News & Events
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Ana D. Martins - Public defense of Doctoral thesis
The public defence of Doctoral thesis of Ana D. Martins, MSc, is scheduled for the 8th January 2020, at 14:15, at the Salão Nobre of ICBAS/FFUP complex (room P4EA). The title of her thesis is "Hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis: role of ghrelin-leptin axis and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) in nutriente membrane transport through sertoli cell/blood-testis barrier". For further information please check the official announcement (in Portuguese). Good luck!
Best Poster award - Luís Crisóstomo
Luís Crisóstomo, MSc, has been awarded with the prize for Best Poster at the 2nd Meeting of the 3rd Cycle in Biomedical Sciences, for his work entitled "Can a diet reversion in young mice fed with high-fat diet lead to better sperm quality?". Congratulations!
Our group was present at the "2nd Meeting of the 3rd Cycle in Biomedical Sciences"!
David F. Carrageta, MSc and Luís Crisóstomo, MSc have represented our group at the 2nd Meeting of the 3rd Cycle in Biomedical Sciences, held at ICBAS-FF Complex, on the 20th December 2019. David presented his work, "Effects of hyperglycemia on human sperm physiology and mitochondrial function", as a Oral Communication. Luís was selected for Poster Presentation with the work "Can a diet reversion in young mice fed with high-fat diet lead to better sperm quality?". Congratulations!
A paper has been published in "Obesity Surgery"!
An article by Jarak I et al entitled "Gastric Bypass with Different Biliopancreatic Limb Lengths Results in Similar Post-absorptive Metabolomics Profiles" has been accepted for publication in "Obesity Surgery". The paper describes the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a long biliopancreatic limb on the acute post-prandial metabolite absorption. Congratulations!
A paper has been published in "Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics"!
An article by Carrageta DF et al entitled "Aquaporins and male (in)fertility: Expression and role throughout the male reproductive tract" has been accepted for publication in "Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics". In this review, the authors discuss the most recent data on the regulation of aquaporins expression and dysfunction linked with male infertility. Congratulations!
A paper has been published in "AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism"!
An article by Martins AD et al entitled "Caloric restriction alters the hormonal profile and testicular metabolome resulting in alterations of sperm head morphology" has been accepted for publication in "AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism". The paper describes the deleterious effects of caloric restriction on the endocrine homeostasis and male fertility, using a rodent model. Congratulations!
3 BSc research grants - "Spermboost" project!
A total of 3 BSc research fellows are now open in the scope of "Spermboost: improving sperm preparation and cryopreservation for Assisted Reproductive Technologies", funded by Merck KGaA. The first grant has the duration of 1 year, and the other two grants have a 6-month duration. All these positions are open until the 2nd December 2019. Apply now!
Job opportunity as Research Technician - "TRaitor" project!
A vacancy is now open for a Research Technician on the project "TRaitor - Tracking TRAnsgenerational epigenetic Inheritance of metabolic diseases Transmitted via overweight or obese fathers" (PTDC/MEC-AND/28691/2017). This opportunity is open until 18th November 2019. Please, read here the full announcement of this open position.
A paper has been published in "Toxicology in Vitro"! !
An article by Moreira BP et al entitled "Technical-grade chlordane compromises rat Sertoli cells proliferation, viability and metabolic activity" has been accepted for publication in "Toxicology in Vitro". The paper describes the effects of technical-grade chlordane in the glucose metabolism of rat Sertoli Cells, and the potential consequences for male fertility. Congratulations!
Marco G. Alves is in editorial board of "Antioxidants & Redox Signaling"!
Marco G. Alves, PhD was invited to join the editorial board of the "Antioxidants & Redox Signaling" journal. This journal dedicates "to understanding of the vital impact of oxygen and oxidation-reduction (redox) processes on human health and disease, exploring key issues in genetic, pharmaceutical, and nutritional redox-based therapeutics". Congratulations!
Sara, Patrícia and João are our most recent Masters of Science!
Sara Pereira, Patrícia Braga and João Ribeiro have successfully defended their respective MSc Thesis on Applied Biochemistry today, 24th October 2019, at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. The newly crowned Masters of Science were exemplar on their presentations and discussions, having achieved top grades! Congratulations to all!
David Carrageta at the Bruker Metabonomics course!
