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Rita Vilaça (RV) received an M.Sc. in Biochemistry in 2008 at the University of Porto, under the supervision of Prof Vítor Costa and Prof Nuno Mateus, and was a visiting student at Manuel Santos Lab (University of Aveiro). RV received Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences in 2014 at the University of Porto under the supervision of Prof Vítor Costa (an expert in yeast studies) and Prof Clara de Sá Miranda (MD, Ph.D., an expert in lysosomal storages disorders). In 2019 RV moved to Coimbra to join the Mitochondria and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group (headed by Prof Ana Cristina Rego) to work in exosomes cell-based therapies to tackle Huntington's disease. From 2021 to 2023, RV joined the Biomolecular Structure & Function Group at i3S (headed by Dr. Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro) to work as Research Trainer and Communication Manager at the EU Horizon2020 funded PhasAGE project (https://phasage.eu/). Since 2022 RV is the Science Communication Coordinator and Work Group Leader of COST Action ML4NGP (CA21160). RV is actively engaged in scientific literacy and dissemination of science to the public. RV participated in several courses and workshops on science communication, project management and ethics, being certified as trainer in Biology, Health Sciences, and Conception and Organization of Educational Projects. RV is highly experienced in medical and scientific writing (author/co-author of >10 peer-reviewed publications and 5 abstracts in proceedings), research communication and dissemination (author/co-author of >10 oral communications in national and international conferences, author of >10 poster communications, and 3 seminars as an invited speaker), event organization (international conferences, advanced training programmes and inclusive society targeted actions). RV was an assistant professor by invitation at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar at the University of Porto (UP) (2015-2024). RV supervised and co-supervised master and bachelor students and actively participated in tutoring other lab members. RV has high interpersonal, problem-solving and risk management skills. Currently, RV works at LAQV-REQUIMTE as project manager of EU-funded projects including WHEATBIOME (GA 101084344), COST Action FLAVOURsome (CA22161) and BeTasty (GA 101040462).
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Rita Pereira Vilaça

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
B317-85CF-B04B

Addresses

  • LAQV-REQUIMTE - Faculty of Sciences University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Porto, Portugal (Professional)

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Microbiology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Biochemical Research Methods
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Cell Biology
  • Medical and Health Sciences - Medical Biotechnology - Gene-based Diagnostics and Therapeutic Interventions
Education
Degree Classification
2024/03/04 - 2024/03/13
Concluded
 Open Executive Programme - Project Management (Diploma de especialização)
Universidade do Porto Porto Business School, Portugal
 18
2009/01/01 - 2014/05/28
Concluded
 Ciências Biomédicas (Doutoramento)
Major in Sem especialidade
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
"Interplay between sphingolipid and nutriente signaling in niemann-pick type C1 disease: new clues from a yeast cell model" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Aprovado com distinção
2007/10/10 - 2008/12/12
Concluded
 Bioquímica (Mestrado)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
"Protective effect of pomegranate polyphenols and quercetin against oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 19
2003/09/13 - 2007/09/17
Concluded
 Bioquímica (Licenciatura)
Major in Não Aplicável
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
15
Projects

Contract

Designation Funders
2024/01/01 - Current New Molecular and Cell-based Approaches to assess Food Astringency and Bitterness (ByTASTy)
101040462
Project Manager
REQUIMTE LAQV Porto, Portugal
 European Commission
Ongoing
2023/01/01 - Current Unravelling the potential of the wheat microbiome for the development of healthier, more sustainable and resilient wheat-derived food & feed products
101084344
Project Manager
REQUIMTE LAQV Porto, Portugal
 European Commission
Ongoing

Other

Designation Funders
2023/10 - Current Future of plant-based food: Bridging the gap of new proteins and FLAVOURsome (FLAVOURsome)
CA22161
WG5 member
REQUIMTE LAQV Porto, Portugal
 European Cooperation in Science and Technology
Ongoing
2022/10 - Current Non-globular proteins in the era of Machine Learning (ML4NGP) - CA21160
CA21160
Science Communication Coordinator and WG Leader
European Cooperation in Science and Technology
Ongoing
Outputs

