???global.info.a_carregar???
Mariana Laranjo obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a master's degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology, both from the University of Coimbra (UC, Portugal). During her bachelor's, she joined the Biological Chemistry's group (at Coimbra Chemistry Centre), which focused on the use of metallodrugs in medical imaging. She tested different metallodrugs' therapeutic proprieties and viability as an anticancer drug. Then, during her master's, she joined the Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Group (NCBL), where she did her master's thesis. Her master thesis was focused on studying the role of Gprasp2 on GPCR, mainly metabotropic glutamate receptors, using the Gprasp2 full KO mice. During this time, she developed practical skills in molecular biology, behavior, and imaging techniques, including in organotypic slices, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, retro-orbital injections, viral infection, and behavior. Currently, Mariana Laranjo is a Ph.D. student in the Experimental Biology and Biomedicine Program (PDBEB) at the University of Coimbra (UC, Portugal). She is doing her Ph.D. thesis under Joao Peça supervision. Her Ph.D. is focused on understanding the role of parvalbumin (PV) inhibitory neurons in the deficits observed in the Gprasp2 full knockout (KO) mice using different approaches, such as behavior and electrophysiology. She has been refining and acquiring new skills in mouse behavior, ex vivo and in vivo electrophysiology, and stereotaxic injections. Additionally, she is collaborating closely with the Science and Communication Office in CNC to enhance her communication skills and to present her work to different audiences. The engagement in different science communication activities prompted the creation of the project Brain Gain, together with the researcher Catarina Seabra. Brain Gain - https://braingain.pt/ - was created to fight the “Brain Drain” with different initiatives: online debates, podcast, website, and others.
Read full resume ↓
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Mariana Laranjo

Citation names

  • Laranjo, Mariana
  • Laranjo, Mariana B.

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
FD1D-1D32-9AA8
ORCID iD
0000-0001-9879-8695

Email addresses

  • marianabslaranjo@gmail.com (Professional)
  • mlaranjo@cnc.uc.pt (Professional)

Addresses

  • Praça do Choupal, nº31 3ºdireito, Mealhada, 3050-330, Mealhada, Mealhada, Portugal (Personal)

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Molecular Biology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Cell Biology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Behavioural Sciences Biology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
  • Medical and Health Sciences - Basic Medicine - Neurosciences
  • Medical and Health Sciences - Health Sciences

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
English Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1)
Education
Degree Classification
2019/01/01 - 2023
Ongoing
 Biomedicine and Experimental Biology (Doutoramento)
Major in Neurociências
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal

Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
"Dissecting the role of parvalbumin-positive inhibitory neurons in the cellular and behavioral phenotypes associated with Gprasp2 deletion" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
2021/10 - 2022/03
Ongoing
 Postgraduate degree Data Science Course - Advanced Course (Pós-Graduação)
Atlântica Escola Universitária de Ciências Empresariais Saúde Tecnologias e Engenharia, Portugal
2021/12 - 2021/12
Concluded
 Extracellular Electrophysiology Acquisition (Outros)
Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Spain
2021/04 - 2021/06
Concluded
 Writing in Science (Outros)
Stanford University, United States
2020/09/01 - 2021/02/28
Concluded
 Science communication - Life and health sciences (Outros)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
 20
2020/12/01 - 2020/12/31
Attended
 Advanced Science Communication (Outros)
Speak and Lead, Portugal
2019/05 - 2019/05
Concluded
 Advanced Neurophysiology and Behavior: Empowering and Open Source Experimental Neuroscience (Outros)
Universidade do Minho Escola de Medicina, Portugal
2019/01 - 2019/01
Concluded
 Course of Sciences in Laboratory Animals Category A and B (40 h) (Título de especialista)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2016/09/20 - 2018/09/30
Concluded
 Biologia Celular e Molecular (Mestrado)
Major in Neurociências
Universidade de Coimbra Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Portugal

Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"The role of GPRASP2 on the trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 19
2016
Concluded
 Licenciatura em Bioquímica (Licenciatura)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Metallodrugs development for medical imaging: study the relaxometry proprieties and cellular toxicity evaluation of iron nanoparticles" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 17
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2023/03/01 - 2026/02/28 Th2brain: Effects of Th2-related immunity in the postnatal maturation of brain circuits
2022.02604.PTDC
Researcher
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2021/02/01 - 2024/01/30 Postnatal Reorganization of the cerebellum via Neuron-microglia interaction: IL-4 as a mediator between ADHD and allergies
PTDC/MED-NEU/5993/2020
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
Outputs

