Systems Biotechnology Group
Multi- and inter-disciplinarity to the service of enzymes: a chemical vision to biological questions for the implementation of biocatalysts in our everyday life.
The research activity of the Systems Biotechnology group lead by Prof. Manuel Ferrer has been markedly multidisciplinary and has had as a common thread to provide a chemical vision to biological questions, with the ultimate goal of producing basic and technological developments using experimental and theoretical tools. It has been and is a competitive research that is in the interface between the analytical chemistry, the chemical biology, the physical-chemistry, the inorganic chemistry and the organic chemistry, with fields and disciplines such as biology, microbiology, health, medicine, energy, environment and materials, to mention a few.
Lab
Our facilities are located at the Institute of Catalysis, in the Autonomous University of Madrid Campus. Enter to take a look!
Team
We are a multidisciplinary team composed on chemists, biochemists, and biologists, in tight collaboration with bioinformatics, to gain a whole perspective of the matters we face. Come and meet us!
Projects
METAMIC 3
The METAMIC 3 project focuses on training doctoral researchers in advancing microbiome science through metaproteomics. Its goal is to tackle the One Health challenge by integrating microbial mechanisms, functional analyses of microbiome dynamics across ecosystems, and translational applications in clinical and biotechnological contexts. The project seeks to drive major advances in health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability, transforming how microbiomes are manipulated and restored.
BAI4MAC
By integrating bioinformatics, computational techniques, machine learning and laboratory techniques, we aim to generate and process microbiome OMICS metadata and discover immune enhancers in HIV and advanced lung cancer.
Nymphe
Our goal is the development and implementation of bioremediation/revitalization strategies of targeted EU contaminated sites. We will use predictive microbial interaction models in the microbiome of the real places, to remove >90% of the main contaminants and improve their biodiversity status.
BIORE2AIRCRAFT
This project is based on analysing the metagenomes from extremophilic microbiomes responsible of the corrosion events in the wing area. Computational tools in the very forefront will enable us to best obtain organic polymers and composite materials-degrading extremozymes. This project lays the groundwork for enabling circularity for entire aircrafts and contribute to carbon-neutral growth, also in construction, demolition, automobile and epoxy industry.
Upcoming Events
FlashCat 2026
15 October 2026
Previously known as PosterCat, this renewed format of ICP’s internal congress celebrates its 4th edition. Participants can choose between three formats: FLASH (5-minute oral presentation plus poster), short oral presentation (5 minutes), or poster presentation. This day, organized by the ICP’s PhD students for the first time, is the perfect opportunity for a gather-together of the whole Institute and to share our research with our colleagues.
Nymphe final meeting
3-4 November 2026
This project has seek for the past 4 years to remove pollutants such as microplastics, pesticides, or chlorinated solvents in soils and groundwaters using nature-based, low-energy and low-chemical solutions, and now Nymphe’s project faces its last consortium meeting in Bologna, Itly. Within these 4 years of project, we have developed, tested, and assessed our remediation technologies. Great technology, such as METland+ and IIET, is only the beginning, but we need to keep working to turn innovation into impact.
Ecomondo 2026
5-6 November 2026
This yearly fair will take place at the Rimini Expo Centre in Italy. The event will bring together companies, researchers, institutions, and professionals working on sustainable technologies, circular economy, environmental innovation, and the green transition. This event provides a key international platform for sharing knowledge, technologies, and solutions for a more sustainable future. We will be there, and for sure will bring back home many ideas and new perspectives to keep progressing in our work.
