2018

2018 Detailed Programme included:

Experimental work: 20h in a laboratory of your choice, under supervision of a senior resercher

Flash presentations: by the participants of Summer Science @ITQB NOVA, on the project they have developed during experimental work

Round table: Inspiring scientists

Improving communication skills: workshop with ITQB NOVA Communication Office

Improve your skills on CV and Grant Writing: workshop with ITQB NOVA Science Funding Office

and Beach activites and Happy hour and dinners

2018 Participation Labs
 

Biology

- Applied and Environmental Mycology [alumni Guilherme Cardoso, Maria Carolina Ferreira and Tamara Milivojevic 2016]

The Applied and Environmental Mycology group aims to enlarge filamentous fungi biotechnological potential. Research ranges from fundamental studies on fungal biology to applications in bioremediation and biocatalysis, also highlighting ionic liquids higher interest.

Responsible investigator: Cristina Silva Pereira

- Bacterial Cell Biology [alumna Joana Jesus 2017]

In the Bacterial Cell Biology laboratory we use the Gram positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus to study the mechanisms of cell division and of antibiotic resistance to cell wall targeting antibiotics.

Responsible investigator: Mariana Pinho

- Cell Signaling in Drosophila

We use Drosophila as a model system to study the molecular and cellular signaling mechanisms involved in the degeneration of the photoreceptors, the cells that sense light in the visual system.  

Responsible investigator: Pedro Domingos

- Control of Gene Expression [alumni Ana Filipa Isidro and Beatriz Silva 2016 | Ana Sofia Marques, Carolina Ramos and Margarida Pereira 2017]

Control of Gene Expression group studies focus on the control of gene expression. It has studied RNA degradation and characterized enzymes that mediate decay. Other interests are stress and microbial growth. This work has many applications in Biotechnology and Health. 

Responsible investigators: Sandra Viegas

- Molecular Microbiology of Human Pathogens [alumni Ana Modesto and Alice Hayes 2016 | Sara Mendes 2017]

The Molecular Microbiology of Human Pathogens group is studying how human interventions, such as the use of vaccines and antibiotics, impact on the nasopharyngeal ecosystem, a rich niche frequently inhabited by potentially pathogenic bacteria such asStreptococcus pneumoniae.

 Responsible investigator: Raquel Sá Leão

- Single Molecule Microbiology

In the Single Molecule Microbiology lab, we use high-resolution fluorescence microscopy techniques to detect and track individual DNA, RNA and protein molecules in living cells in order to study gene regulation and other problems in molecular cell biology.

Responsible investigator: Zach Hensel

Biological Chemistry

- Bacterial Energy Metabolism [alumni Fernão Mendes and Franscisco Pascoal 2016 | Ana Lúcia Tiago and Silvija Milosavljevic 2017]

The Bacterial Energy Metabolism group investigates the metabolic pathways for energy production in anaerobic microorganisms that are relevant to health and the environment, and explores their biotechnological applications.

Responsible investigator: Inês Pereira

- Biomolecular Self-Organization [alumni Hugo Simões and Mariana Cunha 2017]

We believe that life can be recreated using purified components and that by doing so we uncover fundamental principles. Our aim is to understand the organization and dynamics of macro-molecular complexes and how these give rise to cellular structure and function. Our main tools are single molecule fluorescence microscopy, reconstituted in vitro systems and quantitative cell imaging.

Responsible investigator: Alvaro Crevenna

- Dynamic Structural Biology

The Dynamic Structural Biology Lab explores the role of structural disorder in biological phenomena and human health.

Responsible investigador: Tiago Cordeiro

- Genomics and Stress [alumni Carolina Brito and Daniela Santos 2016 | Telma Rosado 2017]

The genomics and stress laboratory works in the mechanisms involved in homeostasis control when yeast cells are exposed to different environmental cues. The function of Yap transcription factors in stress response is investigated.  

Responsible investigator: Catarina Pimentel

- Membrane Protein Crystallography [alumni João Barros and Vanessa Costa 2017]

In the Membrane Protein Crystallography Laboratory, we determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules. The laboratory is integrated in the Macromolecular Crystallography Unit.

Responsible investigator: Margarida Archer

- Microbial & Enzyme Technology [alumni Diana Marquês and Maria do Pilar Portela 2016 | Beatriz Teixeira and João Pereira 2017]

The research activities are in the field of Molecular Biotechnology aiming at the eco-efficient use of natural resources, the set-up of new bioremediation processes, and the production of bio-based products.

Responsible investigator: Lígia Martins

- Multiscale Modeling [alumna Alice Martins 2017]

The Multiscale Modeling Lab employs computational molecular simulation models at different resolution scales to tackle a wide range of biological questions.

Responsible investigator: Manuel N. Melo

- Protein Modelling [alumni Ana Soares and Vladyslav Korobeynyk 2016 | Gonçalo Malpica and Rafaela Sabino 2017]

The Protein Modelling Laboratory works on molecular modelling of proteins using physical methods. The areas of work range from basic research in modelling methodologies to applications with biotechnological and biomedical interest. 

Responsible investigator: Cláudio Soares

Chemistry

- Bioorganic Chemistry [alumna Marta Spasic 2017]

Bioorganic Chemistry is the interface of organic chemistry and biology. Our research uses the principles and techniques of organic chemistry in attempting to solve problems of relevance to biology. We can design synthetic derivatives of natural products, that improve on nature.

Responsible investigator: Rita Ventura

Plant Sciences

- Genomics of Plant Stress [alumni Beatriz Coelho and Francisca Bragança 2017]

At GPlantS lab we study the effect of environmental factors on the regulation of gene expression and plant development, with special focus on salt, drought and temperature stresses, using a number of different genomics approaches.

Responsible investigator: Margarida Oliveira

- Forest Biotech  

At the Forest Biotech Lab we are studying aspects of forest tree biology which are important to understand and improve characteristic features such as wood and cork formation, or resilience to specific stresses. We are also developing genomic resources and tools to support forest tree research and potential applications.

Responsible investigator: Célia Miguel

- Proteome Regulation in Plants

At the Proteome Regulation in Plants Laboratory we study the effects of post-translational modifications on protein function. Our working hypothesis is that the plant proteome can be induced to rapidly and efficiently deal with environmental changes, by manipulating its global regulation by post-translational modifications.

Responsible investigator: Isabel Abreu

- Plant Molecular Ecophysiology

Our general interests concern the understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to environmental stresses as well as the differences among genotypes in the capacity to utilize external resources.

Responsible investigator: Manuela Chaves

Technology

- Biomolecular Diagnostic [alumni Ana Cruz and Caitlin MacInnes 2017]

This multidisciplinary research team is committed to develop new biomolecular tools, such as nanoparticles (CdSe@ZnS quantum dots) and biosensors, for practical applications like disease diagnostic and bioprocess monitoring.. 

Responsible investigator: Abel Oliva