I find the interplay between viruses and their hosts fascinating, in particular, how viruses use the host cell machinery to sustain their own replication. Studying these interactions has revealed important aspects of the biology of the cell and host immunity, and thus, it is an extremely powerful tool in biology. The most brilliant aspect of this line of study is that viruses are extremely versatile and find different solutions even when facing the same problem.
CAREER SYNOPSIS: I completed my PhD in the University of Cambridge (UK). By then, I was interested in identifying the cellular machinery that influenza A virus uses to sustain its replication in the host cell nucleus. I then took a postdoc position in London to investigate the mechanisms that facilitate virus inter-species transmission. The second postdoc I did was not in virology, but using a different model, the fission yeast and studying RNA stability. My third postdoc, back in Cambridge, was devoted to influenza A virus but looking at aspects related to viral assembly. Finally, I took on the challenge to head my own lab, at the IGC, since 2012. |
With a background in Biological Engineering, I have always been
interested in understanding how human pathogens, viruses in particular, cause
disease. For that reason, I completed my PhD on the molecular pathogenesis of gammaherpesvirus
latent infection. In November 2013, I joined the CBV lab, where I have been
studying molecular mechanisms governing influenza A virus infection of host
cells. In particular, I want to characterize the role of mitochondria in the
different steps of viral infection.
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My primary research goal is to investigate the molecular mechanisms through which human diseases and triggering agents settle down. I believe that understanding these mechanisms can pave the pathway for therapeutic advances. During my, PhD I focused on the potential of silencing the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint in anticancer strategies. I have also participated in projects related with gut microbiome and diet, as well as SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and cellular DNA damage.
I joined the CBV lab in July 2023 to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying influenza viruses infection. Outside lab, I like to spend time in nature, hiking, listening music, and being with friends. |
I completed my PhD at Moscow State University and then got a postdoctoral position in Porto to study the interplay of protein aggregation and phase separation. I joined the CBV Lab in December 2022 to study the molecular mechanism of influenza A virus genome assembly and trafficking, and the role of phase separation in these processes.
My research interests and main area of expertise include conformational changes in protein-protein interaction, nucleic acid-protein interaction, protein aggregation, and phase separation. Outside the lab, I like to travel, read books, meditate, and spend time with my family. |
I’ve join the CBV lab in 2016 as a Lab Manager. After 11 years in Sheffield, UK where I did my PhD and Postdoc’s I wanted to be back in sunny Portugal and the CBV lab is the perfect place for me as one of the group research topics is on the interplay between influenza A virus replication and vesicular trafficking. I’ve always been fascinated about how viruses, such simple biological things, can be so effective in infecting and hijacking complex cells machinery and tricking them to replicate their own RNA. In the CBV group, I have the opportunity to combine both areas and my focus will be looking at the molecular mechanisms involved in the influenza A virus genome trafficking and assembly, among other lab managerial tasks.
Outside the lab, I like everything that’s related with outdoors, family walks, running with the dog, travel and enjoying a nice espresso with friends. |
From an early age I realized that research would be my way, since I love the complexity of the problems and the logic that we use to solve them. I love to ask questions and respond to them, since I’ve always been very curious about everything. That are the main reasons why I decided to do a PhD. During the next years, my life will be mostly focus on unraveling mitochondrial related processes that protect the host against influenza infections. Since life is not just work, in my free time, I love running, specially if it's outdoors, taking my 2 dogs as companions. My other passions include: listening music and play games.
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Being able to study the most intricate molecular mechanisms which concert life on earth is just the best! During my PhD I want to contribute to our understanding of how viruses efficiently use their limited genetic information to redirect cellular resources for the massive production of viral components and thus quickly overcome host defences. In particular, I am studying how viral membrane proteins encode motifs that outcompete host proteins for processing by the protein biogenesis machinery. Besides my love for the complex unknown I can find joy in a million beautiful things but particularly, I like to repair broken stuff and tinker with electronics, or enjoy sports outside like climbing or frisbee.
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I did a BSc in Biology at Instituto Superior de Agronomia and a MSc in Microbiology from Instituto Superior Técnico. I then joined the IGC as a PhD student from the IBB2020 cohort, where I am now being supervised by both Maria João Amorim and Mónica Bettencourt-Dias, in the Cell Biology of Viral Infection and Cell Cycle Regulation Labs, respectively.
My project is centred around the interaction between different viral infections and the centrosome-cilia complex, aiming to understand the mechanisms by which some viruses impact centrosome and cilia structure/function. |
I have been interested in host-microbe interactions since the beginning of my undergraduate degree. During this time I became fascinated with the constant arms race between viruses and their hosts. My PhD work aims to discover the viral and host components that constitute influenza A virus liquid inclusions and their function in the viral replication cycle.
Outside of the lab, I love distance running, playing hurling (an Irish sport!), and swimming in the sea. |
It was during the final year of my BSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2015 that I started studying viruses. Fascinated ever since, I pursued my MSc in Virology in London, UK, followed by 3 years in Sheffield, UK working on respiratory viruses. Understanding how viruses use cellular mechanisms to its own benefit has still been what excites me the most in science and, after a brief sequencing technique development at IGC’s Genomic Unit, I finally decided to undergo a PhD in fundamental virology, here at CBV, studying co-infections of different strains of influenza viruses and viral mechanisms that may lead to zoonoses.
Aside from a virologist, I am an absolute book geek and a flamenco dancer in development. I also love to knit, and I will always tell you when I am wearing something I made! Coffee is essential and Portuguese is just who I am. |