Home > Laboratories
ITQB NOVA has a strong expertise in Molecular Biosciences, working to address key challenges that impact human health and the environment.
Our research spans Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Biology, Plant Sciences, and Technology.
Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
Head: Beatriz Royo
The Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis lab focuses on the synthesis of organometallic compounds for catalytic and biological applications, including functionalization of organic molecules and metal-based drugs for human diseases, such as cancer and microbial infections.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Chemistry
Systems and Synthetic Biology
Head: Isabel Rocha
The Systems and Synthetic Biology lab pursues the development of efficient microbial cell factories for the production of relevant target products with industrial applications by implementing computationally-driven metabolic engineering strategies.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Technology
Structural Genomics
Head: Maria Arménia Carrondo
The Structural Genomics lab studies proteins involved in diverse biological processes, such as DNA repair and protection, oxidative stress resistance and hydrogen sulfide metabolism, by a structural genomics approach.MOSTMICRO-ITQB, iNOVA4Health
Biological Chemistry
Molecular Simulation
Head: António M. Baptista
The Molecular Simulation lab uses computational methods to study the atomic-level behavior and properties of chemical and biochemical molecules.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Plant Reproduction and Evolution
Head: Jörg D. Becker
The Plant Reproduction and Evolution lab focuses on mechanisms controlling sexual reproduction and early embryogenesis in plants, and how these are impacted by climate change.GREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
Plant Cell Biology
Head: Rita Abranches
The Plant Cell Biology lab works on several aspects of the biology of the plant cell, with a main focus on the processes that regulate the successful expression of transgenes and synthesis of recombinant proteins in plant cell cultures.GREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
Membrane Protein Crystallography
Head: Margarida Archer
The Membrane Protein Crystallography lab determines the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Yeast Molecular Biology
Head: Catarina Pimentel
The Yeast Molecular Biology lab studies the molecular mechanisms that enable opportunistic yeasts to infect hosts, aiming to develop better strategies for disease prevention and treatment.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Dynamic Structural Biology
Head: Tiago N. Cordeiro
The Dynamic Structural Biology lab elucidates molecular-level biological processes relevant to health and biotechnology, focusing on understanding the structural and dynamic aspects of disordered and multidomain proteins, chaperones, and enzymes.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Microbial Interactions Biotechnology
Head: Catarina Morais Vaz Paquete
The Microbial Interactions Biotechnology Laboratory focuses on uncovering microbial interaction mechanisms and guiding the engineering of microbial communities for biotechnological innovation and societal benefit. By integrating fundamental microbiology, microbial physiology, and applied bioengineering, MIB seeks to translate basic scientific discoveries into robust and efficient biotechnology solutions.Biological Chemistry
Plant Cell Biotechnology
Head: Manuel Pedro Salema Fevereiro
The Plant Cell Biotechnology lab aims to develop molecular strategies to support plant selection and breeding programs, to apply biotechnology to the development of company’s strategies and to train researchers in plant biotechnology and plant molecular biology.GREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
Proteomics of Non-Model Organisms
Head: Ana Maria Varela Coelho
The Proteomics of Non-Model Organisms lab uses integrated omics approches coupled with other methodologies to define new antimicrobials and therapeuthic targets and contribute to clarify the mechanisms involved in echinoderms central nervous system regeneration envisaging biomimetic biomedical applications.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Raman BioSpectroscopy
Head: Smilja Todorovic
The Raman BioSpectroscopy lab is interested in fundamental questions and biotechnological applications of metalloproteins that carry out catalysis, detoxification, signaling, electron transfer and DNA repair.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Molecular Microbiology of Human Pathogens
Head: Raquel Sá-Leão
The Molecular Microbiology of Human Pathogens lab studies 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 as Streptococcus pneumoniae.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Cryo-EM Integrative Structural Biology
Head: Dmitry A. Semchonok
The Cryo-EM Lab uses advanced cryo-electron microscopy to study photosynthesis and cellular transport, providing molecular insights into energy conversion and human health.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Control of Gene Expression
Head: Cecília Arraiano
The Control of Gene Expression lab focuses on RNA degradation, enzymes that mediate decay and stress and microbial growth, with applications in Biotechnology and Health.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Human Microbiota – Xenobiotics Interactions
