TWIN2PIPSA

Twinning for Excellence in Biophysics of
Protein Interactions & Self-Assembly

An EU-funded project coordinated by FC.ID/ULisboa
Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa

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Meet the team

A group of 11 scientists from Ciências/ULisboa together with our partners from Tel Aviv University (TAU)University of Copenhagen (UCPH), and the University of Cambridge (UCAM), make up the team of experts that collaborate under the TWIN2PIPSA project.

3D_Molecule
Twinning for Excellence in Protein Science

Learn about TWIN2PIPSA's main goal to establish FC.ID/ULisboa as a reference in the field of protein folding biophysics and conformational diseases, promoting impactful research on protein folding in diseases and bioadhesives.

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What do we aim for?

TWIN2PIPSA strives to promote cutting-edge research on protein science by facilitating networking between scientists and teams, training opportunities, communication, and connections with industry to achieve innovation in biomedicine and biotechnology.

What has been happening?

Publications, seminars, events and more
T2P_NEI2024
Dec 20, 2024
3D-BioInfo-PT Annual Meeting

TWIN2PIPSA researchers will be hosting the 3D-BIOINFO-PT Annual Meeting that will be held December 20 in Ciências ULisboa. The full program of the meeting will be announced soon. This meeting is free of charge but registration is mandatory. Take this opportunity to share your work in the field of Structural Bioinformatics with this engaging community and submit your abstract for oral or poster presentation until December 6 (here).

T2P_NEI2024
Dec 19, 2024
Workshop: 3D-BioInfo-PT Intermediate Workshop

The last 3D-BIOINFO-PT workshop of 2024 is already here! This time, the participants will have the opportunity to dive into AlphaFold 3 software and explore the structures and interactions of biomolecules, learn how to use meta-dynamics to enhance sampling and apply Martini force field for molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecular systems. This workshop is free of charge but registration is mandatory. Secure your spot until December 12 (here).

T2P_AVerde
Dec 18, 2024
Seminar: Why are halophilic proteins rich in acidic amino acids?

Ana Vila Verde, from the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany), will give a lecture at Ciências ULisboa showcasing her most recent research work on the behavior of proteins in high-salt environments. Join us by December 19 and take this opportunity to expand your knowledge in this ever evolving field.

T2P_AVerde
Dec 10, 2024
Interview: Cláudio Gomes in 90 Segundos Ciência (in Portuguese)

TWIN2PIPSA researcher Cláudio Gomes was in the spotlight of 90 Segundos Ciência podcast, where he explained what his research work is focused on. Listen to the episode here.

T2P_NEI2024
Sep 27, 2024
European Researchers' Night - Lisboa

For the second year, the TWIN2PIPSA project was present at the 2024 edition of the European Researcher's Night, but this time in a different manner. Having fun is an important part of doing and learning science. Therefore, the TWIN2PIPSA team designed different online games for children of all ages (including the so-called adults) to learn all about proteins. Take your change on the TWIN2PIPSA games and check how knowledgeable you are on proteins and their importance in our lives.

3D-BioInfo-PT Workshop 2
Sep 27, 2024
Workshop: 3D-BioInfo-PT Introductory Workshop

TWIN2PIPSA researchers once again hosted a 3D-BIOINFO-PT workshop on bioinformatics tools within the to explore the features of protein structures. Among the subjects to be addressed, the attendees had possibility to learn the principles of Molecular Docking Calculations and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. It was a great opportunity for the research community to dive into the field of Computational Structural Biology.

3D-BioInfo-PT Workshop 2
Sep 18-20, 2024
Workshop: Bioimaging and Spectroscopy for Protein Interactions Analysis 

Researchers from University of Copenhagen, University of Cambridge and Tel Aviv University traveled to Ciências ULisboa to share their expertise on different bioimaging methodologies to study proteins and how they interact with their surroundings. This was a great opportunity for the Ciências ULisboa TWIN2PIPSA researchers to deepen their knowledge and establish new partnerships within the consortium. 

IEC_IHM_2024
Aug 14, 2024
Paper: Morphological and Biophysical Study of S100A9 Protein Fibrils by Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Nanomechanical Analysis

TWIN2PIPSA senior researchers Ana Carapeto, Mário Rodrigues and Patrícia Faísca have published a new research report in the Biomolecules journal where they describe the dynamics, morphological and mechanical properties of the aggregation process of S100A9 in physiological conditions using atomic force microscopy.

IEC_IHM_2024
Aug 5, 2024
Paper: A human microglial cell model of autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay

PhD students Fernanda Murtinheira and Ana Boasinha along with principal investigators Federico Herrera and Mário Rodrigues, and collaborators published a new report in the Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease journal. In this article they describe a newly engineered cell line that can be used to explore the role of microglial cells in a rare type of human neurological disorder, namely autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay.

IEC_IHM_2024
Jul 24, 2024
Paper: Is There a Functional Role for the Knotted Topology in Protein UCH-L1?

