PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Lino Ferreira
Lino Silva Ferreira holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology (2003) from the University of Coimbra (Portugal). He did postdoctoral work at MIT (USA) in the laboratory of Professor Robert Langer in the areas of human embryonic stem cells, micro- and nanotechnologies.
He joined the Center of Neurosciences and Cell Biology (CNC, University of Coimbra) in October 2007. He is the director of the Biomaterials and Stem Cell-Based Therapeutics research group and the CNC coordinator of the MIT-Portugal Program.
He is the founder of a biomaterials-based company called Matera (headquarters at Biocant). In 2012 he was awarded with a prestigious European Research Council starting grant and in 2016 with an ERA Chair grant.
ASSISTANT INVESTIGATOR
Akhilesh Rai
Academic Degrees
2011-August 2013: Post-Doc at Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra (Portugal)
2010-2011: Post-Doc at Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium)
2007-2010: Post-Doc at Nottingham Trent University (UK)
2007: PhD at University of Pune (India), “Size and shape controlled synthesis of metal nanoparticles and its nanocomposites”
Research interests:
Nanomaterials for biomedical applications.
INVITED AUXILIARY RESEARCHER
Hugo Fernandes
Academic Degrees
2011 – 13: Senior Researcher, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University Twente (The Netherlands
2009 -11: Postdoctoral Fellow, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University Twente (The Netherlands)
2009: PhD in Biomedicine, University Twente (The Netherlands)
2002: Graduation in Applied Biology, University Minho (Portugal)
Research interests
Stem Cell Biology, High-throughput Screening, Regenerative Medicine
LAB MANAGER
Luís Estronca
Academic Degrees
July 2008/2014: PostDoc in Cell Biology in the Infection and Pathogens Group at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra (Portugal)
2008: PhD in Chemistry, specialization Biological Chemistry at the University of Coimbra
2000: Biochemistry Degree at the University of Algarve, Faro (Portugal)
Research Interests:
Nanomaterials for biomedical applications.
POST-DOCTORATES
The Post-Doctorates in our team.
Filipe Rodrigues
Academic degrees:
2018- PhD in Nanoscience (University of Manchester, UK), “Effects of lateral dimensions on the pulmonary impact of graphene-based materials”
2014 - MSc in Molecular Biotechnology (University of Aveiro, Portugal)
2012 - BSc in Biotechnology (University of Aveiro, Portugal)
Research Interests:
Targeting nanomaterials for controlled immunotherapy.
Arnab Banerjee
Academic degrees:
2014: PhD in Chemistry – The University of Burdwan.
2008: M.Sc in Chemistry from ISM(IIT) Dhanbad
Research Interests:
Fluorescence, MRI, Regenerative Medicine, Exosome, Stroke, Myocardial Infraction.
Miguel Lino
Academic degrees:
2017- PhD in Biosciences, Specialization in Biotechnology (Biosciences PhD Program, University of Coimbra)
2007- MSc in Biomedical Engineering (Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon)
Research Interests:
Development of nanomaterials for cell reprogramming
Catarina Rebelo
Academic degrees:
2014- Present : PhD Student (MIT-Portugal PhD Program)
2012- MSc in Biochemistry (University of Coimbra, Portugal)
2010- BSc. in Biochemistry (University of Coimbra, Portugal)
Research Interests:
Nanomedicine to enhance heart regenerative potential.
Henrique Almeida
Academic degrees:
2016: PhD in Bioengineering – Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
2007: BEng & MSc Degree in Material Science and Engineering – New University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Research Interests:
Bioengineering, Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials, Extracellular Matrix.
Patrícia Pitrez
Academic degrees:
2011-2016: PhD Student (MIT-Portugal Program)
Research Interests:
Microtechnologies for cell maturation and three-dimensional organization (in collaboration with Jeffrey Karp (Harvard University))
Susana Simões
Academic degrees:
2013: PhD in Sciences and Health Technologies, specialization in Biotechnology at the University of Coimbra
2008: MSc Degree in Chemistry at the University of Coimbra
Research Interests:
Application of nanomaterials for biomedical applications.
Vítor Francisco
Academic degrees:
2014: PhD in Physical Chemistry at University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
2008: MSc Degree in Chemistry at University of Coimbra (Portugal)
Research Interests:
Application of nanostructures in biological systems.
