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Daniela Santo (b. 1993) holds a PhD in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (2023) and a background in Medicinal Chemistry and Biochemistry. Her research focuses on architectured material systems, evolving from polymeric nanocarriers to multifunctional thin-film coatings via PVD for biomedical applications. She is a Junior Researcher at CEMMPRE, leads the Microbiology Laboratory at IPN, and was awarded a CEEC Individual position (7th Edition).
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Daniela Filipa Domingues Santo
Date of birth
1993/11/27
Gender
Female

Citation names

  • Santo, Daniela

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
8A19-82C0-7D65
ORCID iD
0000-0003-4183-6464

Email addresses

  • dsanto@dem.uc.pt (Professional)

Knowledge fields

  • Medical and Health Sciences - Medical Biotechnology - Biomaterials
  • Exact Sciences - Chemical Sciences - Polymer Science
  • Engineering and Technology - Materials Engineering - Coating and Films

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
English Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2)
Education
Degree Classification
2017/10 - 2023/07/17
Concluded
 Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (specialty in Biotechnology and Health) (Doctorate)
Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
"Gene therapy mediated by glycopolymers-based nanocarriers in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs as a potential therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma " (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
2014/09 - 2017/01
Concluded
 Biochemistry (Integrated Master's Degree)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Avaliação da capacidade de transporte e entrega de material genético associada a diferentes nanossistemas de base polimérica" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 18
2011/09 - 2014/07
Concluded
 Medicinal Chemistry (Licenciate Degree)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
 14
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution		 Employer
2022/11 - Current Researcher (Research) Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Portugal

Others

Category
Host institution		 Employer
2024/06/01 - Current Responsible for the Microbiology Laboratory at LED&Mat (IPN), overseeing laboratory management, microbiological assays, and support to research and development activities. Instituto Pedro Nunes, Portugal
2017/09 - 2023 PhD student Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2026 - Current Development of Zinc-Based Multilayer Coatings for Bioresorbable Vascular Stents: Integrating Radiopacity, Antimicrobial Activity, and Pro-Healing Bioactivity
2025.08789.RESTART
Principal investigator
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Contract

Designation Funders
2023/11 - Current Projeto N.º 7141 — Agenda Drivolution
02/C05-i01.02/2022.PC644913740-00000022
Post-doc
Ongoing
2024/06/01 - 2025/08/31 Redox-responsive self-immolative nanogels for cellular immunotherapies
2022.15560.UTA
10.54499/2022.15560.UTA
Other
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2020/01/01 - 2024/12/31 Centre for Mechanical Enginnering, Materials and Processes
UIDB/00285/2020
10.54499/UIDB/00285/2020
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Engenharia Mecânica Materiais e Processos, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2022/11/01 - 2023/06/30 i9LOGO: Inovação no desenvolvimento e produção de Logotipos para o automóvel
POCI-01-0247-FEDER-072607
Research Fellow
Autoridade de Gestão do Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização
Concluded
2022/11 - 2023/06/30 ActiveStent Funcionalização Sustentável de Stents para Prevenção de Infeções do Trato Urinário
CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-181221
Research Fellow
Autoridade de Gestão do Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização
2022/11 - 2023/06 i9LOGO: Inovação no desenvolvimento e produção de Logotipos para o automóvel
POCI-01-0247-FEDER-072607
 Autoridade de Gestão do Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização
2022/04/18 - 2022/10/18 Engineering CAR T cells by a cost-effective non-viral gene delivery method
BFK2021-APCL
Research Fellow
Associação Portuguesa Contra a Leucemia
Ongoing
2018/07/01 - 2022/06/30 Desenvolvimento de um nanossistema inovador para mediar uma estratégia terapêutica combinada e multi-alvo para o carcinoma hepatocelular
PTDC/BTM-MAT/30916/2017
Master Student Fellow
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Inovação em Biomedicina e Biotecnologia, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2017/10/01 - 2022/03/31 A novel polymeric micelle formulation to mediate combined immunogene therapy and chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
SFRH/BD/132601/2017
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
Outputs