PhD student Sara Ferreira along with principal investigators Patrícia Faísca and Miguel Machuqueiro, and international collaborators published a study in the Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling that provides new evidences that knotted protein topology may have more important roles than first hypothesized.

IEC_IHM_2024
Jul 15-19, 2024
Conference: Joint IEC & IHM 2024

The TWIN2PIPSA researcher Romana Santos and PhD students Inês Ventura and Mariana Santos attended the joint 17th International Echinoderm Conference & 2nd International Hemichordate Meeting that was held in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (Spain). They had the opportunity to present their most recent findings on the adhesion-related molecular features of sea urchins in oral and poster presentations.

ILandrieu_T2P_Seminar
Jun 28, 2024
Seminar: Use of tau-specific single domain antibodies to inhibit tau aggregation nucleation and seeding in neurodegenerative diseases

Isabelle Landrieu, from the Institute Pasteur de Lille, visited Ciências ULisboa and gave a lecture showcasing her most recent research work on the use of single domain antibodies to tackle neurodegenerative diseases. She also had the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions with PhD students conducting their research projects in TWIN2PIPSA labs.

ILandrieu_T2P_Seminar
Jun 27, 2024
Conference: 4th Chem & Biochem Students Meeting

The TWIN2PIPSA PhD and MSc students at Ciências ULisboa presented their most recent findings during the 4th Chem & Biochem Students Meeting. The students had the opportunity to present their research findings and projects in oral and poster presentations, which were previously revised and selected by senior researchers at the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.  

IUPAB2024
Jun 24-28, 2024
Conference: 21st IUPAB Congress 2024

João Vitorino and João Sequeira, PhD students from the lab led by Miguel Machuqueiro, were selected to present their most recent research findings at the International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB) congress 2024, which is being held in Kyoto, Japan. If you are attending this international conference, take some time to visit their posters and find what the TWIN2PIPSA research are exploring.

Prize_GCD_ULisboa_2024
Jun 25, 2024
Universidade de Lisboa/Caixa Geral de Depósitos Prizes

The TWIN2PIPSA researcher Paulo Costa was recognized with the Universidade de Lisboa/Caixa Geral de Depósitos Prize for his contribution and impactful research in the field of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The TWIN2PIPSA coordinator Cláudio Gomes was also awarded an honourable mention in the Biomedical Sciences field. A total of four prizes and five honourable mentions were attributed to researchers and professors of Ciência ULisboa, highlighting the commitment of this community to advance the scientific knowledge.

DHatters_T2P_Seminar
Jun 21, 2024
Seminar: Protein interactions gone awry in neurodegenerative diseases

Professor Danny Hatters, from The University of Melbourne, visited Ciências ULisboa and gave an insightful lecture. He showcased the most recent research work  of his team on new strategies to explore the potential of proteins to form pathological amyloid complexes by modulating their biophysical proprieties.

PCosta_ICNI_2024
Jun 17-21, 2024
Congress: ICNI-III Belgrade 2024

Paulo J. Costa, the lead investigator of the  Computational Chemistry and Molecular Interactions Lab, was invited to give a lecture at the 3rd International Conference on Noncovalent Interactions that was held in Belgrade, Serbia.

BHenriques_90SegCiencia
Jun 14, 2024
Interview: Bárbara Henriques in 90 Segundos Ciência (in Portuguese)

TWIN2PIPSA researcher Bárbara Henriques was in the spotlight of 90 Segundos Ciência podcast, where she explained what her research work is focused on. Listen to the episode here.

TWIN2PIPSA_ESAB2024
Jun 5-7, 2024
Conference: European South Atlantic Biophysics Congress 2024

Three TWIN2PIPSA PhD students from the lab led by Miguel Machuqueiro attended the ESAB 2024 congress that was held in San Sebastián, Spain. They had the opportunity to showcase and discuss their most recent work on computational simulation approaches to investigate the behaviour of proteins and their interactions with the complex cellular environments. 

TWIN2PIPSA_Instruct_ERIC
Jun 06, 2024
Outreach Event: 3 Minutes Thesis ULisboa

The TWIN2PIPSA PhD student Inês Ventura was among the 12 selected finalists of the 3MT ULisboa competition. The selected finalists had to present their PhD projects in less than 3 minutes for the general public. The winners of the competition were selected by a jury comprising science communication experts and researchers from the different scientific fields covered by ULisboa.

TWIN2PIPSA_Instruct_ERIC
May 23-24, 2024
Conference: Instruct Biennial Structural Biology Conference 2024

The TWIN2PIPSA research teams lead by Cláudio Gomes and Bárbara Henriques attended the Instruct Biennial Structural Biology Conference 2024 that was held in Cascais, Portugal. They had the opportunity to discuss their work with international members of the structural biology community and explore state-of-the-art knowledge in the field with the insightful and diverse lectures.

TWIN2PIPSA_ERC_Workshop
May 22, 2024
Workshop: Excellent Frontier Research: Strategic Perspectives for ERC Successful Funding

Promoted by TWIN2PIPSA, this workshop provided a strategic vision on the Horizon Europe funding program with focus on how the European Research Council (ERC) grants can leverage excellent frontier research within the European Research Area.

