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Education: I earned a PhD in Biology (Neuroscience) from Heidelberg University, Germany (Feb 2021; summa cum laude), with training in activity-dependent gene regulation, epigenetics, and memory across aging. Current position: I am a la Caixa Junior Leader Postdoctoral Fellow (2025–2028) at the University of Algarve (UAlg)/ABC ecosystem, and an Auxiliary Researcher at ABC CoLAB – Ageing Better (currently on unpaid leave). Research line: I lead a translational program on the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and aging, with a strong focus on polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA2/SCA3), integrating gene therapy/pharmacology, AI-enabled quantitative phenotyping, and cross-species readouts to connect target engagement with patient-relevant functional outcomes. Projects: I have participated in 7 competitively funded research projects (including 2 as PI: la Caixa-funded Project and FCT exploratory), spanning Germany (DFG-funded projects) and Portugal/international consortia. Scientific outputs: I am the author of 23 peer-reviewed journal articles and 1 peer-reviewed proceeding (DOI) (with 9 first-author, 6 second-author, and 3 corresponding-author publications). Metrics (January 2026): h-index = 14 (Google Scholar); citations: 680 (Google Scholar). Conference contributions: >60 communications, including 8 invited talks (only a selection listed in the CV). Training, supervision, and teaching: I currently co-supervise 2 FCT-funded PhD candidates and have supervised/co-supervised Master’s, undergraduate, and research-internship projects, providing structured training in experimental design, reproducibility, ethics/compliance, and scientific writing. At UAlg I teach across 8 curricular units with annual loads up to 135 hours/year, and I previously taught in Heidelberg as a teaching assistant in two undergraduate laboratory/methods courses. Awards and service/outreach: My work has been recognized with the IZN/Chica & Heinz Schaller Young Investigator Neuroscience Award (2025), the Best Dissertation Award (BrainAid, 2022), and 2nd place in the Ruprecht-Karls Prize (2022), among other distinctions. I serve as Review Editor (Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience), have reviewed >20 manuscripts for 13 journals, and act as an external evaluator for competitive calls (e.g., National Science Center, Poland; FCT PhD scholarships). I am the elected SPN Junior Committee Representative (2023–2027), contributed to major scientific events (e.g., FENS Regional Meeting 2023), and support training-oriented initiatives including the ISN Neurochemistry School in the Algarve (late 2026), alongside sustained public engagement and outreach activities.
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
David Vilhena Catarino Brito

Citation names

  • Brito, David V.C.

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
7918-F771-8F47
ORCID iD
0000-0002-2726-9347

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Medical and Health Sciences - Basic Medicine - Neurosciences

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
English Advanced (C1) Proficiency (C2) Advanced (C1) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2)
Education
Degree Classification
2015/10/01 - 2021/02/19
Concluded
 Natural Sciences (Doutoramento)
Major in Neurosciences
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
"Molecular Mechanisms of Memory Formation and Persistence in the Adult and Aged Brain" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Summa cum laude
2013/09/01 - 2015/09/01
Concluded
 Biologia Celular e Molecular (Mestrado integrado)
Major in Neurosciences
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
"GADD45ß : a novel long-term memory mediator" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 19
2015/06 - 2015/06
Concluded
 Fundamentals of Widefield and Confocal Microscopy and Imaging (Curso médio)
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany
2014/09/01 - 2014/10/01
Concluded
 Animal experimentation course - FELASA (Curso médio)
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2010/09/01 - 2013/07/31
Concluded
 Ciências Biomédicas (Licenciatura)
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
"Dexamethasone suppression test in rodents: Test building and stress effects." (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 16
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2025/12/02 - Current Researcher (Research) Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2025/02/10 - Current Auxiliary Researcher (Research) Laboratório Colaborativo do Algarve Biomedical Center Soluções Integradas para o Envelhecimento e Rejuvenescimento, Portugal
2021/08/01 - 2025/02/17 Postdoc (Research) Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Portugal
2021/03/31 - 2021/07/31 Postdoc (Research) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2020/10/01 - 2021/02/28 Researcher (Research) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2015/09/01 - 2020/09/30 Contracted Researcher (Research) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2014/09/01 - 2015/08/31 Researcher (Research) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany

