Research groups

The "Agriculture, livestock and food in globalization" research group includes researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, from the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, to analyze in a systematic and multidisciplinary way the models and policies related to food production (agriculture, livestock and fishing) from its roots to its environmental, social and health consequences, including its trade, distribution and consumption, as well as its possible alternatives.
The final objective is to obtain information of scientific value and, at the same time, of interest to society in general and, in particular, to producer organizations, consumer groups, social movements and NGOs, as well as the other components involved in rural development and the food chain.
This research should generate proposals that allow obtaining adequate and sufficient food resources (quantitatively and qualitatively), taking into account the cultural traditions of each population and ensuring a satisfactory and dignified life in a way that respects the environment.
Blog: http://blogs.uab.cat/arag/
Main Investigator: Dr Francesc Xavier Such  ( Xavier.Such@uab.cat)

This group has focused on applied animal breeding since its founding in 1989. Our efforts are usually based on both the characterization of native breeds and the management of animal genetic resources, through the application of genetics platforms advanced molecular and advanced bioinformatics. This research team has participated in 173 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and supervised 18 PhD students between 2009-2013.
Main Researcher:  Dr Armand Sanchez ( Armand.Sanchez@uab.cat)

The research group "In Vitro Embryo Production in Small Ruminants" has been carrying out this project for the past twenty years with a main focus on the study of oocyte competition for embryonic development.
The methodologies developed conventionally in our laboratory are those related to IVF (in vitro fertilization) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), cryopreservation of embryos and gametes and evaluation of the quality of the embryos.
Main Researcher:  Dr María Teresa Paramio  ( Teresa.Paramio@uab.cat)

The Consolidated Research Group "Management of Nutrition and Animal Welfare" aims to contribute with fundamental and applied research to the development of the productive sector. In particular, it develops research on the production of animal food (meat, milk and eggs) in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way, healthy and safe for consumers, always considering aspects of animal welfare required by the demands of consumers and European Union legislation. The group has a strong and balanced structure and consists of 13 doctors working in three main areas: ruminants, monogastrics and animal welfare and well-being. The group regularly participates in competitive projects and company-funded research.
Main Researcher:  Dr Sergio Calsamiglia  (Sergio.Calsamiglia@uab.cat )

The Ruminant Research Group (G2R) is an interdisciplinary group of researchers, postgraduate students and technicians who apply their coordinated knowledge of physiology, nutrition, genetics, economics and ecology to the study of biological, technical and socio-economic processes which condition the efficiency and sustainability of ruminant livestock farms.
G2R activities focus on national and international competitive research projects, service study contracts and applied research for institutions, private and public companies, and advice, training and knowledge transfer in the livestock sector. A first priority for the G2R is the implementation of new technologies to meet current livestock research and production requirements.
The G2R was granted, from 2002 to the present day (2002-04, SGR0198; 2005-08, SGR0691; 2009-13; 2014-16, SGR1622), by the Generalitat de Catalunya as a Consolidated Research Group as proof of its scientific quality and productivity.
The current research lines of G2R are organized according to their structural units, and are:

1) Forest Resources and Environment Nature

• Livestock as a tool for land management.
• The accumulation of carbon in grazing ecosystems.
• Global change and restoration of pastures changed to forest.
• Organic farming.
• Voluntary food intake, trophic ecology and conditioned food aversion.

2) Production Systems and Product Quality

2.1) Ruminant production systems

• Milking frequency and infant transition to milking strategies to improve agricultural quality of life.
• Climate change adaptation of ruminants and strategies against heat stress.

2.2) Effects of animal nutrition and improvement of product quality

• The effects of nutrition in dairy cows, sheep and goats generate a composition.
• The use of food additives to produce 'functional foods' of animal origin.
• Analysis and traceability of the quality of animal products using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

3) Record of results and estate management

• Use of biomarkers and electronic identification devices in farm animals.
• Automatic recording of livestock performance and traceability.
• Technical and socio-economic management of livestock farms.

4) Conservation and genetic improvement of local and endangered breeds in Catalonia

• New tools and plans for local breeds ('Albera' and 'Bruna dels Pirineus' cattle, and 'Ripollesa' meat sheep.
• Development and optimization of genetic evaluation methods for breeders (BLUP, genomic selection).

Main Researcher: Dr Gerardo Caja  ( Gerardo.Caja@uab.cat)

Since its inception, this research group has had the dual purpose of developing quality research in the area of Food Science and Technology and the transfer of this knowledge to society. Thus our group has positioned itself as a reference in the field of food technology in Spain, with a weight that exceeds its size.

Our R&D expertise is structured around areas of specialization in the following areas:

a) New technologies. The fundamental line of work of our research group is the application of new technologies, nanotechnologies and techno-functionality, to improve the quality, nutritional value of food and the design and production of functional foods. Among these new technologies, it is worth highlighting the group's main work lines such as the high isostatic pressure line (HHP), the high pressure homogenization line (UHPH), the Ultraviolet-C line (recently incorporated line), and the thermal treatment line.

b) Sensors. The fiber optic sensor research line focuses on the development of new optical sensor technologies for online monitoring and control of food processes. Different online optical sensor technologies are currently being developed. It represents an area of continuous applied technological innovation, of great scientific and industrial interest.

c) Food safety. This line of work assesses the effectiveness of classic and emerging technological treatments in the permanent inactivation of biological hazards present in food, especially pathogenic bacteria and food-borne parasites, especially evaluating their recovery capacity during the useful life of the food .

d) Foods for intolerances and allergies. The line aims to research and develop new processes and raw materials that allow the development of foods suitable for people with intolerances and allergies, of good quality (sensory and nutritional). 

Main Researcher: Dr. Buenaventura Guamis López (Buenaventura.Guamis@uab.cat)