SC & Gamete Biology Lab

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!

Date: 24 July 2026

Prof. Marco G. Alves’ Visit to IBB/UNESP Highlighted

The visit of Prof. Marco G. Alves to the Institute of Biosciences of São Paulo State University (IBB/UNESP), Brazil, was highlighted on the UNESP website as an important initiative to strengthen international cooperation in biosciences. During his visit, Prof. Alves delivered a seminar on male reproduction and participated in meetings to discuss common research interests and opportunities for future collaboration. The visit also provided an opportunity to explore new strategic partnerships between the University of Aveiro and UNESP.

We are pleased to see this collaboration recognized by IBB/UNESP and look forward to the development of new joint research initiatives between the two institutions.

To read the news post on the IBB/UNESP website, click here!

Date: 24 July 2026

Prof. Marco G. Alves to Deliver Invited Seminar at UNESP, Brazil

Prof. Marco G. Alves will deliver an invited seminar at the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, in the PG/IBB Auditorium.

Entitled "The Aging Testis: Metabolic Drivers of Declining Male Reproductive Potential", the seminar will explore how metabolic alterations associated with aging contribute to the progressive decline in male reproductive function, highlighting recent advances in the understanding of testicular physiology and male fertility.

This invitation reflects the growing international recognition of our group's research and provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen scientific collaboration with colleagues at UNESP.

June/July 2026

Prof. Mario Allegra Visited Our Research Group

Over the past month, we had the pleasure of hosting Prof. Mario Allegra from the University of Palermo at our research group at the University of Aveiro. During his stay, Prof. Allegra contributed to the organization of the "Mitochondria Under Stress!" workshop and delivered an lecture, fostering scientific discussion and strengthening collaborations in mitochondrial biology and metabolism.

His visit also reinforced the collaboration between our groups. As part of this partnership, his PhD student, Francesco Maria Pollara, will continue his research at the University of Aveiro, investigating the effects of a natural compound on steroidogenesis.

We thank Prof. Allegra for his visit and look forward to the continued collaboration and the exciting research opportunities it will bring.

16 July 2026

Our PhD Students Present Their Research at Research Summit 2026

Our PhD students, Rúben J. Moreira and Alice Pinto, presented their research at Research Summit 2026, held at the University of Aveiro. The event provided a valuable platform for researchers to share progress on their projects with the academic community and foster interdisciplinary discussion.

Alice delivered the presentation "Is Age Just a Number?", while Rúben presented "The Testis Remembers", showcasing ongoing research developed within our group. Their participation highlights the importance of communicating scientific advances and exchanging ideas with researchers from diverse fields.

We congratulate Alice and Rúben on their presentations and their contribution to promoting our group's research at this university-wide event.

Learn more about the Research Summit, including the program and plenary sessions, here!

14 July 2026

New Publication Explores How Insulin Regulates Fatty Acid Metabolism in Sertoli Cells

Our research group has published a new article entitled "Insulin Regulates CD36-Dependent Fatty Acid Uptake but Not Mitochondrial Oxidation in Sertoli Cells" in the journal Andrology.

This study provides new insights into how insulin regulates lipid metabolism in Sertoli cells, the "nurse" cells of the testis that are essential for supporting sperm production. The findings demonstrate that insulin promotes fatty acid uptake by regulating CD36, while mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation remains unaffected. Under insulin-deficient conditions, Sertoli cells showed reduced fatty acid uptake, lipid storage, glucose consumption, and lactate production, highlighting the broad metabolic consequences of impaired insulin signaling.

These results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking diabetes and male infertility, suggesting that disrupted fatty acid metabolism in Sertoli cells may contribute to the impaired support of spermatogenesis observed in insulin-deficient states.

Read the full paper here!

4 - 8 July 2026

Our Research Presented at the 50th FEBS Congress

Rúben J. Moreira and Giuseppe T. Patanè represented our research group at the 50th FEBS Congress, held in Maastricht, the Netherlands, where they presented their latest research through poster communications. Prior to the congress, Rúben also attended the 25th FEBS Young Scientists' Forum (YSF) in Wageningen, having been selected as one of this year's awardees.

At the congress, Rúben presented his work on the relationship between lifestyle and male fertility, while Giuseppe showcased his research on the effects of natural compounds on Leydig cell steroidogenesis.

Their participation highlights our group's ongoing commitment to advancing research in metabolism and male reproductive health while strengthening international scientific collaborations.

Find more information about the 50th FEBS Congress here!

Find more information about the 25th FEBS YSF here!

Date: 8 July 2026

Workshop on “Mitochondria Under Stress” Brings Together Experts in Metabolism and Health

Our research group is pleased to co-organize the workshop “Mitochondria Under Stress”, an event dedicated to exploring how mitochondrial function shapes cellular adaptation, metabolism, and health across different biological contexts.

Bringing together researchers and early-career scientists from different institutions and disciplines, the workshop will feature lectures, flash talks, practical sessions, and discussion moments focused on current topics in mitochondrial research. The scientific program will address areas including mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox signaling, metabolic plasticity, mitochondrial quality control, reproductive biology, and approaches for assessing mitochondrial function. This workshop aims to create an open and dynamic environment for scientific exchange, networking, and interdisciplinary discussion around one of the most relevant topics in modern biomedical research.

We invite students, researchers, and all those interested in metabolism and mitochondrial biology to join us and be part of this event.

Find more information 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!

Application Deadline: 15 August 2026

Grant Opportunity: Join the SpermFit Project

We are inviting applications for one Research Grant (RG) to join the SpermFit project. The successful candidate will contribute to research exploring the links between obesity, metabolism, and male reproductive health. The project involves Sertoli and Leydig cell culture, NMR-based metabolomics, molecular biology techniques, and multi-omics data analysis, under the scientific supervision of Prof. Marco G. Alves.

The position is open to candidates with a background in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, or related fields, particularly those with experience in reproductive biology, cell culture, metabolomics, and molecular biology.

Applications should be sent by email to marcoalves@ua.pt.

📌 Full details and application information:
🔗 Euraxess job announcement

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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