Publications

Conference abstract
  1. Cordeiro, Rosemeyre; Santo, Daniela; Farinha, Dina; Serra, Arménio; Coelho, Jorge; Faneca, Henrique. "High biological activity mediated by a tailor-made tri-block copolymer-based-nanovector". Paper presented in 5th Portuguese Meeting on Bioengineering, Coimbra, 2017.
    Published
Conference poster
  1. Santos, Gabriel; Santo, Daniela; J. Neiva; S. Carvalho; Devesa, S.. "Integrated engineering of tribological performance in Ni-P coatings". Paper presented in PSE2026 - 20th International Conference on Plasma Surface Engineering, 2026.
  2. MATOS, KARIM; Santo, Daniela; Ferreira, Fábio; Castro, Jose David; R. Escobar-Galindo; J.C. Sánchez-López; S. Carvalho. "Functional Antibacterial Textiles Enabled by HiPIMS-Engineered CuO Surface Architectures". Paper presented in FEMS Junior EUROMAT 2026, Trikala, Grécia, 2026.
  3. Relva, M.; Santo, Daniela; Faia, Pedro Manuel Gens Azevedo Matos; S. Carvalho; Zohra Benzarti; Devesa, S.. "Green Synthesized Hydroxyapatite for Bioactive and Antibacterial Coatings on Ti-6Al-4V via Electrophoretic Deposition". 2025.
  4. Cruz, Sandra; Santo, Daniela; Pereira, Patrícia; Rodrigues, Lisa ; Gonçalves, Teresa; I. Carvalho; Henriques, Mariana; Cavaleiro, Albano; Carvalho, Sandra. "Sustainable functionalization of stents to prevent urinary tract infections". Paper presented in SICT 2023 Surfaces, Interfaces and Coatings Technologies International conference, 2023.
  5. Santo, Daniela. "Surface Engineering: a powerful tool for biomedical applications". Paper presented in BIO'n'TEQ: Mostra Tecnológica de Biotecnologia,, 2023.
  6. Santo, Daniela; Mendonça, P.; Lima, Mafalda; Cordeiro, Rosemeyre A; Serra, Arménio; Coelho, Jorge FJ; Faneca, Henrique. "Efficient gene delivery promoted byPEGylated poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride)-basednanosystems". Paper presented in 31st Nano Congress for FutureAdvancements, 2019.
  7. Cordeiro, Rosemeyre A; Santo, Daniela; Serra, Arménio; Coelho, Jorge F.J.; Faneca, Henrique. "High gene delivery efficiency of a novel nanosystem based on a synergistic polymeric combination". Paper presented in XII Spanish-Portuguese Conference on Controlled Drug Delivery - Tailoring drug delivery systems to the patients’ needs, 2018.
  8. Santo, Daniela; Cordeiro, Rosemeyre A; Serra, Arménio; Coelho, Jorge FJ; Faneca, Henrique. "High gene delivery efficiency promoted by a combined polymeric-based nanosystem". Paper presented in IEEE 5th Portuguese Meeting on Bioengineering (ENBENG)., 2017.
  9. Cordeiro, Rosemeyre; Santo, Daniela; Farinha, Dina Pereira Alves; Serra, Arménio; Coelho, Jorge; Faneca, Henrique. "High biological activity mediated by a tailor-made tri-block copolymer-based on nanovector". Paper presented in 5th Portuguese Meeting on Bioengineering, 2017.
Journal article
  1. Devesa, Susana; Relva, Mariana; Leitão, Carlos; Faia, Pedro; Carvalho, Sandra; Santo, Daniela. "Sustainable bioactive composite films from agro-waste cellulose and chitosan reinforced with green-synthesized hydroxyapatite". International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 371 (2026): 153072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153072.
    10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153072
  2. Carvalho, Matilde; Devesa, Susana; Santo, Daniela; Carvalho, Sandra; Benzarti, Zohra. "Sustainably Synthesized CeO2 Nanoparticles from Lemon Juice and Sucrose for Antibacterial Applications". Micromachines 17 7 (2026): 760. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17070760.
    10.3390/mi17070760
  3. Santos, Gabriel; Santo, Daniela; D. Cavaleiro; P. Santos; S. Carvalho; Devesa, S.. Corresponding author: Devesa, S.. "Phosphorus-Induced Changes in Microstructure, Optical, and Tribological Behavior of Electrodeposited Ni-P Coatings". Materials (2026):
    Under revision
  4. Ilias Reddah; Laala Ghelani; Daniela Santo; Joana Neiva; Luís Figueiredo; Diogo Cavaleiro; Sandra Carvalho; Susana Devesa. "Effect of Phosphorous Acid-Induced pH Variation on Ni–P Electrodeposition: Influence on Current Efficiency, Deposition Rate, Surface Properties, and Tribological Performance". Coatings (2026): https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/2/205.
    10.3390/coatings16020205
  5. Santo, Daniela; Castro, José D.; Cruz, Sandra; Carvalho, Isabel; Cavaleiro, Albano; Carvalho, Sandra. "Customisation of PVD coatings for biomedical devices". Surface and Coatings Technology 512 (2025): 132277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2025.132277.
    10.1016/j.surfcoat.2025.132277
  6. Relva, Mariana; Santo, Daniela; Alexandre, Ricardo; Faia, Pedro; Carvalho, Sandra; Benzarti, Zohra; Devesa, Susana. "Electrophoretic Deposition of Green-Synthesized Hydroxyapatite on Thermally Oxidized Titanium: Enhanced Bioactivity and Antibacterial Performance". Applied Sciences 15 15 (2025): 8598. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158598.
    Published • 10.3390/app15158598
  7. Zohra Benzarti Ep Khalfallah; Joana Neiva; Daniela Santo; Silvia Gavinho; Jorge Laranjeira; Sandra Carvalho; Nuno Miguel Figueiredo. "Plasma functionalization and etching of ABS substrates for enhanced adhesion of decorative ZrN coatings". Surfaces and Interfaces (2025): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2025.106403.
