Terpenoids are natural compounds with very different chemical structures widely used in applications such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, flavors and fragrances, or biofuels. Extraction of these compounds from plants or chemical synthesis is often technically challenging with low or moderate yields. Instead, the biotechnological production of terpenoids using bacteria offers a sustainable and environment-friendly alternative starting from simple carbon sources, yielding high product specificity, mild process conditions, and the possibility to generate products considered natural. Among microbial production hosts, Bacillus subtilis is a generally recognized as safe organism, high growth rate, ease to genetically manipulate and to cultivate with a wide substrate range. Here, we show the biotechnological production of diaponeurosporene, a yellow carotenoid with high antioxidant activity, by using B. subtilis, thus highlighting the potential of this bacterium to become an interesting platform for the industrial production of terpenoids in the future.

Algal biomass is massively produced (over 36Mt/year worldwide) but at the same time underexploited. Vast amount of waste is generated by the algal industries (up to 95% of the initial biomass in some cases). Through a cascade biorefinery approach this waste material can be transformed into high-value products. By developing a new green biorefinery concept, ingredients with health and functional benefits can be extracted to produce new high added value products with a neutral environmental impact. These products are intended for food ingredients, protein rich feed and cosmetic formulations.

Ageing is characterized by a progressive loss of fitness, but its molecular causes are still puzzling modern researchers. With age, our tissues alter gene expression and function and lose homeostasis capacity. Skin acts as the first barrier against external insults and dermal fibroblasts play key roles in wound healing, which converts this cell type in an excellent model for the study of ageing at the cellular level. RNA molecules carry more than 170 chemical modifications (a.k.a. the epitranscriptome) which act as potent modulators of RNA function and, as a result, of cellular physiology. Our group is interested in investigating whether RNA modifications contribute to the cellular decline observed during ageing, using dermal fibroblasts as a model.

Concerning aging, there are similarities and differences in anatomy and treatment preferences of patients from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds. There are numerous gaps and myths concerning facial aesthetic treatment among these individuals that may influence in the treatment selection and in their relationship with aesthetic medicine and applied cosmetics. In addition, there are evolving standards of beauty and cultural preferences for skin tones. The use of certain rituals, such as bleaching, are more common practices in this population. Likewise, the use of hair straightening agents is a common practice. Some of these procedures and/or chemical agents used during these procedures may pose a risk to the patient’s health.