Publications

Conference abstract
  1. Martins, Telma S.; Costa, R. S. ; Vilaça, R.; Lemos, C.; Teixeira, V.; Pereira, C.; Costa, V.. "Iron overload impairs autophagy and decreases lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in 47th FEBS Congress – ‘Together in bioscience for a better future’, Tours, 2023.
  2. Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE); Beatriz, Margarida (431D-E8EB-DA99); Rita Pereira Vilaça; Daley, George Q; Januário, Cristina; Thorsten Michael Schlaeger; Ana Cristina Carvalho Rego (1B13-BB39-7943). Corresponding author: Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE). "Extracellular vesicles from fibroblasts of Huntington’s Disease patients are involved in the transfer of mitochondrial components". Paper presented in ESCI 55TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING, 2021.
    Published
  3. Beatriz, Margarida; Rita Pereira Vilaça; Rodrigues, Ricardo J. (1917-1943-C05C); Thorsten Michael Schlaeger; Daley, George Q; Januário, Cristina; Ana Cristina Carvalho Rego (1B13-BB39-7943); Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE). Corresponding author: Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE). "Fibroblasts-derived extracelular Vesicles Revert Synaptic Dysfunction in Human Huntington’s Disease Striatal Neurons". Paper presented in ESCI 55TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING, 2021.
    Published
  4. Margarida Fernandes Beatriz; Vilaça, Rita; Thorsten Michael Schlaeger; Daley, George Q; Ana Cristina Carvalho Rego (1B13-BB39-7943); Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE). "Human Huntington's disease iPSC-derived striatal-like neurons display altered maturation and mitochondrial dynamics". Paper presented in ESCI Virtual Meeting 2020 - COVID Edition, 2020.
    Published • 10.1111/eci.13369
  5. Teixeira, Vitor (B410-1787-8164); Medeiros, Tânia C.; Vilaça, Rita; Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "Ceramide-activated protein phosphatase Sit4p deregulates macroautophagy, mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics in isc1 cells.". Paper presented in FEBS EMBO 2014 Conference, Paris, 2014.
    Published • DOI: 10.1111/febs.12919.
  6. Rita Vilaça. "Protective effect of pomegranate juice against oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae". 2009.
    10.1002/yea.1693
Conference poster
  1. Martins, Telma S.; Costa, R. S. ; Vilaça, R.; Lemos, C.; Teixeira, V.; Pereira, C.; Costa, V.. "Iron limitation restores autophagic flux and improves lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in MCBiology Symposium - “Science: everything, everywhere all at once”, 2023.
  2. Margarida Fernandes Beatriz; Vilaça, Rita; Rodrigues, Ricardo J. (1917-1943-C05C); Daley, George Q; Cristina Januário; Thorsten Michael Schlaeger; Ana Cristina Carvalho Rego (1B13-BB39-7943); Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE). "Striatal neurons derived from Huntington's Disease patient's iPSC exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction and electrophysiological impairment". Paper presented in FENS 2020 Virtual Forum, 2020.
  3. Beatriz, Margarida (431D-E8EB-DA99); Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE); Vilaça, Rita; Rodrigues, Ricardo J. (1917-1943-C05C); Cristina Januário; Ana Cristina Carvalho Rego (1B13-BB39-7943). "Huntington's Disease modeling using patient derived iPSC and the impact of exosomes on disease expression.". Paper presented in 1st CIBB Neuroscience&Disease Retreat, 2019.
  4. Martins, Telma; Pereira, C (8B13-152A-E667); Vilaça, Rita; Daniel Canadell; Teixeira, V (B410-1787-8164); Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Eulàlia de Nadal; Francesc Posas; Costa, V (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "Hog1p kinase regulates the Aft1p transcription factor and its impairment underlies iron accumulation in yeast lacking the sphingomyelinase Isc1". Paper presented in 28th International Conference on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology, 2017.
  5. Vilaça, Rita; Barros, Ivo (A01C-F8C5-C258); Matmati, N.; Teixeira, Vitor (B410-1787-8164); Hannun, Y.A.. "The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4p impairs sphingolipid dynamics, mitochondrial function and lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in MitoPorto-Advances in Mitochondrial Research International Symposium, 2017.
  6. Vilaça, Rita; Barros, Ivo; Matmati, Nabil; Silva, Elísio; Teixeira, Vitor; Hannun, Yusuf A.; Costa, Vítor. "The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4 impairs sphingolipid dynamics and mitochondrial function in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in MitoPorto ¿ Advances in mitochondrial research, 2017.
  7. Vilaça, Rita; Barros, Ivo; Matmati, Nabil; Silva, Elísio; Teixeira, Vitor; Hannun, Yusuf A.; Costa, Vítor. "The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4 impairs sphingolipid dynamics, mitochondrial function and lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in Gordon Research Conference ¿Lysosomal Diseases¿, 2017.
  8. Vilaça, Rita; Barros, Ivo (A01C-F8C5-C258); Matmati, N.; Silva, Elísio; Teixeira, Vitor (B410-1787-8164); Hannun, Y.A.; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4p impairs sphingolipid dynamics, mitochondrial function and lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomal Diseases (GRC), 2017.
  9. Vilaça, Rita; Barros, Ivo; Matmati, N.; Silva, Elísio; Teixeira, Vitor (B410-1787-8164); Hannun, Y.A.; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4p impairs sphingolipid dynamics, mitochondrial function and lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in Gordon Research Seminar on Lysosomal Diseases (GRS), 2017.
  10. Vilaça, Rita; Barros, Ivo (A01C-F8C5-C258); Matmati, N.; Silva, Elísio; Teixeira, Vitor (B410-1787-8164); Hannun, Y.A.; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4p impairs sphingolipid dynamics, mitochondrial function and lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in XIX Congresso Nacional de Bioquímica, 2016.
  11. Martins, Telma S.; Pereira, Clara; Teixeira, Vitor; Vilaça, Rita; Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Costa, Vítor. "Activation of the transcriptional regulator Aft1p underlies iron accumulation in cells lacking the sphingomyelinase Isc1p". Paper presented in XIX Congresso Nacional de Bioquímica, 2016.
  12. Laranjeira, João Rodrigues; Cruz, Rui; Vilaça, R.; Marta Vaz Mendes; Rita Rocha; Vieira-Pires, Ricardo S.. "Immunotargeting of E.coli TolC outer membrane channel". Paper presented in 5th International Iberian Biophysics Congress, 2016.
  13. Barros, Ivo (A01C-F8C5-C258); Vilaça, Rita; Teixeira, Vitor (B410-1787-8164); Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "The role of ceramide signaling in the regulation of mitochondrial function, autophagy and lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Paper presented in IV Encontro Nacional de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, 2015.
  14. Teixeira, Vitor (B410-1787-8164); Medeiros, Tânia C.; Vilaça, Rita; Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "Activation of the protein phosphatase Sit4p impairs macroautophagy, mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics in isc1¿ cells". Paper presented in Portuguese Congress of Microbiology and Biotechnology - MICROBIOTEC´13, 2013.