    10.1016/j.surfin.2025.106403
  8. Rosemeyre Cordeiro; Daniel Oliveira; Daniela Santo; Jorge Coelho; Henrique Faneca. "Mesoporous silica-glycopolymer hybrid nanoparticles for dual targeted chemotherapy and gene therapy to liver cancer cells". International Journal of Pharmaceutics (2025): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125553.
    10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125553
  9. Santo, Daniela; Rodarte, Mikhael; Andreto, Crislayne; Cavaleiro, Diogo; Carvalho, Isabel; Balestra, Roseli; Carvalho, Sandra. "Multifunctional alumina scaffolds with enhanced bioactivity and antimicrobial properties for bone tissue engineering". Ceramics International (2024): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.12.059.
    10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.12.059
  10. Devesa, S.; Cavaleiro, D.; Santo, D.; Gavinho, S.; Cunha, A. F.; Santos, P.; Carvalho, S.. "Boric acid-free electrodeposition process and solar–thermal energy conversion of and Ni-carbon black nanocomposite coatings". Journal of Materials Research (2024): http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/s43578-024-01477-4.
    10.1557/s43578-024-01477-4
  11. Santo, Daniela; Castro, José D.; Benzarti, Zohra; Cruz, Sandra; Carvalho, António P.; Cavaleiro, Albano; Carvalho, S.. "Assessing mechanical properties and stability of silver-doped carbon-coated urethral stent application". Surface and Coatings Technology 487 (2024): 130988. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2024.130988.
    10.1016/j.surfcoat.2024.130988
  12. André V. Fontes; Patricia Freitas Rodrigues; Santo, Daniela; A.S. Ramos. "Exploring the Influence of the Deposition Parameters on the Properties of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Films with High Nickel Content". Coatings (2024): https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/14/1/138.
    10.3390/coatings14010138
  13. Daniela Santo; Patrícia V. Mendonça; Arménio C. Serra; Jorge F.J. Coelho; Faneca H; Santo, Daniela; Mendonça, Patrícia; et al. "Targeted downregulation of MYC mediated by a highly efficient lactobionic acid-based glycoplex to enhance chemosensitivity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells". International Journal of Pharmaceutics (2023): 122865-122865. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122865.
    Under revision • 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122865
  14. Daniela Santo; Rosemeyre Cordeiro; Patrícia V. Mendonça; Armenio Serra; Jorge Coelho; Faneca H. "Glycopolymers Mediate Suicide Gene Therapy in ASGPR-Expressing Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells in Tandem with Docetaxel". Biomacromolecules (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01329.
    10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01329
  15. Ribeiro, Jessica P.M.; Mendonça, Patrícia V.; Santo, Daniela; De Bon, Francesco; Faneca, Henrique; Guliashvili, Tamaz; Coelho, Jorge F.J.; Serra, Arménio C.. "Expanding the use of affordable CuSO4·5H2O in ATRP techniques in homogeneous media". Polymer 241 (2022): 124526. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2022.124526.
    10.1016/j.polymer.2022.124526
  16. Costa, Diana; Santo, Daniela; Domingues, Cátia; Veiga, Francisco; Faneca, Henrique; Figueiras, Ana. "Recent advances in peptide-targeted micelleplexes: Current developments and future perspectives". International Journal of Pharmaceutics 597 (2021): 120362. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120362.
    10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120362
  17. Santo, Daniela; Mendonça, Patrícia V.; Lima, Mafalda S.; Cordeiro, Rosemeyre A.; Cabanas, Luis; Serra, Arménio; Coelho, Jorge F.J.; Faneca, Henrique. "Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride)-Based Polyplexes as Serum-Tolerant Nanosystems for Enhanced Gene Delivery". Molecular Pharmaceutics 16 5 (2019): 2129-2141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00101.
    Published • 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00101
  18. Santo, Daniela; Cordeiro, Rosemeyre A.; Sousa, Ana; Serra, Arménio; Coelho, Jorge F.J.; Faneca, Henrique. "Combination of Poly[(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] and Poly(ß-amino ester) Results in a Strong and Synergistic Transfection Activity". Biomacromolecules 18 10 (2017): 3331-3342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00983.
    10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00983
  19. Cordeiro, Rosemeyre A.; Santo, Daniela; Farinha, Dina; Serra, Arménio; Faneca, Henrique; Coelho, Jorge F.J.. "High transfection efficiency promoted by tailor-made cationic tri-block copolymer-based nanoparticles". Acta Biomaterialia 47 (2017): 113-123. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2016.10.015.
    10.1016/j.actbio.2016.10.015
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. Santo, Daniela. "Avaliação da capacidade de transporte e entrega de material genético associada a diferentes nanossistemas de base polimérica". Master, Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/41482.
Activities

