Frontier Science
Biodiversity research explores fundamental, complex, and often poorly understood aspects of life on Earth. It has potential to generate transformative insights and solutions, by pushing the boundaries of current scientific knowledge by:
– Addressing Complex Systems: Biodiversity involves intricate interactions among species and ecosystems, requiring innovative, interdisciplinary approaches.
– Tackling Unpredictable Challenges: Biodiversity research deals with dynamic issues like species extinction, climate change, and ecosystem collapse, where outcomes are uncertain and research must evolve rapidly.
– Driving Scientific Innovation: Biodiversity research – even though considered basic research – often leads to new methods in genetics, data analysis, remote sensing, and ecological modeling.
– Informing Policy and Sustainability: Research in this area directly impacts conservation efforts and global sustainability strategies.

By studying the diversity and abundance of atmospheric microbes, we aim to identify their main sources, understand how they are transported into the air, and reveal the mechanisms that allow them to persist and even thrive while airborne. A fascinating aspect of our work is examining whether these microorganisms remain metabolically active once suspended in the atmosphere—and if they do, what environmental factors control their activity. Some of these microbes are capable of producing special proteins that trigger ice formation in cloud droplets at relatively warm temperatures (close to 0°C). This biological ice-nucleation process can act as a catalyst for rainfall, with significant implications for ecosystems, agriculture, and urban environments.

We investigate these ice-nucleating proteins both in terms of their molecular function and their evolutionary history, seeking to understand how they have developed and how they might be harnessed or mimicked. By uncovering the roles of airborne microbes in atmospheric processes, we aim to contribute new knowledge that can improve the accuracy and predictive power of weather and climate models.
Our work stands at the intersection of microbiology, atmospheric science, and climate research—with the ambition to illuminate one of the lesser-known, yet potentially powerful, drivers of Earth’s climate system.

Frontier Research
Our research sits at the frontier of science because it challenges traditional boundaries between disciplines and explores a largely uncharted component of Earth’s climate system: the role of microorganisms in the atmosphere. While microbes have long been studied in soil, water, and living organisms, their presence and function in the air—one of the most extreme and dynamic environments on Earth—remains a scientific frontier. Investigating life in the sky is not only inherently fascinating, it also has the potential to reshape our understanding of key atmospheric processes such as cloud formation, precipitation, and even climate regulation.
This field pushes the limits of microbiology, atmospheric science, and climate modeling, demanding novel methodologies, cross-disciplinary thinking, and a readiness to confront the unknown. We ask bold questions: Can airborne microbes actively influence the weather? Are their biological processes significant enough to be included in climate models? What are the evolutionary drivers behind their adaptations to life in the atmosphere?
Answering these questions requires innovative approaches—from sampling microbial life at high altitudes, to studying their ice-nucleating proteins at the molecular level, to integrating findings into atmospheric models. This kind of work is inherently exploratory and high-risk, but also high-gain. The insights we generate could have significant implications for agriculture, urban water management, and global climate policy.
For science journalist trainees, this is an exceptional training ground. First, the topic is timely: climate science and biodiversity are central themes in public discourse, yet the idea that life in the air could influence the weather remains relatively unknown to the broader public. Communicating this complex, cutting-edge science in an accessible and engaging way offers an exciting challenge—and a chance to make a real impact on how people understand the planet.
Second, the interdisciplinary nature of the project provides exposure to a wide range of scientific techniques, questions, and communities—from microbiologists and molecular biologists to meteorologists and environmental modelers. This gives trainees a deep appreciation for how different scientific cultures collaborate to tackle shared problems.
Finally, our research group is internationally diverse and highly collaborative, offering an inspiring, open, and intellectually stimulating environment. Trainees will be immersed in a culture of curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity—an ideal setting to sharpen their ability to observe, interpret, and communicate science at the cutting edge.

Frontier research

The Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) is at the forefront of research into how anthropogenic pressures are reshaping ecosystems globally. ECONOVO tackles one of the most urgent frontiers in ecology: understanding and guiding the emergence of novel ecosystems in a rapidly changing world. The center integrates macroecology, biodiversity science, paleoecology, archaeology, socio-ecological systems, rewilding, and vegetation modeling to uncover both the historical underpinnings and future trajectories of ecosystems facing accelerating climate change, biological invasions, and land-use transformations. ECONOVO’s work bridges fundamental and solution-oriented science, aiming to steer novel ecological dynamics toward outcomes that support biodiversity and biosphere functioning.