Publications

Conference poster
  1. Laranjo, Mariana; Reis, Tiago; Maria Joana Guimarães Pinto; Joana Ribeiro Guedes; Cammarata, G.; Edfawy, Mohamed; Ana Luísa Cardoso; Peça, João. "Conditional deletion of Gprasp2 in PV-positive neurons drives hippocampal circuit alterations and cognitive dysfunction". Paper presented in Poster presentation at FENS Regional Meeting, 2023.
  2. Laranjo, Mariana; 8C19-B3B7-13E3; 841A-BF49-7D6A; 1016-1584-830C; A516-CAF0-0D0E; 6214-8CB3-071; Edfawy, Mohamed; 6014-DF87-87A1; 2516-567A-D39A. "Conditional deletion of Gprasp2 in PV-positive neurons drives hippocampal circuit alterations and cognitive dysfunction". Paper presented in Poster presentation at 8th European Synapse Meeting, October 2022, Coimbra, Portugal., 2022.
  3. Guedes, Joana R.; Ferreira, António Pedro A.; Costa, Jéssica; Laranjo, Mariana; Reis, Tiago; D113-0602-8986; LEBRE, CAROLINA; et al. "Allergies and IL-4 shape postnatal cerebellar development via microglia-mediated neuronal pruning to induce ADHD-like behaviors in mice". Paper presented in FENS Forum 2022, July 2022, Paris, France, 2022.
  4. Laranjo, Mariana; 8C19-B3B7-13E3; 1016-1584-830C; A516-CAF0-0D0E; 6214-8CB3-071; Edfawy, Mohamed; 6014-DF87-87A1; 2516-567A-D39A. "Conditional deletion of Gprasp2 in PV-positive neurons drives hippocampal circuit alterations and cognitive dysfunction". Paper presented in Poster presentation at FENS 2022, July 2022, Paris, France., 2022.
  5. Laranjo, Mariana; 8C19-B3B7-13E3; 1016-1584-830C; A516-CAF0-0D0E; 6214-8CB3-071; Edfawy, Mohamed; 6014-DF87-87A1; 2516-567A-D39A. "Conditional deletion of Gprasp2 in PV-positive neurons drives hippocampal circuit alterations and cognitive dysfunction". Paper presented in Poster presentation at ENCODS 2022, July 2022, Paris, France., 2022.
  6. Laranjo, Mariana; Guedes, J. R.; Peça, João; Edfawy, Mohamed; Marcos Gomes; Pereira, Marta; Cammarata, G.; Ana Luísa Cardoso; Reis, Tiago. "Conditional deletion of Gprasp2 in PV-positiveneurons drives hippocampal circuit alterations and cognitive dysfunction". Paper presented in Meeting of the BEB students - BEBday2022,Coimbra, 2022.
  7. Laranjo, Mariana; Joana Ribeiro Guedes; 1016-1584-830C; A516-CAF0-0D0E; Reis, Tiago; 6214-8CB3-071; 6014-DF87-87A1; 2516-567A-D39A. "Dissecting the role of parvalbumin-positive inhibitoryneurons in the cellular and behavioural phenotypes associated with Gprasp2 deletion". Paper presented in XVII Meeting ofthe Portuguese Society for Neuroscience, 2021.
  8. 8C19-B3B7-13E3 ; 0D11-4F8D-46F0; 481D-5020-DA48; Laranjo, Mariana; Reis, Tiago; 1016-1584-830C; Casquinha, Maria; et al. "Abnormal microglia-mediated pruning in the cerebellum induces circuitry and behavioral dysfunction in mice". Paper presented in XVII Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience, 2021.
  9. 1016-1584-830C; A516-CAF0-0D0E; Laranjo, Mariana; 841A-BF49-7D6A; D113-0602-8986; 0D11-4F8D-46F0; Ferreira-Marques, Marisa; et al. "GPRASP2 (dys)function in metabolism and obesity". Paper presented in Poster presentation: Regional Meeting of the International Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Coimbra, Portugal 1- 3 December (Poster), 2021.
  10. AB15-E7E3-74D6; 1316-7CB0-1A3C; Daniel Ribeiro; E715-6830-FA09; 2516-567A-D39A; Laranjo, Mariana. "Brain Gain - Discovering Neuroscience: A neuroscience dissemination initiative for higher education students". Paper presented in Poster presentation: Regional Meeting of the International Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Coimbra, Portugal 1- 3 December, 2021.
  11. Peça, João; Laranjo, Mariana; Edfawy, Mohamed; Guedes, J. R.; Mário Carvalho; Marcos Gomes; Pereira, Marta; Ana Luísa Cardoso. "Conditional deletion of Gprasp2 in PV-positive interneurons leads to selectively behavioural and circuit dysfunction.". Paper presented in 12th FENS Forum of Neuroscience, 2020.
  12. Ana Manuela Silva; Catarina M Seabra; Ana Rafaela Oliveira; Laranjo, Mariana; Franscisco Duque; Cátia Café; João Peça; Guiomar Oliveira. "Autism Spectrum Disorder seen through brain organoids - a Portuguese cohort characterization". Paper presented in In4Med IX, 2020.
  13. Laranjo, Mariana; Edfawy, Mohamed; Guedes, J. R.; Mário Carvalho; Peça, João. "Dissecting the role of parvalbumin-positive inhibitory neurons in the cellular and behavioural phenotypes associated with Gprasp2 deletion". Paper presented in CIBB meeting 2019, 2019.
  14. Lara Franco; Edfawy, Mohamed; Pereira, Marta; Laranjo, Mariana; Cardoso, Ana; Peça, João. "Golgi-like labelling and sparse tagging of neurons using peripheral administration of AAVs". Paper presented in 52º International Congress on Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2018.
