???global.info.a_carregar???
Maria Nunes is a Junior Researcher at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, and develops her work in the Cellular Function and Therapeutic Trgeting group at iMed.ULisboa. Maria Nunes’ interests concern the relevance of epigenetic mechanisms in the context of neurodegeneration. Her work is focused on the role of histone deacetylases in brain cholesterol metabolism, with the goal of defining HDAC inhibition as a potential therapeutic tool on neurodegenerative conditions with impaired cholesterol metabolism. Moreover, the identification of transcriptional co-factors that participate in the regulation of brain cholesterol homeostasis is also part of her current project.
Read full resume ↓
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Maria João Nunes

Citation names

  • Nunes, Maria João
  • Nunes, MJ

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
F817-6C0A-3AFF
ORCID iD
0000-0002-4922-633X
Researcher Id
F-6766-2015
Scopus Author Id
58724016200

Email addresses

  • mariajoaonunes@ff.ulisboa.pt (Professional)

Telephones

Fax
  • 217946491 (Professional)
Telephone
  • 217946496 (Professional)

Addresses

  • iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. Prof Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (Professional)

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Medical and Health Sciences - Basic Medicine - Neurosciences

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
English Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2)
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
Education
Degree Classification
2014/10/06 - 2014/10/17
Concluded
 XIII Course on Laboratory Animal Science - FELASA Level C (Pós-Graduação)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Portugal
2008 - 2012
Concluded
 Farmácia (Doutoramento)
Major in Molecular and Celular Biology
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
"Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in CYP46A1 up-regulation by histone deacetylase inhibitors - from chromatin structure to transcription factors" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Approved, with honour and laureate
2000 - 2005
Concluded
 Química Aplicada (Licenciatura)
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Quantificação de expressão génica através de nanopartículas de ouro coloidal" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 16/20
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2018/03 - Current Researcher (Research) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento, Portugal

Others

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2014 - 2018/02 Post-Doctoral Fellow (SFRH/BPD/95855/2013) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento, Portugal
2013 - 2013 Research Fellow Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2008 - 2012 PhD Student (SFRH/BD/41848/2007) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2022/01 - 2024 Redox-signaling modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction through post-translational modifications
Provided by PTCRIS: EXPL/BIA-BQM/0793/2021
Researcher
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2018 - 2022 PGC-1alpha isoforms as novel therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease
PTDC/MED-FSL/30104/2017
Researcher
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2018 - 2022 CYP46A1 as a new therapeutic target in Niemann-Pick type C disease
PTDC/MED-NEU/29455/2017
Researcher
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2013 - 2016 S-Glutathionylation in Parkinson's Disease
PTDC/NEU-OSD/0502/2012
Post-doc Fellow
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2013 - 2016 Unraveling the neuroprotective role of TUDCA in Parkinson's disease: targeting oxidative stress and mitophagy
PTDC/NEU-NMC/0248/2012
Post-doc
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2011 - 2014 Control of neuronal signaling pathways by CYP46A1, an enzyme involved in brain cholesterol turnover
PTDC/SAU-NMC/110809/2009
Research Fellow
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2007/08 - 2010/12 Estrogen signaling and epigenetic modifications in the regulation of the CYP46A1 expression in the brain
Provided by PTCRIS: 64176
PhD Student Fellow
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
2007/01 - 2009/10 Molecular mechanisms involved in the transcriptional regulation of the human CYP46 gene - Implications in brain cholesterol homeostasis.
Provided by PTCRIS: 82707
Research Fellow
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Outputs