TWIN2PIPSA_OpenDay2024
May 13-17, 2024
MOSBRI Basic-Level School

The PhD student Daniela Freitas was selected to be one of the 20 participants to attend the Molecular-Scale Biophysics Research Infrastructure (MOSBRI) basic-level school on "Single molecule biophysics in cell lysates". This course will provide her added theoretical and practical knowledge on high-throughput screening approaches for dynamic parameters of biochemical interactions at a single molecule level.

TWIN2PIPSA_OpenDay2024
May 8, 2024
Ciências Open Day 2024

TWIN2PIPSA was for the second year present at the Open Day event of Ciências ULisboa, during which high-school students visited the campus and had the opportunity discover first-hand what this institution has to offer. The student had the opportunity to learn more about the TWIN2PIPSA project and the different approaches to study protein interactions and their impact in health through three different activities. We hope to inspire the future generation to continue to unravel the mysteries of proteins. 

TWIN2PIPSA_SophieJackson
Apr 30, 2024
Seminar: Self-assembly of Therapeutic Peptides

Professor Sophie Jackson, from University of Cambridge Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, visited Ciências ULisboa and gave a lecture on the biophysical properties of therapeutic peptides and how they can acquire undesired amyloid forms that can hamper their beneficial effects. The TWIN2PIPSA researchers also had the opportunity to attend a Master Class by Prof. Jackson in which she gave an overview of protein folding events and the current state of the art in the field.

TWIN2PIPSA_EstudoEmCasa2
Apr 15-26, 2024
Scientific Exchange to University of Copenhagen

PhD student Daniela Freitas traveled to Denmark to explore the phase separation behaviour of Tau and S100B proteins using computational simulation approaches with the guidance of Prof. Lindorff-Larsen at University of Copenhagen (UCPH). The collected in silico protein-protein interactions data that will complement the ongoing in vitro experiments conducted at Ciências ULisboa.

TWIN2PIPSA_EstudoEmCasa2
Apr 18, 2024
Outreach: TWIN2PIPSA goes to school

TWIN2PIPSA researcher Bárbara Henriques and PhD student Inês Ventura visited a class of first-grade students and explained them the wonders of sea urchins and starfishes, and how they hold the keys for the development of new environment-friendly glues. By touching these animals and speaking with researchers, these children could better understand the steps of the scientific thinking process and what researchers actually do.

TWIN2PIPSA_EstudoEmCasa2
Apr 18, 2024
Seminar: In silico methods to capture the pH effects in drug binding to proteins and membranes

Miguel Machuqueiro, the head of the Computational BiopHysics Lab at BioISI and member of the TWIN2PIPSA Ciências ULisboa team, presented the most recent research results of his team in the BioISI Research Seminar. Their novel computational data has provided important clues on how pH can impact on the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs and contribute for chemoresistance.

TWIN2PIPSA_EstudoEmCasa2
Apr 16-19, 2024
Meeting: Annual International (Bio)Medical Students Meeting

PhD students António Figueira, Margarida Simões, and Guilherme Moreira presented their most recent work exploring the underlying mechanisms of Amyloid-β  and TAU aggregates in health and disease at the AIMS 2024 meeting, in Lisbon, Portugal. In addition, PhD student Inês Ventura and TWIN2PIPSA researcher Mariana Santos, and MSc student Andreia Dias discussed new sea urchin-inspired bioadhesives and the features of EARS2 disease-associated mutations.

TWIN2PIPSA_3DBioInfoPT_Workshop
Apr 12, 2024
3D-BioInfo-PT Advanced Workshop

Several Ciências ULisboa members of the TWIN2PIPSA project, who also belong to the 3D-BioInfo-PT community, hosted a workshop on Computational Structural Biology. Free energy perturbation, enhanced sampling, and peptide binder design methods were presented to and discussed with early-stage researchers from other national research centers.

TWIN2PIPSA_3DBioInfoPT_Workshop
Apr 10, 2024
Jobshop Ciências 2024

TWIN2PIPSA was present at the Jobshop Ciências 2024, an annual event that aims to present the diverse professional possibilities available to college students undergoing their studies at Ciências ULisboa. Represented by Inês Ventura and Mariana Santos, the TWIN2PIPSA project highlighted the a professional path in research in the universe of the biophysics of protein self-assembly and interactions.

TWIN2PIPSA_3DBioInfoPT_Workshop
Apr 10, 2024
Visit of Students from The Netherlands

Biopharmaceutical sciences undergraduate students from Leiden University visited Ciências ULisboa, including the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine lab and the Cell Structure and Dynamics Lab. They had the opportunity to see and learn what the TWIN2PIPSA teams lead by Federico Herrera, Cláudio Gomes, and Bárbara Henriques investigate and what techniques they use.