Teaching in Higher Education

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2024/11/01 - Current Invited Assistant Professor (University Teacher) Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2023/11/01 - 2024/10/31 Invited Assistant (University Teacher) Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2025/12 - 2028/11 Glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity as a driver of disease progression in Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias
LCF/BQ/PR25/12110005
Principal investigator
Fundación Bancaria Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona 'la Caixa', Portugal
Ongoing
2026/02 - 2028/08 Glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity as a driver of disease progression in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2
2024.15133.PEX
Principal investigator
Laboratório Colaborativo do Algarve Biomedical Center Soluções Integradas para o Envelhecimento e Rejuvenescimento, Portugal
Ongoing
2023/03 - 2025/01 AdvGT-CSB – Advancing the development of a gene therapy for Cockayne Syndrome B
NA
Post-doc
Ongoing
2023/01 - 2025/01 CureCSB – Development of a Gene-Replacement Therapy for Cockayne Syndrome B
NA
Post-doc
2022/01/01 - 2023/12/31 ALgarve Fit Ageing Score: a new integrative tool for quality of life improvement and healthy ageing - ALFA Score
ALG-45-2020-41
Post-doc Fellow
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2020/08/01 - 2021/02/28 Biphasic expression of plasticity genes in the stabilization of hippocampal and neocortical fear memory neuronal ensembles
OL 437/2
Post-doc Fellow
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Concluded
2020/10/01 - 2020/12/31 Molecular Mechanisms of Memory Formation and Persistence in the Adult and Aged Brain
Landesgraduiertenförderung (LGF) completion grant
PhD Student Fellow
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
 Graduate Academy
Concluded
2014/09/01 - 2020/09/30 Analysis of the distinct regulatory functions of DNA methylation in memory-related gene expression
OL 437/1
Researcher
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Concluded

Contract

Designation Funders
2025/01/01 - 2029/12/31 Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute
UID/06210/2025
10.54499/UID/06210/2025
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal

Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2025/02 - 2025/11 Hiring of highly qualified human resources (RHAQs)
NA
Post-doc
Ongoing
Outputs