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event		 Event name
Institution / Organization
2025/03/07 - Current As part of the XX ENEEB, delivered an interactive laboratory session focused on materials characterization techniques used in biomedical research, promoting the integration of theory and practice, active learning, and STEM skills development among Biomedical Engineering students.
Other
 nteractive Laboratory Demonstration – XX National Meeting of Biomedical Engineering Students (ENEEB)
2025/02/14 - Current Presentation entitled “Materials Science: The Foundation of a Sustainable and Innovative Future” at Infanta Dona Maria Secondary School, addressed to secondary school students.
Other
 Ciência dos materiais: O Alicerce do Futuro Sustentável e Inovador
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2023/09/29 - Current European Researchers' Night
2025/10/22 - 2025/10/29 Participation in the EIT Health Innovation Days (i-Days), a European initiative promoting health innovation through intensive, challenge-based programmes. The event focuses on the application of innovation tools and multidisciplinary collaboration to address real-world healthcare challenges proposed by industry, start-ups, and research organizations.
Workshop
 EIT Health Innovation Days (i-Days) 2025
2023/09/25 - 2023/09/29 5th International Practical Biofilm Course and Symposium: Biofilms as Promotors of Dormancy and Antimicrobial Tolerance
Symposium
 5th International Practical Biofilm Course and Symposium: Biofilms as Promotors of Dormancy and Antimicrobial Tolerance

Jury of academic degree

Topic
Role		 Candidate name (Type of degree)
Institution / Organization
2025/09/24 DESENVOLVIMENTO DE POLÍMEROS INTELIGENTES PARA O TRATAMENTO DE CANCRO
(Thesis) Arguer
 Marta Teixeira Manso (Master)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
Distinctions

Award

2019 Best poster award - 31st Nano Congress for Future Advancements, 2019.