Head: Sarela Garcia-Santamarina
The Human Microbiota – Xenobiotics Interactions lab investigates the effects of metals (and other xenobiotics) in the gut microbiota composition and function and its effects on the host by combining systems-based approaches and tailored molecular and biochemical experiments.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Inorganic Biochemistry and NMR
Head: Ricardo O. Louro
The Inorganic Biochemistry and NMR lab studies the molecular bases for the interactions of microorganisms with solid substrates. They include electron exchange with minerals and scavenging of metals, and are central to understanding microbial fitness, biogeochemical cycles of the elements, bioremediation of contaminated environments, and sustainable energy production in bioelectrochemical systems.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Molecular Genetics
Head: Hermínia de Lencastre
The Molecular Genetics lab focuses on the epidemiology, genetics, evolutionary and biochemical mechanisms of antibiotic resistant pathogens, specifically, staphylococci, enterococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Bacterial Cell Biology
Head: Mariana Gomes de Pinho
The Bacterial Cell Biology uses the Gram positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus to study the mechanisms of cell division and of antibiotic resistance to cell wall targeting antibiotics.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Plant Functional Genomics
Head: M. Margarida Oliveira
The Plant Functional Genomics lab studies 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.GREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
Cell Bioprocesses
Head: Paula M. Alves
The Cell Bioprocesses lab focuses on the development of bioprocesses for complex biopharmaceuticals namely vaccines, recombinant proteins and viral vectors for gene therapy, as well as, the development of tools and methodologies for cell therapy applications and pre-clinical research.iNOVA4Health
Technology
Protein Modelling
Head: Cláudio M. Soares
The Protein Modelling lab uses computational biophysical methods for the molecular modelling of proteins, including redox proteins, ABC transporters, viral membrane fusion proteins.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Bioorganometallic Chemistry
Head: Ana Rita Guerreiro de Brito Petronilho
The Bioorganometallic Chemistry lab focuses on the synthesis and application of biologically relevant N-heterocyclic carbenes.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Chemistry
Cell Line Development and Molecular Biotechnology
Head: Ana Sofia Coroadinha
The Cell Line Development and Molecular Biotechnology lab focuses on the development and improvement of virus biopharmaceuticals, recombinant virus for vaccines or gene therapy, and the animal cell lines for their manufacturing.iNOVA4Health
Technology
Bioinspired Peptide Systems
Head: Ana Pina
The Bioinspired Peptide Systems lab works at the interface of chemistry and biology, using supramolecular peptide chemistry to understand the complexity of biological systems.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Chemistry
Advanced Cell Models
Head: Catarina Brito
The Advanced Cell Models lab studies the cellular interactions occurring within the innate immune microenvironment during disease progression and governing response to advanced therapies, using stem cells and other patient-derived cells and exploring three-dimensional culture strategies.iNOVA4Health
Technology
Multiscale Modeling
Head: Manuel N. Melo
The Multiscale Modeling lab employs computational molecular simulation models at different resolution scales to tackle a wide range of biological questions.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Bacterial Energy Metabolism
Head: Inês Cardoso Pereira
The Bacterial Energy Metabolism lab studies metabolic pathways and enzymes in anaerobic microorganisms that are relevant for health and the environment, and explores their biotechnological applications.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogen Resistance
Head: Lígia M. Saraiva
The Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogen Resistance laboratory investigates how human bacterial pathogens survive the antimicrobial defenses of the innate immune system. Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of resistance and the metabolic adaptations that occur at the host–pathogen interface.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Bio-oriented Supramolecular Chemistry
Head: Pedro Mateus
The Bio-oriented Supramolecular Chemistry lab uses supramolecular-based approaches to prepare new chemical entities that bind biological targets through non-covalent interactions, developing probes and inhibitors.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Chemistry
Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology
Head: Maria Miragaia
The Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology lab aims to understand the molecular basis of bacterial evolution with focus on the pathogenicity and evolution of antimicrobial resistance determinants and antimicrobial resistant and pathogenic clones in opportunistic bacteria.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Cell Signaling in Drosophila
Head: Pedro M. Domingos