  15. Vilaça, Rita; Silva, Elísio; Sá-Miranda, Maria Clara; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "Deletion of Niemann-Pick type C1 related gene decreases lifespan associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions". Paper presented in International Symposium on Redox Signalling and Oxidative Stress in Health and Disease, 2012.
  16. Vilaça, Rita; Silva, Elísio; Sá-Miranda, Clara; Costa, Vítor. "Deletion of Niemann -Pick type C1 related gene decreases yeast lifespan associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions". Paper presented in Redox signaling and oxidative stress in health and disease, 2012.
  17. Vilaça, Rita; Balreira, Andrea; Gaifem, Joana; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "The Niemann-Pick type C1 protein is essential for lifespan". Paper presented in VIII International Symposium of Portuguese Society of Metabolic Diseases, 2011.
  18. Vilaça, Rita; Balreira, Andrea; Sá-Miranda, Clara; Costa, Vítor. "The Niemann-Pick type C1 protein function is essential for lifespan". Paper presented in VIII International Symposium of Sociedade Portuguesa de Doenças Metabólicas, 2011.
  19. Vilaça, Rita; Balreira, Andrea; Gaifem, Joana; Moardas-Ferreira, Pedro; Sá-Miranda, Maria Clara; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "The Niemann-Pick type C protein plays a key role in redox homeostasis and lifespan". Paper presented in 18th European Study Group on Lysosomal Diseases (ESGLD), 2011.
  20. Vilaça, Rita; Gaifém, Joana; Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Sá-Miranda, Clara; Costa, Vítor. "The Niemann-Pick type C1 protein plays a key role in redox homeostasis and lifespan". Paper presented in 18th workshop of the European Study Group on Lysosomal Diseases, 2011.
  21. Gaifem, Joana; Vilaça, Rita; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "Role of NCR1 in endoplasmic reticulum stress response in yeast". Paper presented in i3S Scientific Retreat, 2011.
  22. Vilaça, Rita; Gaifem, Joana; Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Clara Sá Miranda, Maria; Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "Unraveling the molecular aspects of Niemann-Pick type C". Paper presented in XVII Congresso Nacional de Bioquímica, 2010.
  23. Vilaça, Rita; Mendes, Vanda; Carreto, Laura; Mendes, VM; Amorim, MA; Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Victor Freitas (161D-29F0-55ED); Nuno Mateus (DC1E-7EC3-74FD). "Role of cell signalling and modulation of gene expression in oxidative stress protection by quercetin in S. cerevisiae". Paper presented in i3S Scientific Retreat, 2010.
  24. Vilaça, Rita; Joana Azevedo (531D-4303-9C8A); Gonçalves, Rui; Amorim, MA; Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Victor Freitas (161D-29F0-55ED); Nuno Mateus (DC1E-7EC3-74FD); Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "Protective effect of pomegranate juice against oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae". Paper presented in 24th International Conference on Yeast Genetics & Molecular Biology, 2009.
  25. Vilaça, Rita; Amorim, MA; Moradas-Ferreira, Pedro; Victor Freitas (161D-29F0-55ED); Nuno Mateus (DC1E-7EC3-74FD); Costa, Vítor (3C19-49DF-3ACB). "Downregulation of the AMPK protein kinase Snf1p increases cellular protection by quercetin against oxidative stress in yeast". Paper presented in XXIVth International Conference on Polyphenols, 2008.
Journal article
  1. Telma S. Martins; Rafaela S. Costa; Rita Vilaça; Carolina Lemos; Vitor Teixeira; Clara Pereira; Vítor Costa. "Iron Limitation Restores Autophagy and Increases Lifespan in the Yeast Model of Niemann–Pick Type C1". International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023): https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076221.
    10.3390/ijms24076221
  2. Beatriz, Margarida; Rodrigues, Ricardo J.; Vilaça, Rita; Egas, Conceição; Pinheiro, Paulo S.; Daley, George Q.; Schlaeger, Thorsten M.; et al. "Extracellular vesicles improve GABAergic transmission in Huntington's disease iPSC-derived neurons". Theranostics 13 11 (2023): 3707-3724. http://dx.doi.org/10.7150/thno.81981.
    10.7150/thno.81981
  3. Beatriz, Margarida; Vilaça, Rita; Anjo, Sandra I.; Manadas, Bruno; Januário, Cristina; Rego, A. Cristina; Lopes, Carla. Corresponding author: Lopes, Carla. "Defective mitochondria-lysosomal axis enhances the release of extracellular vesicles containing mitochondrial DNA and proteins in Huntington's disease". Journal of Extracellular Biology 1 10 (2022): e65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jex2.65.
    Published • 10.1002/jex2.65
  4. Fão L; Coelho, Patrícia; Duarte, Luís; Vilaça, Rita; Hayden, Michael R.; Mota, Sandra I.; Rego, Ana Cristina. "Restoration of c-Src/Fyn Proteins Rescues Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Huntington's Disease". Antioxidants & Redox Signaling (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/ars.2022.0001.
    10.1089/ars.2022.0001
  5. Beatriz, Margarida; Vilaça, Rita; Ana Cristina Carvalho Rego; Lopes, Carla. Corresponding author: Lopes, Carla. "Defective mitophagic clearance of damaged mitochondria promotes extracellular vesicle-mediated release of mitochondrial components in huntington's disease". European Journal of Clinical Investigation 52 S1 (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eci.13796.
    Published • 10.1111/eci.13796
  6. Pintado-Grima, Carlos; Bárcenas, Oriol; Manglano-Artuñedo, Zoe; Macedo-Ribeiro, Sandra; Pallarès, Irantzu; Santos, Jaime; Vilaça, Rita. "CARs-DB: A Database of Cryptic Amyloidogenic Regions in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins". Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 9 (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2022.882160.
    Published • 10.3389/fmolb.2022.882160
  7. Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE); Beatriz, Margarida (431D-E8EB-DA99); Ana Cristina Carvalho Rego (1B13-BB39-7943); Sandra I. Anjo; BRUNO JOSÉ FERNANDES OLIVEIRA MANADAS; Januário, Cristina; Rita Pereira Vilaça. Corresponding author: Carla Maria Nunes Lopes (0E10-2833-5AEE). "Defective mitochondrial-lysosomal axis promotes extracellular vesicles release of mitochondrial components in Huntington’s Disease". bioRxiv (2022): https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.13.480262v1.
    Open access • Under revision
  8. Vilaça, Rita. "Macroautophagy and Mitophagy in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Focus on Therapeutic Interventions". Biomedicines 9 11 (2021): 1625-1625. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/11/1625#cite.
    Open access • Published • 10.3390/biomedicines9111625
  9. Vilaça, Rita; Margarida Fernandes Beatriz; Carla Maria Nunes Lopes. "Exosomes: Innocent Bystanders or Critical Culprits in Neurodegenerative Diseases". Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 9 (2021): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.635104.
    Accepted • 10.3389/fcell.2021.635104
