Research groups
The PLASpain Network is made up of 13 groups from different institutions across the country.
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 Ramírez
Institution: 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
Group 11: Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory (TR2Lab)
Representative: Dr. Marta Otero
Institution: Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC) - IRIS-CC
Website: https://mon.uvic.cat/TR2Lab/
Contact email: albert.espona@uvic.cat
The Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory (TR2Lab) is an interdisciplinary research group focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tissue repair and regeneration. Combining basic science with clinical applications (translational research), TR2Lab develops innovative therapeutic strategies, with a strong focus on chronic wound healing, tissue engineering, and advanced therapies, aiming to improve the health and quality of life of patients.
Integrantes:
Marta Otero Viñas
Laia Bosch-Presegué
Joan Carles Trullàs Vila
Francesc Sant Masoliver
Lluís Pujadas Puigdomènech
Jaume Trapé Pujol
Juan Crespo Santiago
Albert Espona Noguera
Elisabet Selga Coma
Ignasi Barba Vert
Group 12: Chemical and Microbiological Management and Control of Winemaking Processes (GESVIN)
Representative: Ana Rosa Gutiérrez Viguera
Institution: Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ICVV)
Website: https://www.icvv.es/vitis
Contact email: ana_rosa.gutierrez@unirioja.es
The group's research focuses on various aspects of oenology and viticulture. These include the study of chemical and technological alternatives to reduce the use of sulphites in wine; the characterization of vineyard and winery microbiota and the selection of microorganisms of oenological interest; and the assessment of the agronomic and oenological potential of white grape varieties. The group also studies barrel-aging processes and develops and evaluates alternative ageing techniques.
Integrantes:
Ana Rosa Gutiérrez Viguera
Ana Benito Castellanos
Lucía González Arenzana
Isabel López Alfaro
María Sonia Ojeda García
Group 13: VitisGestión. Management of Viticultural Production Factors
Representative: Javier Portu Reinares
Institution: Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ICVV)
Website: https://www.icvv.es/vitis
Contact email: javier.portu@icvv.es
With the aim of promoting sustainable viticulture, VitisGESTIÓN is a multidisciplinary research group focused on factors affecting viticultural production, including the environment and cultivation techniques. Its research lines address the following topics:
- Sustainable soil management and its relationship with the quality of wine production; quality-terroir relationships; zoning; and soil mapping.
- Sustainable viticultural strategies and practices for adapting to climate change, including the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from vineyard soils.
- Preservation of the genetic heritage of grape varieties from the DOCa Rioja and clonal selection based on the assessment of their viticultural and oenological potential.
- Agronomic and oenological characterization of varieties and clones, including new and minority varieties.
- Strategies for rational vine fertilization; methods for assessing and diagnosing vineyard nutritional status; and the use of by-products from the viticultural and agri-food sectors.
- Water-use efficiency and its relationship with harvest productivity and quality, including irrigation strategies.
- Soil maintenance and management, use of cover crops and different mulching options, and circular economy in the wine-growing ecosystem.
- Vine training systems and practices to control vigour and yield and improve the plant microclimate.
Integrantes:
Baroja Hernández, Elisa
Ibáñez Pascual, Sergio
Labarga Varona, David
Martínez Espinosa, Débora
Martínez Vidaurre, José María
Martín Rueda, Ignacio
Portu Reinares, Javier
Pou Mir, Alicia
Puelles Ruiz de Gopegui, Miguel
Rivacoba Gómez, Luis Alberto
Vázquez García, Nuria