Publications

Conference abstract
  1. Nunes, MJ. "Kovalchuk DA, Anjo SI, Nunes MJ, Branco V, Santos F, Caria I, Castro-Caldas M, Rodrigues E, Manadas B, Guedes RC, Gama MJ and Carvalho AN. Cysteine redox post-translational modifications: the missing link between redox-signaling and mitochondrial dynamics and function in Parkinson’s disease? Free Radic. Biol. Med.". Paper presented in Redox Biology in Translation – Annual Meeting of the Society for Free Radical Research – Europe (SFRRe), Vienna, 2023.
    Published
  2. Nunes, MJ. "Nunes MJ, Costa D, Mendes De Almeida R, Castro-Caldas M, Gama M and Rodrigues E. Targeting cholesterol metabolism in neuroblastoma by acting on HDACs. Front. Cell. Neurosci.". 2019.
  3. Nunes, MJ. "Nunes MJ, Caria I, Carvalho AN, Costa D, Castro-Caldas M, Gama MJ, Rodrigues E and Ruas JL. Unanswered role of cholesterol homeostasis in Parkinson’s disease. Front. Cell. Neurosci.". 2019.
  4. Nunes, MJ. "Rodrigues E, Costa D, Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Silva MF, Mendes De Almeida R, Carvalho AN, Castro-Caldas M, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CM and Cartier N. CYP46A1 expression modulates mitochondrial function and integrity in Niemann-Pick type C disease. Front. Cell. Neurosci.". 2019.
  5. Nunes, MJ. "Roberto VP, Conceição N, Nunes MJ, Rodrigues E, Cancela ML, Tiago DM. miR-214: A Novel Regulator of Chondrogenesis? Bone Abs. 5 P221a". 2016.
  6. Nunes, MJ. "Moreira S, Fonseca I, Silva-Azevedo C, Lemos L, Nunes MJ, Rodrigues E, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP, Castro-Caldas M. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid activates Nrf2 antioxidant system in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Febs J. 282: 182-183". 2015.
  7. Nunes, MJ. "Pinheiro A, Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Rodrigues E, Silva MJ, Tavares de Almeida I and Rivera I. Unveiling the regulatory mechanisms of PDHA2 gene. J Inherit Metab Dis. 34 (Suppl 3): S49-S286". 2011.
  8. Nunes, MJ. "Pinheiro A, Milagre I, Nunes MJ, Rodrigues E, Silva MJ, Almeida IT and Rivera I. Demethylation of PDHA2 gene leads to its expression in somatic tissues. J Inherit Metab Dis. 33 (suppl 1): S93-S93". 2010.
  9. Nunes, MJ. "Milagre I, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. DNA Demethylation and histone deacetylation inhibition in the deprepression of CYP46A1 expression. Drug Metab Rev. 41 (suppl 1)". 2009.
  10. Nunes, MJ. "Milagre I, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Silva RFM, Pascussi JM, Lechner MC, Rodrigues E. Role of Sp proteins in the transcriptional regulation of the brain specific CYP46A1 gene. Alzheimers Dement. 4(4): T591". 2008.
  11. Nunes, MJ. "Rodrigues E, Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Gama MJ. Derepression of the CYP46A1 gene transcription by histone deacetylase inhibition. Alzheimers Dement. 4(4): T597". 2008.
  12. Nunes, MJ. "Nunes MJ and Baptista PV. Rapid and sensitive nanoparticle-based assay for gene expression studies. Eur J Hum Genet. 14 (suppl 1)". 2006.
Journal article
  1. Nunes, Maria João; Carvalho, Andreia Neves; Reis, Joana; Costa, Daniela; Moutinho, Miguel; Mateus, Joana; Mendes de Almeida, Rita; et al. "Cholesterol redistribution triggered by CYP46A1 gene therapy improves major hallmarks of Niemann-Pick type C disease but is not sufficient to halt neurodegeneration". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease 1870 3 (2024): 166993. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166993.
    10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166993
  2. Nunes, M.J.; Carvalho, A.N.; Sá-Lemos, C.; Colaço, M.; Cervenka, I.; Ciraci, V.; Santos, S.G.; et al. "Sustained PGC-1a2 or PGC-1a3 expression induces astrocyte dysfunction and degeneration". European Journal of Cell Biology 103 1 (2024): 151377. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151377.
    10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151377
  3. Caria, Inês; Nunes, Maria João; Ciraci, Viviana; Carvalho, Andreia Neves; Ranito, Catarina; Santos, Susana G.; Gama, Maria João; et al. "NPC1-like phenotype, with intracellular cholesterol accumulation and altered mTORC1 signaling in models of Parkinson's disease". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease 1870 2 (2024): 166980. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166980.
    10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166980
  4. Nunes, MJ; Carvalho, Andreia Neves; Rosa, Alexandra I.; Videira, Paula A.; Gama, Maria João; Rodrigues, Elsa; Castro-Caldas, Margarida. "Altered expression of Sialyl Lewis X in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease". Journal of Molecular Medicine 102 3 (2024): 365-377. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00109-023-02415-3.
    10.1007/s00109-023-02415-3