ECONOVO is led by Professor Jens-Christian Svenning, a globally leading macroecologist with more than 600 peer-reviewed publications and over 60,000 citations. His research spans continents and timescales, with major contributions to our understanding of plant distribution, ecosystem functioning, rewilding, and conservation under global change. ECONOVO’s environment is dynamic and international, offering a fertile setting for deep engagement with cutting-edge ecological science and its societal relevance, making it a highly suitable host for a science journalist interested in frontier environmental research.

Our pioneering research aims to uncover fundamental microbial networking principles and understand their role in diverse contexts, ranging from intracellular endosymbionts to intercellular cross-kingdom microbiomes. We utilize innovative microscopy methods, cutting-edge omics technologies, and bioinformatic analyses to decipher previously unknown microbial communication and cooperation forms. These findings have potentially transformative implications for our understanding of microbial communities and could open new avenues for applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Journalists will find diverse points of contact with us, ranging from the visualization of complex microbial interactions to exploring the ecological and biotechnological relevance of networking.

Frontier Research

MibiNet addresses fundamental questions about the organization and function of microbial networks that have been insufficiently understood to date. CRC1535 will pursue a profound “learning from nature” strategy: fundamental principles and unifying concepts from natural examples of stable microbial interactions will be challenged by implementing them in the synthetic construction of designer organelles, endosymbionts, and cross-kingdom communities. We transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries by integrating innovative methods from cell biology, genomics, physics, and bioinformatics to decipher the complex interactions between microorganisms at various levels – from subcellular processes to global biogeochemical cycles.

Our research is groundbreaking as it uncovers novel concepts of microbial communication and cooperation, and could revolutionize our understanding of the fundamental principles of life in microbial communities. This innovative approach, deconstructing and synthetically reconstructing natural systems, holds the potential for scientific breakthroughs in microbiome research, new antimicrobial strategies, and the sustainable use of microbial resources in biotechnology and agriculture. By investigating previously unknown mechanisms and developing novel analytical tools, we are venturing into uncharted scientific territory and thus addressing genuine ‘Frontier Research’ questions.

FutureNeuro focuses on three key areas:

Diagnostics: We are improving the accuracy and speed of neurological disease diagnosis by identifying genetic, neuroelectric, and circulating biomarkers. Using cutting-edge genomics and sequencing technologies, including long-read approaches, we work to increase diagnostic yield and enable precision medicine. Our research integrates seamlessly with clinical practice, developing blood-based and data-driven biomarkers, as well as ultrasensitive monitoring technologies to detect disease progression and treatment response.

Therapeutics: We are pioneering disease-modifying treatments that target hyperexcitable and damaged brain networks. We focus on noncoding RNAs, metabolic and epigenetic processes, the blood-brain barrier, and neuroinflammation, using state-of-the-art techniques such as super-resolution imaging, single-cell ‘omics, and neurophysiology. Promising therapies are tested in our diverse translational models, including cell, animal, and human systems, to establish efficacy, understand mechanisms of action, and advance the most effective candidates toward preclinical development.

Digital Health: We are transforming and democratising healthcare through digital innovation. Our work focuses on developing connected health solutions that empower patients to monitor their well-being while enabling clinicians to make more informed decisions. We leverage real-world data and AI to improve personalised care, integrate digital tools into clinical workflows, and enhance research-enabled healthcare systems. Through collaboration with industry and healthcare providers, we are shaping the future of patient-centred, technology-driven neurological care.

By combining scientific excellence with national clinical networks and industry collaboration, FutureNeuro is driving research that improves lives.