Publications

Conference poster
  1. Rajado, Ana Teresa; Estevam, Bernardo; Costa, Rafael G; Vásquez-Mojena, Yaimée; Zamora Fung, Rolando ; Pupo Marrero, Claudia ; Jaime López, Leydis ; et al. "From Code to Chromatin: Using AI and Epigenetics to Identify SCA2 Biomarkers". Paper presented in 5th Workshop on Neuroengineering: AI tools in Neuroscience, 2025.
  2. Tiago Moreira-Gomes; Brito, David V.C.; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Codêsso, José Miguel; Sofia M. Calado; Aaron Voigt; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "Depletion of Trmt2a alleviates pathological features in an MJD/SCA3 mouse model.". Paper presented in MJD International Research Conference, 2025.
  3. Moreira-Gomes, Tiago; Marcelo, Adriana; Cristiana R. Madeira; Rajado, Ana Teresa; Afonso, Inês T.; Costa, Rafael G; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; et al. "Investigating the therapeutic potential of Calcium-Regulated Heat Stable Protein 1, a stress granules component, in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3". Paper presented in XIX Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience, 2025.
  4. Conceição, André; Filipa Couto; Brito, David V.C.; Koppenol, Rebekah; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "From Stress Response to Disease Mechanism: Exploring Stress Granules in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2". Paper presented in Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Meenting Viena, 2024.
  5. Brito, David V.C.; Afonso, Inês T.; Sofia M. Calado; Yand, Jin; Bading, H.; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "NMDAR-TRPM4 coupling drives neurotoxicity and disease progression in models of Spinocerebellar Ataxias". Paper presented in FENS, 2024.
    10.1002/1878-0261.13682
  6. Moreira-Gomes, Tiago; Brito, David V.C.; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Codêsso, José Miguel; Voigt, Aaron; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "Mitigation of polyQ-induced toxicity through depletion of Trmt2a in a MJD/SCA3 mouse model". Paper presented in Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2024, 2024.
  7. Moreira-Gomes, Tiago; Brito, David V.C.; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Codêsso, José Miguel; Voigt, Aaron; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "Absence of RNA chaperone improves motor function and mitigates neuronal cell death in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3". Paper presented in Gordon Conference on Cell Death (Harnessing Cell Death Mechanisms in Health and Disease), 2024.
  8. Afonso, Inês T.; Brito, David V.C.; Hilmar Bading; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "Activity-induced genes expression is impaired in polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias". Paper presented in 27th SPGH Annual Meeting, 2023.
  9. Santos, Daniela F.; Simão, Sónia; Silva, Nádia; Brito, David V.C.; Clévio Nobrega; Bragança, José; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Araújo, Inês Maria. "Redox profiling of a cohort of young versus medically assisted aged individuals in the Algarve region.". Paper presented in 1st FEBS Redox Medicine Workshop: from cellular signaling to systems physiology and therapeutic targets, 2023.
  10. Moreira-Gomes, Tiago; Brito, David V.C.; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Codêsso, José Miguel; Voigt, Aaron; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "Translational regulation: exploring the impact of TRMT2A in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 /Machado-Joseph Disease". Paper presented in 9th European Neuroscience Conference by Doctoral Students (ENCODS), 2023.
  11. Moreira-Gomes, Tiago; Brito, David V.C.; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Codêsso, José Miguel; Voigt, Aaron; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "Silencing Trmt2a as a novel therapeutic target in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 /Machado-Joseph Disease". Paper presented in Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Regional Meeting 2023 (FRM 2023), 2023.
  12. Rajado, Ana Teresa; Pestana, Daniel; Silva, Nádia; Apolónio, Joana ; Esteves, Filipa; Brito, David V.C.; Trindade, Marlene; et al. "Algarve fit ageing score project, a multidisciplinary approach to assess healthy ageing status.". Paper presented in EMBO Workshop "Systems biology: Linking chromatin and epigenetics to disease and development, 2023.
