Research groups
Group 1: Projects, Plasma and Machine Learning (P2ML)
Representative: Fernando Alba Elías (Coordinador de la Red)
Institution: Universidad de La Rioja (UR)
Website: https://www.p2ml.org/p2ml
Contact email: fernando.alba@unirioja.es
P2ML investigates the use of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and plasma-treated liquids (PTL/PTW) in biomedical and agri-food applications, with extensions to industrial sectors such as footwear and automotive. In recent years, it has led projects on antimicrobial activity, disinfection, and biofilm control, as well as functional coatings and evaluation on real materials and products of biomedical and agri-food interest. The group combines applied experimentation with physico-chemical and microbiological characterization to accelerate technology transfer and scale-up.
Integrantes:
Elisa Sainz-García
Rodolfo Múgica-Vidal
Ana Sainz-García
Ignacio Muro-Fraguas
Ana González-Marcos
José Luis Gutiérrez-López
Marina Corral-Bobadilla
Alpha V. Pernía-Espinoza
Celia Sabando-Fraile
Group 2: Molecular Microbiology Area (MICB)
Representative: Yolanda Sáenz-Dominguez
Institution: Fundación Rioja Salud. Centro de Investigación Biomédica de La Rioja (CIBIR)
Website: https://www.cibir.es/es/grupos-de-investigacion/resistencia-antibioticos/microbiologia-molecular
Contact email: brojo@riojasalud.es
MICB focuses on bacterial antibiotic resistance, virulence, and environmental survival, developing new antibacterial strategies. The group employs microbiology, molecular and cellular biology, sequencing, and bioinformatics approaches. Since 2016, MICB has maintained a strong collaboration with P2ML to study CAP and PTL/PTW activity against bacteria of medical, veterinary, food, and environmental relevance.
Integrantes:
Beatriz Rojo-Bezares
Laura Ruiz-Ripa
Laura Leal-Vélez
Laura Rubio-Tomás
Paula Toledano
Ruth López de Dicastillo
Group 3: Surface Nanotechnology and Plasma (FQM-196) — Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Division
Representative: Ana María Gómez RamírezInstitution: Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Website: https://sincaf.icms.us-csic.es/
Contact email: anamgr@us.es
FQM-196 develops plasma reactors and CAP technologies for multiple applications. Its lines of research include plasma-assisted gas-phase reactions for pollutant degradation and synthesis, plasma treatment of seeds (surface functionalization and germination), and plasma-activated water (PAW) for environmental and biological uses. The group also designs and characterizes equipment for medical and biological applications.
Integrantes:
Carmen López Santos
Manuel Oliva Ramírez
Ángeles López Martín
Mateo Ruiz Martín
Álvaro Perea Brenes
Group 4: Plasmas for Biomedical Applications (PlasmaMedLab)
Representative: Cristina Canal Barnils
Institution: Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC)
Website: https://plasmamedlab.upc.edu/en
Contact email: cristina.canal@upc.edu
PlasmaMedLab is a national reference in plasma medicine. Integrated within the BBT group (Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering) at UPC, it studies plasma–biomaterial interactions for clinical applications, particularly in cancer therapy. Its leadership is reflected in competitive funding (e.g., ERC Starting Grant and Proof of Concept) and in the development of translational proof-of-concept projects.
Integrantes:
Francesco Tampieri
Giulia Fornabaiov
Mariia Khvorostina
Wilmer Pardo
Milica Zivanic
Alfio G. Arcoria
Rachel LeBlanc
Paula Urdalleta
Noelia Aparicio
Adrià Barceló
Meritxell Molmeneu
Group 5: Protective Strategies in Hepatic Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury (HEP-PROTECT)
Representative: Carmen Peralta Uroz
Institution: Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)
Website: https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/idibaps/areas-y-programas/higado-sistema-digestivo-y-metabolismo/estrategias-de-proteccion-en-la-lesion-hepatica-por-isquemia-reperfusion
Contact email: CPERALTA@recerca.clinic.cat
HEP-PROTECT (a consolidated group since 2006) investigates hepatoprotective strategies against ischemia–reperfusion injury, regeneration failure, and tumor recurrence after liver transplantation or resection. Using preclinical models that closely reproduce clinical conditions, the group stands out for its patents, spin-offs, and competitive funding, with direct translational impact on clinical practice.