Frontier research

FutureNeuro performs world-leading, challenge-based, high-impact science. We aim to improve how we diagnose brain diseases, to implement genomics for more personalised and effective therapy, develop the next generation of treatments, and harness state-of-the-art digital technologies to enable informed clinical-decision-making and deliver more personalised and proactive healthcare for patients and their families. Five FutureNeuro researchers are ERC awardees, who are carrying out diverse frontier research in areas including psychotic experiences in young people, circadian rhythms in families, gene therapies for age-related macular degeneration, making and breaking habits, and microglial biology.

FutureNeuro researchers have already made scientific breakthroughs in each thematic area:

Diagnostics: Our researchers discovered a new microRNA linked to epilepsy (miR-335) which targets voltage-gated sodium channels. This microRNA normally functions to restrain brain excitability and the study showed that a gene therapy (AAV9) carrying miR-335 delivered to the hippocampus of mice protected against seizures in a preclinical model. The study also discovered that cannabidiol (CBD), a new treatment for Dravet syndrome, alters expression of microRNAs in the mouse brain and may contribute to the drug’s mechanism of action.

Therapeutics: Our researchers, alongside colleagues, unveiled a significant breakthrough regarding the impact of Covid-19 on the brain. Using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, they showed a correlation between blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption and changes in brain volume. The analysis of gene expression revealed dysregulation in the coagulation system and a dampened adaptive immune response in individuals with brain fog. In vitro experiments revealed an increase in adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to human brain endothelial cells, and exposure of endothelial cells to serum from long COVID patients induced the expression of inflammatory markers. The findings suggest that sustained systemic inflammation and persistent, localised BBB dysfunction is a key feature of long COVID-associated brain fog.

Digital Health: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative and currently incurable disease. Due to the absence of a definitive test, diagnosis often involves extensive medical exams, lasting up to a year. This process can be exhausting for patients and their families. FutureNeuro researchers worked towards the identification of the predictors of a caregiver’s quality of life (QoL), in addition to the development of a model for clinical use to alert clinicians when a caregiver is at risk of experiencing low QoL. The study identified novel factors impacting caregiver QoL in ALS, incorporating both patient and caregiver traits. Furthermore, employing machine learning and explainable AI, the research unveiled a proof-of-concept model showcasing AI’s potential to enhance healthcare decision-making processes.

CIIMAR research programmes allow the discovery and study of new species and ecosystems, at different depths of the ocean or in other aquatic systems, and provide basic knowledge and tools to support the protection and management of marine, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems. CIIMAR research leads to the discovery of marine products with potential biotechnological applications in multiple areas including environmental (bioremediation), human and animal health (drugs, cosmetics, nutraceuticals), and industrial (food and feed; paints and coatings). In addition, some research programmes are dedicated to optimizing the growth potential of current and alternative species for aquaculture and to providing high quality seafood for human consumption, which is vital for tackling nutrition and seafood quality issues.