  10. Vilaça, R.; Barros, I.; Matmati, N.; Silva, E.; Martins, T.; Teixeira, V.; Hannun, Y.A.; Costa, V.. "The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4 impairs sphingolipid dynamics, mitochondrial function and lifespan in a yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease 1864 1 (2018): 79-88. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85031804747&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    Published • 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.10.010
  11. Martins, T.S.; Pereira, C.; Canadell, D.; Vilaça, R.; Teixeira, V.; Moradas-Ferreira, P.; de Nadal, E.; Posas, F.; Costa, V.. "The Hog1p kinase regulates Aft1p transcription factor to control iron accumulation". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids 1863 1 (2018): 61-70. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85032229876&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.bbalip.2017.10.001
  12. Oliveira, A.V.; Vilaça, R.; Santos, C.N.; Costa, V.; Menezes, R.. "Exploring the power of yeast to model aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders". Biogerontology 18 1 (2017): 3-34. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84994079430&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s10522-016-9666-4
  13. Teixeira, V.; Medeiros, T.C.; Vilaça, R.; Ferreira, J.; Moradas-Ferreira, P.; Costa, V.. "Ceramide signaling targets the PP2A-like protein phosphatase Sit4p to impair vacuolar function, vesicular trafficking and autophagy in Isc1p deficient cells". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids 1861 1 (2016): 21-33. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84944937082&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.bbalip.2015.10.004
  14. Teixeira, V.; Medeiros, T.C.; Vilaça, R.; Pereira, A.T.; Chaves, S.R.; Côrte-Real, M.; Moradas-Ferreira, P.; et al. "Ceramide signalling impinges on Sit4p and Hog1p to promote mitochondrial fission and mitophagy in Isc1p-deficient cells". Cellular Signalling 27 9 (2015): 1840-1849. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84935020105&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.cellsig.2015.06.001
  15. Mendes, V.; Vilaça, R.; De Freitas, V.; Ferreira, P.M.; Mateus, N.; Costa, V.. "Effect of myricetin, pyrogallol, and phloroglucinol on yeast resistance to oxidative stress". Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity 2015 (2015): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84929376545&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1155/2015/782504
  16. Vitor Teixeira; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular; Rua do Campo Alegre; 823; 4150-180 Porto; Portugal; Tania Medeiros; et al. "Reduced TORC1 signaling abolishes mitochondrial dysfunctions and shortened chronological lifespan of Isc1p-deficient cells". Microbial Cell 1 1 (2014): 21-36. https://doi.org/10.15698%2Fmic2014.01.121.
    10.15698/mic2014.01.121
  17. Vilaça, R.; Silva, E.; Nadais, A.; Teixeira, V.; Matmati, N.; Gaifem, J.; Hannun, Y.A.; Sá Miranda, M.C.; Costa, V.. "Sphingolipid signalling mediates mitochondrial dysfunctions and reduced chronological lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1". Molecular Microbiology 91 3 (2014): 438-451. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84908101723&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1111/mmi.12470
  18. Vilaça, R.; Mendes, V.; Mendes, M.V.; Carreto, L.; Amorim, M.A.; de Freitas, V.; Moradas-Ferreira, P.; Mateus, N.; Costa, V.. "Quercetin Protects Saccharomyces cerevisiae against Oxidative Stress by Inducing Trehalose Biosynthesis and the Cell Wall Integrity Pathway". PLoS ONE 7 9 (2012): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84866522675&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1371/journal.pone.0045494
Magazine article
  1. Vilaça, R.; 1E10-521B-CF14; E71F-C2D0-7997; DD12-34A1-71A2. Corresponding author: 1E10-521B-CF14. "Harnessing the wheat microbiome: unlocking pathways to improved food quality and human health", European Dissemination Media Agency Project Repository Journal, 2024, https://doi.org/10.54050/PRJ2122411.
  2. Vilaça, Rita; E215-A550-D45C; DD12-34A1-71A2; 8A1F-EEAF-7FC8; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9803-5516. Corresponding author: DD12-34A1-71A2. "New molecular and cell-based approaches to assess food astringency and bitterness", European Dissemination Media Agency - Project Repository Journal, 2024, https://doi.org/10.54050/PRJ2122280.
  3. Vilaça, Rita; 1E10-521B-CF14; DD12-34A1-71A2; 5E16-859A-37A4; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1444-8098; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3120-2820. Corresponding author: 1E10-521B-CF14. "Microbiomes for the future of sustainable wheat production", Open Access Government, 2024, https://doi.org/10.56367/OAG-043-11507.
Newsletter article
  1. Vilaça, Rita. "Second Year in Review", ML4NGP Newsletter ED.3, 2024, https://ml4ngp.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ML4NGP-COST-ACTION-ED.-3-low-res.pdf.
  2. Vilaça, Rita. "ML4NGP Meeting", ML4NGP Newsletter ED.2, 2024, https://ml4ngp.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ML4NGP-Newsletter-2_compressed.pdf.
  3. Vilaça, Rita. "First Year in Review", ML4NGP Newsletter ED.1, 2023, https://ml4ngp.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ML4NGP-Newsletter-1_compressed.pdf.
Online resource
  1. Vilaça, Rita. ML4NGP News Blog. 2023. https://ml4ngp.eu/news/.
  2. Vilaça, Rita. PhasAGE News Blog. 2021. https://phasage.eu/news/.
Preprint
  1. Beatriz, Margarida; Vilaça, Rita; Anjo, Sandra I.; Manadas, Bruno; Januário, Cristina; Rego, A. Cristina; Lopes, Carla. "Defective mitochondrial-lysosomal axis promotes extracellular vesicles release of mitochondrial components in Huntington’s Disease". 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.13.480262.
    10.1101/2022.02.13.480262
Report
  1. Vilaça, Rita; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0362-8218; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0837-9564. 2023. ML4NGP Science Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation Plan. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14652321.
    10.5281/zenodo.14652321
  2. Vilaça, Rita. 2021. Report Institutionalization of Science Engagement. https://falling-walls.com/wp-content/uploads/institutionalizationofscienceengagement.pdf.
    Assistant staff
  3. Vilaça, Rita. 2021. PhasAGE Dissemination, Communication, Outreach Plan. https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5d9fd2315&appId=PPGMS.
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. Rita Pereira Vilaça. "Interplay between sphingolipid and nutriente signaling in niemann-pick type C1 disease: new clues from a yeast cell model". PhD, Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 2014. https://repositorio-aberto.up.pt/handle/10216/84758.
  2. Vilaça, Rita. "Protective effect of pomegranate polyphenols and quercetin against oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae". Master, Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, 2008. https://sigarra.up.pt/fcup/pt/teses.tese?p_aluno_id=101948&p_processo=17304&p_lang=0.
Website
  1. Vilaça, Rita; DD12-34A1-71A2. BIOPROTLab. 2024. www.bioprotlab.com.
  2. Vilaça, Rita. ML4NGP. 2022. www.ml4ngp.eu.
  3. Vilaça, Rita; Nunes, Anabela. PhasAGE. 2021. http://phasage.eu.

