314 researchers in training of the Schools of Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing and the research center Applied Medicine (CIMA) of the University of Navarra have taken their work outside the laboratory in the IV conference of research in Experimental and Health Sciences, which have taken place in the Sciences Building (Hexagon Building).

The meeting, which has as goal for researchers to show and share their projects with colleagues from other Departments, started with the presentation of eight communications. This was followed by a exhibition of 63 posters on floor 0 of the building.

One of the papers, prepared by Marouane Baslam graduate of Biology at department from Plant Biology, investigates the action of mycorrhizal fungi to improve the growth and nutritional quality of lettuce. In his doctoral thesis , researcher concludes that the use of mycorrhizal lettuce on per diem expenses "can increase the intake of healthy compounds such as iron or carotenoids. However, the results show that the concentration of these minerals depends on the associated fungus, the variety of lettuce and the position of the leaves, internal or external".

Nitrogen pollution in Navarra

Sheila Izquieta, researcher at department of Chemistry and Soil Science of the academic center, presented in her poster the study she is carrying out on the atmospheric pollution by nitrogen in Navarra, and how the use of isotopes allows to determine the anthropogenic activities that generate pollution. To this end, the future PhD in Biology has analyzed the nitrogen deposits accumulated in several species of mosses spread over 39 locations throughout the region.

So far, the results indicate that the mosses with the highest concentration of nitrogen are found in the northwestern part of Navarra, due to the influence of emissions from the Basque Country, "as well as in the south of the province, where there are two power plants," explains the environmentalist.

In the Microbiology section of area , the work of Ana Isabel Camacho Peiro, who is trying to find new oral or intranasal vaccines that offer protection against Shigella, a microbe that causes many deaths in the poorest countries, stood out.

The future PhDs presented 71 papers at the IV conference of research in Experimental and Health Sciences.