  13. Codêsso, José Miguel; Brito, David V.C.; Mendonça, Liliana; Pereira de Almeida, Luis ; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues. "Unraveling the role of the RBP HSPA8 in Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3: from pathogenesis to therapeutics". Paper presented in Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Regional Meeting 2023 (FRM 2023), 2023.
  14. Rajado, Ana Teresa; Raquel P. Andrade; Apolónio, Joana ; Inês Maria Pombinho de Araújo; Brito, David V.C.; Sofia M. Calado; Esteves, Filipa; et al. "ALFA Score - Algarve Fit Ageing Score". Paper presented in ABC-Days, 2022.
  15. Marcelo, Adriana; Afonso, Inês T.; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Brito, David V.C.; Costa, Rafael G; Ana Rosa; Alves-Cruzeiro, João; et al. "From molecular mechanisms to therapy: a new lentiviral mouse model for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2". Paper presented in XVII Meeting of Portuguese Society for Neuroscience (SPN 2021), 2021.
  16. Brito, David V.C.; Afonso, I; Matos, Carlos A; Hilmar Bading; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues ; Carlos A Matos. "Targeting the NMDAR/TRPM4 complex as a novel therapeutic strategy for polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias type 3 and 2". Paper presented in IV JORNADAS Algarve Biomedical Center, 2021.
  17. Brito, David V.C.; Kupke, Janina; Gulmez Karaca K; Zeuch, Benjamin; R. Gomes; Luisa Lopes; Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "Tight regulation of Gadd45G expression across the lifespan as a requirement for cognitive function". Paper presented in IZN Retreat-“Genetics of neurological diseases: From mutations to personalized medicine”, 2019.
  18. Brito, David V.C.; Kupke, Janina; Gulmez Karaca K; R. Gomes ; Lopes, Luisa; Zeuch, Benjamin; Oliveira, Ana M.M. ; et al. Corresponding author: Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "Mimicking age-associated Gadd45g decline results in memory impairments in young mice". Paper presented in Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society Meeting (San Diego, USA), 2018.
    10.1523/jneurosci.1621-19.2019
  19. Brito, David V.C.; Karaca, Kubra Gulmez; Zeuch, Benjamin; Oliveira, Ana M.M. . Corresponding author: Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "Age-associated Gadd45B decrease impairs plasticity gene induction and long-term memory formation". Paper presented in IZN Retreat-CONNECTOMICS (Germany), 2016.
  20. Brito, David V.C.; Gulmez Karaca K; Zeuch, Benjamin; Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "GADD45ß KNOCKDOWN IMPAIRS PLASTICITY-ASSOCIATED GENE EXPRESSION AND LONG-TERM MEMORY FORMATION". Paper presented in IZN Retreat-Translational Neuroscience: From Cell Biology to Therapeutics, 2015.
Journal article
  1. Moreira-Gomes, Tiago; Marcelo, Adriana; Rajado, Ana Teresa; Costa, Rafael G.; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Madeira, Cristiana R.; Afonso, Inês T.; et al. "Modulation of the Stress Granule Component Carhsp1 Mitigates Disease-Associated Deficits in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Mouse Models". Movement Disorders (2026): https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.70271.
    Published • 10.1002/mds.70271
  2. Moreira-Gomes, Tiago; Afonso, Inês T.; Costa, Rafael G.; Brito, David V. C.; Ricardo, Pedro Alexandre; Nóbrega, Clévio. "Lentiviral-induced Striatal Pathology as a Preclinical Model of Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias". Journal of Visualized Experiments 229 (2026): https://doi.org/10.3791/69550.
    Published • 10.3791/69550
  3. Nóbrega, Clévio; Marcelo, Adriana; Rajado, Ana Teresa; Conceição, André; Estevam, Bernardo; Matos, Carlos A.; Brito, David VC; et al. "Molecular hallmarks of neurodegeneration in polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias". Cell Death & Disease 16 1 (2025): https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-08154-2.
    10.1038/s41419-025-08154-2
  4. Brito, David V.C.; Afonso, Inês T.; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues . Corresponding author: Brito, David V.C.. "How to find the papers you need to read — and avoid the ones you don’t". Nature (2025): https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02867-2.
    Published