TWIN2PIPSA_EstudoEmCasa2
Apr 9, 2024
Webinar for Middle- and High-school Students on 'Marine Molecules in Our Daily Lives'

Promoted by Escola Azul under the scope of the project #EstudoEmCasa@ of the Learning Recovery Plan of the Portuguese Government, Prof. Romana Santos from Ciências ULisboa hosted a webinar (in Portuguese) in which she showcased several types of molecules that can be extracted from marine organisms and can be applied in everyday products, including foods, cosmetics, medicines, and detergents.

TWIN2PIPSA_DNE4
Apr 5, 2024
Meeting: 20th International Symposium of the Portuguese Society of Metabolic Disorders

Bárbara J. Henriques was invited to present at the 20th International Symposium of the Portuguese Society of Metabolic Disorders, held in Aveiro, Portugal. Dr. Henriques presented her most recent research findings on the biochemical pathological processes underlying the development of multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD).

TWIN2PIPSA_DNE4
Mar 25, 2024
 Digital Networking Event: Piezoelectric Biomaterials Toward Energy Harvesting

Post-doctoral researcher Hui Yuan, from Ehud Gazit's lab at University of Tel Aviv, presented their more recent findings that expand the knowledge on the use of amino acids and short peptides as sources of energy that may exploited for the development of wearable and implantable electrical devices.

TWIN2PIPSA_Biotech_Event
Mar 05-09, 2024
 Congress: AD/PD 2024

Prof. Cláudio Gomes and four PhD students supervised by him, as well as the PhD students Alicia González Díaz and Alexander Röntgen from UCAM, presented
their most recent research findings at the ADPD/2024 Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases Conference, in Lisbon, Portugal.

TWIN2PIPSA_Biotech_Event
Feb 20, 2024
 Event: Bridging opportunities and forging partnerships with biotech/industrial stakeholders 

The TWIN2PIPSA team along with Tec Labs, the Innovation Center of Ciências ULisboa, hosted an event aiming to cultivate synergies and forge strategic partnerships with biotech and industrial stakeholders, focusing on advancements in protein-based technologies, biologics, and products. During this event the participants had the opportunity to know more about the infrastructures and technology available in the TWIN2PIPSA laboratories and discover National and International companies with synergistic interest.

TWIN2PIPSA_IDWGS
Feb 16, 2024
Seminar: Physics of Knotter Proteins

Patrícia Faísca gave a talk on the mysteries of knotted proteins to college students during the Portuguese National Meeting of Physics Students (ENEF) that was held 5-18 Feb. at Ciências ULisboa. Aiming to provide a new perspective on physics and its teaching, the TWIN2PIPSA researcher provided an overview of the intricated biophysical features of knotted proteins and their relevance in biology.

TWIN2PIPSA_IDWGS
Feb 11, 2024
Paper: Secondary Modification of S100B Influences Anti Amyloid-β Aggregation Activity and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology

Led by Cláudio Gomes, ULisboa researchers and collaborators published a study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences that sheds light on the role of S100B pro-inflammatory protein in the regulation of amyloid-β aggregation and the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

TWIN2PIPSA_IDWGS
Feb 11, 2024
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 

In this day, the scientific community  celebrates all the women and girls who devote their lives to advance the scientific and technological knowledge. The TWIN2PIPSA embraces this important day by acknowledging all the women that take part of this project and contribute for the future of protein self-assembly and folding research.

TWIN2PIPSA_CRISPR_Workshop
Feb 7, 2024
Workshop: How to design a CRISPR/Cas9 system to study protein-protein interactions in live cells 

Hosted by Prof. Federico Herrera from Ciências ULisboa and lectured by Alicia González Díaz from University of Cambridge, this online workshop covered the fundamentals of CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The participants had the opportunity to have a detailed overview of CRISPR/Cas9-based tools that can be applied to explore and uncover protein-protein interactions.

TWIN2PIPSA_RSantos_#EstudoEmCasa
Jan 23, 2024
Webinar for Middle- and High-school Students on the Innovative Potential of Materials Inspired in Marine Organisms 

Promoted by Escola Azul under the scope of the project #EstudoEmCasa@ of the Learning Recovery Plan of the Portuguese Government,  Prof. Romana Santos from Ciências ULisboa gave a webinar (in Portuguese) in which she showcased several innovative products inspired in marine organisms and explore the importance of biomimicry for the resolution of the current societal challenges and the growth of the Blue Economy.

TWIN2PIPSA_RSantos_InnovationContest
Jan 18, 2024
Ciências ULisboa | Tec Labs Internal Competition for Science Innovation Projects 

The innovation project SUNECTIN led by Prof. Romana Santos was shortlisted for the final selection step in the Competition for Science Innovation Projects promoted by Ciências ULisboa and Tec Labs. The selected projects were competing for a 50.000€ grant to support the development of their innovation ideas and leverage their transition into the biotech ecosystem.