Journal article
  1. Laranjo, Mariana; Amaral, Sara; Caetano, Carolina; Santos, Sílvio; Campos, Rita; Peça, João; Seabra, Catarina M.. "Brain Gain - Discovering Neurosciences: A digital education outreach project for higher education students". The Biochemist 45 2 (2023): 21-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_104.
    10.1042/bio_2023_104
  2. 8C19-B3B7-13E3; 0D11-4F8D-46F0; 481D-5020-DA48; Laranjo, Mariana; 841A-BF49-7D6A; D113-0602-8986; LEBRE, CAROLINA; et al. "IL-4 shapes microglia-dependent pruning of the cerebellum during postnatal development". https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4281069 (2023):
    Open access • Under revision
  3. Serra, Diana; Henriques, Joana F.; Sousa, Fábio J.; Laranjo, Mariana; Resende, Rosa; Ferreira-Marques, Marisa; de Freitas, Victor; et al. "Attenuation of Autism-like Behaviors by an Anthocyanin-Rich Extract from Portuguese Blueberries via Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis Modulation in a Valproic Acid Mouse Model". International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23 16 (2022): 9259. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169259.
    Published • 10.3390/ijms23169259
  4. Edfawy, Mohamed; Guedes, Joana R.; Pereira, Marta I.; Laranjo, Mariana; Carvalho, Mário J.; Gao, Xian; Ferreira, Pedro A.; et al. "Abnormal mGluR-mediated synaptic plasticity and autism-like behaviours in Gprasp2 mutant mice". Nature Communications 10 1 (2019): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09382-9.
    10.1038/s41467-019-09382-9
  5. Pinto, Sara M. A.; Calvete, Mário J. F.; Ghica, Mariana E.; Soler, Sérgio; Gallardo, Iluminada; Pallier, Agnès; Laranjo, Mariana B.; et al. "A biocompatible redox MRI probe based on a Mn(ii)/Mn(iii) porphyrin". Dalton Transactions 48 10 (2019): 3249-3262. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c8dt04775h.
    10.1039/c8dt04775h
Magazine article
  1. Laranjo, Mariana. "Scientific misinformation: the age of fake news" Edition: "Fake news - a lie repeated over and over becomes a post-truth", mRNA magazine (Magazine of the Students of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Coimbra), 2019, http://mrnauc.wordpress.com/.
  2. Laranjo, Mariana. ""Abstract of current science: The state of art Edition": The state of the art of science in Portugal: evolution in instability", mRNA magazine (Magazine of the Students of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Coimbra), 2018, http://mrnauc.wordpress.com/.
  3. Laranjo, Mariana. ""Immune Cells: The Real Suicide Squad" Edition: "Immunity, Wounds and Age"", mRNA magazine (Magazine of the Students of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Coimbra), 2017, http://mrnauc.wordpress.com/.
  4. Laranjo, Mariana. ""Genome, the book of life Edition" - Proteins that alter other proteins", mRNA magazine (Magazine of the Students of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Coimbra), 2016, http://mrnauc.wordpress.com/.
  5. Laranjo, Mariana. ""Meeting Science: Past Present and Future Edition" - Sports excellence - a reality?", mRNA magazine (Magazine of the Students of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Coimbra), 2015, http://mrnauc.wordpress.com/.
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. Laranjo, Mariana. "The role of GPRASP2 on mGluR5 signalling". Master, Universidade de Coimbra, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/86125.
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2023/05 Brain Gain - À Descoberta das Neurociências: as vantagens da educação não-formal SciComPt2023, May 2023, Bragança, Portugal
2023/02 Conditional deletion of Gprasp2 in PV-positive neurons drives hippocampal circuit alterations and cognitive dysfunction BEBday2023 Meeting, February 2023
2023/01 WWOX: a new therapeutic target in Type 2 diabetes-associated neurodegeneration DCV talks University of Coimbra, Portugal, 25th January
2022/11 WWOX inhibition by Zfra1-31 ameliorates brain mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes 2nd International meeting of Portuguese Society of physiology, Coimbra, Portugal, 12th of November 2022
2021/05 Brain Gain - À Descoberta das Neurociências: Uma iniciativa pioneira de divulgação de neurociências para estudantes do ensino superior SciComPT 2021 (virtual meeting)
2021/01 Conditional deletion of Gprasp2 in PV-positive neurons drives hippocampal circuit alterations and cognitive dysfunction Meeting of the BEB students - BEBday2022, Coimbra, Portugal 19 January