Artistic / Performance

Artistic exhibition
  1. E217-41D1-AFDB; 051F-7410-70CA; Vilaça, Rita. Um Olhar Raro. 2023.
Video recording
  1. Vilaça, Rita. 2024. PhasAGE Ask The Expert Series | Salvador Ventura.
    10.5281/zenodo.10776772
  2. Vilaça, Rita. 2024. PhasAGE Ask The Expert Series | Peter Tompa.
    10.5281/zenodo.10777590
  3. Vilaça, Rita; BB10-98AA-9F22; C11F-C5F4-5DB8. 2024. PhasAGE Ask The Expert Series | Silvio Tosatto.
    10.5281/zenodo.10722947

Other

Research technique
  1. PhasAGE Training School 2 - Experimental analysis of FUS liquid-liquid phase separation with INCell and Synergy 2 -Practical session Protocol. Co-Researcher. Vilaça, Rita; 051F-7410-70CA. 2022.
    10.5281/zenodo.7143001 • Co-Researcher
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2023/07/08 Iron overload impairs autophagy and decreases lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1 T.S. Martins*, R.S. Costa, R. Vilaça, C. Lemos, V. Teixeira, C. Pereira, V. Costa (*speaker) 47th FEBS Congress - “Together in bioscience for a better future”
(Tours, France)
2022/12/11 Uncovering the Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Behavior of Ataxin-3 Sára Varga*, Zsuzsa Sárkány, Rita Vilaça, Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro (*speaker) II PhasAGE-VIB International Conference
VIB (Brussels, Belgium)
2021/06/09 Extracellular vesicles from fibroblasts of Huntington's Disease patients are involved in the transfer of mitochondrial components ESCI 55TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
European Society for Clinical Investigation
2021/06/09 Fibroblasts-derived extracellular Vesicles Revert Synaptic Dysfunction in Human Huntington's Disease Striatal Neurons ESCI 55TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
European Society for Clinical Investigation
2021/05 Extracellular vesicles cargo as biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction in Huntington’s Disease Margarida Beatriz*, Rita Vilaça, George Daley, Cristina Januário, Thorsten Schlaeger, AC Rego, Carla Lopes (*speaker) 10th Annual Meeting ISEV 2021 - Virtual
International Society for Extracellular Vesicles
2020/09 Human Huntington's disease iPSC derived striatal-like neurons display altered maturation and mitochondrial dynamics M. Beatriz, R. Vilaça, R. Rodrigues, T. Schlaeger, G. Daley, A.C. Rego, C. Lopes* (*speaker) ESCI Virtual Meeting 2020 - COVID Edition
European Society for Clinical Investigation
2019/10/11 Neural-like cells from Huntington’s disease patients show altered mitochondrial function, morphology and movement Margarida Beatriz*, Rita Vilaça, Thorsten Schlaeger, George Daley, Cristina Januário, Carla Lopes & Ana Cristina Rego (*speaker) 33ª Reunião do Grupo de Estudos de Envelhecimento Cerebral e Demência (GEECD)
(Porto, Portugal)
2018/06/08 Pkh1-dependent activation of Ypk1 is triggered by membrane stress in a yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1 disease Gonçalves, RD*; Fontes, V; Costa, V; Rita Vilaça (*speaker) XXI Jornadas de Biologia de Leveduras
(Braga, Portugal)
2018/02/09 The role of calcineurin in cellular death of a yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1 disease Araújo, RD*; Costa, AC; Costa, V; Vilaça, R (*speaker) . IJUP - Encontro de Investigação Jovem Universidade do Porto
Universidade do Porto (Porto, Portugal)
2017/08 Hog1p kinase regulates the Aft1p transcription factor and its impairment underlies iron accumulation in yeast lacking the sphingomyelinase Isc1p TS Martins, C Pereira, R Vilaça, D Canadell, V Teixeira, P Moradas-Ferreira, E de Nadal, F Posas, and V Costa* (*speaker). 28th International Conference on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology
(Praga, Czech Republic)
2017/06/02 Bioactive sphingolipids, nutrient signaling and mitochondrial function in yeast R Vilaça, C Pereira, TS Martins, P Moradas-Ferreira, and V Costa*. (*speaker) SINAL 2017 - 8th Meeting on Signal Transduction
(Lisboa, Portugal)
2017/02/10 Role of Ypk1-Orm1/2 signaling in the regulation of sphingolipid metabolism and mitochondrial function in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1 Fontes, V*; Costa, V; Vilaça, R (*speaker) . IJUP - Encontro de Investigação Jovem Universidade do Porto
Universidade do Porto (Porto, Portugal)
2017/02/08 Hog1p, a new regulator of Aft1p, underlies iron accumulation in cells lacking the sphingomyelinase Isc1p Martins, T S*; Pereira, C l.; Teixeira, V.; Vilaca, R; Ferreira, Pedro-Moradas; Costa, V (*speaker) . IJUP - Encontro de Investigação Jovem Universidade do Porto
Universidade do Porto (Porto, Portugal)
2015/10/22 The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4p impairs sphingolipid dynamics, mitochondrial function and lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1 R Vilaça, E Silva, V Teixeira, N Matmati, I Barros, YA Hannun and V Costa* (*speaker) 11th International Meeting on Yeast Apoptosis
(Porto, Portugal)
2014/12/17 The yeast homologue of mammalian protein phosphatase 6 (PP6) Sit4p deregulates macroautophagy, mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics in response to ceramide signaling in isc1 cells Vitor Teixeira*, Tânia C. Medeiros, Rita Vilaça, Pedro Moradas-Ferreira and Vítor Costa (*speaker) XVIII Congress of the Portuguese Biochemical Society
(Coimbra, Portugal)
2014/09 Ceramide-activated protein phosphatase Sit4p deregulates macroautophagy, mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics in isc1 cells Vitor Teixeira*, Tânia C. Medeiros, Rita Vilaça, Pedro Moradas-Ferreira and Vítor Costa (*speaker) Young Scientist Forum – FEBS
(Paris, France)
2013/10/23 Activation of the protein phosphatase Sit4p impairs macroautophagy, mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamis in isc1¿ cells Vítor Teixeira*, Tânia C. Medeiros, Rita Vilaça, Pedro Moradas-Ferreira and Vítor Costa. (*speaker) 7th International Ceramide Conference
(Nova Iorque, United States)
2013/10/22 Sphingolipid signaling mediates mitochondrial dysfunctions and reduced chronological lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1 Rita Vilaça*, Elísio Silva, André Nadais, Vítor Teixeira, Nabil Matmati, Joana Gaifém, Yusuf A. Hannun, Maria Clara Sá Miranda and Vítor Costa (*speaker) 7th International Ceramide Conference
(Nova Iorque, United States)
2010/11/04 Unraveling the molecular aspects of Niemann-Pick type C1 Rita Vilaça*, Joana Gaifém, Pedro Moradas-Ferreira, Clara Sá Miranda, Vítor Costa. (*speaker) VII International Symposium Portuguese Society of Metabolic Diseases
(Albufeira, Portugal)
2009/06/19 Protective effect of pomegranate juice against oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rita Vilaça*, Joana Azevedo, Rui Gonçalves, Maria Amélia Amorim, Vanda Mendes, Pedro Moradas-Ferreira, Victor de Freitas, Nuno Mateus e Vítor Costa (*speaker) XVII Jornadas de Biologia de Leveduras
(Braga, Portugal)
2009/02/04 Efeito de polifenóis isolados da romã na protecção contra o stress oxidativo e envelhecimento Rita Vilaça*, Vítor Costa (*speaker) VI Jornadas Bebidas e Saúde
(Porto, Portugal)
2008/09/04 Downregulation of the AMPK protein kinase Snf1p increases cellular protection by quercetin against oxidative stress in yeast Rita Vilaça*, Mª Amélia Amorim, Pedro Moradas-Ferreira, Victor de Freitas, Nuno Mateus e Vítor Costa (*speaker) III Encontro Nacional de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas
(Faro, Portugal)
2008/02/14 Efeito protector de polifenóis presentes na dieta alimentar no envelhecimento celular Rita Vilaça*, Vítor Costa (*speaker) V Jornadas Bebidas e Saúde
(Porto, Portugal)