  5. Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Madeira, Cristiana R.; Brito, David V.C.; Nóbrega, Clévio. "Insights Into Cockayne Syndrome Type B: What Underlies Its Pathogenesis?". Aging Cell (2025): https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.70136.
    Open access • Published • 10.1111/acel.70136
  6. Brito, D.V.C.; Nóbrega, C.; Brito, David VC; Nóbrega, Clévio. "Making bridges between preclinical and clinical insights into age-related cognitive decline". Neural Regeneration Research 20 8 (2025): 2321-2322. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85219572773&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-00200
  7. Esteves, Filipa; Brito, David V.C.; Rajado, Ana Teresa; Silva, Nádia; Apolónio, Joana; Roberto, Vânia Palma; Andrade, Raquel P.; et al. "Establishment of an induced pluripotent cell line (ABCRIi001-A) from an elderly female for ageing research". Stem Cell Research 81 (2024): 103576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scr.2024.103576.
    10.1016/j.scr.2024.103576
  8. Santos, Daniela F.; Sónia Simão; Raquel P Andrade; Sofia Melo Calado; Gil Carraco; Joana Apolónio; Ana Teresa Rajado; et al. Corresponding author: Inês M Araújo. "Oxidative stress and aging: synergies for age related diseases". FEBS Letters (2024): https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1873-3468.14995.
    Open access • Published • 10.1002/1873-3468.14995
  9. Brito, David V.C.; Kupke, Janina; Sokolov, Rostilav; Cambridge, Sidney; Both, Martin; Bengtson, C. Peter; Rozov, Andrei; Oliveira, Ana M. M.. "Biphasic Npas4 expression promotes inhibitory plasticity and suppression of fear memory consolidation in mice". Molecular Psychiatry 29 7 (2024): 1929-1940. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02454-3.
    10.1038/s41380-024-02454-3
  10. David Vilhena Catarino Brito; F. Esteves; A. T. Rajado; N. Silva; R. Andrade; J. Apolónio; S. Calado; et al. "Assessing cognitive decline in the aging brain: lessons from rodent and human studies". npj Aging 9 1 (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41514-023-00120-6.
    Published • 10.1038/s41514-023-00120-6
  11. Esteves, Filipa; Brito, David V.C.; Rajado, Ana Teresa; Silva, Nádia; Apolónio, Joana; Roberto, Vânia Palma; Araújo, Inês; et al. "Reprogramming iPSCs to study age-related diseases: Models, therapeutics, and clinical trials". Mechanisms of Ageing and Development 214 (2023): 111854. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2023.111854.
    10.1016/j.mad.2023.111854
  12. Nádia Silva; Ana Teresa Rajado; Filipa Esteves; Brito, David V.C.; Joana Apolónio; Vânia Palma Roberto; Alexandra Binnie; et al. Corresponding author: Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Measuring healthy ageing: current and future tools.". Biogerontology (2023): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10522-023-10041-2.
    Open access • Published • 10.1007/s10522-023-10041-2
  13. Koppenol, Rebekah; Conceição, André; Afonso, Inês T; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Costa, Rafael G; Tomé, Sandra; Teixeira, Diogo; et al. "The stress granule protein G3BP1 alleviates spinocerebellar ataxia-associated deficits". Brain (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/brain/awac473.
    10.1093/brain/awac473
  14. Rajado, Ana Teresa; Nádia Silva; Filipa Esteves; Brito, David; Alexandra Binnie; Inês M. Araújo; Clévio Nóbrega; et al. Corresponding author: Pedro Castelo-Branco. "How can we modulate aging through nutrition and physical exercise? An epigenetic approach". Aging (2023): https://www.aging-us.com/article/204668/text.
    Open access • Published • 10.18632/aging.204668
  15. Gülmez Karaca, Kübra; Brito, David V.C.; Nicolas, Céline. "Young researchers series #6". Trends in Cell Biology 33 2 (2023): 87-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2022.11.005.
    10.1016/j.tcb.2022.11.005
  16. Brito, David V.C.; Kupke, Janina; Gulmez Karaca, Kubra; Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "Regulation of neuronal plasticity by the DNA repair associated Gadd45 proteins". Current Research in Neurobiology 3 (2022): 100031. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crneur.2022.100031.
    Open access • Published • 10.1016/j.crneur.2022.100031
