campero
|
 Inmaculada Couso
|
| UPV/EHU Bilbao |
The main objective of
the BEZ-EKOFISKO group, distinguished with the highest
rating of the Basque Government classification for
Scientific Groups (IT1648-22), is to investigate the
essential ecophysiological processes of plants in
response to natural or anthropogenic environmental
conditions and to integrate this response at the
ecosystem level. Its work includes the study of
carotenoids in plants at different temporal and spatial
scales, as it is key to identify biomarkers of plant
health loss, in particular those related to
photoprotection and oxidative stress. In addition, the
group develops carotenoid-based tools with cross-cutting
application from forest vulnerability to food
nutritional content. |
 Raquel Esteban Terradillos |
||
| UJA Jaen |
The group of the
University of Jaen, located in the Scientific and
Technological Campus of Linares, focuses on the
purification, spectroscopic and structural
characterization and development of applications of
biotechnological compounds of high added value. Methods
based on different techniques are developed, being
especially interesting those that can be scaled up, such
as Micro and Ultrafiltration in membranes. In this way,
proteins, polysaccharides, carotenoids, polyphenols and
other compounds have been obtained from different
sources, among them marine microalgae. At the same time,
new lines of work are being developed based on food
additives and functional foods based on olive oils
enriched in natural compounds, including carotenoids. |
 Ruperto Bermejo Román
|
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Publications resulting from network collaborations
| RESEARCH ARTICLES BIO-US & IG-CSIC Miller AP, Hornero-Méndez D, Bandara S, Parra-Rivero O, Limón MC, von Lintig J, Avalos J, Amengual J (2023) Bioavailability and provitamin A activity of neurosporaxanthin in mice. Communications Biology 6: 1068. PubMed IBMCP-CSIC & IG-CSIC Cardona-Medina E, Santos M, Nodari R, Hornero-Mendez D, Peris A, Wong DCJ, Matus JT, Rodriguez-Concepción M (2023) Accumulation of azafrin in the root apoplast of the medicinal plant Escobedia grandiflora might play a role in parasitism. Plants People Planet, 5: 354-367. Wiley UCLM & ICTAN-CSIC Morote L, Lobato-Gómez M, Ahrazem O, Argandoña J, Olmedilla-Alonso B, López-Jiménez AJ, Diretto G, Cuciniello R, Bergamo P, Frusciante F, Niza E, Rubio-Moraga A, Crispi S, Granell A, Gómez-Gómez L (2023) Crocins-rich tomato extracts showed enhanced protective effects in vitro. Journal of Functional Foods, 101: 105432. ScienceDirect CRAG-CSIC & ICTAN-CSIC Andersen TB, Llorente B, Morelli L, Torres-Montilla S, Bordanaba-Florit G, Espinosa FA; Rodriguez-Goberna MR, Campos N, Olmedilla-Alonso B, Llansola-Portoles MJ, Pascal AA, Rodríguez-Concepción M. (2021) An engineered extraplastidial pathway for carotenoid biofortification of leaves. Plant Biotechnol J 19: 1008-1021. PubMed ICTAN-CSIC & FAR-US Olmedilla-Alonso B, Benítez-González AM, Estévez-Santiago R, Mapelli-Brahm P, Stinco CM, Meléndez-Martínez AJ (2021) Assessment of food sources and the intake of the colourless carotenoids phytoene and phytofluene in Spain. Nutrients 13: 4436; 2021. PubMed BIO-US, IATA-CSIC & IG-CSIC Parra-Rivero O, Barros MP de, Prado MM, Gil JV, Hornero-Méndez D, Zacarías L, Rodrigo MJ, Limón MC, Avalos J (2020). Neurosporaxanthin overproduction by Fusarium fujikuroi and evaluation of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants (Basel) 9: 528, 1-17. PubMed BIO-US & IG-CSIC Hornero-Méndez D, Limón MC, Avalos J (2018) HPLC analysis of carotenoids in neurosporaxanthin-producing fungi. Methods Mol. Biol. 1852: 269-281. PubMed CRAG-CSIC: Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics, Barcelona (laboratory of the group of M. Rodríguez-Concepción in former CaRed editions) |
REVIEWS
ALL THE GROUPS (1ª edición CaRed) Rodriguez-Concepción M, Avalos J, Bonet ML, Boronat A, Gómez-Gómez L, Hornero-Méndez D, Limón MC, Meléndez-Martínez AJ, Olmedilla-Alonso B, Palou A, Ribot J, Rodrigo MJ, Zacarías L, Zhu C (2018) A global perspective on carotenoids: Metabolism, biotechnology, and benefits for nutrition and health. Prog Lipid Res. 70: 62-93. PubMed ICTAN-CSIC, IG-CSIC & FAR-US Dias MG, Olmedilla-Alonso B, Hornero-Méndez D, Mercadante AZ, Osorio C, Vargas-Murga L, Meléndez-Martínez AJ (2918) Comprehensive database of carotenoid contents in ibero-american foods. A valuable tool in the context of functional foods and the establishment of recommended intakes of bioactives. J. Agric. Food Chem. 66: 5055-5107. PubMed BIO-US & IG-CSIC Avalos J, Pardo-Medina J, Parra-Rivero O, Ruger-Herreros M, Rodríguez-Ortiz R, Hornero-Méndez D, Limón MC (2017) Carotenoid biosynthesis in Fusarium. J Fungi 3: 39, 1-16. MDPI UCLM, IATA-CSIC & BIO-US Ahrazem O, Gómez-Gómez L, Rodrigo MJ, Avalos J, Limón MC (2016) Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases from microbes and photosynthetic organisms: features and functions. Int J Mol Sci, 17: 1781, 1-38. PubMed BOOK CHAPTERS CHAPTERS FROM CRAG, UCLM, FAR-US & IG-CSIC Plant and Food Carotenoids. Methods and Protocols (2020) Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 2083. Ed. M Rodríguez-Concepción and R. Welsch. Springer. Humana, New York, NY. Springer |