The members of this research group have combined, for more than 20 years, their clinical work linked to the Clinical Biochemistry Department of the Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro with their research activity. During this time they have taken part in research projects funded by national and international bodies, collaborated with the National Nutrition Research Network and the National Diabetes Network, participated in national and international conferences (e.g.: World Congress of Public Health Nutrition, International Congress of Nutrition, European Association for the Study of Diabetes, International Diabetes Federation, American Diabetes Association) and in various expert groups. Their work has led to numerous publications in international and national journals and to several doctoral theses.

Main research lines:

1. Intermediate metabolism of vitamins and carotenoids. Bioavailability and biomarkers.
Areas of development:

- Development and validation of analytical methods for the determination of vitamins, metabolites and carotenoids.
- Transfer of methods to the clinical setting and epidemiological studies.
- Intervention studies with foods and bioactive compounds in humans.
- Kinetic and metabolic studies and studies of the effect on health markers and
enfermedad.
- Evaluation of the "functional" effect of food components: Design of new foods and evaluation of bioaccessibility (in vitro), bioavailability and biological effect in humans.

El grupo posee una amplia experiencia en el análisis por HPLC de carotenoides y vitaminas (A, D, E, C), poniendo especial atención en la validación y control de calidad de los métodos desarrollados mediante la participación en programas internacionales de control de calidad (“Vitamin C” and "Fat‐soluble Vitamins Quality Assurance Programme" dirigidos por el National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, USA; “Vitamin D External Assurance Survey” dirigido por el Charing Cross Hospital, UK), colaborando en estudios multi‐laboratorios para la certificación de Materiales de Referencia, en alimentos y suero humano (NIST, BCR),
The group has carried out numerous studies in humans, including bioavailability trials and observational and intervention studies, within the framework of projects developed and funded by national, international and private bodies.
Recently, the group has developed in vitro digestion models to evaluate the bioaccessibility of nutrients from different food matrices, to study the effect of new technological processes in the food industry, as well as the impact of absorption modifiers.

2. Hormonal biocommunication

This line is addressed from two complementary perspectives:
A) The study, using in vitro and animal models, of the effect of pancreatic, gastrointestinal and hypothalamic appetite-regulating peptides on endocrine pancreas secretion. This area includes the following peptides: galanin, pancreastatin (a fragment of chromogranin-A), urotensin-II, ghrelin, obestatin, xenin, amylin, exendin-4, MCH, orexins (A and B), CART peptide and a new orexigenic hypothalamic peptide - 26RFa. The effect of kisspeptin on pancreatic hormone secretion has also been investigated.
B) An epidemiological/observational approach. This aspect focuses on researchers' participation in population-based studies at national level with international relevance (PREDIMERC; Study of the Prevalence of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Factors). The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has selected the PREDIMERC study from the Community of Madrid as one of the most suitable studies in Spain for estimating the prevalence of diabetes and its global trend between 2011 and 2030. We also take part in the ELOIN study (Longitudinal Study of Childhood Obesity) of the Community of Madrid.
The research group also has staff experienced in biochemical and molecular techniques (i.e. RT-PCR, isotopic techniques, radioimmunoassay, ELISA), completing the group's analytical profile and enabling the inclusion of complementary and innovative aspects to achieve a more comprehensive and robust approach. In summary, the group's composition and experience, covering nutritional and technological aspects through to the biochemical and molecular approach, allows for a comprehensive approach to studying the diet-health relationship as well as for the development and evaluation of the "functionality" of new foods.