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role) 		Institution / Organization
2021 - Current Brain Gain - Discovering Neuroscience: A neuroscience dissemination initiative for higher education students https://braingain.pt/ Brain Gain 2021 Online events with 818 registrations (270 participants per event) - satisfaction survey: 4.8/5 Brain Gain 2022 Online events with a pitch challenge - The Brain Challenge - satisfaction survey: 4.8/5 (Brain Gain) and - satisfaction survey: 4.7/5 (Brain Challenge) Brain Gain 2023 Online events with a online photo challenge - The Brain Challenge 2nd Edition - satisfaction survey: 4.8 out of (2021)
2019/12/09 - 2019/12/10 BEBday2019 was organized by students from the 16th Edition of PDBEB. This event aimed to elucidate the young scientific community about the multiple pathways that science can offer, by promoting a broad vision about scientific employment and challenging the participants to think abroad, breaking the academic career paradigm. Eight talks composed the events, a debate and a poster session presentation supported by Bluepharma (3rd BEB/ Bluepharma Award). (2019/12/09 - 2019/12/10)
Conference (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event 		Event name
Institution / Organization
2023/07 - 2023/07 Clubes Ciência Viva in Rómulo aim to facilitate the access to science and technology experimental education to students.
Exhibition
 Clubes Ciência Viva at Romulo, University of Coimbra
Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra EPE Centro de Simulação Biomédica dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2023/07 - 2023/07 Speak about neuroscience careers and careers choices
Meeting
 Careers in Neuroscience
2023/05 - 2023/05 Speak about neuroscience careers and careers choices.
Meeting
 Speed Meeting | Meet Lab 2023
2023/04 - 2023/04 Speak about neuroscience careers and careers choices
Other
 Careers in Neuroscience
2022/07 - 2022/07 Speak about neuroscience careers and careers choices
Other
 Careers in Neuroscience Speak
2022/05 - 2022/05 Speak about neuroscience careers and careers choices. Speed Meeting | Meet Lab 2022
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2021/03 - 2021/03 Academic competition to challenge PhD students to communicate their thesis in 3 minutes. 2nd Edition UC 3MT | Finalist of the 3MT 2020/2021 edition
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2021/03 - 2021/03 Presentation about Autism Spectrum Disorders
Seminar
 Brain Week 2021
2020/01 - 2020/01 Mini-Symposium: The Neurobiology of socio-sexual behavior
Workshop
 Mini-Symposium: The Neurobiology of socio-sexual behavior
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/12 - 2019/12 Creative Writing
Workshop
 Creative Writing
Escrever Escrever Lda, Portugal
2019/03 - 2019/03 Workshop - Creative Writing in Science
Workshop
 Workshop - Creative Writing in Science
Rede SciComPT, Portugal
2019/03 - 2019/03 Brain awareness week 2019
Exhibition
 Brain awareness week 2019
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/01 - 2019/01 PubhD Coimbra
Exhibition
 PubhD Coimbra
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2018/11 - 2018/11 Open Laboratories 2018
Exhibition
 Open Laboratories 2018
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018/11 - 2018/11 Talks Talking with a scientist (Museu da Ciência) Talks Talking with a scientist (Museu da Ciência)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018/09 - 2018/09 European researcher’s night 2018
Exhibition
 European researcher’s night 2018
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018/05 - 2018/05 Escola Ciência Viva: Science communication activities with students from the 3rd cycle
Exhibition
 Escola Ciência Viva: Science communication activities with students from the 3rd cycle
Ciência Viva, Portugal
2018/05 - 2018/05 Brain Buskers 2018
Exhibition
 Brain Buskers 2018
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018/04 - 2018/04 Workshop R
Workshop
 Workshop R
Junior Enterprise for Science and Technology (JEST), Portugal
2017/12 - 2017/12 Public Speaking Course: Public speaking - how to deliver one message Public Speaking Course: Public speaking - how to deliver one message
Speak and Lead, Portugal
2017/04 - 2017/04 data_science.py course: Introducing python
Workshop
 data_science.py course: Introducing python
Junior Enterprise for Science and Technology (JEST), Portugal
2017/03 - 2017/03 Brain awareness week 2017
Exhibition
 Brain awareness week 2017
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2016/07 - 2016/07 IV Cell Culture and Tissue Training Course
Workshop
 IV Cell Culture and Tissue Training Course
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2016/02 - 2016/04 Computational Chemistry Course
Workshop
 Computational Chemistry Course
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal

Association member

Society Organization name Role
2020/10/01 - Current Speak and Lead - Speak and Lead believes that communication is the key to reach your true potential. Speak & Lead enhances your communication through training in Public Speaking, Persuasion and Pitch. Our specialized training is characterized by: - learn by doing - Shape and content - Applicable and useful https://speakandlead.pt Event Department Member | Content Creator Department Member
2019/03 - Current CIBB PhD students representative Neuroscience Vice-Representative
2014/01 - 2019/12 MiniBioqs Project Biochemistry students perform basic experiments for the children in the Paediatric Hospital (Coimbra) and Science Museum (Coimbra) to make them aware of science Volunteer and activities coordinator

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2018/01 - Current Science communication/dissemination at different schools (kindergartens and primary school) kindergartens and primary school Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/01 - 2019/01 Escola Ciência Viva: Science communication activities with students from the 3rd cycle (Ensino básico 3º ciclo) Ciência Viva, Portugal
2018/09 - 2018/09 Ciência Viva no Verão at Café Santa Cruz (Ensino básico 1º ciclo) Ciência Viva, Portugal

Interview (newspaper / magazine)

Activity description Newspaper / Forum
2023/05 University of Coimbra initiative to give voice to the UC students where they talk about their research topics and the challenges of building research projects.
2020/01 The Selfie Science video line challenges CNC researchers to explain their research work in common language between 2 and 3 minutes. In each video, our researchers give a brief context of their work using schemes and explain a crucial laboratory technique for their research.

Mentoring / Tutoring

Topic Student name
2023/07 - 2023/07 Experimental Project Tutor Two groups of 2-3 students
2023/01 - 2023/01 Experimental Project Tutor PDBEB students 2022/2023
Distinctions

Award

2022 Best poster presentation- BEBDAY 2022: BEB -Bluepharma Award 2022
Bluepharma, Portugal
2022 Scholarship ESM - IBRO Scholarship (Young Researchers working in Portugal)
2021 Best presentation - SciComPT 2021: Non-formal and informal education
Rede SciComPT, Portugal
2021 National Scholarships SPN2021
2021 Best communication of the non-formal education panel
Rede SciComPT, Portugal
2020 Best Poster in Translational Research
2019 Pfizer Award 2019 - Basic Research Award - João Peça and Team
Pfizer Portugal, Portugal