SC & Gamete Biology Lab

November 2025

We are pleased to share that our group’s work has been cited in the recent Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority document “Proposed suspension of dimethoate products – Submissions received.”
This recognition highlights the international relevance and impact of our research on toxicology and reproductive health.

The citation refers specifically to our publication:
“Chronic Exposure to Dimethoate Induces Metabolic Dysregulation in Rat Testis” (Metabolites, 2021).

Being referenced in such a high-impact regulatory context reinforces the importance of our findings regarding pesticide exposure and male reproductive toxicity.

New Publication in Human Reproduction!

We are thrilled to announce that our team has published a new article in Human Reproduction, one of the leading journals in our field. The paper, titled “A novel CFTR–AQP7 protein complex regulates glycerol transport and motility of human sperm”, explores how the interaction between CFTR and AQP7 influences glycerol transport and sperm motility, highlighting a potential male infertility mechanism.

📄 Read the full article here!!

We’re Now on Instagram! 📸

Our research group has just launched an official Instagram page! 🎉
Follow us to stay updated on our latest research highlights, publications, events, and daily lab life.

👉 Don’t miss out — follow us at @_scgbl_ and join our growing scientific community!

12 November 2025

Lecture on Metabolomics at FMUP by Prof. Marco G. Alves and Maria de Almeida-Santos

Prof. Marco G. Alves and Master’s student Maria de Almeida-Santos delivered a two-session lecture on metabolomics to first-year students of the Master’s Program in Metabolism – Biopathology and Experimental at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP-UPORTO).

The sessions provided an integrated overview of metabolomics, highlighting its key role in understanding metabolic pathways, disease mechanisms, and experimental research in biomedicine.

5 November 2025

Prof. Marco G. Alves Joins the “futUrA: ciência, comunidade e inovação” List for the Scientific Council Elections

Our Principal Investigator, Prof. Marco G. Alves, is part of the “futUrA: ciência, comunidade e inovação” list, running for the Scientific Council elections at the University of Aveiro on November 11, 2025.

This diverse and committed team of professors and researchers from across the university is united by a shared purpose: to promote better scientific policies, innovative strategies, and a stronger connection between science and the community. The futUrA list also stands for greater transparency within the Scientific Council and is actively committed to fighting precarious academic contracts, ensuring fairer and more sustainable research careers.

🎥 You can watch the debate with the futUrA representatives on RIA – Rádio Universitária de Aveiro’s YouTube channel.

17 October 2025

PhD Student Rúben J. Moreira Completes STSM at the University of Girona

Our PhD student Rúben J. Moreira has completed a two-and-a-half-week Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at the University of Girona, in the Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction - TechnoSperm group.

The project, titled “Quantitative evaluation of sperm physiology through flow cytometry of specific functional biomarkers”, focused on applying advanced analytical approaches to better understand sperm function.

This STSM was funded by the COST Action Andronet, which aims to foster scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange in andrology research.

We extend our sincere thanks to Andronet, Prof. Marc Yeste (head of TechnoSperm), and the entire TechnoSperm team for their support, guidance, and warm welcome throughout this scientific exchange.

6–9 October 2025

Participation in the 2nd FEBS Workshop on Redox Medicine

Our international PhD student Giuseppe T. Patanè attended the 2nd FEBS Workshop on Redox Medicine, held in Luso, Portugal, dedicated to the theme “Connecting the Exposome with Redox Regulation in Health and Disease.”

Giuseppe delivered a presentation showcasing the work he developed throughout this year in our group, contributing to discussions on how redox regulation influences health and disease mechanisms.

We are proud to see our research represented at such a high-level scientific meeting, promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange in this important field.

Check the programme and the book of abstracts here!

29 September 2025

Professors Oliveira and Alves Featured in SPB Newsletter

We are pleased to share that Prof. Pedro F. Oliveira and Prof. Marco G. Alves were featured in the September newsletter of the Portuguese Society of Biochemistry (SPB).

In this edition, they shared their insights into the molecular pathways involved in male fertility, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge in this important area of research.

You can access the newsletter here!

26 July 2025

A Great Night at the European Researchers’ Night!

Our group took part in the Noite Europeia dos Investigadores 2025 with the activity “(In)Fertilidade Masculina: Descobre o que faz a Diferença” at the iBiMED stand.

It was a fantastic evening where we had the chance to engage with the community, discuss science, and share knowledge in an accessible and interactive way. We were especially happy to show young people how science is done and how research helps us better understand male (in)fertility.

The activity was a great success, sparking curiosity and lively discussions with the public.

Here are some highlights from the night! ✨

25 September 2025

New Publication in Placenta

We are excited to share our latest article published in Placenta (Elsevier), titled: “Endothelial responses to angiogenic modulators highlight metabolic mechanisms underlying vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia.”

In this study, we show that elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratios impair endothelial metabolism, driving oxidative stress and metabolic alterations that contribute to vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia.

Read the full article here!

23 September 2025

Professors Alves and Oliveira Once Again Among the World’s Most Cited Scientists!

We’re proud to share that our PIs, Marco G. Alves and Pedro F. Oliveira, have once again been recognized among the world’s most cited scientists. They are among the 98 researchers from the University of Aveiro featured in this year’s list of influential scientists.

This recognition comes from the Updated Science-Wide Author Databases of Standardized Citation Indicators, a dataset published by Elsevier that assesses citation impact and other metrics across scholars worldwide.

Their continued presence on this list is a testament to their sustained influence, rigorous research, and the prominent role of our group in advancing science.

