Research Lab

Human Genetics and Cancer Therapeutics

29664

Lab Members

Research Interests

Cancer diagnostics, biomarkers identification and validation using proteomic approaches. Drug screen and validation using in vitro and in vivo animal models; development of novel combinatorial cancer therapies.

Research Highlights

Validation and target delivery of novel antitumor compounds

Alexandra R. Fernandes*, João Jesus, Pedro Martins, Sara Figueiredo, Daniela Rosa, Luísa M.R.D.R.S. Martins, Maria Luísa Corvo, Manuela C. Carvalheiro, Pedro M. Costa, Pedro V. Baptista*. Multifunctional gold-nanoparticles: a nanovectorization tool for the targeted delivery of novel chemotherapeutic agents. Journal of Control Release 2017. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.11.021;

Luisa Corvo, Ana Soraia Mendo, Sara Figueiredo, Miguel Larguinho, Rogério Gaspar, Pedro V. Baptista* and Alexandra R. Fernandes*. Liposomes as delivery system of a Sn(IV) compound for cancer therapy. Pharm Res. 2016 Jun;33(6):1351-8. doi: 10.1007/s11095-016-1876-6.

Validation and Target delivery of novel antitumor compounds.

Startup in the nanodiagnostic field - Nano4 Global Lda.

Co-founder with Pedro Viana Baptista (FCT/UNL) and Filipe Assoreira. Since December 2015.

Representative Projects

“Cytotoxicity and photo-cytotoxicity of nitrosyl ruthenium anticancer drug in aqueous solution or incorporated in a drug delivery system. An innovative purpose for metal based drug”, FAPESP, Alexandra Fernandes (PI-FCT NOVA).
“Gold multifunctional nanoparticles for targeting cancer – Cetuximab”, Merck-Serono, Total and Unit funding: €72,000, Alexandra Fernandes (PI).
“Validation of the antitumor/antiin ammatory potential of novel plant extracts”, VITROBIO SA, Total and Unit funding: €5,400, Alexandra Fernandes (PI).
“RA Detect: One Platform- multiple biomarker detection of rheumatoid arthritis”, EC-H2020, Total Funding: €137,000. Unit Funding: €22,000, Alexandra Fernandes (Collaborator).
“Unveiling host speci city and host-pathogen interactions of Streptococcus”, FCT-MCTES, Total funding: €199,000, Unit funding: €99,700. Alexandra Fernandes (Collaborator).

Selected Publications

Rodrigo, AP; Mendes, VM; Manadas, B; Grosso, AR; de Matos, APA; Baptista, PV; Costa, PM; Fernandes, AR. 2021. Specific Antiproliferative Properties of Proteinaceous Toxin Secretions from the Marine Annelid Eulalia sp. onto Ovarian Cancer Cells. Marine Drugs, 19, DOI: 10.3390/md19010031

Roma-Rodrigues, C; Raposo, LR; Valente, R; Fernandes, AR; Baptista, PV. 2021. Combined cancer therapeutics-Tackling the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews-Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1704

Beola, L; Asin, L; Roma-Rodrigues, C; Fernandez-Afonso, Y; Fratila, RM; Serantes, D; Ruta, S; Chantrell, RW; Fernandes, AR; Baptista, PV; de la Fuente, JM; Grazu, V; Gutierrez, L. 2020. The Intracellular Number of Magnetic Nanoparticles Modulates the Apoptotic Death Pathway after Magnetic Hyperthermia Treatment. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 12, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c12900

Alves-Barroco, C; Rivas-Garcia, L; Fernandes, AR; Baptista, PV. 2020. Tackling Multidrug Resistance in Streptococci - From Novel Biotherapeutic Strategies to Nanomedicines. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.579916

Alves-Barroco, C; Paquete-Ferreira, J; Santos-Silva, T; Fernandes, AR. 2020. Singularities of Pyogenic Streptococcal Biofilms - From Formation to Health Implication. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.584947