  17. Marcelo, Adriana; Afonso, Inês T.; Afonso-Reis, Ricardo; Brito, David V. C.; Costa, Rafael G.; Rosa, Ana; Alves-Cruzeiro, João; et al. Corresponding author: Nóbrega, Clévio. "Autophagy in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2, a dysregulated pathway, and a target for therapy". Cell Death & Disease 12 12 (2021): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41419-021-04404-1.
    Open access • Published • 10.1038/s41419-021-04404-1
  18. Gulmez Karaca, Kubra; Brito, David V.C.; Kupke, Janina; Zeuch, Benjamin; Oliveira, Ana M.M.; Mudlaff, Franziska; Gomes, Rui; Lopes, Luísa V.. "Engram reactivation during memory retrieval predicts long-term memory performance in aged mice". Neurobiology of Aging 101 (2021): 256-261. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.01.019.
    Published • 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.01.019
  19. Brito, David; Karaca, Kubra Gulmez; Kupke, Janina; Frank, Lukas; Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "MeCP2 gates spatial learning-induced alternative splicing events in the mouse hippocampus". Molecular Brain 13 1 (2020): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13041-020-00695-1.
    Open access • Published • 10.1186/s13041-020-00695-1
  20. Brito, David V.C.; Gulmez Karaca, Kubra; Kupke, Janina; Mudlaff, Franziska; Zeuch, Benjamin; Gomes, Rui; Lopes, Luísa V.; Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "Modeling human age-associated increase in Gadd45¿ expression leads to spatial recognition memory impairments in young adult mice". Neurobiology of Aging 94 (2020): 281-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.06.021.
    10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.06.021
  21. Gulmez Karaca, Kubra; Kupke, Janina; Brito, David V. C.; Zeuch, Benjamin; Thome, Christian; Weichenhan, Dieter; Lutsik, Pavlo; Plass, Christoph; Oliveira, Ana M. M.. Corresponding author: Oliveira, Ana M. M.. "Neuronal ensemble-specific DNA methylation strengthens engram stability". Nature Communications 11 1 (2020): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14498-4.
    Published • 10.1038/s41467-020-14498-4
  22. Brito, David V.C.; Kupke, Janina; Gulmez Karaca, Kubra; Zeuch, Benjamin; Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "Mimicking Age-Associated Gadd45¿ Dysregulation Results in Memory Impairments in Young Adult Mice". The Journal of Neuroscience 40 6 (2019): 1197-1210. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.1621-19.2019.
    10.1523/jneurosci.1621-19.2019
  23. Karaca, Kubra Gulmez; Brito, David; Oliveira, Ana M.M. . Corresponding author: Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "MeCP2: A Critical Regulator of Chromatin in Neurodevelopment and Adult Brain Function". International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms20184577.
    Published • 10.3390/ijms20184577
  24. Brito, David V.C.; Gulmez Karaca, Kubra. Corresponding author: Brito, David V.C.. "Neuronal Chromatin Architecture Regulator CTCF Dictates Remote Memory". The Journal of Neuroscience 38 48 (2018): 10239-10240. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.1869-18.2018.
    10.1523/jneurosci.1869-18.2018
  25. Gulmez Karaca K; Brito DVC; Zeuch B; Oliveira, Ana M.M. . Corresponding author: Oliveira, Ana M.M.. "Adult hippocampal MeCP2 preserves the genomic responsiveness to learning required for long-term memory formation.". Neurobiology of learning and memory (2018):
    Published • 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.02.010
Preprint
  1. Brito, David V.C.; Pereira, Adriana Arrulo; de Souza Araujo, Renata Sandres; Várzea, Bruno André Martins; Anastácio, Xavier Guerreiro; Castro, Telma Cristina Aureliano; Aveleira, Célia; et al. "Hypothalamic CYP46A1 cholesterol metabolism regulates diet-induced obesity". 2026. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.10.698773.
    10.64898/2026.01.10.698773
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. Brito, David V.C.. "Molecular Mechanisms of Memory Formation and Persistence in the Adult and Aged Brain". PhD, Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, 2021.
  2. Brito, David Vilhena Catarino. "GADD45ß : a novel long-term memory mediator". Master, Universidade de Coimbra, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/30745.
  3. Brito, David V.C.. "Dexamethasone suppression test in rodents: Test building and stress effects.". Degree, Universidade do Algarve, 2012.