While increasing ocean literacy is a key part of CIIMAR’s mission, the institute goes further by conducting responsible research innovation through research projects that engage diverse social actors as partners.
CIIMAR’s main headquarters are at the stunning Porto Cruise Terminal, in Matosinhos, however, its research community spreads across laboratories in 5 units of the University of Porto, at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, at the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) in Lisbon and at the University of Madeira.
Its vibrant community is composed of around 660 people from 32 nationalities. More than 100 research projects are actively running, with CIIMAR participating in over 20 Horizon Europe projects, across Pillar 1 (Excellent Science), Pillar 2 (Global Challenges & European industrial competitiveness), and Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence actions, overseeing 7 of them as coordinators. In addition, CIIMAR is involved in several major technology transfer projects, and in projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Frontier Research
The ocean is determinant of the planet’s health, absorbing excessive heat and energy that is produced, and is a source of food and economic activity for human populations. Climate change is taking a heavy toll on the ocean, causing ice melting, sea-level rise, and water acidification, among others, which ultimately impact marine biodiversity and the lives of coastal communities. Finding strategies to prevent or mitigate the impact of climate change in oceans, coastal environments, and freshwater ecosystems, is of utmost importance. At CIIMAR, several research groups explore different strategies and tools to effectively address these issues. Our diverse range of research activities spans from the Antarctic Peninsula to estuarine ecosystems, encompassing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, pollution, and invasive species.
CIIMAR is conducting fundamental research and field monitoring programs to enhance the physical, chemical, and biological knowledge of the marine environment and ongoing changes, while also addressing land/river/ocean and ocean/atmosphere interactions. The study of emerging toxins, the development of biosensors, and nature-based solutions for ecosystem recovery is actively pursued in CIIMAR. Using experimental approaches, CIIMAR is examining causality among stressors, and their long-term effects on organisms and ecosystems, including research on biological, chemical and physical pollution, and climate change drivers.
The knowledge about the (whole) ocean is still very narrow. 71% of our blue planet is ocean, which corresponds to an extremely vast area of Earth that is hard to scan. Adding to this complex scenario is the fact that 67% of the ocean is deep-ocean, i.e., it starts 200 meters below the surface and can go up to more than 10 km depth. Exploring the deepest secrets of the ocean is human and technologically challenging, and has been impossible until very recently. We are now living in the most exciting era to discover the ocean, as humanity is developing technology that allows its exploration, at different depths. CIIMAR is involved in this exploration, with state-of-the-art technologies and facilities, and combining their expertise with international partners. By exploring the richness of ocean resources, CIIMAR is discovering and characterizing new bioactive compounds with ecological, pharmaceutical, or industrial applications.
CIIMAR research is also elucidating and comprehending the underlying fundamentals of animal molecular physiology, enhancing understanding of species biodiversity, deciphering fish life cycles, contributing to exploitation management, promoting animal growth, health and welfare, and ensuring seafood quality and safety for human consumption. Meeting the challenge of increasing production amidst resources scarcity on an overpopulated planet requires prioritizing animal resilience, feed efficiency, circularity, and climate change mitigation in both fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

1- Impact of the microbiome on reproduction (Host researcher: Inmaculada Moreno) :
Focused on the endometrial microbiome and its clinical implications in infertility and obstetric complications such as implantation failure, recurrent miscarriage and preterm delivery

2- Maternal-fetal crosstalk (Host researcher: Felipe Vilella):
Focused on understanding the mechanisms of communication between the mother and the embryo and elucidating how the mother genetically modifies the preimplantation embryo.

3- Maternal contribution in obstetric pathologies (Host researcher: Tamara Garrido):
The main focus of our group is deciphering the origin and causes of pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia.

4- Gynecological tumors (Host researcher: Aymara Mas):
We focus on the development of accurate and non-invasive diagnostic methods for gynecologic tumors.

5- Menopause and ovarian rejuvenation (Host researchers: Xavi Santamaría-Felipe Vilella):
Focused on understanding the mechanisms of ovarian aging and developing new strategies to delay or prevent reproductive aging.

Our main activity is biomedical research in the field of reproductive medicine and women’s health, focusing on clinical translation. As a multidisciplinary team of more than forty professionals, we are proud to be linked to the University of Valencia and the INCLIVA Health Research Institute (IIS INCLIVA). INCLIVA is a prestigious research center accredited by the Carlos III Health Research Institute, Spain’s leading national body for promoting health research. This prestigious affiliation enhances our institutional capacity, fosters academic careers, and ensures that our research meets the highest national standard. Together, we work to create a world where pathologies affecting the UTERUS will no longer be an impossible barrier.

Frontier Research
Our research at the Carlos Simon Foundation for Research in Women’s Health qualifies as frontier research due to its innovative approach to addressing critical and globally impactful challenges in women’s health. We are dedicated to deciphering the complex molecular, genetic, and microbiological mechanisms of the human uterus in both health and disease, with a strong emphasis on translational research that directly benefits clinical practice.
Women’s health, particularly in the areas of infertility, pregnancy complications, uterine tumors, and menopause, is often under-researched despite its profound impact on global health:
-Infertility affects up to 186 million individuals worldwide, with approximately 35% of cases attributed to uterine dysfunction.
-Preterm birth impacts 10% of pregnancies, while preeclampsia results in the death of millions of infants and mothers annually.
-Menopause affects 50% of the world’s population after age 50, leading to significant changes in women’s health and well-being.
-Uterine tumours, which are present in 70% of women globally, and ovarian cancer, the deadliest gynaecological cancer, pose immense public health challenges.

