Research projects
– experimental oncology – study of environmental, genetic, epigenetic and (patho)physiological mechanisms of carcinogenesis and cancer progression,
research and development of new approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
– experimental endocrinology – research in the fields of endocrinology, neuroendocrinology and psychiatry, cardiology, exercise physiology and integrative (patho)physiology of metabolic disorders, as well as genetics and DNA diagnostics of rare disorders with focus on direct translation into the clinical practice. – – virology – research on epidemiology, pathogenesis and immunology and of viral and rickettsial infections, research and development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, development of analytical methods for practice.
-neurobiology – research of central nervous system focused on vascular and traumatic disorders, mechanisms of injury, neuroprotection, and new approaches to regeneration of nerve tissue.

S. Pastorekova: Role of the CA IX ectodomain in tumor growth and metastasis
B. Smolkova: Identification of biological markers for prevention and translational medicine in pancreatic cancer
J. Ukropec: Molecular mediators of the response to complex lifestyle intervention in patients with obesity: Regulation of metabolic flexibility in vitro and in vivo
B. Ukropcova: Ameliorating Effects of Aging by Physical Exercise: Molecular, Metabolic and Structural Adaptations, Multi-Organ Integrative Approach
B. Klempa: Zoonoses Emergence across Degraded and Restored Forest Ecosystems (ZOE).

Ongoing research in specific pioneering areas includes:

• Exploring new paradigms for cellular signalling (Host researcher: Maria Christophorou)
• Investigating the acquisition of drug resistance in fungal pathogens (Host researcher: Jon Houseley)
• Studying protein aggregation (several research groups in the Signalling research programme)
• Dissecting how the pace of development is set in different species (Host researcher: Teresa Rayon)
• Overcoming the effects of age on the immune system (several research groups in the Immunology research programme)

The research of the Institute is underpinned by eight cutting-edge scientific facilities. The equipment and the expertise of the facility teams enable our researchers to ‘think big’, taking new approaches to make discoveries and advance our knowledge of biology. We have a tradition of pioneering new research techniques that take science forward.

Our work provides the foundation for more applied, commercial bioscience. Our co-location with the 60 life science companies on the Babraham Research Campus provides the perfect environment for entrepreneurship, collaboration and innovation as we work to accelerate the application of our discoveries for societal benefit. Our partnerships with academic and commercial bioscientists allow better science to happy more efficiently on both sides. In addition to joining the Institute’s community, a journalist in residence would also have exposure to the campus community, exploring knowledge exchange at the interface of academic and commercial research.

The Institute has a long history of discovery research and our research is classed as internationally leading. Our 20 research groups, working across three themes, bring curiosity, bold scientific ambition and expertise to undertake pioneering discovery research. Our approach focuses on cellular and molecular biology working in several model systems (fruit flies, nematode worms, cell cultures, mice, human samples). This research is enabled by the Institute’s cutting-edge scientific facilities (bioinformatics, biological chemistry, biological support unit (small animal unit), flow cytometry, gene targeting, genomics, imaging, mass spectrometry) and achieved by innovation from our research teams who develop techniques to provide novel biological insights.

Our findings advance our understanding of human biology and generates the essential biological knowledge that provides the platform for lifestyle and healthcare interventions.

Scientific progress has driven incredible advances in recent centuries and life expectancies are higher than ever before. Yet improvement in healthy life span – the time when we’re still fit and active, often called health span – has been minimal. Almost 1 in 5 people in the UK are now over 65 years old and that proportion is rising. By studying how cells in our body specialise, regulate their genes, communicate and defend themselves against illness, we hope to gain insights into why we age, why some of us age faster than others and how we can stay healthy for longer.

The biology of ageing is generally not well understood, so we take a fundamental approach to understanding how our bodies change as we age. It’s not yet possible to directly intervene in the human ageing process. Instead, we use a combination of cell culture, animal models, organoids, and computational models to examine and understand the basic principles of biological ageing.

Many major illnesses including cancer, diabetes and heart disease become more common with age. Older people are also much more prone to contagious diseases such as flu. By understanding ageing, we can lay the foundations for ways to revitalise ageing systems in our bodies, which could greatly reduce the number of cases of diseases like these and many others.

The Cluster of Excellence CMFI brings together researchers from different disciplines such as infection biology, immunology, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical biology, antibiotics research, molecular and medical microbiology, biotechnology, environmental biology, systems biology, chemistry, and medical history and ethics. Their common goal is to elucidate the mechanisms of interaction between beneficial and harmful bacteria and the host in order to develop novel targeted therapeutic and anti-infective treatments.