TWIN2PIPSA_FCID_UCAM_Exchange
Jan 15-16, 2024
Science Management Staff Exchange to University of Cambridge

Bárbara Matos, from the Pre-Award Department, and Carla Marques, the head of the Post-award department at FCiências.ID, have traveled to the UK to learn science management strategies and acquire new skill with their peers at the University of Cambridge (UCAM)

TWIN2PIPSA_Sandra
Jan 15-17, 2024
Training School 2: From pathological protein aggregation to drug discovery

The ULisboa team traveled to Cambridge (UK) to learn from UCAM researchers on advanced experimental techniques to assess pathological protein aggregates and how such information can be applied for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic tools.

TWIN2PIPSA_Sandra
Jan 9, 2024
Visit of High-School Students to Ciências ULisboa

Students from the Escola Secundária de Cascais visited the Ciências ULisboa, including several TWIN2PIPSA research laboratories. The students had the opportunity to learn more about the computational and experimental methodologies used by the teams of Federico Herrera, Miguel Machuqueiro, Paulo Costa, Cláudio Gomes, and Bárbara Henriques to explore the features of normal, mutated, and misfolded proteins in human health and disease.

TWIN2PIPSA_Sandra
Dec 14, 2023
Expert Seminar: Targeting Ataxin-3 aggregation: Clues for Machado-Joseph's disease therapy

Prof. Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro, PhD, from the Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto shared with the Ciências ULisboa community 20 years of research expertise on the role of amyloids in Machado Joseph's disease. An example off scientific perseverance for improving the lives of those affected by this rare disease.

TWIN2PIPSA_OnsiteTraining
Dec 11-13, 2023
On-Site Training: Computational strategies for analysing protein structures 

Francesco Pesce, PhD, and Matteo Cagiada, PhD, from the University of Copenhagen have came to Ciências ULisboa to explore with the TWIN2PIPSA members different computational tools that can be used to assess the structures of disordered proteins and the impact of genetic mutations.

TWIN2PIPSA_YorgosSkretas
Dec 6, 2023
Expert Seminar: Bacteria to the rescue: engineering microorganisms to function as an early-stage living drug discovery platform for protein misfolding diseases

Prof. Georgios Skretas, PhD, from the Alexander Fleming Biomedical Sciences Research Center, and a collaborator of Prof. Cláudio Gomes (ULisboa), presented a new screening platform based on bacteria that can be used to explore strategies to target disease-related aggregation-prone proteins.

TWIN2PIPSA_Interview_Antena_2
Dec 6, 2023
Workshop: Navigating EU Research & Innovation Funding: Leveraging Current Experiences for Future Opportunities

Promoted by TWIN2PIPSA, this workshop provided a strategic vision on consortium participation in key EU funding program calls to the FCiências.ID/ULisboa and CIÊNCIAS ULisboa community.

TWIN2PIPSA_Interview_Antena_2
Nov 27, 2023
Interview: TWIN2PIPSA project in Antena 2 Ciência (in Portuguese)

The TWIN2PIPSA project was in the spotlight of Antena 2 Ciência podcast/radio program in an interview to Professor Cláudio Gomes, who explained the main features and importance of misfolded proteins and the potential societal impact of this twinning project. Listen to the interview here.

TWIN2PIPSA_TS1_UCPH
Nov 13-16, 2023
Training School 1: Integrating experimental and computational approaches in protein self-assembly

The ULisboa team traveled to Copenhagen (Denmark) to learn from UCPH  researchers about advanced experimental and computational techniques used for the study of proteins and their interactions, as well as their relationships to function and disease.

Ciencias R&I day 2023
Oct 24, 2023
Event: Ciências Research and Innovation Day 2023

Professor Cláudio Gomes and the PhD students Nuno Oliveira, Margarida Simões, Fernanda Murtinheira, and Inês Ventura presented the most recent findings of the TWIN2PIPSA ULisboa team at the 5th edition of Ciências Research & Innovation Day, an event that aims to showcase the best science made in Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.

Faidon Brotzakis paper
Oct 23, 2023
Digital Networking Event: AlphaFold Prediction of Structural Ensembles of Disordered Proteins. Faidon Brotzakis (UCAM)

Post-doctoral researcher Faidon Brotzakis, from Michele Vendruscolo's lab at University of Cambridge, presented their more recent findings that expand our knowledge on the use of deep learning methods to predict the structure of disordered proteins.

UCAM Exchange MMachuqueir & SFerreira
Oct 16-20, 2023
Scientific Exchanges to University of Cambridge

PhD student Sara Ferreira and principal investigator Miguel Machuqueiro went on a Scientific Exchange to the University of Cambridge (UCAM), in UK, in which they had the opportunity to engage in enriching scientific discussions with Profs. Sophie Jackson, Michele Vendruscolo, Jenny Zhang, Paul Barker, and Sir Alan Fersht from the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry.

AFigueira @ EMBO|FEBS course 2023
Oct 3-6, 2023
Seminar: The regulation of Aβ42 oligomerization and aggregation by multimers of the S100B chaperone. António J. Figueira (BioISI)

PhD student António J. Figueira, from the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI), attended the
prestigious EMBO|FEBS Susan Lindquist School on Proteostasis that was held in Ingelheim am Rhein (Germany), where he shared his work with top experts on the field.