David F. Carraget, MSc, has attended the Bruker course on Metabonomics. This edition was held at the Bruker BioSpin GmbH headquarters in Rheinstetten, Germany, from 14 to 14 October 2019. Congratulations!
Luís Crisóstomo spoke at the MiP/MitoEAGLE Conference 2019!
Luís Crisóstomo, MSc was selected for Oral presentation at the MiP/MitoEAGLE Conference 2019, with the work "Mitogheist - Is testicular mitochondrial dysfunction a ghost pattern of paternal high-fat diet in mice?". Luís has also awarded with a Travel grant to attend this conference, held in University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, from 13th to 16th October 2019. Congratulations!
Tânia R. Dias - PhD degree achieved!
Tânia R. Dias is the most recent PhD member of our group after brilliantly defending her PhD thesis entitled "Effect of white tea on the reproductive function of diabetic or prediabetic individuals". The public defense was held today, 10th October 2019, at the "Sala dos Actos" of the Rectory of the University of Beira Interior. The jury unanimously granted her the highest grade. Congratulations!
Ana C. Martins spoke at the Molecular Andrology 2019 symposium!
Ana C. Martins, MSc was selected for Oral presentation at the Molecular Andrology 2019, with the work "Testicular bioenergetics and sperm morphology are influenced by caloric restriction in rats". Ana has also awarded with a Travel grant to attend this symposium. The Molecular Andrology 2019 was held in Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany, from 24th to 26th September 2019. Congratulations!
Marco G. Alves speaks at the 3rd ICFC!
Marco G. Alves, PhD, is one of the invited speakers at the 3rd International Conference on Food Contaminants: Challenges on Risk Assessment, held in Aveiro on the 26 and 27 September 2019. His talk will be entitled "Sperm quality is dangerously low worldwide: is there and environmental/food factor?". Congratulations!
David Carrageta at the AVANCE/TopSpin Basic course!
David F. Carraget, MSc, has attended the AVANCE/TopSpin course - Autumn 2019, one of the courses on NMR organized by Bruker. This edition was held at the Bruker BioSpin GmbH headquarters in Rheinstetten, Germany, from 16 to 20 September. Congratulations!
A paper has been published in "Reproduction"!
A paper by Crisóstomo et al. has just been accepted for publication in the journal "Reproduction". The paper, entitled "A switch from high-fat to normal diet does not restore sperm quality but prevents metabolic syndrome", describes the potential irreversible negative effects of a high-fat diet in the male sperm parameter and testicular metabolism. Congratulations!
Luís Crisóstomo has been awarded with an "EFSD Albert Renold Travelling Grant"!
Luís Crisóstomo has been awarded with an EFSD Albert Renold Travelling Grant, for funding of an internship at the University of Turku (Finland), under supervision of Prof. Noora Kotaja. During this stay, Luís will receive training on relevant techniques for his PhD project, while setting a new international collaboration. Congratulations!
Our representatives at the "SEHIT 2019"!
Marco G. Alves, PhD, Pedro F. Oliveira, PhD, Raquel L. Bernardino, PhD, Tânia R. Dias, MSc and David F. Carrageta, MSc, have participated at the "SEHIT 2019", held from 4 to 6 September in Múrcia, Spain. Marco G. Alves was invited as speaker of the Opening Session, where he presented a talk "Sertoli cells: New perspectives". Congratulations!
A paper has been published in "Theriogenology"!
A paper by Marwa et al. has just been accepted for publication in the journal "Theriogenology". The paper, entitled "A new thiocyanoacetamide (2-cyano-2-p-nitrophenyl-N-benzylthioamide) reduces doxorubicin-induced in vitro toxicity in Sertoli cells by decreasing apoptosis and autophagy", describes the cytoprotective effects of thiocyanoacetamide and selenium supplementation against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in in vitro human Sertoli Cells. Congratulations!
Luís Crisóstomo was at the "Epigenetic Inheritance Symposium 2019"!
Luís Crisóstomo, MSc, was present at the "Epigenetic Inheritance Symposium 2019", where he presented a poster about his current research, "Paternal inheritance of metabolic syndrome traits and sperm anomalies induced by high-fat diet in mice". This biennial congress was held in Zürich, at the ETH Zürich, from 26 to 28 August 2019. Congratulations!
A paper has been published in "Current Protocols in Toxicology"!