The CMFI is one of more than 50 Clusters of Excellence funded by German federal and state governments as part of the Excellence Strategy to sustainably strengthen Germany as a center of science, improve its international competitiveness and make cutting-edge research at German universities visible. In addition to the University of Tübingen, the Max Planck Institute for Biology and the University Hospital Tübingen are involved in the CMFI.

Its main research directions include Immunity & Inflammation, Neuroscience, Cancer Biology, RNA Biology & Epigenetics, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology. Additionally, BSRC FLEMING has recently established its frontier research in Biomolecular Engineering & Synthetic Biology with a European Research Area chair (ERA Chair), Dr. Georgios Skretas. These research directions reflect the work of its group leaders and serve as links between the two FLEMING Institutes: Institute for Bioinnovation (IBI) and Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research (IFBR). The focus of IFBR is on unravelling the molecular and cellular basis of disease via novel animal models of human pathologies, while IBI’s vision is to advance fundamental research achievements towards innovative translational biotechnologies and drug development.
BSRC FLEMING’s strength and international recognition arises from pioneering research towards understanding the molecular and cellular basis of human diseases, and development and validation of relevant animal models of chronic inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, cancer and autoimmune syndromes, among others, and the development of new approaches for their diagnosis and treatment, using transdisciplinary approaches and state-of the art facilities and technologies. It is of note that several of its researchers have been included in the list of outstanding research leaders in Europe awarded ERC grants.
The center also coordinates two major Research Infrastructures (RIs) for modeling human diseases and bioinformatics/biocomputing resources, while it participates in personalized medicine, precision oncology and bioimaging RIs.

IDIBAPS research is organized into research areas and multidisciplinary programs.

5 Research Areas and 3 transversal groups:
1. Biological aggression and response mechanisms
2. Respiratory, cardiovascular and renal pathobiology and bioengineering
3. Liver, digestive system and metabolism
4. Clinical and experimental neuroscience
5. Oncology and haematology
6. Transversal research groups focusing on primary care, pharmacology and nursing

Multidisciplinary Programs:
1. Transitional cancer research program
2. Lymphoid neoplasms program
3. Synaptic autoimmunity in neurology, psychiatry and cognitive neuroscience program

Among the multiple research groups, we would like to highlight the following research lines, supported by ERC grants, for the FRONTIERS Science Journalism Residency Program:
– Neuronal control of metabolism directed by Marc Claret, Principal Investigator of MITOSENSING project: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/725004
– Cortical circuit dynamics directed by Jaime de la Rocha, Principal Investigator of PRIORS project: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/683209
– Molecular pathology of lymphoid neoplasms directed by Elías Campo, Principal Investigator of BCLLatlas project: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/810287

Furthermore, the work environment fosters a strong culture of science communication, offering fellows a full immersion into the realm of scientific outreach. Fellows will have the opportunity to develop essential communication skills, create engaging content, and broaden the reach of scientific discoveries to the general public. This fellowship is ideal for professionals interested in exploring the intersection of science, journalism, and digital communication while collaborating with a multidisciplinary and inspiring team.

This offers an immersive experience within the vibrant ecosystem of CNC-UC / CiBB, providing fellows with unique access to the forefront of biomedical research and science communication. Fellows will be fully integrated into the CNC-UC / CiBB community and will have the opportunity to attend weekly scientific seminars and thematic retreats, gaining invaluable insights into cutting-edge research across various biomedical disciplines. They will actively participate in the institution’s science communication dynamics, engaging in various outreach activities and gaining access to scientific platforms to observe experiments and scientific endeavors firsthand.

More about CiBB
With the largest critical mass of researchers in the Centre Region of Portugal, internationally recognized and linked to the Faculties of Pharmacy, Medicine, Sciences and Technology and Economics, as well as to the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research and to the Coimbra University Hospital, CiBB has a high-level of scientific production and attracts talent and funding at national and international levels.

The CiBB stands as the flagship of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences at the University of Coimbra (UC). It is the largest R&D Unit in the center region of Portugal and the sole UC-coordinated Associate Laboratory (top 100% evaluation), welcoming circa 700 members.
CiBB comprises 37 dynamic and multidisciplinary research groups, dedicated to understanding how and why diseases develop, particularly those associated with aging, and translating this understanding into clinical applications and technological breakthroughs.
Structured around four thematic pillars, CIBB’s mission spans diverse areas:
1. Neuroscience and Disease: Delving into brain function and dysfunction in disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, neuropsychiatric conditions, and vision impairments.
2. Metabolism, Aging, and Disease: Investigating the cellular and molecular underpinnings of metabolic dysfunction and aging, and their impact on age-related diseases.
3. Innovative Therapies: Harnessing the potential of stem cells, genetic interventions, and pharmaceuticals to pioneer new treatments for neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, oncological, and infectious conditions.
4. Healthcare Challenges: Tackling healthcare challenges by promoting evidence-based decision-making, engaging citizens, and finding innovative solutions for aging-related questions.
CiBB is committed to nurturing talent, through robust international training programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. Additionally, CiBB bridges the gap between research and society through effective communication and public engagement initiatives.
In collaboration with the Coimbra University Hospital and its Clinical Academic Center, CiBB leverages its strong ties to clinical practice, facilitating the translation of fundamental research findings into clinical benefits. Moreover, CiBB invests on the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into intellectual property, fostering technology transfer and the creation of economic value.