Our institution tackles these issues through cutting-edge research programs, leveraging the latest scientific advances in microbiome research, maternal-fetal communication, obstetric pathologies, gynaecological tumours, and ovarian rejuvenation. Each of our research lines is aimed at uncovering new insights into these conditions and developing innovative, evidence-based solutions that can transform clinical outcomes for women worldwide.
Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of our research, involving experts in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, and clinical practitioners in our projects allows for a direct connection between research and patient care, offering journalists the opportunity to engage with both scientists and clinicians, gaining insights into the real-world applications of our work.

The Carlos Simon Foundation embodies the characteristics of frontier research: high-risk, high-reward investigations that push the boundaries of current knowledge to achieve breakthroughs in women’s health. In this context, the Carlos Simon Foundation is well-positioned to host journalists under the FRONTIERS initiative by integrating cutting-edge scientific methodologies with a patient-centered approach, our research not only addresses fundamental biological questions but also aims to develop novel therapeutic approaches, thus contributing to the advancement of healthcare.

In fact, GIMM’s structure includes two core components: GIMM Discovery, which focuses on fundamental research and the pursuit of scientific breakthroughs, and GIMM Care, which emphasizes the application of scientific knowledge to improve healthcare and quality of life. Through the Care initiative, GIMM aims to revolutionize clinical and translational research by creating a pioneering Center of Excellence in Portugal. This people-centered, data-driven model brings together a diverse range of stakeholders to collaboratively address key health challenges, accelerate the translation of research into clinical practice, and foster innovative solutions that respond to the most urgent healthcare needs.

Through these efforts, GIMM stands at the forefront of global efforts to enhance scientific understanding and improve human health, making it an ideal partner for those committed to supporting cutting-edge research with profound societal impact.

Frontier Research

At GIMM, we position our science at the forefront of frontier research by embracing a bold and transformative approach to discovery that integrates fundamental and applied research. Our unique structure, divided into GIMM Discovery and GIMM Care, embodies this vision by unifying curiosity-driven exploration with a focus on real-world healthcare solutions.
GIMM Discovery is the heart of our fundamental research, where scientists are encouraged to pursue groundbreaking ideas that push the boundaries of our understanding of biology and human health. This component thrives on curiosity-driven research, fostering a culture where curiosity, innovative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration are encouraged. By nurturing this exploratory spirit, GIMM Discovery not only advances our knowledge but also lays the groundwork for future innovations that can have profound impacts on science and society.
GIMM Care, on the other hand, is dedicated to translating these fundamental discoveries into practical applications that directly address healthcare challenges. By focusing on clinical and translational research, GIMM Care aims to shorten the path from fundamental scientific discoveries to real-world health solutions. This component brings together a diverse network of stakeholders, including clinicians, researchers, patients, and industry partners, to co-create innovative, data-driven approaches that enhance health outcomes and promote equity.
The synergy between GIMM Discovery and GIMM CARE ensures a dynamic flow of knowledge and innovation, where fundamental research informs applied projects, and practical needs inspire new scientific questions. This interconnected approach enables GIMM to rapidly adapt to evolving healthcare challenges, driving both scientific excellence and societal impact. By bridging the divide between curiosity-driven research and its application, we position GIMM not just as a leader in molecular medicine but as a catalyst for transformative change in global health.
Beyond the walls of GIMM, we actively shape the national and European R&D landscape through collaboration, promoting excellence in research and training, and engaging society in scientific and cultural development. Our efforts extend beyond traditional boundaries, pushing the limits of scientific knowledge and making a profound impact on global health and well-being. By focusing on ensuring these values and aims, GIMM stands at the forefront of frontier research, driving transformative change and advancing the frontiers of molecular medicine.

For over a decade, the LCSB has established a state-of-the-art infrastructure and developed skills in several fields, such as genetics, metaproteomics, enzymology and cheminformatics. We foster interdisciplinarity because we strongly believe that complex problems can only be solved when the best minds from different disciplines come together and form a team.

We work together with scientific partners worldwide and carry out collaborative projects with research-oriented companies and hospitals, to accelerate the translation of research results into clinical applications and to tackle the growing issue represented by neurodegenerative diseases worldwide.