Since the beginning of my scientific career, I have devoted myself to the structural study of biomolecules using NMR methods. In 1987, I joined the research group of Professor Manuel Rico, where I pursued my doctoral thesis under the direction of Professor Jorge Santoro. During this period, I developed computational methods for determining protein structures from NMR data, and contributed to the first protein structural determinations conducted in Spain using this technique.

In 1992, I moved to the United States, where I enjoyed a two-year postdoctoral research fellowship in the lab of Professor Thomas L. James at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). It was during this period that my interest in the structure of nucleic acids began, a research theme I have continued to cultivate throughout the remainder of my scientific career.

In 1995, I returned to Spain and, after a brief postdoctoral period, I obtained a position as a Tenured Scientist at CSIC in 1997. Since then, I have maintained an independent research line dedicated to the structural study of nucleic acids using NMR. Today, I can confidently assert that my research group leads this field of investigation in Spain and enjoys substantial international recognition.

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Over the course of more than 25 years, our primary contributions to scientific knowledge can be classified into three main areas: Non-canonical DNA structures, chemically modified nucleic acids, and molecular recognition processes involving nucleic acids.

Non-canonical DNA structures comprehend those structures different than the classical right-handed double helix and have attracted significant attention in recent years for various reasons. My research group has contributed to a deeper understanding of these structures, with studies on four-stranded structures stabilized by non-canonical tetrads (distinct from guanine tetrads) and structural investigations of i-motifs under physiological conditions. Additionally, chemically modified nucleic acids have generated a great interest, including naturally occurring modifications (epigenetic marks, lesions, etc.) and other modifications with applications in biomedicine (antisense therapies, antigens, etc.). Through collaborations with expert synthetic chemistry groups, we have made numerous contributions in this field, including studies involving fluorinated derivatives, both in canonical and non-canonical DNA structures. Lastly, our research also encompasses the study of nucleic acid interactions with ligands, peptides, and proteins, as well as various contributions to the development of methodology for nucleic acid research using NMR.

All of these studies have been disseminated within the scientific community through over 150 peer-reviewed publications, in addition to numerous conference presentations and invited lectures. Beyond the academic sphere, our research has been shared through numerous colloquia and conferences, many of which were geared towards high school students and delivered by both myself and members of my research group.

Throughout these years, the research activities of my group have contributed to the training of new scientists. We have supervised 11 doctoral theses, all of which received the highest distinction. Approximately half of the graduates have continued their careers in academia, while an equal number have taken up various positions in the private sector. It is also worth noting the numerous training visits to our laboratory, where scientists from around the world come to familiarize themselves with NMR techniques applied to nucleic acids.

In addition to our scientific and training activities, over the course of my career, I have held research management responsibilities. Specifically, I served as Vice Director of the "Rocasolano" Institute of Physical Chemistry for 7 years (recently renamed as the "Blas Cabrera" Institute of Physical Chemistry), then as its director for another 4 years, and subsequently as Deputy Vice President for Organization at CSIC. During these years, I had the opportunity to gain experience in the management and organization of research centers.