Bio-PhysNano – Biophysics and Nanosystems Group

Margarida Godinho

The main goal of the BioPhysics and Nanosystems Group is to understand and to improve the characterization of biosystems by studying them as physical systems, and to develop adequate instrumentation and theoretical tools.

The group is organized in 2 sub-groups :

* MagNano (Magnetism & Nanosystems) is a team with a large experience in magnetism, electronic/atomic configuration studies and in the development of nanotechnology methods and techniques, recently focused on biological systems and applications

* PBS (Physics of Biological Systems) was created in 2008 as the first FCT research group in physics of biological systems, with protein physics as its major focus. On-going research includes other topics in complex systems, using analytic and computational methods rooted in statistical or quantum physics

Each team has independent scientific aims using the approach of physics in different ways to tackle relevant issues and innovative applications in biology and in health. The MagNano team develops experimental/theoretical research centred in the study of electronic properties of nanostructured systems, and nanoscale experiments using atomic force microscopy related techniques. The PBS team develops coarse-graining and computational methods for theoretical analysis that provide a unique contribution to the understanding of biological systems.

Bio-PhysNano is the core group of the BioPhys thematic line, but its researchers are involved in all other thematic lines either through joint projects or sharing of facilities.

Team

Group Leader: Margarida Godinho mmgodinho@fc.ul.pt

Other integrated members: Margarida Pires | Thomas Gasche | António Casaca | M. Estrela Jorge | Bernardo Cardoso

Post- Docs: Ana Carapeto | Jules Morand

PhD Students: Rui Loureiro (BioSYS) | João Pedro Santos (BioSYS – with BTR) | Miguel Vitorino (DAEPHYS) | Rodrigo Antunes

MSc Students: Arthur Vieira (Physics Engineering) | Joao Especial (Physics) | Elsa Teixeira (Physics) | Gabriel Martins (Chemistry)

Recent Publications

BioISI Digest | Mutation-class dependent signatures outweigh disease-associated processes in cystic fibrosis cells

A new paper, first-authored by Lúcia Santos and coordinated by Carlos M. Farinha, analyzes five different mutations in Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene and the associated mechanisms that causes disease. Know more in this BioISI Digest.

BioISI Digest | Human Satellite 1A analysis provides evidence of pericentromeric transcription

In a recent publication first-authored by Mariana Lopes, a PhD student supervised by Raquel Chaves, Margarida Gama-Carvalho , and Sandra Louzada, human satellite 1A transcription was studied for the first time. These structures are highly repeated sequences and can be transcribed into non-coding RNAs with relevant functions in the genomes. Discover more here.

BioISI Digest | The experienced positive and negative influence of HIV on quality of life of people with HIV and vulnerable to HIV in the Netherlands

Ganna Rozhnova studied the perceived influence of HIV on the quality of life of people with HIV and people vulnerable to HIV. If you want to know more on the reported positive aspects in living with HIV, read the BioISI Digest below.

BioISI Digest | Additive Potentiation of R334W-CFTR Function by Novel Small Molecules

Miquéias Pacheco and his team reported the discovery of four new compounds that potentiate the function of the protein that is defective in Cystic Fibrosis. Read this BioISI Digest to know how these molecules can be a potential innovative therapy for people with CF carrying a rare mutation.

José Lourenço co-leads the european working group of the Climate Amplified Disease and Epidemics consortium

José Lourenço co-leads the European working group of CLIMADE – Climate Amplified Disease and Epidemics consortium and will be able to greatly contribute to solutions in public health concerning mosquito-borne viruses.