Sónia Pinho
Academic degrees:
2013- now: Post-Doc at Biocant-Cantanhede (Portugal)
2011-2012: Assistant Researchers at INEB – Institute of Biomedical Engineering (Porto – Portugal) Professor -Assistant Guest at Porto University (ISEP) – Physics Department
2006-2011: PhD at University of Bordeaux 1, Institut de Chemie de la matière condensée de Bordeaux ICMCB-CNRS (France) PhD at University of Aveiro and the Centro de Investigação em Materiais Cerâmicos e Compositos CICECO (Portugal)
2004-2006: Msc degree in European Master in Material Science by the University of Aalborg (Denmark), University of Aveiro (Portugal) and Technological University of Hamburg -TUHH (Germany)
Research Interests:
Nanomaterials for biomedical applications
Susana Rosa
Academic degrees:
2011: PhD in Health Sciences and Technologies (domain: Cell and Molecular Biology) (University of Coimbra, Portugal)
2004: Degree In Biology (University of Coimbra, Portugal)
Research Interests:
Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into vascular cells.
GRADUATES
The Graduate Students in our team.
PHD STUDENTS
Angela Barrera
Academic degrees:
2018 - MSc in Basic Biomedic Science with emphasis in Neurocience, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
2016 - BCs in Biology, Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia, Tunja, Colombia
Research Interests:
Cell- Biomaterials, Gene editing
Inês Albino
Academic degrees:
2017 - MSc in Biomedical Engineering at the university of Twente (The Netherlands)
2014 - BCs in Bioengineering at Catholic University of Portugal
Research Interests:
Cell-surface interactions, Biointerfaces, Chemical Biology, Biomaterials
Francesca Tomatis
Academic degrees:
2018 - MSc degree in Biomedical Engineering at Politecnico di Torino (Italy)
2016 - BSc degree in Medical Engineering at Università degli studi di Roma Tor Vergata (Italy)
Research Interests:
Nanomaterials for biomedical application
Sandra Pinhanços
Academic degrees:
2008: MSc in Biochemistry
2007: BSc in Biochemistry
Research interests:
Extracellular vesicles as modulators of endothelial and beta-cell function in Diabetes
Carlos Jesus
Academic degrees:
2018: MSc in Biomedical Research (University of Coimbra)
2016: Bachelor in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences (University of Coimbra)
Luís Monteiro
Academic degrees:
2017-present: PhD student (Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine)
2016: MSc in Bioengineering (University of Porto, Portugal)
Research Interests:
Tissue Engineering-based novel therapies and in vitro models for heart disease.
Ricardo Abreu
Academic degrees:
2016-present: PhD student (Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine)
2014-2016: Msc in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Coimbra, University of Maastricht
2011-2014: Bsc in Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
Research Interests:
Non-coding RNAs in cardiovascular research.
Rita Sá Ferreira
Academic degrees:
2015: MSc in Biomedical Research (University of Coimbra, Portugal)
2013: BSc. in Biochemistry ( University of Coimbra, Portugal)
Research Interests:
Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into cardiac cells.
Andreia Vilaça
Academic degrees:
2015: MSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Coimbra (Portugal)
2013: BSc in Biomedical Sciences, minor in Molecular Biomedicine at the University of Aveiro (Portugal)
Research Interests:
Endogenous cardiac regeneration and strategies to manipulate it.
Deolinda Santinha
Academic degrees:
2016-Present: PhD Student (Inter-university Doctoral Programme in Ageing and Chronic Diseases)
2012: MSc. in Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra
2008: BSc. in Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Technology of Coimbra
Research Interests:
Tissue engineering and biomedical applications.
MSC STUDENTS
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
The Research Assistants in our team.
Carolina Caetano
Academic degrees:
2017: BSc in Biology (University of Coimbra)
ALUMNI
- David Braga Malta
- Luis Nobre
- Rita Santos
- Dora Pedroso
- Paula Lacerda
- Isabel Carvalho
- João Maia
- Cristiana Paulo
- Renata Gomes
- David Botequim
- Maria Nunes Pereira
- Marta Lima
- João Santos
- Carlos Boto
- José Paiva
- Jorge Ruivo
- Helena Vazão
- Joana Correia
- Renato Cardoso
- Sezin Aday
- Sara Pereira
- Antonio Santinha
- João Sargento-Freitas
- Adrián Jiménez
- Michela Comune
- Tania Barata
- Pedro Gouveia
- Sandra Pinto
- Alessandra Zonari
- Cátia Seabra
- Vanessa Pinto
- Malwina Kotowicz
- Merhzad Zargarzadeh
- Filipe Coelho
- Emanuel Quartin
- Josephine Blersh
- Helena Antunes
- Andreia Ribeiro
- Ana Cunha
- Denise Monteiro
- Catarina Praça