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• PhD in Biochemistry (2011) with +15 experience in life sciences and biotechnology. • Expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, recombinant protein biochemistry and structural biology. • Extensive experience in biopharmaceutical production processes combined with knowledge of regulatory/quality requirements. • Skilled in ideation, technology assessment and valorisation in pharma and biotech sectors. • Experience in working directly with academia and industry experts as part of collaborative and contract research.
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Rita Mafalda dos Santos Rocha do Rosário

Citation names

  • Rocha, Rita

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
0D18-5B08-2B80
ORCID iD
0000-0003-1193-8320

Email addresses

  • rita.rocha@nms.unl.pt (Professional)

Knowledge fields

  • Medical and Health Sciences - Medical Biotechnology
Education
Degree Classification
2011
Concluded
 Bioquímica (Doutoramento)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Structural impact of ambiguous CUG decoding in Candida albicans" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Aprovada com distinção e louvor - approved
2003
Concluded
 Bioquímica (Licenciatura)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
 15 (0-20)
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2022/07/01 - Current Science and Technology Management Universidade NOVA de Lisboa NOVA Medical School, Portugal
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa NOVA Medical School, Portugal
2015/12/01 - 2022/06/30 Researcher (Research) Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2020 - 2021 Science and Technology Management YourBiome Therapeutics, Portugal
2011 - 2015 Postdoc (Research) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal

Teaching in Higher Education

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2013 - 2020 Invited Adjunct Teacher (Polytechnic Teacher) Escola Superior Saúde Santa Maria, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2015 - Current Structural and functional characterization of K+ transport in bacteria
SFRH/BPD/111525/2015
Post-doc Fellow
Ongoing
2011 - 2015 Unveiling the molecular basis of the echinocandins resistance - the first-line antifungals
Pfizer, Inc (USA) | WS814116.
Post-doc Fellow
2013 - 2013 ASPIRE - Translational research project for development of a novel protein affinity tag
IBMC
Principal investigator
2005 - 2010 Determination of the 3D-structure of the translational factors that mediate a genetic code change in Candida albicans
SFRH/BD/15233/2004
PhD Student Fellow