Integrantes:
Francisco Sanus Ferri
Albert Caballeria Casals
Cristina Maroto Serrat
Liang Shuozou
Group 6: Plasma Physics — Diagnostics, Models and Applications (FQM-136)
Representative: María del Carmen García Martínez
Institution: Universidad de Córdoba (UCO)
Website: https://www.uco.es/organiza/departamentos/fisica/es/investigacion/fisica-de-plasmas-diagnosis-modelos-y-aplicaciones-fqm-136
Contact email: fa1gamam@uco.es
FQM-136 has been studying microwave plasmas (low and high pressure) since the 1980s. Since the 2000s, it has focused on applications such as gas pollutant destruction, hydrocarbon reforming, water treatment, decontamination, and materials evaluation. The group specializes in optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and works on PTL/PTW for clinical and environmental uses.
Integrantes:
Antonio Rodero
Juan Mateo
David Galadí
Jesús Torres
Group 7: New Food Preservation Technologies and Food Safety (NEWTEC)
Representative: María Mercedes López Fernández
Institution: Universidad de León (ULE)
Website: https://www.unileon.es/sic/ginvestigacion/detalles-grupo_pdo.php?id=3&grp=437
Contact email: mmlopf@unileon.es
NEWTEC specializes in non-thermal technologies for food preservation and safety. It has led projects on the antimicrobial mechanisms and effectiveness of plasma, assessing its use on food surfaces and matrices to extend shelf life and ensure safety. The group currently studies process-water treatment and the production of nitrogen-based liquid fertilizers from by-products under national and European funding.
Integrantes:
Miguel Prieto Maradona
Avelino Álvarez Ordóñez
M. Montserrat González Raurich
Marcia P. de Sousa Oliveira
F. José Cobo Díaz
Coral Barcenilla Canduela
Paula Fernández Gómez
Alba Puente Baños
Elena Fernández Trapote
Ángel Francés Ruiz
Victoria Crespo Torbado
Raquel Bodelón Sánchez
Mirella Alonso González
Rebeca Cordero García
Andrea Carpintero Pérez
Group 8: FoodChemPack
Representative: Letricia Barbosa Pereira
Institution: Universidad Santiago de Compostela (USC).El grupo de investigación FoodChemPack, ubicado en el Laboratorio de Bromatología
Website: https://www.foodchempack.com
Contact email: letricia.barbosa.pereira@usc.es
FoodChemPack, based in the Bromatology Laboratory (USC, iMATUS), specializes in chemical analysis of food and food contact materials (FCM) — safety, risk assessment, and active packaging. It uses advanced instrumentation (HPLC/UHPLC-MS/MS, GC-MS, GC-FID, UV-Vis, FTIR) and leads national and international projects. The group will organize a scientific-technical seminar on chemical safety in CAP applications and their potential impact on consumers and patients.
Integrantes:
Perfecto Paseiro Losada
Julia López Hernández
Ana Rodríguez Bernaldo de Quirós
Raquel Sendón García
Patricia Vázquez Loureiro
Sandra Mariño Cortegoso
Lara Soto Pazos
Jairo Alonso Torres García
Carlos Vivanco Gil
Rania Rochdi
Susana Álvarez Pérez
Cristina Casal Romero
Group 9: Food Microbiological Safety (MICROTECH)
Representative: María Dolores Rodrigo Aliaga
Institution: Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC)
Website: https://www.iata.csic.es/es
Contact email: lolesra@iata.csic.es
MICROTECH applies plasma technology to food safety and to the improvement of technological and functional properties of proteins and carbohydrates. It participates in regional, national, and international projects, and contributes to relevant committees and platforms (e.g., Food for Life, AESAN, ELIKA), supporting knowledge transfer and regulatory dialogue.
Integrantes:
Walter Randazzo
Antonio Martínez Lopez
Maite Fernández
Beatriz Alcaide Bellido
Sol Rapetti
Luisa Ventura
Group 10: Postharvest
Representative: Mª Rosario Torres Sanchis
Institution: Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA)
Website: https://www.irta.cat/es/
Contact email: rosario.torres@irta.cat
Postharvest is a consolidated research group with over 25 years of experience in fruit and vegetable quality and safety. Its lines include alternatives to synthetic fungicides, substitutes for hypochlorite in processing, microbiological safety, and the effects of emerging technologies on quality. The group actively participates in R&D projects and collaborates with industry to facilitate technology transfer and industrial implementation.
Integrantes:
M. Isabel Abadias
Ingrid Aguiló
Neus Teixidó
Gemma Echevarría
Carla Casals
Nuria Vall-Llaura
Jordi Ortiz