Benjamí Piña Capó
437757
Benjami.pina@idaea.csic.es
ORCID:
0000-0001-9216-2768
Research group: Environmental Toxicology
Service: Environmental Toxicogenomics Service
Dr. Benjamin Piña (h-index=34, 166 publications, 4250 citations) is a Molecular Biologist and Biochemist applying molecular techniques to Environmental issues since 2000. He focuses in the development and use of molecular biomarkers, bioassays, and omic techniques for ecotoxicology. Spanish representative at the Risk Assessment Committee of the European Chemicals Agency (RAC–ECHA, 2011-2013).
EPIBOOST
BOOSting excellence in environmental EPIgenetics (EPIBOOST) joins a widening partner and two internationally-leading partners that will steer a solid capacitation strategy towards tackling the challenges to the recently proposed uptake of epigenomics by Environmental Assessment frameworks. Capacitation activities cover for 5 specific objectives. The 1st is to optimize research protocols, enhancing the practical skills and research profile of the Widening partner for the development of excellent Science in the field of environmental epigenetics. The 2nd objective is focused on the seeding of the talent that will sustain the European critical mass at the best world-class standards in the field, through the organization of several training events (advanced courses, summer schools and short courses in scientific meetings) targeting young EU researchers. The 3rd and 4th objectives regard the absolute need of a capacitated science management and administrative support to effectively grow world-class research in the field. The fifth addresses network growing and will be achieved through a systematic strategy for involving international flagship experts in capacitation activities and stakeholders in the project, which will strengthen the Consortium for new research and innovation ventures.
Start Date: 01/10/2022 – End Date: 30/09/2025
Project Leader: Laia Navarro Martín
Researchers: Benjamí Piña Capó
Support: Marta Casado Belloso , Alicia Arroyo
Funding: European Project
https://epiboost.web.ua.pt/
MIQAS
Microbiomes as integrative indicators of the impact of organic pollutants in water quality
MIQAS will explore global indicators of chemical pollution by using microbial bioindicators as new efficient methods of assessing water quality and organic pollution impacts.
Funding: Convocatoria 2021 - «Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento», Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. PID2021-128084OB-I00
Start Date: 01/09/2022 – End Date: 31/08/2025
Project Leader: Maria Vila Costa , Benjamí Piña Capó
Support: Núria Trilla Prieto , Mapis Losada Carrillo , Claudia Sanz Lanzas , Naiara Berrojalbiz Castrillejo , Marta Casado Belloso
Funding: National Project
NeuroTICs
New generation of drugs protecting against neurotoxic industrial chemicals
Human brain is a great target for chemical terrorism, so NATO nations should be prepared to respond effectively to terrorist threats involving neurotoxic industrial chemicals (neuroTICs). The main objective of this project is to assess the therapeutic potential of AD4 and thioredoxin-mimetic peptides, blood-brain barrier permeable drugs targeting oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation, on acute neurotoxic syndromes induced by three common TICs (organophosphorus compounds, acrylamide, organic mercury). Moreover, specific combinations of drugs derived from the analysis of potential therapeutic targets for each toxidrome will be also tested.
This project is supported by: The NATO Science for Peace and Security programme
Start Date: 03/06/2021 – End Date: 02/06/2024
Project Leader: Demetrio Raldúa Pérez
Researchers: Melissa Faria , Juliette Bedrossiantz , Carlos Barata Martí , Benjamí Piña Capó
Funding: International Project
https://neurotics-project-nato.com/
nPETS
Nanoparticle Emissions from the Transport Sector: Health and Policy Impacts
Air pollution in European cities is still threatening human health, even though EU emission directives have been sharpened over the last 25 years. Adverse health effects of airborne particles are strongly linked to their size. A major fraction of outdoor ultrafine particles is traffic generated from road, rail, air, and sea transportation. The story that nPETS aims to communicate is the life of the sub 100 nm emissions from its creation to its potential path to human beings and animals. The nPETS consortium aims to improve the knowledge of transport generated exhaust and non-exhaust nanoparticle emissions and their impacts on health and new public policies.
It aims to monitor and sample with state-of-the-art particle instruments the sub 100 nm transport generated emissions from shipping, road, rail, and aviation both in field and controlled laboratory environments. Both aged and fresh aerosols will be considered, including primary and secondary volatile and non-volatile particles. Characterising the emissions will be done from shipping, road, rail, and aviation by linking their sizes, chemical compositions, and morphologies to its specific emission sources such as engines, brakes, clutches, and tyres to increase the understanding of the mechanisms behind adverse risks posed by different types and sources of the identified sub 100 nm particles. The effects of nanoparticles from various transport modes and fuels, as well as specific emission sources, will be compared with a focus on markers of relevance for carcinogenesis and inflammation. Living cells will be exposed to collected and real-world primary and aged aerosols as well as primary and aged aerosols generated in the laboratory.
Furthermore, it also aims to evaluate the possible future impact of new policies in this area on public health and linking the impacts with specific emission sources. This should lead to an understanding and quantification of the risks posed by different types and sources.
Start Date: 01/06/2021 – End Date: 31/05/2024
Researchers: Fulvio Amato , Benjamí Piña Capó , José Portugal Minguela , Barend L. van Drooge , Xavier Querol Carceller , Andrés Alastuey Urós , Teresa Moreno Pérez , Sharon Ridolfo
Funding: European Project
https://www.npets-project.eu/
LIFESpot
Green solutions for treating groundwater pollution to meet drinking water directive standards
The main objective of LIFE SPOT is to develop a new treatment process able to remove nitrates and micropollutants from polluted groundwater to produce drinking water of
good quality that meets the Directive 98/83/EC requirements. This will be applied in rural areas (50 inhabitants or <10m3/d, very small water supplies (VSWS)) of the
Mediterranean region, promoting the sustainability and resilience of rural areas, agriculture and tourism sectors.
Funding: LIFE programme (LIFE18 ENV / ES / 000199) UE