A paper by Martins AD, Oliveira PF and Alves MG has just been accepted for publication in the journal "Current Protocols in Toxicology". The paper, entitled "Assessment of Sertoli Cell Proliferation by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide and Sulforhodamine B Assays", describe techniques to assess Sertoli Cell proliferation in vitro, from different origin, based on MTT and SRB probes. Congratulations!
Bruno P. Moreira - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology PhD Fellowship!
Bruno P. Moreira has been awarded a PhD fellowship by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The PhD project will be developed under the supervision of Marco G. Alves and co-supervision of Prof. Alberto Barros (FMUP-UP) and Prof. Margarida Fardilha (iBiMed-UA) at UMIB/ICBAS-UP.
Marco G. Alves has been featured in UP News!
Marco G. Alves, PhD has been featured in UP News, the official news outlet of the University of Porto Community. This publication was issued in the scope of the recent invitation to Marco G. Alves, as PI of the SpermBoost project, in joining the newly created Medical Innovation Program, promoted by the pharmaceutical giant Merck KGaA. The full article is available here. Congratulations!
Marco G. Alves was appointed as Evaluation Expert by FCT!
Marco G. Alves, PhD was appointed as Evaluation Expert for the National PhD fellowships in the field of Biomedicine, by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The Evaluation Expert's panel yearly evaluates the PhD applications soughing funding via FCT, a crucial mean for PhD training in Portugal. Congratulations!
Tânia R. Dias presented her work at the "3rd WCEATM"!
Tânia R. Dias, MSc, was selected for oral presented with the work entitled "White tea as a promising agent agains subfertility/infertility promoted by Diabetes Mellitus", at the "3rd World Congress and Expo on Alternative and Traditional Medicine". This congress was held in Berlin, Germany, on the 6th and 7th June 2019. Congratulations!
A paper has been published in "Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences"!
A paper by Bernardino RL et al. has been published in the journal "Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences". The paper, entitled "pH and male fertility: making sense on pH homeodynamics throughout the male reproductive tract", reviews the different mechanisms for pH balance in the fluids of the male reproductive tract, and their relevance for male reproductive potential. Congratulations!
A paper has been published in "Cell & Tissue Research"!
A paper by Bernardino RL et al. has just been accepted for publication in the "Cell & Tissue Research" journal. The paper, entitled "Knockout of MCT1 results in total absence of spermatozoa, sex hormones dysregulation, and morphological alterations in the testicular tissue", describe the critical role of MCT1 in the reproductive function of male mice. Congratulations!
Tito T. Jesus - PhD degree
Tito T. Jesus successfully defended his PhD thesis after a public defence held on the 8th May 2019, and he has become our group's newest PhD holder. Congratulations to him and to his PhD Advisors!
Tito T. Jesus - Public defence of Doctoral Thesis
The public defence of Doctoral thesis of Tito T. Jesus, MSc, is scheduled for the 8th May 2019, at 14:15, at the Amphiteathre 7 of ICBAS/FFUP complex (room P4EA). The title of his thesis is "mTOR pathway is a novel regulator of male fertility". For further information please check the official announcement (in Portuguese). Good luck!
Marco G. Alves is now member of editorial board of the "Antioxidants" Journal!
Marco G. Alves, PhD was invited to join the editorial board of the "Antioxidants" journal. This journal provides an advanced forum for studies related to the science and technology of antioxidants, and publishes research papers, reviews and communications on the subject. Congratulations!
Marco G. Alves spoke at "Biochemistry and Biophysics in the post-genomic Era"!
Marco G. Alves, PhD, was one of the invited speakers for the seminar "Biochemistry and Biophysics in the post-genomic Era". In his talk, entitled "Metabolic cooperation in testis and male (in)fertility", he presented the latest findings of our group concerning the influence of metabolism in the male fertility outcomes. Congratulations!
Two events, a great success!
Our group, as part of UMIB and in cooperation with FFUP and REQUINTE-UCIBIO, organised two events in collaboration with the Editors of the ABB journal, an Elsevier publication: the workshop "How to get you paper published", and the seminar "Biochemistry and Biophysics in the post-genomic Era". The events held in the ICBAS-FF Complex, and counted with more than 100 participants in both days. Congratulations!
A paper has been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences!
A paper by Moreira BP et al. has been accepted for publication in the "International Journal of Molecular Sciences". The paper entitled "Molecular Mechanisms Controlled by mTOR in Male Reproductive System", reviews the most recent bibliography regarding the role of mTOR in determining the male reproductive potential. Congratulations!