Intellectual property

Provisional application for patent
  1. 2026. "Modulation of CYP46A1 in the hypothalamus for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic dysfunctions.".
    Protected
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2024/11/01 NMDAR-TRPM4 coupling drives neurotoxicity and disease progression in models of Spinocerebellar Ataxias International Congress for Ataxia Research
(United Kingdom)
2024/10/05 NMDAR-TRPM4 coupling drives neurotoxicity and disease progression in models of Spinocerebellar Ataxias IZN seminar series
(Germany)
2022/01/12 We are What we Remember: Molecular Insights into Memory Formation in the Adult and Aged brain National Postdoc Exchange Program
Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência
2021/10/27 We are What we Remember: Molecular Insights into Memory Formation in the Adult and Aged brain Algarve Biomedical Center - Seminars
Algarve Biomedical Center - University of Algarve
2020/12/14 Tips & Tricks for Scientific Growth during your PhD Biomedical Sciences PhD Program Annual Journey
Biomedical Sciences PhD Program (Faro, Portugal)
2020/06/03 We are what we remember: Molecular insights into age-related cognitive decline IZN seminar series
Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN) (Heidelberg, Germany)

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role 		Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2026/02 - Current Impact of stress granule modulation on Purkinje cell morphology in a murine model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2
Supervisor
 Masters in Medicine
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2026/01 - Current The gut-brain axis in Parkinson's disease: The role of dysbiosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
Co-supervisor
 Biomédical Sciences (Degree)
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2026/01 - Current Description of the natural history of a rodent model of Cockayne syndrome: neuropathological and motor alterations.
Co-supervisor
 Masters in Medicine (Master)
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2025 - Current Dysrupted gene expression in polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias
Supervisor
 Master in Biomedical Sciences (Master)
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2024/10/01 - Current Developing new tools to evaluate disease progression and outcomes in spinocerebellar ataxias: correlating mice and human studies
Co-supervisor
 PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Doutoramento) (PhD)
2021/04/01 - Current Expression of Activity-regulated Inhibitor of Death (AID) genes as a therapeutic strategy for Machado-Joseph disease
Co-supervisor
 PhD in Biomedical Sciences (PhD)
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2025/07/07 - 2025/07/31 Summer internship
Supervisor
 BSc Biomedical Sciences (Other)
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
2025 - 2025 Molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutics effects of NMDAR/TRPM4 interface inhibitors in spinocerebellar ataxias
Co-supervisor
 BSc in Biomedical Sciences (Degree)
2021 - 2022 Neuroprotection by Inhibition of a Death Complex in Spinocerebellar Ataxias
Co-supervisor
 BSc in Biomedical Sciences (Degree)
2019/09/16 - 2019/12/20 Methods in molecular and cell biology and surgery in rodents
Co-supervisor
 Biosciences (Master)
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2019/04/23 - 2019/07/15 Npas4 biphasic expression in memory persistence
Co-supervisor
 Biosciences (Master)
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2019/01/14 - 2019/03/20 Establishment of a temporally-controlled expression system
Co-supervisor
 Biosciences (Master)
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role) 		Institution / Organization
2022/02/01 - Current FENS Regional Meeting 2023 (2022/02/01)
2016/01/01 - Current Collaborator for the Deutsche Neurowissenschaften-Olympiade (DNO)- International organization that promotes every year regional competitions in Germany for high school students to learn Neuroscience. The finalists go on to compete in a Germany-wide competition and later travel to international locations to participate in workshops. The winner receives a prize at the FENS or SfN conference (event occurs once a year). (2016/05/12)
Call (Member of the Organising Committee)
2025/05/18 - 2025/05/21 Chair of selected Polyglutamine SCA Symposium in ESN meeting - Naxos, Greece (2024/05/20) European Society for Neurochemistry (ESN), United Kingdom
2022/03 - 2023/11 Member of the organizing committee for ESN-ISN Advanced School for Neurochemistry. (2023/11 - 2023/11)

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event 		Event name
Institution / Organization
2019/05/22 - 2019/05/22 Participation in the a Native Scientist event. I prepared a workshop presentation for children and teenagers of parents that speak Portuguese (e.g. Portugal, Brazil) in Germany. These children are bilingual and this program encourages to stimulate further learning of their parent’s mother tongue while motivating scientific interest.
Workshop
 Native Scientist outreach activity
2015/09/17 - 2015/09/17 Invited talk: "Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences what to expect?"
Symposium
 Opening of the Academic year session
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal

Association member

Society Organization name Role
2018/01/01 - Current Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society (MCCS) Member
2016/01/01 - Current Dutch Neurofederation Network Member
2016/01/01 - Current European Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society (EMCCS) Member
2016/01/01 - Current Portuguese Neuroscience Society (SPN) Efective Member
2014/01/01 - Current ANCiB-Associação Nacional de Ciências Biomédicas Founder member
2018/01/01 - 2018/12/31 Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Member

Committee member

Activity description
Role 		Institution / Organization
2023 - 2027 Elected Junior Committee Representative, Portuguese Society for Neuroscience (SPN; 2023–2027): coordination of national seminar series and science communication channels
Coordinator
2026/01 - 2026/10 Member of the organizing committee for ESN-ISN Advanced School for Neurochemistry.
Member
2018/10/01 - 2019/07/14 Invited member for the Scientific Committee of the annual Interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience Conference (IZN, a consortium of >60 laboratories). Together with three principal investigators and a research coordinator we selected and invited the speakers for this conference.
Coordinator
 Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany

Consulting

Activity description Institution / Organization
2023 - Current Review Editor, Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2025/02/01 - Current FELASA animal course - Instructor First Animal experimental course at ABC-RI
2024 - Current Applied Histology BSc Biomedical Sciences Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2023/05 - Current Rodent stereotaxic surgeries - ISN Advanced School for Neurochemistry (Doutoramento)
2023 - Current Animal Cell Culture Technology BSc Biomedical Sciences Universidade do Algarve - Campus de Gambelas, Portugal
2023 - Current Animal Cell Biotechnology BSc Biochemistry and BSc Biotechnology Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2023 - Current Histology BSc Biomedical Sciences Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2024 - 2025 Gene and Cell Therapy Bsc Biomedical Sciences Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2023 - 2023 Basic and Clinical Sciences Integrated Master in Medicine Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2020/07/20 - 2020/07/24 Teaching Assistant- Introduction to Methods in Learning and Memory Research Biosciences (Bachelor) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2020/06/15 - 2020/07/03 Teaching Assistant- Methods in Molecular Biology/Nuclear Acid Biosciences (Bachelor) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2019/06/24 - 2019/07/11 Teaching Assistant- Methods in Molecular Biology/Nuclear Acid Biosciences (Bachelor) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2019/05/13 - 2019/05/17 Teaching Assistant- Introduction to Methods in Learning and Memory Research Biosciences (Bachelor) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2017/06/19 - 2017/07/07 Teaching Assistant- Methods in Molecular Biology/Nuclear Acid Biosciences (Bachelor) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2017/01/02 - 2017/01/06 Teaching Assistant- Introduction to Methods in Learning and Memory Research Biosciences (Bachelor) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2016/06/06 - 2016/06/10 Teaching Assistant- Introduction to Methods in Learning and Memory Research Biosciences (Bachelor) Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany

Evaluation committee

Activity description
Role 		Institution / Organization Funding entity
2025/07 - Current External evaluator for competitive funding: FCT PhD Scholarships Call 2025 (non-academic line).
2024 - Current External evaluator for competitive funding: National Science Center (Poland; OPUS-26/27; PRELUDIUM-23)
2023 - Current Jury member and evaluator for institutional awards/fellowships and recruitment processes (including CureCSB Scientific Prize; research fellowship panels)

Interview (tv / radio show)

Program Topic
2025/10 - Current Sociedade civil Memory
2024/06 - Current 90 Segundos de Ciência

Journal scientific committee

Journal title (ISSN) Publisher
2025/01/01 - Current Scientific Reports
2025 - Current Communications Biology
2025 - Current BMC Biology
2025 - Current Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
2025 - Current Molecular Medicine
2025 - Current Nature Genetics
2025 - Current eLife
2024/11/01 - Current Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
2024/05/01 - Current Brain
2024 - Current Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
2023/02/08 - Current Journal of Neurochemistry
2022/10/30 - Current Frontiers in Medicine (2296-858X) Frontiers
2022/06/08 - Current Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
2022/04/04 - Current Molecular Neurobiology (1559-1182) Springer Nature

Other jury / evaluation

Activity description Institution / Organization
2021/12/14 - 2021/12/15 Jury for the annual Ph.D. students progress evaluation (PhD programme in Biomedical Sciences) Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
Distinctions

Award

2026 Travel award
European Society for Neurochemistry (ESN), United Kingdom
2025 IZN/Chica and Heinz Schaller Young Investigator Neuroscience Award 2025
Chica und Heinz Schaller-Stiftung, Germany
2025 Travel award
Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências, Portugal
2024 Travel grant
Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências, Portugal
2024 Travel Award
European Society for Neurochemistry (ESN), United Kingdom
2023 Best Oral Communication Award
2022 Post-Doc Fellowship
2022 Foundation BrainAid IZN Dissertation Award 2022
Foundation BrainAid , Germany
2022 Best Oral Communication Award
Universidade do Algarve Centro Académico de Investigação e Formação Biomédica do Algarve, Portugal
2022 Ruprecht-Karls Award (2nd placd)
Universität Heidelberg Fakultät für Biowissenschaften, Germany
2020 PhD Fellowship
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Germany
2020 Travel grant
Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências, Portugal
2019 Completion PhD Fellowship
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2018 Travel grant
Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany
2018 Honorable Mention for best poster presentation
IZN Retreat Scientific Comission, Germany
2017 Travel grant
Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências, Portugal
2014 ERASMUS+ Fellowship

Title

2023 Representative for the Junior Committee of SPN
Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências, Portugal