SC & Gamete Biology Lab

Date: 11 April 2026

Marco Alves Joins Round Table on Male Contraception

Prof. Marco Alves will participate in a round table discussion on male contraception this Saturday, 11 April, as part of the Meet.Lab event organized by the Biology Students’ Association of the University of Coimbra.

This initiative brings together researchers and students to discuss emerging topics in biology, with a focus on current challenges and future perspectives. Prof. Marco Alves will contribute his expertise to the discussion on male reproductive health, addressing scientific advances and the broader implications of developing new contraceptive approaches.

This event represents an important opportunity for science communication and engagement with the academic community, fostering dialogue on a topic of growing relevance.

📚 Check the official Instagram page of the event here!

3 April 2026

New Publication Explores the Role of Glycoproteins in Male Fertility

Our research group has published a new article entitled “License to bind: Role of glycoproteins in male (in)fertility” in the journal Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Proteins and Proteomics.

In this work, we provide an overview of the critical roles played by glycoproteins in male reproductive function, with a particular focus on their involvement in sperm development, maturation, and fertilization processes. The review also discusses how alterations in glycosylation patterns may contribute to impaired fertility, highlighting glycoproteins as important players in both physiological and pathological contexts.

This publication contributes to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying male fertility and opens new perspectives for the identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

📚 Read it here!

26 March 2026

Giuseppe T. Patanè Presents Research at the 1st SIB Young Meeting

Giuseppe T. Patanè participated in the 1st SIB Young Meeting, held from 25–27 March 2026 in Abano Terme (Italy). During the meeting, he delivered an oral presentation entitled “Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside Dose-Dependently Protects Redox Balance but Suppresses PKA-Driven Steroidogenesis in Healthy Leydig Cells.”

This work, developed at the University of Aveiro, explores the dual effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, a dietary anthocyanin, on Leydig cell function. The findings highlight a dose-dependent interplay between antioxidant protection and the regulation of steroid hormone production.

His participation in this meeting reflects the continued impact and dissemination of our group's research.

18 March 2026

iBiMED Winter Seminar by Prof. Marco G. Alves a Success!!

The seminar delivered by Prof. Marco G. Alves as part of the iBiMED Winter Seminar Series was a great success.

The session, titled “The Enduring Impact of Diet on Male Fertility and Offspring Health,” brought together students and researchers for an engaging discussion on the role of metabolism and nutrition in reproductive health. The presentation also highlighted the current research lines from the Sertoli Cell and Gamete Biology Lab.

We thank everyone who attended and contributed to the stimulating discussion!

04 March 2026

Honourable Mention at the XVII Biochemistry Day Science Exhibition Contest

Our research group recently participated in the XVII Biochemistry Day, organized by the Núcleo de Estudantes de Química of the Associação Académica da Universidade de Aveiro.

As part of the event, we joined the Science Exhibition Contest with the activity “Motility Modulators: Unveiling the Biochemical Machinery of the Flagellum.” Through this interactive activity, participants had the opportunity to explore the biochemical mechanisms that regulate sperm motility and understand their importance for male reproductive health.The activity was prepared and presented by our PhD students Rúben J. Moreira and Diana C.A. André, our international student Julia Stein, and Inês Aires, a student from Prof. Rita Ferreira’s group.

We are proud to share that our activity received an Honourable Mention in the contest.

Congratulations to everyone involved for their excellent work in science communication and outreach!

04 March 2026

Rúben J. Moreira Joins the Scientific Committee of the SPB Junior Section

We are proud to share that our PhD student Rúben J. Moreira will integrate the Scientific Committee of the Junior Section of the Portuguese Biochemical Society (SPB).

This appointment recognizes his active involvement in the scientific community and his commitment to supporting early-career researchers within the field of biochemistry. Through this role, Rúben will contribute to the organization of scientific initiatives and activities aimed at fostering networking, training, and collaboration among young scientists.

Congratulations, Rúben, on this achievement!

28 January 2026

New Publication: Sertoli Cell Redox Imbalance Induced by Tributyltin Exposure

We are proud to share a new research article in Archives of Toxicology:
“Metabolic and antioxidant imbalance in Sertoli cells induced by tributyltin exposure is accompanied by Sirt3 downregulation.”

This study investigates how tributyltin (TBT), an environmental obesogen and endocrine disruptor, affects the redox balance and metabolism of Sertoli cells, key support cells in the testis. The work shows that TBT disrupts antioxidant capacity and metabolic activity in these cells through downregulation of SIRT3, highlighting important mechanisms by which environmental contaminants can impair male reproductive health.

Congratulations to all co-authors for this valuable contribution to reproductive toxicology!

📄 Read the article here!

02 January 2026

New Publication in Reproductive Toxicology

We are excited to share our latest research article published in Reproductive Toxicology: “β-Caryophyllene mitigates metabolic dysfunction in the testes of gerbils perinatally exposed to BPA”

This study arose from an international collaboration between our group and colleagues from São Paulo State University and the State University of Campinas (Brazil). The work demonstrates that β-caryophyllene, a natural dietary compound, can alleviate metabolic disruptions in testicular tissue induced by perinatal exposure to bisphenol A.

Congratulations to all co-authors for this important contribution to reproductive toxicology and metabolic health research!

You can read the paper here!

01 January 2026

First Publication of 2026: Review on Anthocyanins and Metabolic Health

We are delighted to share our first publication of the year in Antioxidants: “Anthocyanins as Promising Bioactives for Metabolic Health: Insights into Precision Nutrition and Medicine”

This extensive international review - conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Messina (Italy) - explores the health-promoting properties of anthocyanins. The article summarizes current evidence supporting the metabolic benefits of anthocyanins and discusses how these compounds could be integrated into precision medicine strategies to support metabolic health.

You can read the paper here!

30 December 2025

Our Last Publication of the Year Is Out!

We are happy to share that our group has just published the final paper of the year in Pharmaceuticals: “Losartan Protects Against Radiation-Induced Testicular Damage by Modulating Oxidative Stress, Testosterone Levels, and Metabolic Profile”

This work results from an international collaboration with colleagues from Marília Medical School (São Paulo, Brazil) and provides new insights into how losartan — a commonly used antihypertensive drug — may help protect male reproductive health under conditions of radiation exposure.

You can read the paper 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!

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!

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.

Meet the Team

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