  5. Mendes, Mariana Oliveira; Rosa, Alexandra Isabel; Carvalho, Andreia Neves; Nunes, Maria João; Dionísio, Pedro; Rodrigues, Elsa; Costa, Daniela; et al. "Neurotoxic effects of MPTP on mouse cerebral cortex: Modulation of neuroinflammation as a neuroprotective strategy". Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 96 (2019): 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mcn.2019.01.003.
    10.1016/j.mcn.2019.01.003
  6. Roberto, V.P.; Gavaia, P.; Nunes, M.J.; Rodrigues, E.; Cancela, M.L.; Tiago, D.M.. "Evidences for a New Role of miR-214 in Chondrogenesis". Scientific Reports 8 1 (2018): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85042771765&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1038/s41598-018-21735-w
  7. Rosa, A.I.; Duarte-Silva, S.; Silva-Fernandes, A.; Nunes, M.J.; Carvalho, A.N.; Rodrigues, E.; Gama, M.J.; et al. "Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Improves Motor Symptoms in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease". Molecular Neurobiology (2018): 1-17. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85045271175&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s12035-018-1062-4
  8. Fonseca, I.; Gordino, G.; Moreira, S.; Nunes, M.J.; Azevedo, C.; Gama, M.J.; Rodrigues, E.; Rodrigues, C.M.P.; Castro-Caldas, M.. "Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Protects Against Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cell Death via Mitophagy in Human Neuroblastoma Cells". Molecular Neurobiology 54 8 (2017): 6107-6119. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84989831585&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s12035-016-0145-3
  9. Moutinho, M.; Nunes, M.J.; Rodrigues, E.. "The mevalonate pathway in neurons: It's not just about cholesterol". Experimental Cell Research 360 1 (2017): 55-60. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85013387700&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.02.034
  10. Moreira, S.; Fonseca, I.; Nunes, M.J.; Rosa, A.; Lemos, L.; Rodrigues, E.; Carvalho, A.N.; et al. "Nrf2 activation by tauroursodeoxycholic acid in experimental models of Parkinson's disease". Experimental Neurology 295 (2017): 77-87. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85020310862&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.05.009
  11. Rosa, A.I.; Fonseca, I.; Nunes, M.J.; Moreira, S.; Rodrigues, E.; Carvalho, A.N.; Rodrigues, C.M.P.; Gama, M.J.; Castro-Caldas, M.. "Novel insights into the antioxidant role of tauroursodeoxycholic acid in experimental models of Parkinson's disease". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease 1863 9 (2017): 2171-2181. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85021192126&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.06.004
  12. Moutinho, M.; Nunes, M.J.; Rodrigues, E.. "Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase: Brain cholesterol metabolism and beyond". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids 1861 12 (2016): 1911-1920. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84988615453&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.bbalip.2016.09.011
  13. Moutinho, M.; Nunes, M.J.; Correia, J.C.; Gama, M.J.; Castro-Caldas, M.; Cedazo-Minguez, A.; Rodrigues, C.M.P.; et al. "Neuronal cholesterol metabolism increases dendritic outgrowth and synaptic markers via a concerted action of GGTase-I and Trk". Scientific Reports 6 (2016): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84981276916&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1038/srep30928
  14. Moutinho, M.; Nunes, M.J.; Gomes, A.Q.; Gama, M.J.; Cedazo-Minguez, A.; Rodrigues, C.M.P.; Björkhem, I.; Rodrigues, E.. "Cholesterol 24S-Hydroxylase Overexpression Inhibits the Liver X Receptor (LXR) Pathway by Activating Small Guanosine Triphosphate-Binding Proteins (sGTPases) in Neuronal Cells". Molecular Neurobiology 51 3 (2015): 1489-1503. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84939872953&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s12035-014-8828-0
  15. Nunes, M.J.; Moutinho, M.; Gama, M.J.; Rodrigues, C.M.P.; Rodrigues, E.. "Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Decreases Cholesterol Levels in Neuronal Cells by Modulating Key Genes in Cholesterol Synthesis, Uptake and Efflux". PLoS ONE 8 1 (2013): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84872249052&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1371/journal.pone.0053394
  16. Milagre, I.; Nunes, M.J.; Castro-Caldas, M.; Moutinho, M.; Gama, M.J.; Rodrigues, E.. "Neuronal differentiation alters the ratio of Sp transcription factors recruited to the CYP46A1 promoter". Journal of Neurochemistry 120 2 (2012): 220-229. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84155160627&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07577.x