Contract

Designation Funders
2018/07/26 - 2022/07/25 Characterization of the molecular properties of the K+ homeostasis machinery in a bacterium
PTDC/BIA-BQM/29863/2017
Principal investigator
Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2017 - 2021 Bacterial K+ transporters are potential antimicrobial targets: mechanisms of transport and regulation
FLAD LIFE SCIENCE 2020
Post-doc
2011 - 2015 Unveiling the molecular basis of echinocandins resistance - the first-line antifungals.
WS814116
Post-doc
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
 Pfizer Inc
Concluded
2011 - 2012 Clinical efficacy of a novel technology for microbial load decontamination in hospital intensive care units
ASP - Johnson & Johnson, Inc.|Tracking number: 11-ASP-001
Researcher
2010 - 2011 In vitro effect of antifungal combinations against Candida species
Pfizer Tracking Number WS718413
Researcher
2010 - 2011 QUITORAL: development of new prototypes with applications on oral medicine having chitosan as antimicrobial agent
QREN-ADI Project 3474
Researcher
2005/07/01 - 2008/12/30 Molecular study of the virulence mechanism of Candida albicans
POCI/SAU-IMI/61598/2004
Researcher
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2005/06/01 - 2008/05/31 Determination of the 3D-structure of the translational factors that mediate a genetic code change in Candida albicans.
POCI/BIA-PRO/55472/2004
Researcher
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2005/02/01 - 2008/04/30 Understanding morphogenesis and sexual reproduction induced by an alteration to the genetic code in Candida albicans
POCI/BIA-MIC/55466/2004
Researcher
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Conference paper
  1. Rocha, R.; Morais-Cabral, J. H.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "Insights into the synthesis of beta-1,3-glucan in Candida albicans: relevance for echinocandins inhibition". Paper presented in 7th Trends in Medical Mycology, Lisbon, 2015.
Conference poster
  1. Jorge, João M. P.; Rocha, Rita; Teixeira-Duarte, C. M.; Morais-Cabral, João. "In vivo study of the physiological role of Bacillus subtilis potassium importers". Paper presented in Bacterial Networks, 2019.
  2. Laranjeira, João; Cruz, Rui; Vilaça, Rita; Mendes, Marta V.; Rocha, Rita; Vieira-Pires, Ricardo S.. "Immunotargeting of E.coli TolC outer membrane channel". Paper presented in 5th International Iberian Biophysics Congress, 15-17th June 2016, Porto, Portugal, 2016.
Journal article
  1. Rodrigues, Tânia; Rodrigues Fialho, Sofia; Araújo, João Ricardo; Rocha, Rita; Moreira-Rosário, André. "Procedures in Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Journal of Clinical Medicine 12 5 (2023): 1725. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm12051725.
    10.3390/jcm12051725
  2. Moreira-Rosário, André; Marques, Cláudia; Pinheiro, Hélder; Araújo, João Ricardo; Ribeiro, Pedro; Rocha, Rita; Mota, Inês; et al. "Gut Microbiota Diversity and C-Reactive Protein Are Predictors of Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients". Frontiers in Microbiology 12 (2021): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.705020.
    10.3389/fmicb.2021.705020
  3. Rocha, Rita; Teixeira-Duarte, Celso M.; Jorge, João M.P.; Morais-Cabral, João Henrique. "Characterization of the molecular properties of KtrC, a second RCK domain that regulates a Ktr channel in Bacillus subtilis". Journal of Structural Biology 205 3 (2019): 34-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2019.02.002.
    10.1016/j.jsb.2019.02.002
  4. Szollosi, Andras; Vieira-Pires, Ricardo S.; Teixeira-Duarte, Celso M.; Rocha, Rita; Morais-Cabral, João H.. "Dissecting the Molecular Mechanism of Nucleotide-Dependent Activation of the KtrAB K+ Transporter". PLOS Biology 14 1 (2016): e1002356. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002356.
    10.1371/journal.pbio.1002356
  5. Espinar, Maria José; Miranda, Isabel M.; Costa-de-Oliveira, Sofia; Rocha, Rita; Rodrigues, Acácio G.; Pina-Vaz, Cidália. "Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Transplant Patients Due to Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae-Producing Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamases: Risk Factors and Molecular Epidemiology". PLOS ONE 10 8 (2015): e0134737. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134737.
    10.1371/journal.pone.0134737
  6. Noites, Rita; Pina-Vaz, Cidália; Rocha, Rita; Carvalho, Manuel Fontes; Gonçalves, Acácio; Pina-vaz, Irene. "Synergistic Antimicrobial Action of Chlorhexidine and Ozone in Endodontic Treatment". BioMed Research International 2014 (2014): 1-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/592423.
    10.1155/2014/592423
  7. Miranda, Isabel; Silva-Dias, Ana; Rocha, Rita; Teixeira-Santos, Rita; Coelho, Carolina; Gonçalves, Teresa; Santos, Manuel A. S.; et al. "Candida albicans CUG Mistranslation Is a Mechanism To Create Cell Surface Variation". mBio 4 4 (2013): http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00285-13.
    10.1128/mbio.00285-13
  8. Faria-Ramos, I.; Espinar, M.J.; Rocha, R.; Santos-Antunes, J.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Cantón, R.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "A novel flow cytometric assay for rapid detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases". Clinical Microbiology and Infection 19 1 (2013): E8-E15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03986.x.
    10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03986.x
  9. Teixeira-Santos, R.; Rocha, R.; Moreira-Rosário, A.; Monteiro-Soares, M.; Cantón, E.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "Novel method for evaluating in vitro activity of anidulafungin in combination with amphotericin B or azoles". Journal of Clinical Microbiology 50 8 (2012): 2748-2754. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84864399944&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1128/JCM.00610-12
  10. Silva-Dias, A.; Miranda, I.M.; Rocha, R.; Monteiro-Soares, M.; Salvador, A.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "A novel flow cytometric protocol for assessment of yeast cell adhesion". Cytometry Part A 81 A 3 (2012): 265-270. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84857373442&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1002/cyto.a.21170
  11. Rocha, R.; Barbosa Pereira, P.J.; Santos, M.A.S.; MacEdo-Ribeiro, S.. "Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the seryl-tRNA synthetase from Candida albicans". Acta Crystallographica Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications 67 1 (2011): 153-156. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-78651065708&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1107/S1744309110048542
  12. Espinar, M.J.; Rocha, R.; Ribeiro, M.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "Extended-spectrum ß-lactamases of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae screened by the VITEK 2 system". Journal of Medical Microbiology 60 6 (2011): 756-760. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79957590706&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1099/jmm.0.024075-0
  13. Rocha, R.; Pereira, P.J.B.; Santos, M.A.S.; Macedo-Ribeiro, S.. "Unveiling the structural basis for translational ambiguity tolerance in a human fungal pathogen". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 108 34 (2011): 14091-14096. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-80052182956&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1073/pnas.1102835108
  14. Silva, A.P.; Miranda, I.M.; Guida, A.; Synnott, J.; Rocha, R.; Silva, R.; Amorim, A.; et al. "Transcriptional profiling of azole-resistant Candida parapsilosis strains". Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 55 7 (2011): 3546-3556. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79959214576&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1128/AAC.01127-10
  15. Costa-de-Oliveira, S.; Miranda, I.M.; Silva, R.M.; E Silva, A.P.; Rocha, R.; Amorim, A.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "FKS2 mutations associated with decreased echinocandin susceptibility of Candida glabrata following anidulafungin therapy". Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 55 3 (2011): 1312-1314. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79952357849&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1128/AAC.00589-10
  16. Miranda, I.; Rocha, R.; Santos, M.C.; Mateus, D.D.; Moura, G.R.; Carreto, L.; Santos, M.A.S.. "A genetic code alteration is a phenotype diversity generator in the human pathogen Candida albicans". PLoS ONE 2 10 (2007): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-39149117967&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1371/journal.pone.0000996
  17. Silva, R.M.; Paredes, J.A.; Moura, G.R.; Manadas, B.; Lima-Costa, T.; Rocha, R.; Miranda, I.; et al. "Critical roles for a genetic code alteration in the evolution of the genus Candida". EMBO Journal 26 21 (2007): 4555-4565. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-35648984625&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1038/sj.emboj.7601876
Preprint
  1. Rocha, Rita; Jorge, João M. P.; Texeira-Duarte, Celso M.; Figueiredo-Costa, Inês R.; Herzberg, Christina; Stülke, Jörg; Morais-Cabral, João H.. "c-di-AMP determines the hierarchical organization of bacterial RCK proteins". 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.24.538052.
    10.1101/2023.04.24.538052

Intellectual property

Patent
  1. 2017. "Kit and method of detecting the resistant microorganisms to a therapeutic agent".
    Granted/Issued
Distinctions

Award

2007 Best innovation project in food biotechnology
2007 Best poster presentation in the international