NEI2023
Sep 29, 2023
Event: European Researchers' Night - Lisboa

TWIN2PIPSA was at the 2023 European Researchers' Night in Lisbon. Visitants could talk with Prof. Romana Santos, PhD and her team about marine-inspired biomaterials; learn about computational modelling of biomolecules with Miguel Machuqueiro, PhD and Paulo Costa, PhD; and discover how human cells behave in disease with Prof. Federico Herrera, PhD.

IVentura PhD review
Sep 29, 2023
PhD Review: New underwater sea urchin inspired bioadhesives. Inês Ventura (BioISI/MARE).

PhD student Inês Ventura discussed her most recent work on bio-inspired adhesives with Birgit Lengerer, PhD (University of Innsbruck), top expert in the field of biological adhesion. The open session was also attended by her supervisors Prof. Romana Santos, PhD (FCUL/MARE) Bárbara J. Henriques, PhD (FCUL/BioISI) and and Patrick Flammang, PhD (University of Mons). Great job Inês!

Ayala Lampel
Sep 18-19, 2023
Expert Seminar: Designer biomolecular condensates formed by peptide liquid-liquid phase separation. Ayala Lampel (TAU).

Prof. Ayala Lampel, PhD, from Tel Aviv University (TAU), visited ULisboa to get to know TWIN2PIPSA's Lisbon-based research groups. She also shared her team's latest work on synthetic biomolecular condensates with a seminar, and engaged in exciting discussions for future collaborations.

Mobirise Website Builder
Sep 13, 2023
Expert Seminar: Interactions and conformational switching of Bcl-2 protein family of apoptotic regulators. Alexey Ladokhin (KU)

Prof. Alexey Ladokhin, PhD, from the University of Kansas Medical Center, collaborator of PI Miguel Machuqueiro, PhD (BioISI), visited FCUL (ULisboa) to present his group's recent research on membrane-induced conformational switching in Bcl-2 proteins and their role in the regulation of apoptosis. 

Mobirise Website Builder
Sep 05-07, 2023
Conference: 5th International Symposium on Pathomechanisms of Amyloid Diseases

PhD student António J. Figueira and TWIN2PIPSA Coordinator Prof. Cláudio M. Gomes, PhD, from the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI), attended the 5th International Symposium on Pathomechanisms of Amyloid Diseases in Bordeaux, France; where they talked about their most recent work on S100 chaperones and their role in the regulation of protein aggregation in Alzheimer's Disease.

Mobirise Website Builder
Sep 01-08, 2023
Seminar: Anti-S100B nanobodies as modulators of Tau aggregation. Margarida Simões (BioISI).

PhD student Margarida Simões, from the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI), participated in the FEBS Advanced Course on Protein Folding, Aggregation and Compartimentalization at Spetses Island, Greece. There, she was able to meet with top experts on the field while also sharing her current research on anti-S100B nanobodies with a talk, pitch and poster.

Mobirise Website Builder
Jul 31 - Aug 04, 2023
Congress: EBSA 2023

PhD student Joana Ribeiro, together with PIs Bárbara J. Henriques, PhD and Prof. Cláudio M. Gomes, PhD, from the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI) attended the European Biophysical Societies' Association (EBSA) 2023 Congress in Stockholm, Sweden. There, with a talk and posters, they showcased their team's recent work on protein biophysics for rare metabolic disorders.

FHerrera @ TAU
Jul 19, 2023
Seminar: Monitoring protein dynamics in living cells in the context of neurodegenerative disorders. Federico Herrera (BioISI)

Prof. Federico Herrera, PhD, PI from the Cell Structure and Dynamics Lab (BioISI), who is also TWIN2PIPSA's Grant Office Capacity Building Liaison Person, shared his group's recent work on cell models for studying protein aggregation with a seminar during his Scientific Exchange to Tel Aviv University.

BHenriques @ Tau
Jul 19, 2023
Seminar: Acyl-CoA metabolites as a regulators of enzyme function through protein acylation. Bárbara J. Henriques (BioISI)

TWIN2PIPSA Dissemination and Communication Manager and PI Bárbara J. Henriques, PhD gave a seminar during her Scientific Exchange to Tel Aviv University, where she shared her team's latest work on rare metabolic disorders.

RSantos @ TAU
Jul 19, 2023
Seminar: Sea urchin inspired adhesives for biotechnological and biomedical applications. Romana Santos (MARE)

TWIN2PIPSA Local Innovation Executive and PI Prof. Romana Santos, PhD, from the Bioadhesion & Biomimicry group at MARE (MARE) gave a seminar on bio-inspired adhesives as part of her Scientific Exchange to Tel Aviv University.

CGomes @ TAU
Jul 19, 2023
Seminar: Novel chaperones counteracting protein aggregation in neurodegeneration. Cláudio M. Gomes (BioISI)

As part of their exchange to Tel Aviv University, TWIN2PIPSA Coordinator Prof. Cláudio M. Gomes, PhD, showed his team's latest work with a seminar on anti-aggregation chaperones in neurodegeneration.

