News & Events

05-12-2014

British Journal of Nutrition article accepted!

An article entitled “Daily consumption of white tea (Camellia sinensis (L.)) by prediabetic Wistar rats improves cerebral cortex metabolic and oxidative profile” by Nunes et al. has been accepted for publication in British Journal of Nutrition. Our results illustrate that daily white tea consumption by prediabetic rats improves cerebral cortical metabolic and oxidative profile suggesting that white tea consumption is a good, safe and inexpensive strategy to prevent prediabetes-related effects in the cortex.

04-12-2014

Toxicology article accepted!

An article entitled “Dose-dependent effects of caffeine in human Sertoli cells metabolism and oxidative profile: relevance for male fertility by Dias et al. has been accepted for publication in Toxicology. This article evaluates the effect of caffeine on human Sertoli cells metabolism and oxidative profile, which are essential for spermatogenesis. Our results illustrate that moderate consumption of caffeine appears to be safe or even positive to the metabolic functioning of human Sertoli cells.

04-12-2014

Special Issue for CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN

Marco G. Alves and Pedro F. Oliveira have been appointed as Guest Editors of the special issue Cell metabolism and Current Challenges in Drug Research. This issue will discuss cell metabolism and its control of cell fate in several biological systems and diseases. In summary, it will present current challenges related to cell metabolism and drug discovery, including molecular mechanisms that control cell metabolism and may be targets of great potential in human health.

03-12-2014

Current Neuropharmacology article accepted!

An article entitled “Can tea consumption be a safe and effective therapy against diabetes mellitus-induced neurodegeneration?” by Nunes et al. has been accepted for publication in Current Neuropharmacology. This article discusses the potential beneficial effects of the consumption of tea and its phytochemicals and how their action can counteract the severe brain damage induced by this disease.

10-11-2014

Current Drug Targets article accepted!

An article entitled “CFTR regulation of Aquaporin-mediated water transport: a target in male fertility” by Alves et al. has been accepted for publication in Current Drug Targets. This article presents an up-to-date review and discussion on the role of CFTR on the aquaporin-mediated water transport mechanisms in the male reproductive tract and its involvement on the male reproductive potential.

29-10-2014

Cátia Rocha - Master Degree

Cátia Rocha has been awarded a Master degree in Biomedical Sciences after defending her thesis, entitled "Melatonin as a Metabolic Modulator in Sertoli Cells", in a public presentation that took place at FCS - UBI. She obtained a classification of 20 values (out of 20). Congratulations!!

11-10-2014

Marco G. Alves invited Speaker of Department of Life Sciences - University of Coimbra!

Marco G. Alves has been invited to present a lecture entitled “The Warburg effect revisited: lesson from the Sertoli cell” on the commemorations of the 5 years of the Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, which will be held on October 11, 2014.

14-09-2014

Featured Article in Joint Collection of Nature Reviews

Our article entitled “Metabolic Regulation is Important for Spermatogenesis” by Rato et al. has been selected as featured article in a Joint Collection of Nature Reviews Urology and Nature Reviews Endocrinology on Fertility and Reproduction.

05-09-2014

IUBMB Life article accepted!

An article entitled “Aquaporin-9 is expressed in rat Sertoli cells and interacts with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator” by Jesus et al. has been accepted for publication in IUBMB Life. This article presents a first report describing the presence of AQP9, and its interaction with CFTR, in rat Sertoli cells, providing evidence that CFTR is involved in water homeostasis of the seminiferous tubular secretion.

26-08-2014 Obesity Reviews article accepted!An article entitled “High-energy diets: a threat for male fertility?” by Rato et al. has been accepted for publication in Obesity Reviews.

This article presents an up-to-date overview of the effects of HED on testicular metabolism, sperm parameters and the subsequent consequences for male fertility. The understanding of the detrimental effects of HED overconsumption on the pathways underlying testicular metabolism and sperm production is imperative; otherwise one may favor a transgenerational amplification of subfertility.

07-08-2014 Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology article accepted! An article entitled “Sperm glucose transport and metabolism in diabetic individuals” has been accepted for publication in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. This article presents an overview on the implications of Diabetes Mellitus in sperm glucose transport and metabolism. The understanding of the functioning and regulation of these processes is essential to identify the mechanisms associated with Diabetes-related male infertility.

30-06-2014 Marco G. Alves was appointed as reviewer for Czech Science Foundation Marco G. Alves was recently invited to serve as evaluator for the Czech Science Foundation, which is the main public funding agency in the Czech Republic supporting all areas of basic scientific research.

27-05-2014 Special Issue for CURRENT MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY Marco G. Alves and Pedro F. Oliveira have been appointed as Guest Editors of the special issue Targeting Mammalian Spermatogenesis: a Matter of Support. This issue aims to present an overview on mammalian spermatogenesis and how it can be targeted by chemicals, hormones and phytochemicals. Several top scientists have already confirmed their contribution.

12-05-2014 Biology of Reproduction article accepted! An article entitled “Physiology of Na+/H+ Exchangers in the Male Reproductive Tract: Relevance for Male Fertility” has been accepted for publication in Biology of Reproduction. This article addresses the physiological roles of SLC9 family members in the male reproductive tract, as well as the molecular basis of H+ transport and its involvement in male reproductive potential.

10-04-2014 BBA - Molecular Basis of Disease article accepted An article entitled “Insulin therapy modulates mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis, autophagy and tau protein phosphorylation in the brain of type 1 diabetic animals” from Prof. Paula I. Moreira group has been accepted for publication in BBA - Molecular Basis of Disease. This article featured the collaboration of Dr. Marco G. Alves and Dr. Pedro F. Oliveira.

31-03-2014 Marco G. Alves appointed Academic Editor of Medicine Marco G. Alves has been appointed Academic Editor of the journal Medicine (impact factor 4.2). The journal is one of the most renowned in the field of general medicine and publishes original articles from a wide range of medical disciplines, including endocrinology, urology and metabolic disorders.

12-03-2014

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications article accepted!

An article entitled “Aquaporin-4 as a molecular partner of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in rat Sertoli cells” has been accepted for publication in BBRC. This article addresses the molecular interaction established between AQP-4 and CFTR in Sertoli cells.

07-03-2014 General and Comparative Endocrinology article accepted! An article entitled “Expression pattern of G protein-coupled receptor 30 in human seminiferous tubular cells” has been accepted for publication in GCE. This article addresses a first exhaustive description of the expression of GPR30 in the cells of the human seminiferous tubules.

01-02-2014 Raquel L. Bernardino - UBI-Santander/Totta Fellowship Raquel L. Bernardino has been awarded a research fellowship under the protocol signed between the University of Beira Interior and the Santander/Totta Bank, to develop a project entitled "Male (in)fertility and hormonal control of bicarbonate membrane transport in human Sertoli cells" at FCS - UBI. Congratulations!!