Note: We are open to developing projects that encompass a broader scope, involving communication across different areas of the center, and/or focusing on specific ongoing research projects within the center.

In order to examine microbial natural products and to understand infectious diseases better, we combine both areas of research. We aim to elucidate how microorganisms produce both pathogenic substances and pharmacologically relevant components. Beyond that, these substances of micro-organisms serve as instruments of communication among themselves. Another module of our research is the interaction of pathogenic microorganisms with their host. We are interested in investigating the methods and tricks that both parties use in this process.

Numerous individual joint projects enable us to acquire new knowledge in the field of biosynthesis and the function of natural products. We use this knowledge to develop innovative ingredients for the diagnosis and therapy of illnesses, including new anti-infectives. Implementing our research results and the models derived thereof, we contribute to the development of a systems biology of infections.

Under the central theme of “population-based prevention research in the life-course,” the institute conducts interdisciplinary epidemiological health research on the national and international level. It develops innovative methods and utilizes diverse data sources to study significant health disorders and to evaluate preventive measures and strategies. In addition, BIPS significantly contributes to the establishment of research infrastructures of national and international importance. To this end, BIPS is also committed to the expansion of research data management and the FAIRification of research data as an important basis of Open Science and Open Data.

For many years, strengthening prevention has been a key scientific, social, and political objective. BIPS is dedicated to achieve this goal with high-quality research based upon methodological research investigating epidemiological questions with a focus on the development of epidemiological and statistical methods. The institute emphasizes the particular importance of the life-course perspective for the health of individuals and the population as a whole with its focus on long-term studies. Research at the institute provides important insights to ensure and improve health and well-being with measures that begin early and are related to transition periods within the life-course.

Discovery: This branch of research investigates the highly complex interactions of different immune cells—with each other and with the organism’s cells—to understand how the immune system maintains the health of the organism.
Translation: This area focuses specifically on the preclinical development of immune-cell therapeutics. This includes the identification, differentiation, expansion, and preclinical testing of therapeutically relevant immune cell populations.
Clinical Application: At the LIT, our core focus is on the clinical translation of scientific findings: We therefore place significant emphasis on the development and roll out of clinical trials and focus on the clinical implementation of the results.

Funded under the European Commission Horizon 2020 Sustainable Food Security call, DIVINFOOD boasts a consortium of 25 European institutions led by the Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement, in France, with four Portuguese partners: ITQB NOVA, Évora University, ADECA and Cooking lab. In Portugal, the project focuses on grass pea (Lathyrus sativus).
Carlota Vaz Patto coordinates the ITQB NOVA team engaged in DIVINFOOD, specifically the PlantX Lab. With a history of participatory research with local grass pea farmers in Alvaiázere, Portugal, the team has expanded its scope under DIVINFOOD to include a wider range of farmers and processors, establishing the Portuguese living lab, GPeaPort, under her coordination. Living labs are user-centric innovation systems that foster co-creation, integrating research and innovation within community contexts. GPeaPort aims to revitalize and value grass pea cultivation and use by enhancing varietal diversity and developing innovative food products with local food producers, consumers, chefs, cooks, small-scale processors, rural development associations, local authorities and researchers, using a citizen science approach.
At ITQB NOVA, the Genetics and Genomics of Plant Complex Traits (PlantX) Laboratory, led by Carlota Vaz Patto, specializes in molecular quantitative genetics applied to plant breeding. The lab focuses on identifying genes controlling complex interesting traits, such as disease/drought resistance or seed quality, to develop control models, scientific methods and molecular tools to assist precision breeding programs. Within the scope of DIVINFOOD, PlantX hopes to contribute to the diversification of grass pea production systems, through the improvement of its traditional varieties – boosting tolerance to drought, enhancing nutritional quality, and increasing production capacity. They hope to contribute, in collaboration with other Portuguese stakeholders, to diversify diets, by facilitating the implementation of alternative mild processing methods to obtain innovative food products.