  17. Milagre, I.; Olin, M.; Nunes, M.J.; Moutinho, M.; Lövgren-Sandblom, A.; Gama, M.J.; Björkhem, I.; Rodrigues, E.. "Marked change in the balance between CYP27A1 and CYP46A1 mediated elimination of cholesterol during differentiation of human neuronal cells". Neurochemistry International 60 2 (2012): 192-198. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84855464848&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.neuint.2011.12.003
  18. Nunes, M.J.; Moutinho, M.; Milagre, I.; Gama, M.J.; Rodrigues, E.. "Okadaic acid inhibits the trichostatin A-mediated increase of human CYP46A1 neuronal expression in a ERK1/2-Sp3-dependent pathway". Journal of Lipid Research 53 9 (2012): 1910-1919. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84864848297&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1194/jlr.M027680
  19. Pinheiro, A.; Nunes, M.J.; Milagre, I.; Rodrigues, E.; Silva, M.J.; de Almeida, I.T.; Rivera, I.. "Demethylation of the coding region triggers the activation of the human testis-specific PDHA2 gene in somatic tissues". PLoS ONE 7 6 (2012): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84861752214&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1371/journal.pone.0038076
  20. Nunes, M.J.; Milagre, I.; Schnekenburger, M.; Gama, M.J.; Diederich, M.; Rodrigues, E.. "Sp proteins play a critical role in histone deacetylase inhibitor-mediated derepression of CYP46A1 gene transcription". Journal of Neurochemistry 113 2 (2010): 418-431. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-77949724640&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06612.x
  21. Milagre, I.; Nunes, M.J.; Moutinho, M.; Rivera, I.; Fuso, A.; Scarpa, S.; Gama, M.J.; Rodrigues, E.. "Chromatin-modifying agents increase transcription of CYP46A1, a key player in brain cholesterol elimination". Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 22 4 (2010): 1209-1221. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79751484908&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.3233/JAD-2010-100651
  22. Milagre, I.; Nunes, M.J.; Gama, M.J.; Silva, R.F.; Pascussi, J.M.; Lechner, M.C.; Rodrigues, E.. "Transcriptional regulation of the human CYP46A1 brain-specific expression by Sp transcription factors (Journal of Neurochemistry (2008) 106, (835-849))". Journal of Neurochemistry 107 4 (2008): 1168-1168. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-54349103837&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05654.x
  23. Milagre, I.; Nunes, M.J.; Gama, M.J.; Silva, R.F.; Pascussi, J.M.; Lechner, M.C.; Rodrigues, E.. "Transcriptional regulation of the human CYP46A1 brain-specific expression by Sp transcription factors". Journal of Neurochemistry 106 2 (2008): 835-849. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-51649087490&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05442.x
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. "Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in CYP46A1 up-regulation by histone deacetylase inhibitors:from chromatin structure to transcription factors". PhD, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10451/8071.
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2024/04/04 Nunes MJ, Carvalho AN, Sá-Lemos C, Colaço M, Cervenka I, Ciraci V, Santos SG, Ribeiro MM, Castanheira M, Jannig PR, Gama MJ, Castro-Caldas M, Rodrigues CMP, Rodrigues E and Ruas JL. Role of PGC-1a2 and PGC-1a3 isoforms in astrocyte function: impact on neurodegeneration. 8th Symposium PT Glial Network. 8th Symposium PT Glial Network
Portuguese Glial Network (Braga, Portugal)
2023 Nunes MJ. Role of PGC1a2 and PGC1a3 isoforms in astrocyte function: impact on neurodegeneration imed Seminar – The Young Investigator Series
iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon
2023 Nunes MJ, Carvalho AN, Reis J, Costa D, Moutinho M, Mateus J, Mendes de Almeida R, Brito S, Risso D, Castro-Caldas M, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP, Xapelli S, Diógenes MJ, Cartier N, Piguet F and Rodrigues E. Restoring cholesterol homeostasis in neurons by AAV-mediated CYP46A1 delivery is not sufficient to stall the progression of Niemann-Pick type C disease. 19th International Symposium of the Portuguese Society for Metabolic disorders (Best oral communication award) 19th International Symposium of the Portuguese Society for Metabolic disorders.
(Figueira da Foz, Portugal)
2022 Kovalchuk DA, Caria I, Anjo SI, Branco V, Nunes MJ, Castro-Caldas M, Rodrigues E, Guedes RC, Manadas B, Gama MJ and Carvalho NA. Redox-signaling regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and function through post-translational modifications. EMBO practical course “Characterisation of post-translational modifications in cellular signalling”
2022 Matos PP, Nunes MJ, Rodrigues E; Silva LC. NPC1 cells present altered membrane properties and heterogeneous lysosomal population. 2nd Workshop on Sphingolipids in Health and Disease. 2nd Workshop on Sphingolipids in Health and Disease
(Aveiro, Portugal)
