SC & Gamete Biology Lab

18 December 2025

New Review Published in The Journal of Physiology

Our group has published a new review article in The Journal of Physiology entitled “Lifestyle implications of the paradox and management of oxidative stress in sperm.”

This review explores the dual and paradoxical role of oxidative stress in male reproduction. Importantly, the article discusses how lifestyle-related factors, including diet, physical activity, stress, and exposure to pollutants, influence redox balance in sperm. It also reviews current and emerging non-pharmacological strategies to mitigate pathological oxidative stress, such as antioxidant supplementation, adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet, and healthy lifestyle modifications.

By addressing the fine balance between physiological and pathological oxidative stress, this work provides valuable insights for advancing strategies aimed at improving male reproductive health.

📄 Read the full review here!!

18 December 2025

Master’s Defense by André Pinto🎓

Our master’s student André Pinto has completed his master’s degree by defending his thesis entitled “GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Male Reproductive Health: An In Vitro Study on Leydig Cell Function.”

This research, supervised by Prof. Dr. Marco G. Alves (DCM-UA) and Prof. Dr. Pedro F. Oliveira (DQ-UA), focused on exploring the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on Leydig cell function and their potential implications for male reproductive health.

We congratulate André on reaching this important academic milestone!

18 December 2025

Master’s Defense by Margarida Figueiredo🎓

Our master’s student Margarida Figueiredo successfully defended her thesis “Chemical Reversal of Aging in Sertoli Cells: Implications for Male Reproductive Health”. The work was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Marco G. Alves (DCM-UA) and Prof. Dr. Pedro F. Oliveira (DQ-UA).

Congratulations to Margarida on this academic milestone and on the excellent work developed during her master’s degree. We wish her every success in her future professional endeavors!

3 December 2025

Master’s Defense by Camila Neto 🎓

Today, December 3rd, 2025, our master’s student Camila Neto successfully defended her dissertation titled “Discovering Infertility Bio(Glyco)Markers in Human Spermatozoa”. Her work was developed under the supervision of Dr. Ana D. Martins (DQ-UA) from our research group and Dr. José Alexandre Ferreira (IPO-Porto).

Congratulations to Camila on this important milestone and for the excellent work developed throughout her master’s degree. We wish her all the best in the next steps of her scientific journey!

November 2025

Our Research Cited in the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Report

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!

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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