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role 		Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2022/09 - 2023/07/14 Characterization of the neuroprotective effect of anti-aggregation molecules in a Drosophila model of Machado-Joseph Disease
Supervisor of Ana Mafalda da Costa Silva Claro
 Mestrado em Biologia Celular e Molecular (Master)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2021/09 - 2022/11/15 Yck2: At The Intersection Of Prion-like Domains And Stress Granules Regulation?
Co-supervisor
 Mestrado em Bioquímica (Master)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2021/09 - 2022/07/21 Uncovering the Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Behavior of Ataxin-3
Co-supervisor
 Mestrado em Bioengenharia (Master)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Engenharia, Portugal
2020/09 - 2021/07/23 Cross(dys)regulation of mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction in Huntington’s disease
Co-supervisor
 Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia Biomédica (Master)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2021 - 2021 Role of TFEB in autophagy in cell models of Huntington’s disease
Supervisor
 Engenharia Biomédica (Master)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2018/02 - 2018/09 Finding novel therapeutic drugs targeting calcineurin using Saccharomyces cerevisiae reporter bioassays
Supervisor
 Licenciatura em Bioquímica (Degree)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2018 - 2018 The role of eisosomes and calcineurin in a yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1
Supervisor
 Bioquímica (Master)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2016/09 - 2017/10 TORC2/Pkh1-Ypk1 pathway is activated in a yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1 disease
Supervisor
 Mestrado em Bioquímica (Master)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2016/10 - 2017/07 Cross-talk between calcium-calcineurin signaling and sphingolipid metabolism in the yeast model of NPC disease
Co-supervisor
 Licenciatura em Bioquímica (Degree)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2014/09 - 2015/07 Sphingolipid metabolism, Sit4p and TORC1 in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1 disease
Co-supervisor
 Mestrado em Bioquímica (Master)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2012/09 - 2013/06 Sinalização por esfingosina e envelhecimento no modelo da levedura da doença de Niemann-Pick tipo C1
Co-supervisor
 Licenciatura em Bioquímica (Degree)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2011/09 - 2012/07 Role of the yeast orthologue of Niemann-Pick C1 protein in oxidative stress resistance and mitochondrial function
Co-supervisor
 Mestrado em Bioquímica (Master)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2010/09 - 2011/10 Estudo da função da Ncr1p e da Npc2p na resistência ao stress em Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Co-supervisor
 Mestrado em Contaminação e Toxicologia Ambiental (Master)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2008/09 - 2009/06 Estudo da função da Ncr1p no stress oxidativo em Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Co-supervisor
 Licenciatura em Bioquímica (Degree)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role) 		Institution / Organization
2025/05/15 - 2025/05/15 FLAVOURsome Satellite Event, Valencia - Spain (2025/05/15 - 2025/05/15)
Meeting (Member of the Scientific Committee)
2025/04/09 - 2025/04/11 2nd FLAVOURsome Advanced Training School: Chemosensation! Taste!, Dresden - Germany (2025/04/09 - 2025/04/11)
Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
2025/02/03 - 2025/02/07 3rd ML4NGP Training School "NMR for Intrinsically Disordered Proteins", Brno, Czech Republic (2025/02/03 - 2025/02/07)
Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Masarykova univerzita Stredoevropský technologický institut, Czech Republic
2024/09/05 - 2024/09/06 First FLAVOURsome Workshop "Bridging Science and Industry: Enhancing Collaboration for Plant-Based Food Flavour Innovation" (2024/09/05 - 2024/09/06)
Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

REQUIMTE LAQV Porto, Portugal
2024/06/03 - 2024/06/06 FLAVOURsome Advanced Training School – “Tongue-on-chip 2.0: Taste receptors and other oral components involved in flavour perception”, Wageningen University & Research Campus, The Netherlands (2024/06/03 - 2024/06/06)
Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
2024/05/13 - 2024/05/17 2nd ML4NGP MEETING on Machine Learning and Non-globular proteins, Thessaloniki (Greece) (2024/05/14 - 2024/05/17)
Meeting (Member of the Scientific Committee)
2024/02/26 - 2024/02/28 TRAINING SCHOOL "Databases and computational tools on phase separation". Participants will receive multidisciplinary training to gain deeper insights and practical experience in applying databases, in silico resources and computational tools to query relevant biological data and analyze it in context. Using integrative methodologies for studying both structured and intrinsically disordered proteins, trainees will investigate the LLPS and aggregation propensities of wild-type and mutant proteins in physiology and disease. (2024/02/26 - 2024/02/28)
Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Belgium
2024/02/13 - 2024/02/16 ML4NGP-REFRACT Training School on Computational Tools to Study Non-Globular Proteins, Carmona, Spain (2024/02/13 - 2024/02/17)
Workshop (Member of the Scientific Committee)
2023/10/18 - 2023/10/20 III PhasAGE International Conference "Multiscale understanding of protein aggregation and biomolecular condensates in aging and disease" https://phasage.eu/iii-phasage-international-conference/ (2023/10/18 - 2023/10/20)
Conference (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2023/09/15 - 2023/10/20 Exposição “Um olhar raro” A iniciativa visa agregar, em simultâneo, a perspectiva dos doentes, de jovens alunos de escola secundária e de investigadores sobre um grupo de doenças genéticas raras e incuráveis; a exposição integrará fotografias tiradas pelos próprios pacientes e/ou seus cuidadores; ilustrações gráficas de estruturas de proteínas envolvidas nas doenças raras; e representações gráficas feitas por alunos do ensino secundário sobre a relação da estrutura e função de proteínas e o seu papel em doenças humanas raras. (2023/09/15 - 2023/10/20)
Exhibition (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2023/09/15 - 2023/09/15 Capacity building programme for patients associations: an event aimed to empower the capabilities of national associations of patients with neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. https://phasage.eu/capacity-building-event-to-empower-patients-associations-dedicated-to-neurodegenerative-and-neuromuscular-diseases-in-porto/ (2023/09/15 - 2023/09/15)
Symposium (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2023/07/05 - 2023/07/07 1st ML4NGP MEETING on Machine Learning and Non-globular proteins, Bratislava, Slovakia (2023/07/05 - 2023/07/07)
Meeting (Member of the Scientific Committee)
2023/04/17 - 2023/04/21 Training School "Protein aggregation, intrinsic disorder and phase separation in the era of machine learning" - The main goal of this course is to provide multidisciplinary training on computational and experimental tools to acquire comprehensive knowledge of integrative methodologies for studying intrinsically disordered proteins and protein aggregation in cell biology and disease. (2023/04/17 - 2023/04/21)
Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2022/12/11 - 2022/12/13 PHASAGE-VIB INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE "Biomolecular condensates in biology and disease" https://phasage.eu/ii-phasage-international-conference/ (2022/12/11 - 2022/12/13)
Conference (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Belgium

Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
2022/09/12 - 2022/09/16 Barcelona Protein Aggregation Training School. (2022/09/12 - 2022/09/16)
Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Spain
2022/01 - 2022/06 Training School "Biomolecular condensates in cell function, aging and disease" (2022/04/18 - 2022/04/22)
Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2021/05 - 2021/10 I PhasAGE International Conference 2021 - https://phasage.eu/phasage-conference-1/ (2021/10/12 - 2021/10/14)
Congress (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2021/02/05 - 2021/02/05 PhasAGE Kick-off Meeting, Online Event (2021/02/05)
Symposium (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2009/01 - 2011/09 Organization of "Friday Noon Speaker Seminars" at Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC, UP) as a member of IBMC graduate students Group (GSG). Responsible for contact with foreign invited speakers and schedule the visit, seminar, and meetings with researchers from IBMC. (2009/01 - 2011/06)
Seminar (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2010/06/17 - 2010/06/17 Member of the organizing team for the Symposium “Careers in Science: Life after Ph.D.” with foreign speakers (2010/06/17 - 2010/06/17)
Symposium (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event 		Event name
Institution / Organization
2021/10/19 - Current Training Course in Research Ethics & Integrity
Workshop
 Training Course in Research Ethics & Integrity (57 hours training)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2021/09 - Current Preparation and implementation of science education activities for i3S educational program (https://cienciaetal.i3s.up.pt/?page_id=5452) to high school students - Workshop "From 3D structure to protein function".
Workshop
 i3S educational program
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2020/11/08 - Current "Institutionalising Science Engagement: the key to promote science literacy and informed decision-making in society" (Course coordinator: Ana Faustino & Niklas Marzinek from Falling Walls Engage) https://falling-walls.com/event/institutionalising-science-engagement-2/
Workshop
 Institutionalising Science Engagement: the key to promote science literacy and informed decision-making in society
2019/12 - Current Theatre play “Holy CIBB” exhibited in the CIBB ( meeting 2019 (Coimbra)
Other
 “Holy CIBB”
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2024/11/26 - 2024/11/26 AgriFood Forum 2024, Vilnius - Lithuania
Symposium
2023/08/21 - 2023/08/23 Design Thinking
Workshop
Skills and Lead, Portugal
2022/01/13 - 2022/01/21 Triggers and Trends in Communicating Science for Society
Workshop
 Workshop Triggers and Trends in Communicating Science for Society (40 hours training)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2021/09/29 - 2021/10/11 Research Project Management Course
Workshop
 Research Project Management Course, 1st edition (20 hours training)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2021/09/24 - 2021/09/24 Preparation and implementation of science communication activities for European Researcher's Nights (supported by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions) which are public events dedicated to bringing researchers closer to the public. "A DESORDEM NA FUNÇÃO CEREBRAL E DOENÇAS ASSOCIADAS AO ENVELHECIMENTO - PhasAGE Twinning Project"
Workshop
 European Researcher's Night 2021
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2020/02/17 - 2020/02/21 Connecting Researchers with the Society Topics: Public Engagement in Science, Communication, Innovation, Career development, Ethics
Workshop
 Connecting Researchers with the Society
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/11/24 - 2019/11/30 Preparation and implementation of science communication activities for “Science and Technology week - 2019” organized by CiênciaViva. Science communication activities. Scientific institutions and universities open doors to the public, opportunities for scientific observation and personal contact with specialists from different areas of knowledge.
Workshop
 “Science and Technology week - 2019”
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/10/17 - 2019/10/28 Functional Neuroanatomy Course (Course coordinator: Wil JAJ Smeets, PhD)
Workshop
 Course on Functional Neuroanatomy
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/09/27 - 2019/09/27 Preparation and implementation of science communication activities for European Researcher's Nights (supported by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions) which are public events dedicated to bringing researchers closer to the public. They showcase the diversity of research and highlight the impact of research on our daily lives. It is an event of public awareness of the positive role of research in society across Europe and beyond.
Exhibition
 European Researchers’ Night 2019
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/09/02 - 2019/09/06 Co-responsible for the project "Caracterização de modelos de doenças neurodegenerativas: Doenças de Alzheimer e Huntington" under the program "Ciência Viva no Laboratório - Scientific Occupation of Young Students" which is an internship program for secondary school students in laboratories and scientific research institutions. This program develops during the summer school vacation period to allow students a prolonged and effective approach to scientific reality. 1-week workshop
Workshop
 Ciência Viva no Laboratório 2019
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/03/01 - 2019/03/29 Preparation and implementation of science communication activities for “Brain Awareness Week 2019” - International Brain Week, a campaign to raise public awareness of the progress and benefits of neuroscience research.
Workshop
 “Brain Awareness Week 2019”
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018 - 2018 Research-based Teaching: developing students research competencies (3h) Pedagogical Training for University Teachers - Pedagogic Training actions organized within the scope of the Pro-Rectory for Pedagogical Innovation in University of Porto
Workshop
 Research based Teaching: developing students research competencies
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2018 - 2018 Introduction to Pedagogical Practice for New Teachers (6h) Pedagogical Training for University Teachers - Pedagogic Training actions organized within the scope of the Pro-Rectory for Pedagogical Innovation in University of Porto
Workshop
 Introduction to Pedagogical Practice for New Teachers
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2017/09/29 - 2017/09/29 Preparation and implementation of science communication activities for European Researcher's Nights (supported by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions), public events dedicated to bringing researchers closer to the public. They showcase the diversity of research and highlight the impact of research on our daily lives. It is an event of public awareness of the positive role of research in society across Europe and beyond.
Exhibition
 “European Researcher’s night 2017”
YScience - Science Education Lda, Portugal
2017/09/19 - 2017/09/21 Introduction to digital image analysis with ImageJ /Fiji Course
Workshop
 Introduction to digital image analysis with ImageJ /Fiji
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2017/09/04 - 2017/09/09 Co-responsible for the project "Combate aos radicais livres: enzimas antioxidantes versus moléculas antioxidantes” under the program 13ª Escola de Ciências da Vida e da Saúde (Universidade Júnior) - University of Porto - National program of initiation to the university environment for students of basic education (2nd and 3rd cycles) and secondary. 1-week workshop
Workshop
 13ª Escola de Ciências da Vida e da Saúde (Universidade Júnior)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2017/06 - 2017/06 Evolution of Pedagogy in Higher Education (4h) Pedagogical Training for University Teachers - Pedagogic Training actions organized within the scope of the Pro-Rectory for Pedagogical Innovation in University of Porto
Workshop
 Evolution of Pedagogy in Higher Education
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2017/04/21 - 2017/04/23 Responsible for preparation and implementation of a practical workshop (4h) "Aging and neurodegenerative diseases: the role of oxidative stress" by invitation
Workshop
 V AEICBAS BIOMEDICAL CONGRESS
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2017/01 - 2017/01 Active Learning in the Classroom (3h) Pedagogical Training for University Teachers - Pedagogic Training actions organized within the scope of the Pro-Rectory for Pedagogical Innovation in University of Porto
Workshop
 Active Learning in the Classroom
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2017 - 2017 Coaching and positive communication in teaching (10h) Pedagogical Training for University Teachers - Pedagogic Training actions organized within the scope of the Pro-Rectory for Pedagogical Innovation in University of Porto
Workshop
 Coaching and positive communication in teaching
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2017 - 2017 Emotional Intelligence (7h) Pedagogical Training for University Teachers - Pedagogic Training actions organized within the scope of the Pro-Rectory for Pedagogical Innovation in University of Porto
Workshop
 Emotional Intelligence
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2016/09/30 - 2016/09/30 Preparation and implementation of science communication activities for European Researcher's Nights (supported by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions), public events dedicated to bringing researchers closer to the public. They showcase the diversity of research and highlight the impact of research on our daily lives. It is an event of public awareness of the positive role of research in society across Europe and beyond.
Exhibition
 “European Researcher’s night 2016”
YScience - Science Education Lda, Portugal
2014/06/12 - 2014/06/12 Half-day event at IBMC that provides an introduction to the increasingly important subject of intellectual property (IP), and an overview of how to work with it in a modern research institute. This event will also provide an opportunity to speak with experts from the field of IP and commercialization, and get answers to any questions you may have on this subject.
Seminar
 Technology Transfer and Business Development: How to make an impact in society
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2012/06/18 - 2012/06/22 4th Course on Optical Microscopy Imaging for Biosciences
Workshop
 4th Course on Optical Microscopy Imaging for Biosciences
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2011/09/23 - 2011/09/23 Preparation and implementation of science communication activities for European Researcher's Nights (supported by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions), public events dedicated to bringing researchers closer to the public. They showcase the diversity of research and highlight the impact of research on our daily lives. It is an event of public awareness of the positive role of research in society across Europe and beyond.
Exhibition
 European Researcher's Nights 2011
Universidade do Porto, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2010/09 - 2011/06 Responsible for the project "A journey to Microland" under the program "Porto de Crianças", a week-long educative project for dissemination of research in primary schools financed by the Educational Project of Câmara do Porto (in collaboration with IBMC). Preparation and implementation of science education activities.
Workshop
 Porto de Crianças
Câmara Municipal do Porto, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2011/03/17 - 2011/03/20 Participation in science communication activities for “Mostra da UP”, an informal meeting point between the university community and all those who want to know what is done in the University of Porto and associated research institutions. Public engagement activities with information, experimentation, and discovery.
Exhibition
 9th edition “Mostra da UP”
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2010/09/24 - 2010/09/24 Preparation and implementation of science communication activities for European Researcher's Nights (supported by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions), public events dedicated to bringing researchers closer to the public. They showcase the diversity of research and highlight the impact of research on our daily lives. It is an event of public awareness of the positive role of research in society across Europe and beyond.
Exhibition
 European Researcher's Nights 2010
Universidade do Porto, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2010/03/25 - 2010/03/28 Participation in science communication activities for “Mostra da UP”, an informal meeting point between the university community and all those who want to know what is done in the University of Porto and associated research institutions. Public engagement activities with information, experimentation, and discovery.
Exhibition
 8th edition “Mostra da UP”
Universidade do Porto, Portugal