2021/06/07 Nunes MJ, Carvalho A, Costa D, Mendes de Almeida R, Risso D, Brito S, Mateus J, Xapelli S, Diógenes MJ, Piguet F, Gama MJ, Castro-Caldas M, Cartier N and Rodrigues E. CYP46A1 ectopic expression corrects pathological cholesterol accumulation in Npc1tm(I1061T) mice cerebellum. 2021 Michael, Marcia and Christa Parseghian Scientific Conference for Niemann-Pick Type C Research - Virtual Symposiums
The Ara Parseghian Medical Research Fund
2020 Caria I, Nunes, MJ, Carvalho AN, Castro-Caldas M, Gama MJ, Rodrigues E and Ruas JL. Inhibition of the mitochondrial complex I by a Parkinson's Disease-inducing neurotoxin leads to a NPC1 phenotype in neuronal cells. 16th International Symposium of the Portuguese Society of Metabolic Disorders Honorable Mention Award. 16th International Symposium of the Portuguese Society of Metabolic Disorders.
2019 Costa D, Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Silva MF, Mendes de Almeida R, Carvalho AN, Castro-Caldas M, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CM and Cartier N, Rodrigues E. CYP46A1 expression modulates mitochondrial function and integrity in Niemann-Pick type C disease. XVI Congresso da Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências (SPN2019).
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2019 Nunes MJ, Costa D, Mendes de Almeida R, Castro-Caldas M, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. Identification of HDACs involved in the control of brain cholesterol metabolism. The 7th Mediterranean Neuroscience Conference.
(Marrakech, Morocco)
2019 Nunes MJ. Targeting brain cholesterol metabolism as a therapeutic approach: from neurodegeneration to cancer Post-Doc Seminar Series, iMed.ULisboa
2018 Rosa AI, Duarte-Silva S, Silva-Fernandes A, Nunes MJ, Carvalho AN, Rodrigues E, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP, Maciel P, Castro-Caldas M. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid improves motor symptoms in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Congresso Sociedade Portuguesa de Doenças do Movimento 2018 - Genética nas Doenças do Movimento.
(Curia, Portugal)
2017 Nunes MJ, Moutinho M, Costa D, Castro-Caldas M, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP and Rodrigues E. CYP46A1 as a therapeutic target in neurodegenerative disorders with altered brain cholesterol homeostasis. 1.ª Conferência Anual da Rede Saúde.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2015 Moreira S, Fonseca I, Silva-Azevedo C, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Rodrigues E, Rodrigues CMP and Castro-Caldas M, [Ferreira Mendes A.]. Nrf2 regulation by TUDCA in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. XLV SPF Meeting.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2015 Silva-Azevedo C, Carvalho AN, Santos M, Nunes MJ, Rodrigues E, Castro-Caldas M and Gama MJ. TUDCA modulates the ER stress response in the brain of C57BL/6 mice. XLV SPF Meeting.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2015 Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP, Björkhem I, Ruas JL and Rodrigues E. CYP46A1 as a putative target for diabetes-induced brain dysfunction. SRP Diabetes Retreat.
(Stockholm, Sweden)
2015 Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP, Björkhem I, Ruas JL and Rodrigues E. Neuronal cholesterol metabolism induces dendritic outgrowth and synaptic function by regulating Trk-GGTase-I interaction. 7th iMed.ULisboa Post-Graduate Students Meeting.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2015 Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP, Björkhem I, Ruas JL and Rodrigues E. Neuronal cholesterol metabolism activates GGTase-I and Trk increasing dendritic outgrowth and protrusion density. 1º Encontro de Alunos de Doutoramento do Colégio Mente-Cérebro da Universidade de Lisboa.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2014 Moreira S, Fonseca I, Silva-Azevedo C, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Rodrigues E, Rodrigues CMP, Castro-Caldas M. Nrf2 regulation by TUDCA in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Annual Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2014 Fonseca I, Moreira S, Silva-Azevedo C, Nunes MJ, Gordino G, Gama MJ, Rodrigues E, Rodrigues CMP and Castro-Caldas M. Mechanisms involved in TUDCA-dependent neuroprotection: Is mitophagy involved? Annual Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2014 Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP, Björkhem I and Rodrigues E. CYP46A1 increases neuronal development and the content of synaptic proteins in a prenylation-dependent manner. 4th European Network for Oxysterols Research (ENOR) Symposium: Translational Research on Oxysterols.
(Coimbra, Portugal)
2013 Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Rodrigues CMP and Rodrigues E. CYP46A1 overexpression enhances sGTPases membrane association and consequently inhibits the LXR pathway in neurons. 54th International Conference on the Bioscience of Lipids: Linking Transcription to Physiology in Lipidomics.