Sara Pereira - Poster presentation award at VII AEICBAS Biomedical Congress!
Sara Pereira, BSc has awarded the 3rd prize for best Poster Presentation in the VII AEICBAS Biomedical Congress, with the work entitled "Expression of Obesity-related genes is altered by Leptin-Ghrelin stimuli, in Human Sertoli Cells". This congress was held on the 14-17 March 2019 at the CHUP, Porto. Congratulations!
Pedro F. Oliveira lectured at Experimental Biology 2019!
Pedro F. Oliveira, PhD, was invited to presente a lecture at the Experimental Biology meeting that took place in Orlando, Florida from April 6—9, 2019. In his talk, entitled " The Role of Aquaporins and Glycerol Metabolism in Male Fertility", he presented the latest findings of our group concerning the role of glycerol transport and metabolism in the male fertility. Congratulations!
Marco G. Alves was awarded with a GIFT research grant!
Our team led by Marco G. Alves, PhD, was awarded with the grant of the Study Group In Fundamental and Translational Research (GIFT) of the Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD), for the project entitled "Paternal glucose metabolism deregulation and diabetes predisposition in the offspring". The award was attributed during the 15th Portuguese Congress of Diabetes that was held in Vilamoura last weekend. Congratulations!
Two events jointly organized with Elsevier editors!
Our group, as part of UMIB and in cooperation with FFUP and REQUINTE-UCIBIO, is organising two events in collaboration with the Editors of the ABB journal, an Elsevier publication. The events will be held in the ICBAS-FF Complex, in the upcoming 11th and 12th April 2019. Attendance to both events is free, but registration is mandatory. This registration is also independent, i.e., you are requested to register to each one of the events.
Job opportunity as Post-Doc Researcher - "Obesitility" project!
A vacancy is now open for a Post-Doc to work on the project "Obesitility – Gut hormones and testicular metabolism: mechanisms associated with obesity-related male infertility" (PTDC/BIM-MET/4712/2014). This opportunity is open until 14th March 2019. Please, read here the full announcement of this open position.
Our representatives at the 15th SPD Congress!
Marco G. Alves, PhD and Luís Crisóstomo, MSc, have represented our research group at the 15th Congress of the Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD). They presented our work as both oral and postar presentations. The Congress was held from 8-10 March at the Hotel Tivoli Marina Vilamoura, Vilamoura, Portugal. Congratulations!
A paper has been published at Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology!
A paper by M.J. Meneses et al. has been accepted for publication in "Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology". The paper entitled "Knockout of insulin degrading enzyme leads to mice testicular morphological changes and impaired sperm quality", provides evidence that Insulin-degrading Enzyme (IDE) plays an important role in determining the reproductive potential of males. Congratulations!
Marco G. Alves - Editorial Board member of Nutrition & Metabolism journal!
Marco G. Alves, PhD, was recently appointed as Editorial Board member of the Nutrition & Metabolism journal. Congratulations!
A paper has been published at The FEBS Journal!
A paper by Raquel L. Bernardino et al. has been accepted for publication in "The FEBS Journal". The paper entitled "Carbonic anhydrases are involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and control the production of lactate by human Sertoli cells", describes the involvement of Carbonic Anydrases in the metabolism, mitochondrial potential, mitochondrial biogenesis and lipid metabolism of human Sertoli cells, isolated from men with conserved spermatogenesis. Congratulations!
Our MSc Students at the IJUP 2019!
Our MSc Students Anette Veiga, Cassandra Santos, João Ribeiro and Sara Pereira were selected to present their work at the IJUP, a congress organised by the University of Porto to showcase its Junior Researchers. João and Sara were selected for Oral Presentation, whereas Anette and Cassandra will present a poster. Congratulations!
Expert's Opinion - Marco G. Alves
The Portuguese Fertility Association launched the first issue of its digital magazine and kindly invited Marco G. Alves, PhD, to write an opinion piece entitled: "Because all spermatozoon counts ...". It is a reflection on some myths concerning male infertility and the under-funding that this area suffers. Congratulations!
Raquel L. Bernardino - PhD degree
Raquel L. Bernardino, successfully defended her PhD thesis after a public defence held today, 2nd January 2019, and she has become our group's newest PhD holder. Congratulations to her and to her PhD Advisors!