Jury of academic degree

Topic
Role 		Candidate name (Type of degree)
Institution / Organization
2021/12/10 Aggregation and toxicity of seipin/BSCL2 N88S mutant associated with motor neuron degeneration
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Verónica Andrade Nogueira (Master)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2019/11/15 Role of the yeast frequenin (Frq1) as ceramide sensor in cell death and aging
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Maria Inês Guedes Mano de Oliveira (Master)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2018/11/08 The role of eisosomes and calcineurin in a yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1
Supervisor
 Rúben Daniel Araújo Gonçalves (Master)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2018 Effect of NPC2 on cholesterol efflux from cultured macrophages exposed to acetylated low-density lipoprotein
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Sara Rocha (Other)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2017 The interplay between calcium signaling and Ypk1 activation in cellular death in Niemann-Pick type C1 disease
Supervisor
 Vasco Fontes (Master)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2016 Library screening of essential yeast genes to identify novel protein quality control components
(Thesis) Main arguer
 João Ribeiro (Other)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2016 Impact of the regulation of the voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) in the longevity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Diogo Silva (Other)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2015 Role of ATP2P phosphorylation in the regulation of mitochondrial function and lifespan in yeast
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Joana Pereira (Other)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

Ad Hoc journal article review

Journal title (ISSN) Publisher
2019/10 - Current Letters in Applied Microbiology (1472-765X) Wiley (Blackwell Publishing)
2019/10 - Current Molecular Biology Reports (1573-4978) Springer-Verlag
2018/11 - Current Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease (0925-4439) Elsevier

Association member

Society Organization name Role
2025/01 - Current Plataforma de Interface à Ciência (PIC) Co-líder do grupo de marketing e eventos
2020/02/12 - Current European Huntington's Disease Network (EHDN) regular membership
2020/02/04 - Current SciCom Portuguese Network (Science Communication network in Portugal) regular associate
2020 - Current Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) (Affiliation to Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências, SPN) Effective member

Committee member

Activity description
Role 		Institution / Organization
2017/10 - 2018/09 Scientific coordinator of YScience-Science Education, a science education project (funded by Hélder Maiato that aims to teach the scientific method to young students (www.yscience.pt). Coordination of collaborators and resources, preparation and implementation of science education activities, design scientific protocols and experiences, organization of schedules between collaborators and schools, and participation in public scientific exhibitions to the general public.
Coordinator
 YScience - Science Education Lda, Portugal
2015/09 - 2017/09 Scientific collaborator of YScience-Science Education, a science education project (funded by Hélder Maiato that aims to teach the scientific method to young students (www.yscience.pt). Implementation of protocols and scientific experiences, and participation in public scientific exhibitions to the general public and young students.
Member
 YScience - Science Education Lda, Portugal

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2021/10/15 - 2024/02/10 Complements of Molecular Biology Bioquímica (Mestrado) Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2015/09 - 2019/06 Biochemistry Medicina (Mestrado integrado) Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2015/09 - 2019/06 Complements of Molecular Biology Bioquímica (Mestrado) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2015/09 - 2019/06 Protein Structure and Function Bioquímica (Mestrado) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2015/09 - 2019/06 Protein Structure and Function Bioengenharia (Mestrado integrado) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Engenharia, Portugal
2018/09 - 2019/02 Biochemistry and Metabolism Medicina (Mestrado integrado) Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2018/09 - 2019/02 Biochemistry Medicina Veterinária (Mestrado integrado) Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2015/09 - 2016/02 Biochemistry Bioengenharia (Mestrado integrado) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Engenharia, Portugal
2011/05 - 2011/05 "Lysosomes and associated pathologies: Lessons from Niemann-Pick disease” Cellular Biology Curricular Unit Licenciatura em Bioquímica (Licenciatura) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
2010/05 - 2010/05 Lysosomes and associated pathologies: Lessons from Niemann-Pick disease” Cellular Biology Curricular Unit Licenciatura em Bioquímica (Licenciatura) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

Interview (newspaper / magazine)

Activity description Newspaper / Forum
2017/09/29 Interview for the explanation of the scientific activities made available at the European Researchers' Night 2017, under the theme "Science in everyday life" in the representation of Yscience - Science Education. DN/Lusa

Mentoring / Tutoring

Topic Student name
2020/01/06 - 2020/01/24 "Characterization of Mitophagy in Huntington's Disease" Lia Carvalhais
2019/01/28 - 2019/02/22 PCR-based Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number Catarina Vinhas

Other jury / evaluation

Activity description Institution / Organization
2019/10/22 - 2019/12/11 Member of evaluation panel for MSc research fellowships (2) for the project “Characterization of changes in mitochondrial function and neurogenesis in Alzheimer and Huntington diseases” at CNC, supported by HEALTHYAGING 2020 (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000012) Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2017/12/19 - 2018/01/15 Member of evaluation panel for 1 MSc research fellowship in the project "Identificação dos mecanismos de regulação da estabilidade da proteína Atp2p, subunidade catalítica da ATP sintetase mitocondrial" supported by FCT Investigator exploratory grant IF/00256/2015 Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal