SC & Gamete Biology Lab

Date: 27-29 April 2027

ISSB2027 Comes to the University of Aveiro

Our research group is part of the organizing team of the International Symposium on Sperm Biology (ISSB2027), taking place at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, from 27–29 April 2027.

The symposium will bring together researchers, clinicians and other professionals to discuss the latest advances in sperm biology and male reproductive health, including spermatogenesis, sperm–oocyte interactions, spermomics and the impact of lifestyle on fertility. The event will also foster scientific exchange and new collaborations across the field.

Early-bird registration and abstract submission are now open!

Find out more and take part!

Date: 21 October 2026

Prof. Pedro F. Oliveira and Prof. Marco G. Alves Among the World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists

Prof. Pedro F. Oliveira and Prof. Marco G. Alves have once again been recognized among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists, highlighting the international impact of their research. This recognition reflects their continued commitment to advancing biomedical and biochemical research and understanding the mechanisms underlying male reproductive health and fertility.

Congratulations to both professors on this achievement!

Read the University of Aveiro’s announcement here!

Date: 19 October 2026

Scientific Writing Workshop at the University of Aveiro

Prof. Marco Alves’s scientific writing workshop, organized by NECIB at the University of Aveiro, brought together 69 participants, including national and international undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students.

The strong participation reflects the interest in developing scientific communication skills across different academic levels. Thank you to everyone who participated and to NECIB for organizing this initiative!

Date: 14-16 October 2026

Our Group at the 5th International Electronic Conference on Metabolomics

PhD student Rúben J. Moreira and Master’s student Maria de Almeida-Santos represented our research group at the 5th International Electronic Conference on Metabolomics, held online from 14 to 16 October 2026.

Their participation highlights our group’s expertise in metabolomics and our commitment to advancing research into the metabolic mechanisms underlying reproductive health and disease.

Learn more about the conference here!

Date: 12 October 2026

New Study Explores Metabolic Changes Linked to Muscle Loss in Diabetes

A new study, “Hyperglycemia-induced metabolic rewiring is associated with skeletal muscle loss in a fructose-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model,” investigates how high blood glucose affects skeletal muscle metabolism in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.

The findings link hyperglycemia-induced muscle loss to metabolic changes, including increased fatty acid oxidation and alterations in amino acid metabolism, suggesting that the body shifts towards alternative energy sources at the expense of muscle protein maintenance. This work highlights the importance of understanding metabolic dysfunction in diabetes and its impact on muscle health.

Congratulations to all the authors on this work!

Read the full article here!

Date: 8 October 2026

New Study on Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside and Leydig Cell Function

A new study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (BBRC), “Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside drives metabolic reprogramming and modulates PKA-dependent signaling in Leydig cells,” results from an international collaboration between our group at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, and researchers from the University of Messina, Italy.

The study highlights the concentration-dependent effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on Leydig cell metabolism, steroidogenesis and PKA-dependent signaling, showing that higher concentrations can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and cytotoxicity.

Congratulations to all the authors on this international collaboration!

Read the full article here.

Date: 25 September 2026

Exploring Male Fertility at European Researchers’ Night 2026

Our research group participated in European Researchers’ Night 2026 with the activity “(In)Fertilidade Masculina: Descobre o que faz a Diferença” (Male (In)Fertility: Discover What Makes the Difference), bringing research on male reproductive health closer to the public interactively and engagingly.

Visitors were invited to take part in a fun challenge to help a spermatozoon reach its destination, exploring some of the factors that can influence male fertility along the way. The activity attracted participants of all ages, including the Rector of the University of Aveiro, Prof. Artur Silva, who also took on the challenge!

Date: 11 September 2026

Prof. Marco G. Alves Appointed Director of the Master’s in Clinical Bioinformatics

Prof. Marco G. Alves has been appointed the new Director of the Master’s in Clinical Bioinformatics at the University of Aveiro. The programme is a joint initiative between the Department of Medical Sciences (DCM) and the Department of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics (DETI).

The programme brings together biomedical and computational expertise, providing interdisciplinary training at the interface of medicine, biology, and data science. We congratulate Prof. Marco G. Alves on this new responsibility and wish him every success in this role.

Date: 19 August 2026

New Research Highlight on Extracellular Vesicles and Testosterone Production

Our group has published a new invited Research Highlight in Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids, focusing on how extracellular vesicles may mediate mitochondrial communication between Leydig cells and testicular macrophages and contribute to the maintenance of testosterone production.

The work highlights a potential role for intercellular mitochondrial trafficking in maintaining testicular function and provides new perspectives on the cellular mechanisms regulating male reproductive health.

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

Google Sites

Report abuse