(Bari, Italy)
2013 Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Moutinho M, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. Retinoic acid represses CYP46A1 gene transcription by inducing the recruitment of phosporylated ERK1/2 to the Sp3-rich proximal promoter. 54th International Conference on the Bioscience of Lipids: Linking Transcription to Physiology in Lipidomics.
(Bari, Italy)
2012 Nunes MJ, Moutinho M, Milagre I, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. The usual suspects: How Sp3-ERK1/2 mediate the derepression of CYP46A1 gene by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A. Portuguese RNA Meeting.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2012 Nunes, MJ. CYP46A1 up-regulation by histone deacetylase inhibitors: from chromatin structure to transcription factors. Lisbon Area Neuroscience Meeting. Instituto de Medicina Molecular.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2012 Nunes, MJ. CYP46A1 up-regulation by histone deacetylase inhibitors: from chromatin structure to transcription factors. Lisbon Chromatin Club: Autumn Session, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência.
(Oeiras, Portugal)
2011 Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. Role of CYP46A1 in small GTPases isoprenylation. 25ª Reunião do Grupo de Estudos de Envelhecimento Cerebral e Demência.
(Tomar, Portugal)
2011 Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Castro-Caldas M, Moutinho M, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. Neuronal differentiation alters the ratio of Sp transcription factors recruited to the CYP46A1 promoter. 25ª Reunião do Grupo de Estudos de Envelhecimento Cerebral e Demência.
(Tomar, Portugal)
2011 Nunes MJ, Moutinho M, Milagre I, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. The usual suspects: How Sp3-ERK1/2 mediate the inhibitory effect of okadaic acid treatment in the derepression of CYP46A1 gene by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A. 3rd iMed.UL Post-Graduate Students Meeting.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2011 Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Castro-Caldas M, Moutinho M, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. Neuronal differentiation alters the ratio of Sp transcription factors recruited to the CYP46A1 promoter. 17th International Conference on Cytochrome P450.
(Manchester, United Kingdom)
2010 Milagre I, Nunes MJ, Moutinho M, Rivera I, Fuso A, Scarpa S, Gama MJ, Rodrigues E. Chromatin-modifying agents increase transcription of CYP46A1, a key player in brain cholesterol elimination. 24ª Reunião do Grupo de Estudos de Envelhecimento Cerebral e Demência.
(Tomar, Portugal)
2010 Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Gama MJ, Rodrigues E. CYP46A1 induction by HDAC inhibitors depends on protein phosphatase 2a activity. 24ª Reunião do Grupo de Estudos de Envelhecimento Cerebral e Demência.
(Tomar, Portugal)
2010 Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Moutinho M, Castro-Caldas M, Gama MJ, Rodrigues E. Cross-talk between RARg and Sp transcription factors is responsible for repression of CYP46A1 gene expression by retinoic acid. 24ª Reunião do Grupo de Estudos de Envelhecimento Cerebral e Demência.
(Tomar, Portugal)
2010 Pinheiro A, Faustino I, Milagre I, Nunes MJ, Rodrigues E, Silva MJ, Tavares de Almeida I and Rivera I. PDH2 gene activation: could a testis-specific gene rescue the somatic energy metabolism? XVII Congresso Nacional de Bioquímica.
(Porto, Portugal)
2010 Milagre I, Nunes MJ, Moutinho M, Rivera I, Fuso A, Scarpa S, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. Chromatin-modifying agents increase transcription of CYP46A1, a key player in brain cholesterol elimination. 2nd Post-Graduate iMed.UL Students Meeting.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2009 Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Gama MJ and Rodrigues E. Sp proteins have a critical role in HDAC inhibitor-mediated derepression of CYP46A1 gene transcription. 23ª Reunião do Grupo de Estudos de Envelhecimento Cerebral e Demência.
(Luso, Portugal)
2008 Rodrigues E, Milagre I, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ and Rodrigues CM. Role of CYP46A1 in brain cholesterol homeostasis. 1st iMed.UL Meeting.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2008 Rodrigues CMP, Gama MJ, Moreira da Silva IB, Rodrigues E, Solá S, Castro Caldas M, Castro RE, Ramalho RM, Nunes AF, Amaral JD, Borralho PM, Aranha MM, Viana RJS, Milagre I, Santos DM, Neves Carvalho A and Nunes MJ. Molecular and Cell Biology of Eukaryotic Systems. 1st iMed.UL Meeting.
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2007 Nunes MJ, Milagre I, Gama MJ, Silva R, Fernandes A, Lechner MC and Rodrigues E. The brain-specific SP4 transcription factor is a major regulator of the CYP46A1 gene. 21ª Reunião do Grupo de Estudos de Envelhecimento Cerebral e Demência.
(Luso, Portugal)