Read more in the UA announcement: UA News – Most Influential Scientists

Explore the citation metrics data here: Elsevier dataset

European Researchers’ Night: Science, Health and Fertility

We are excited to announce that our group will be taking part in this year’s Noite Europeia dos Investigadores (European Researchers’ Night) at the University of Aveiro, organized by Fábrica Centro Ciência Viva, Aveiro. Our bench will feature the activity “(In)Fertilidade Masculina: Descobre o que faz a Diferença” (Male (In)Fertility: Discover What Makes the Difference).

🗓 Date: 26 September 2025
⏰ Event time: 20h00 – 24h00
📍 Location: iBiMED stand, Fábrica Centro Ciência Viva, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

👉 Our activity will take place during the 22h00 – 23h00 timeslot, so be sure to stop by the iBiMED stand to meet us!

We look forward to welcoming everyone to an evening where science comes alive.

For more information about Noite Europeia dos Investigadores!

11-12 September 2025

Our PhD Students Present at the SIB Congress 2025 in Palermo

Our PhD students, Rúben J. Moreira and Giuseppe T. Patanè, presented their research posters at the 63rd Congress of the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SIB), held in Palermo, Sicily (Italy).

The congress brought together researchers from across Europe to discuss the latest advances in biochemistry and molecular biology. By sharing their work in this international setting, Rúben and Giuseppe had the opportunity to exchange ideas, receive valuable feedback, and strengthen collaborations.

We congratulate them both for representing our group at such a prestigious scientific event!

29 August 2025

New Publication in Biomolecules!

We are excited to share our latest publication in Biomolecules, titled “Glycerol Kinase 2 as a Metabolic Sentinel for Human Sperm Motility and Male Fertility”

This study highlights the role of Glycerol Kinase 2 (GK2) as a key metabolic regulator of sperm function. Our review suggests that GK2 may serve as a metabolic sentinel for human sperm motility, offering new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying male fertility.

Read the full study here!

30 July 2025

New publication in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology!

Our team is proud to announce the publication of our new paper in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, a collaboration with the University of Murcia, Spain.

We investigated the impact of the pesticide aminocarb on testicular Leydig cells. We discovered that aminocarb has a complex, biphasic effect - enhancing cell viability at low doses while being toxic at high doses. Crucially, it stimulated the production of androstenedione, a male hormone precursor, highlighting its potential as an endocrine disruptor. This work provides new insights into how common environmental chemicals can affect male reproductive health.

Read the full study here!

5-9 July 2025

Our PhD Students at the 49th FEBS Congress in Istanbul

From July 5–9, our PhD students Rúben J. Moreira and Giuseppe T. Patanè participated in the 49th FEBS Congress, held this year in Istanbul, Turkey.

Both presented their work through poster presentations, sharing their findings with the international scientific community and engaging in discussions on recent advances in biochemistry and molecular biology. They attended the congress alongside Italian collaborators from the University of Messina, further strengthening the ties between our research teams.

We are also proud to share that Rúben and Giuseppe each received a FEBS bursary for early-career researchers, recognizing the scientific quality and impact of their projects.

Learn more about the FEBS Congress: here!

For more news about our group check here!

Check these opportunities!

29 April 2025

Our Lab Joins Trialect as a Host Institution in Portugal

We are excited to announce our new partnership with Trialect, a global platform that connects researchers with clinical and research training opportunities. As a recognized host lab in Portugal, we are now part of Trialect’s international network, offering hands-on training and mentorship in biomedical sciences to early-career researchers and clinicians from around the world.

Our lab specializes in the study of metabolic diseases, reproductive biology, and cellular signaling pathways. Through this collaboration, we will offer short-term research fellowships focused on these areas, providing participants with the opportunity to work on ongoing projects involving molecular biology, metabolomics, and translational research. Fellows will gain practical experience with state-of-the-art methodologies while contributing to impactful research at the intersection of metabolism and human health.

Find more information and apply here!

Submission deadline: 05 November 2025

Prof. Marco G. Alves is a guest editor for a new collection at Scientific Reports

The new collection from Scientific Reports (Springer Nature) focuses on Epigenetic Regulation in Metabolic Diseases. This collection welcomes original research articles that explore how changes in epigenetic regulation contribute to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and osteoporosis. This collection aims to advance our understanding of how epigenetic modifications interact with genetic and environmental factors, ultimately influencing disease progression and potential therapeutic strategies.

Researchers are invited to submit their original work to contribute to this important field.

For more details and submission guidelines, visit Scientific Reports.

Research Summary

The overall goal of our research work is to deepen the knowledge on the basic processes involved in the hormonal control of gamete production and functionality, and thereby provide a scientific basis for improving both human reproductive health and fertility.

In our studies we make use of normal and pathological human tissues in order to learn about human reproduction and human pathologies that affect human reproductive health and fertility. Also, we perform studies using rodent model systems and cell-based systems as translational models for the study of the reproductive mechanisms.

In last years, the amount of data suggesting that environmental toxins/endocrine disruptors significantly affect human reproductive health has been increasing. Thus, the Sertoli Cell Biology up will also investigate how these agents affect fertility by means of studies in cell-based systems, animal models and/or human tissues.

Major Research Areas

• Effect of hormones on Sertoli cells ionic and water membrane transport mechanisms;

• Metabolic modulation of spermatogenesis in metabolism-related disorders/pathologies and mechanisms subjacent to the resultant subfertility and infertility;

• Role of sex steroid hormones in fertility and in the functioning of testicular and epididymal reproductive tissues;

• Mechanisms underlying the effect of endocrine disruptors and environmental toxins on human fertility.

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