CiQUS-Centro de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares

Defense:

📘 Adrián Martínez
🗓️ June 25
📍 USC Faculty of Chemistry

Next

🗣️ Nicolás Rey Bello & Helena Landín González
📆 Wed. June 17, 6 PM
📌 CiQUS Seminar Room

| La Voz de Galicia

📰 La oscuridad también construye: Investigadores del CiQUS desvelan el papel oculto de los ciclos de luz y sombra en la evolución molecular.

🗣️ "En los periodos de ausencia de energía se genera una estructura que es el intermedio perfecto para alcanzar el estado termodinámicamente más estable del sistema"

https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/sociedad/2026/06/11/oscuridad-construye-investigadores-ciqus-desvelan-papel-oculto-ciclos-luz-sombra-evolucion-molecular/00031781170025152886321.htm

La oscuridad también construye: investigadores del CIQUS desvelan el papel oculto de los ciclos de luz y sombra en la evolución molecular El hallazgo abre la vía para acelerar el desarrollo de nanomateriales o la creación de sistemas con propiedades reguladas por la alternancia de energía

🚐 Hoxe recibimos ao alumnado do IES As Telleiras de Narón!
Un pracer telos aquí, visitando os nosos laboratorios e descubrindo como traballamos día a día.

🪟 As visitas ao CiQUS son unha fiestra á ciencia: ver, coñecer e espertar curiosidades.

Benvidos e benvidas!

CiQUS is a research centre dedicated to advancing molecular science at the frontier of chemistry, biology, and materials. Within TALENTGAL, we offer postdoctoral opportunities in an interdisciplinary environment focused on solving scientific challenges with real-world impact.

Our research spans:
• Biological and medicinal chemistry
• Functional molecular materials
• Sustainable synthetic methodologies
• Nanoscience and advanced technologies

Fellows will be integrated into highly collaborative research groups with access to leading infrastructure and international networks.

📅 Deadline: 23 July 2026
👉 https://talentgal.cigus.gal/

A new study led by CiQUS researchers reveals that darkness is not merely the absence of light, but an active driver of molecular evolution 🌙

🔁 Inspired by natural light-dark cycles, the team shows that alternating periods of illumination and darkness enable photoswitchable peptides to reorganize and evolve towards more stable supramolecular architectures than those formed under continuous light.

The study was co-led by Javier Montenegro (CiQUS) and Tibor Kudernac (Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen), with Alejandro Méndez-Ardoy (IIQ-CSIC) as first author and also contributions from researchers Adrián Sánchez Fernández and Patricia Fulías Guzmán.

Read the full story: https://ciqus.usc.gal/en/news/darkness-drives-evolution-light-responsive-nanomaterials

Hoxe recibimos a visita do IES de Oroso! 🧪

Juan R. Granja e o seu equipo amosáronlle á rapazada os segredos dos nanotubos peptídicos e as técnicas de microfluídica que empregan no día a día do seu laboratorio.

Ciencia real, sen filtros e explicada de primeira man por quen a fai posible.

Noraboa ao alumnado polo seu interese e curiosidade, e grazas ao equipo de Granja por compartir polo seu compromiso.

CiQUS researcher Tiago Mendes participated as an invited speaker in the Workshop on the Use of Cryogenic Probe Technology in Biosolids NMR Spectroscopy, held last week in Madrid (Spain).

The event took place at the Manuel Rico NMR Laboratory (LMR), within the Instituto de Química Física “Blas Cabrera” (IQF, CSIC), and focused on practical demonstrations of cryogenic CPMAS solid-state NMR technology and its applications to the study of biosolids, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.

During the workshop, Tiago Mendes delivered an invited talk on the application of CPMAS CryoProbe technology to lipid and membrane systems. His presentation explored methodological challenges associated with lipid-rich and membrane-related samples, including molecular dynamics, heterogeneity, and biomolecular interactions.

The LMR is a pioneering NMR facility in Spain (established in 1964) and currently the only laboratory in the Iberian Peninsula equipped with a bio-cryogenic solid-state NMR probe. The infrastructure is expected to become accessible through the Instruct-ERIC programme in the near future.

https://lmr.csic.es/infas-csic/infraactivities/workshop1

🔋 wrapped up last week in Vilagarcía de Arousa – and it was a success.

Researchers, tech centres, and companies came together to accelerate innovation in energy storage and conversion materials. From sustainable batteries to green hydrogen and CO₂ conversion, the symposium showcased Galicia's growing potential in the energy transition.

A good example of how dialogue between science and industry can create new opportunities.