The Cell Signaling in Drosophila lab uses 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.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Intracellular Microbial Infection Biology
Head: Pedro Matos Pereira
The Intracellular Microbial Infection Biology lab focuses on understanding the dynamics of the interaction between mammalian host cells and facultative intracellular bacterial pathogens using a combination of advanced microscopy approaches, organ-on-a-chip 3D cell system and classical cell biology and biochemistry approaches.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Applied Protein Biochemistry
Head: João B. Vicente
The Applied Protein Biochemistry lab combines protein biochemistry and biophysics with structural biology to study protein function in pathophysiological contexts and to design and develop proteins with biotechnological potential.iNOVA4Health
Biological Chemistry
Plant Gene Regulation
Head: Nelson Saibo
The Plant Gene Regulation lab uses model and crop plants to study gene regulatory mechanisms underlying plant growth and plant responses to adverse environmental conditions.GREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
AI-driven Optical Biology
Head: Ricardo Henriques
The AI-driven Optical Biology lab develops pioneering open-source technologies that push the boundaries of cellular imaging while tackling fundamental questions in virology, microbiology, host-pathogen interactions, immunology, and cell signalling.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Plant-Microbiome Interactions
Head: J. Ignacio Vílchez
The Plant-Microbiome Interactions lab aims to provide new bioengineering tools in sustainable agriculture, through the application of multiomics analyses and lab, greenhouse and field-based studies.GREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
Bioelectrochemistry and Electrobiotechnology
Head: Felipe Conzuelo
The Bioelectrochemistry and Electrobiotechnology Lab integrates biomolecules and microorganisms with electrode materials to study biological redox processes and develop biotechnological devices for energy conversion, storage, and biosensing applications.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Engineering Cellular Applications Laboratory
Head: Manuel J.T. Carrondo
The Engineering Cellular Applications lab is centered on integrative development of bioprocesses for complex biopharmaceuticals namely vaccines, recombinant proteins, viral vectors for gene therapy and cells/stem cells for cell therapy applications.iNOVA4Health
Technology
Proteome Regulation in Plants
Head: Isabel A. Abreu
The Proteome Regulation in Plants lab studies the effects of post-translational modifications on protein function, inducing the plants capacity to rapidly and efficiently deal with environmental changesGREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
Bioorganic Chemistry
Head: Rita Ventura
The Bioorganic Chemistry lab applies organic chemistry to biological problems and designs synthetic derivatives of natural products.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Chemistry
Microbial & Enzyme Technology
Head: Lígia O. Martins
The Microbial & Enzyme Technology lab focuses on molecular biotechnology at the intersection of protein science and technology. It selects, characterizes, and optimizes enzymes to improve their properties for environmental and industrial applications.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Applied and Environmental Mycology
Head: Cristina Silva Pereira
The Applied and Environmental Mycology lab 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.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Industry and Medicine Applied Crystallography
Head: Pedro Matias
The Industry and Medicine Applied Crystallography lab determines the structure of biomolecules with industrial and medical relevance to understand their mode of action and design improved variants for industrial applications and drug discovery targeting proteins involved in human disease.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biological Chemistry
Microbial Development
Head: Adriano Oliveira Henriques
The Microbial Development lab studies the molecular mechanisms that drive the sporulation process with model organisms, to also understand pathogenicity in dangerous strains, and to look for biotechnological and medical applications of spores.MOSTMICRO-ITQB
Biology
Structural Virology
Head: Colin E. McVey
The Strutural Virology lab studies the mechanisms underlying the establishment and modulation of herpesviral chromatin, aiming to understand how these processes contribute to infection and tumourigenesis.iNOVA4Health
Biological Chemistry
Plant Ecophysiology and Metabolism
Head: Ruben Vicente
The Plant Ecophysiology and Metabolism lab aims to study the source-sink dynamics and carbon-nitrogen coordination in crops grown in field and controlled conditions, by combining agronomic, physiological and molecular analyses to understand the mechanisms involved in nutrient uptake, allocation and response to abiotic stresses.GREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
Genetics and Genomics of Plant Complex Traits (PlantX)
Head: Maria Carlota Vaz Patto
The Genetics and Genomics of Plant Complex Traits (PlantX) lab unveils the genetic and genomic basis of plant Complex traits, such as nutritional or organoleptic quality or biotic/abiotic stress resistance, using different statistical genetic and genomic approaches.GREEN-IT
Plant Sciences