ULisboa @ TAU July
Jul 18-23, 2023
Scientific Exchanges to Tel Aviv University. Cláudio M. Gomes, Romana Santos, M Bárbara J. Henriques, Federico Herrera

TWIN2PIPSA Coordinator Prof. Cláudio M. Gomes, PhD, and PIs Prof. Romana Santos, PhD, Bárbara J. Henriques, PhD and Prof.  Federico Herrera, PhD, visited Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel, meeting with Prof. Ehud Gazit, PhD, his team and collaborators. There, they toured labs and visited the BLAVATNIK CENTER for Drug Discovery, while also sharing research and learning new tech transfer strategies. Excellent opportunity for developing new synergies!

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Jul 25, 2023
Seminar: Metalloprotein chaperones: Regulating protein aggregation and metal ion dyshomeostasis in Alzheimer's disease. Cláudio M. Gomes (BioISI)

TWIN2PIPSA Coordinator Prof. Cláudio M. Gomes, PhD, gave a keynote lecture at the annual meeting of the Sociedade Portuguesa de Química (Portuguese Chemical Society) in Aveiro, Portugal. There, he shared his lab latest research on metalloprotein chaperones able to target Zn dyshomeostasis and protein aggregation in the context of Alzheimer's disease.

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2023
Paper: Interfacial Dynamics and Growth Modes of β2-Microglobulin Dimers.

PhD students Nuno F. B. Oliveira, Filipe E. P. Rodrigues and João N. M. Vitorino together with PIs Prof. Patrícia F. N. Faísca, PhD and Miguel Machuqueiro, PhD published their research on β2-Microglobulin dimer’s growth modes using computational modulations. Moreover, their paper was featured in the front cover of the Journal of Chemical Informaiton and Modeling. Congratulations!

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Jul 13, 2023
Meeting: 3rd Chem&Biochem Students Meeting (ULisboa)

Our PhD, MSc and BSc students participated in the 3rd Chem&Biochem Students Meeting at the Faculty of Sciences from ULisboa. There, they were able to showcase their projects in posters, flash and oral presentations, to more than 200 researchers. Also, PhD student António J. Figueira and MSc student Mariana Santos won Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster, respectively. Excellent job!

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Jul 06-12, 2023
Poster: Chaperone regulation of tau liquid-liquid phase separation. Guilherme G. Moreira (BioISI)

PhD student Guilherme G. Moreira from the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI) presented his research on tau liquid-liquid phase separation at the 47th FEBS Congress 2023 and the associated 2023 FEBS Young Scientists’ Forum in Tours, France. He was awarded the BioFactors Poster Prize and was also a FEBS Letters Poster Prize Winner. Congratulations Guilherme! 

IVentura Dissemination Event
Jun 22, 2023
Seminar: Blue biotechnology: from mimicry to application. Inês Ventura (MARE/BioISI)

PhD student Inês Ventura from the Bioadhesion & Biomimicry Lab (MARE) and the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI), shared her work on sea urchin-inspired adhesive proteins at the Beer ISI PhD Seminars.

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May 31, 2023
Seminar: Mechanisms of protein dysfunction in rare metabolic disorders. Bárbara J. Henriques (BioISI)

Assistant Researcher Bárbara J. Henriques, PhD, part of the TWIN2PIPSA team of researchers based at Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI), shared her team's work on protein dysfunction in rare metabolic disorders in Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of her Scientific Exchange to UCPH. 

BHenriques JRibeiro Exchange @ UCPH
May 30-31, 2023
Exchange: Perform computational analysis of disease variants (UCPH). Joana Ribeiro

PhD student Joana Ribeiro went on a Scientific Exchange to the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, learning new computational approaches to study disease variants of proteins associated to rare metabolic disorders from Prof. Dr. Kresten Lindorff-Larsen and his team.

ULisboa Exchange @ UCPH
May 30-31, 2023
Exchange: Set-up experimental and computational methodologies for disease variants (UCPH). Bárbara J. Henriques

Assistant Researcher Bárbara J. Henriques, PhD, part of the TWIN2PIPSA team of researchers based at the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI), went on a Scientific Exchange to the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), meeting there with Prof. Dr. Kresten Lindorff-Larsen and his team to share insights and plan new exciting collaborations.

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May 23-25, 2023
Poster: A sticky research: sea urchin bioinspired adhesive proteins. Inês Ventura (MARE)

PhD student Inês Ventura from the Bioadhesion & Biomimicry Lab (MARE) participated at The Global Synthetic Biology Conference (SynBioBeta 2023) in California, USA, where she shared her research on bioadhesives inspired on sea urchin's proteins with potential biotechnological applications.

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May 24, 2023
Seminar: A molecular simulation approach towards establishing the early phase of protein aggregation. Patrícia FN Faísca (BioISI)

Prof. Patrícia F. N. Faísca, PhD, part of the TWIN2PIPSA team of researchers and PI of the Biological Physics Lab (BioISI), shared her group's latest work at the Physics Seminar Coffee Talk series.