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role 		Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2022 - Current CYP46A1-dependent regulation of neuronal intracellular traffic
Co-supervisor
 Farmácia (PhD)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2021/08/30 - 2022 Restoring cholesterol homeostasis in neurons by CYP46A1 does not stall the progression of Niemann-Pick type C disease
Supervisor
 Ciências Biofarmacêuticas (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2021/08/30 - 2022 New role of PGC-1a2 and PGC-1a3 isoforms in the control of astrocyte phenotype
Co-supervisor
 Ciências Biofarmacêuticas (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2018 - 2020 Unanswered role of cholesterol homeostasis in Parkinson’s Disease
Co-supervisor
 Genética Molecular e Biomedicina (Master)
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Portugal
2018 - 2019 Identification of modulators of the transcriptional activity of SREBP transcription factors
Co-supervisor
 Scientific Research Project Course III (Other)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role) 		Institution / Organization
2019 - 2019 11th International Meeting of Portuguese Society for Stem Cells and Cell Therapy (2019/10/10 - 2019/10/12)
Meeting (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2009 - 2009 1st iMed.UL Postgraduate Students Meeting (2009 - 2009)
Meeting (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event 		Event name
Institution / Organization
2010 - Current International Brain Awareness Week (BAW) and Ciência Viva Initiatives - participated and co-organized the educational activities promoted by iMed.ULisboa/FFULisboa that include lectures, lab tours and classroom visits for the general public. Ciência Viva initiatives also include internships of high school students in the laboratories.
2018/07/10 - 2018/07/12 MouseAGE (Development of a European network for preclinical testing of interventions in mouse models of age and age-related diseases) COST Action BM1402 training school: Behavioural Phenotyping in mice: Focus on longitudinal studies in ageing, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols. Madrid, Spain.
2017/07/13 - 2017/07/14 Round table speaker: The PathAway: The Next Challenge, 9th iMed.ULisboa and 2nd i3du Postgraduate Students Meeting.
Round table
2015/11/23 - 2015/11/25 MouseAGE (Development of a European network for preclinical testing of interventions in mouse models of age and age-related diseases) COST Action BM1402 training school: Creating and Phenotyping Mouse models of Disease and Aging, MRC Harwell. Oxfordshire, UK.

