Our lab focuses on transcriptional regulation in bacteria, with a particular emphasis on the dynamics, thermodynamics, and structural characteristics of regulatory proteins. These “sensor” proteins detect metals or harmful compounds and trigger gene activation to help bacteria survive in hostile environments. The lab’s research has two key objectives. On the biomedical side, gaining a deeper understanding of how bacteria adapt to colonize host tissues could pave the way for developing more effective antibiotics to fight drug-resistant strains. On the biotechnological side, the team is working to incorporate these sensor proteins into portable, cost-effective synthetic biology sensors. In this sense, the Capdevila lab is pioneering the field of cell-free biosensors in Argentina, and, in collaboration with local authorities, these sensors are being deployed to monitor drinking and surface water in various urban areas.