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May 18, 2023
Seminar: S100B chaperone multimers as novel regulators of protein aggregation and oligomerization in Alzheimer's Disease. António J. Figueira (BioISI)

PhD student António J. Figueira, from the Protein Misfolding and Amyloids in Biomedicine Lab (BioISI), shared his latest results regarding S100B suppressing activity against Aβ42 aggregation and neurotoxic oligomers at the Beer ISI PhD Seminars.

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May 11, 2023
Expert Seminar: Normal and abnormal huntingtin protein variants and their role in Huntington’s disease. Erich E. Wanker (MDC)

Prof. Erich E. Wanker, PhD, from the Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC) in Berlin shared his Lab's latest research on Huntington's disease-associated HTT protein, where they use quantitative multi-OMICs, protein-protein interaction studies and transgenic flies models.

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May 03, 2023
Event: Ciências Open Day 2023

T2P participated at the Ciências Open Day 2023 at the Faculty of Sciences of ULisboa. Here, we were able to showcase our research and its impact on protein science to early career researchers and high-school students looking to enter into STEM.

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Apr 27-28, 2023
Conference: Eurotau meetings 2023

TWIN2PIPSA participated in the Eurotau meetings 2023, with a talk by Prof. Cláudio M. Gomes, PhD, on the modulation of tau aggregation and condensation by chaperones, together with posters presented by PhD students Guilherme G. Moreira and Margarida Simões from his Lab.

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Apr 21, 2023
Digital Networking Event:
Predicting the early stages of protein aggregation: Dynamics and growth modes of beta-2-microglobulin dimers. João Vitorino (BioISI)

PhD student João Vitorino, from the Molecular Modeling & Simulation Lab at BioISI, presented their latest results on β-2-microglobulin aggregation, where they report a simple computational model to study β2M dimerization.

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Apr 18, 2023
Event: Jobshop Ciências 2023

TWIN2PIPSA was present at the Jobshop Ciências 2023, where we talked about our goals and research activities, as well as networking opportunities for scientific collaboration and industry partnerships.

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Apr 11, 2023
Expert Seminar: Multifunctional S100 proteins, from metallo-proteins to therapeutic targets. Guenter Fritz (University of Hohenheim)

Prof. Guenter Fritz, PhD, from the University of Hohenheim, Germany, shared his team's recent research on the world of S100 proteins through a TWIN2PIPSA Digital Networking Event.

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2023
Paper: S100B chaperone multimers suppress the formation of oligomers during Aβ42 aggregation.

S100B, a Ca2+-binding protein with holdase-like chaperone activity was evidenced to inhibit Aβ42 oligomerization and aggregation both as a dimer and tetramer, as shown in the paper published by PhD student António J. Figueira on Frontiers in Neuroscience.

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2023
Paper: Unraveling the Aquaporin-3 Inhibitory Effect of Rottlerin by Experimental and Computational Approaches.

A paper published by Inês Paccetti-Alves, MSc, on the International Journal of Molecular Sciences shows that Rottlerin (RoT) is able to inhibit human Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) activity, a relevant player in cancer and metastasis, unveiling RoT as an potential anticancer drug where AQP3 is highly expressed.

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Feb 03, 2023
Expert Seminar: Understanding the origins of loss of protein function using analyses of protein stability and conservation. Kresten Lindorff-Larsen (UCPH)

Prof. Kresten Lindorff-Larsen, PhD, representative of the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) in the TWIN2PIPSA consortium, showcased his team's work on merging computational methods with experimental data for studying protein dynamics and its relation to their structure and function at TWIN2PIPSA's kick-off meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Feb 02, 2023
Expert Seminar: Peptide and Metabolite Assembly: Physiology, Pathology, and Nanotechnology. Ehud Gazit (TAU)

Prof. Ehud Gazit, PhD, representative of Tel Aviv University (TAU) in the TWIN2PIPSA consortium, shared his group's latest work on molecular structure and self-assembly at the nanoscale of peptides and metabolites at TWIN2PIPSA's kick-off meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Feb 01, 2023
Expert Seminar: Thermodynamic and kinetic approaches for drug discovery to target protein misfolding and aggregation. Michele Vendruscolo (UCAM)

Prof. Michele Vendruscolo, PhD, representative of the University of Cambridge (UCAM) in the TWIN2PIPSA consortium, shared his team's latest research on protein misfolding and aggregation kinetics at TWIN2PIPSA's kick-off meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Feb 01-03, 2023
TWIN2PIPSA Kick-off meeting

TWIN2PIPSA's kick-off meeting was held at Lisbon, Portugal. This 3-day meeting counted with the participation of the entire network of students, researchers and PIs involved in the project, where they shared their research, showcased available infrastructure and engaged in discussions. We also had three plenary lectures from partners Dr. Michele Vendruscolo (UCAM), Dr. Kresten Lindorff-Larsen (UCPH) and Dr. Ehud Gazit (TAU).

TWIN2PIPSA Participants and Partners

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