Jury of academic degree

Topic
Role 		Candidate name (Type of degree)
Institution / Organization
2024/03/14 Exploring the Role of Sacsin and S100B proteins in Cytoskeleton Organization
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Ana Sofia Boasinha Ribeiro (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2023/09/23 Lipid Alterations in Parkinson’s Disease
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Laura Preciado (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2022 Doença de Gaucher e Doença de Parkinson: Identificação dos mecanismos subjacentes a duas patologias distintas
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Duarte Riachos (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2022 O papel do PGC-1a na regulação bioenergética e função neuronal
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Julie Oliveira (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2021/12/21 The role of CDKs in co-trancriptional splicing through phosphorylation of the RNA pol II carboxy-terminal domain (CTD)
(Thesis) Arguer
 Thais Souza Cunha (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2021/09/29 PGC-1a: a target for neurodegenerative disorders
(Thesis) Arguer
 Mariana da Costa Pereira (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2020/11/24 Glucose intestinal absorption: A promising target for dietary proteins and Metformin
(Thesis) Arguer
 Joana Filipa Borrega Moura Lourenço (Master)
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2018 ZNF675 evolutionary history and its novel role in neuronal regulatory networks
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Rita Leonor Franco Paulo Guimarães (Master)
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Portugal

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2022 - Current PhD Advanced Course Molecular Biomarkers and Technologies (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares)) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2021 - Current Molecular Biology curricular unit Ciências Farmacêuticas (Mestrado integrado) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2018 - Current Pharmacogenomics curricular unit Ciências Farmacêuticas (Mestrado integrado) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2018 - Current Pharmacogenetics curricular unit Ciências Biofarmacêuticas (Mestrado) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2018 - 2020 Biochemistry II curricular unit Ciências Farmacêuticas (Mestrado integrado) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2010 - 2017 Eukaryotic Gene Regulation and Functional Genomics curricular unit Ciências Biofarmacêuticas (Mestrado) Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
Distinctions

Award

2011 Travel award to attend the 17th International Conference on Cytochrome P450 in Manchester, UK.
The University of Manchester - North Campus, United Kingdom