Maria João Amorim, Group Leader
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I find the interplay between viruses and their hosts fascinating, in particular, how viruses use the host cell machinery to sustain their own replication. Studying these interactions has revealed important aspects of the biology of the cell and host immunity, and thus, it is an extremely powerful tool in biology. The most brilliant aspect of this line of study is that viruses are extremely versatile and find different solutions even when facing the same problem.
CAREER SYNOPSIS: I completed my PhD in the University of Cambridge (UK). By then, I was interested in identifying the cellular machinery that influenza A virus uses to sustain its replication in the host cell nucleus. I then took a postdoc position in London to investigate the mechanisms that facilitate virus inter-species transmission. The second postdoc I did was not in virology, but using a different model, the fission yeast and studying RNA stability. My third postdoc, back in Cambridge, was devoted to influenza A virus but looking at aspects related to viral assembly. Finally, I took on the challenge to head my own lab, at the IGC, since 2012. |
Marta Alenquer, postdoc
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With a background in Biological Engineering, I have always been
interested in understanding how human pathogens, viruses in particular, cause
disease. For that reason, I completed my PhD on the molecular pathogenesis of gammaherpesvirus
latent infection. In November 2013, I joined the CBV lab, where I have been
studying molecular mechanisms governing influenza A virus infection of host
cells. In particular, I want to characterize the role of mitochondria in the
different steps of viral infection.
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Silvia Costa, postdoc
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My main scientific interest is
host-pathogen interplay. For this reason, I engaged in post-doctoral research
in March 2013 at the CBV group (IGC) to study the molecular mechanisms
regulating the trafficking and assembly of the influenza A virus genome. Outside the lab my interests are lindy-hop dancing, reading and body combat.
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Filipa Sena, PostDoc
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I am a Microbiologist with almost 10 years of experience in the field of Biochemistry, with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences. My decision to become a researcher came from my training and experience and because I am curious, always willing to help by sharing knowledge, and above all passionate about science. I am starting my first postdoc (May 2021) at the CBV Lab, where I am interested in investigating Influenza A and B viruses, namely the function of liquid viral inclusions in cells during genome assembly, by using in vitro reconstitution approaches. “Outside IGC” I enjoy being with my family, traveling and playing Padel!
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Filipe ferreira, lab Manager (phd)
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I’ve join the CBV lab in 2016 as a Lab Manager. After 11 years in Sheffield, UK where I did my PhD and Postdoc’s I wanted to be back in sunny Portugal and the CBV lab is the perfect place for me as one of the group research topics is on the interplay between influenza A virus replication and vesicular trafficking. I’ve always been fascinated about how viruses, such simple biological things, can be so effective in infecting and hijacking complex cells machinery and tricking them to replicate their own RNA. In the CBV group, I have the opportunity to combine both areas and my focus will be looking at the molecular mechanisms involved in the influenza A virus genome trafficking and assembly, among other lab managerial tasks.
Outside the lab, I like everything that’s related with outdoors, family walks, running with the dog, travel and enjoying a nice espresso with friends. |
TEMITOPE ETIBOR, PHD STUDENT (IBB 2016)
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My background is in Anatomy, however, I have always been interested in infection biology. I am particularly intrigued by how tiny particles such as the flu virus perturb the host cellular physiology while they keep thriving in the host. My PhD is committed to understanding such complex host-viral interaction, especially the dynamics of viral genome trafficking and assembly. Outside the lab, I always try to spend my leisure time with family and friends.
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Daniela Brás, PHD STUDENT (Biology at the Host Microbe INTERFACE 2019)
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From an early age I realized that research would be my way, since I love the complexity of the problems and the logic that we use to solve them. I love to ask questions and respond to them, since I’ve always been very curious about everything. That are the main reasons why I decided to do a PhD. During the next years, my life will be mostly focus on unraveling mitochondrial related processes that protect the host against influenza infections. Since life is not just work, in my free time, I love running, specially if it's outdoors, taking my 2 dogs as companions. My other passions include: listening music and play games.
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CHRIS DIWO, PHD STUDENT (IBB 2019)
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Being able to study the most intricate molecular mechanisms which concert life on earth is just the best! During my PhD I want to contribute to our understanding of how viruses efficiently use their limited genetic information to redirect cellular resources for the massive production of viral components and thus quickly overcome host defences. In particular, I am studying how viral membrane proteins encode motifs that outcompete host proteins for processing by the protein biogenesis machinery. Besides my love for the complex unknown I can find joy in a million beautiful things but particularly, I like to repair broken stuff and tinker with electronics, or enjoy sports outside like climbing or frisbee.
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Camila Mariano, PHD STUDENT (IBB 2020)
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I did a BSc in Biology at Instituto Superior de Agronomia and a MSc in Microbiology from Instituto Superior Técnico. I then joined the IGC as a PhD student from the IBB2020 cohort, where I am now being supervised by both Maria João Amorim and Mónica Bettencourt-Dias, in the Cell Biology of Viral Infection and Cell Cycle Regulation Labs, respectively.
My project is centred around the interaction between different viral infections and the centrosome-cilia complex, aiming to understand the mechanisms by which some viruses impact centrosome and cilia structure/function. |
Aidan O’Riain, PHD STUDENT (IBB 2022)
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I have been interested in host-microbe interactions since the beginning of my undergraduate degree. During this time I became fascinated with the constant arms race between viruses and their hosts. My PhD work aims to discover the viral and host components that constitute influenza A virus liquid inclusions and their function in the viral replication cycle.
Outside of the lab, I love distance running, playing hurling (an Irish sport!), and swimming in the sea. |
CBV alumni
- ANDRÉ SEIXAS, trainee 2013/2014 (co-supervisied by Vasco Barreto, IGC)
- DÉBORA CRUZ, trainee 2014/2015 (co-supervisied by Daniela Ribeiro, Universidade de Aveiro)
- BÁRBARA KELLEN, lab manager 2013/2015
- INES VERÍSSIMO, MSc student 2015/2016
- ANA NASCIMENTO, MSc student 2014/2015
- JOANA PERDIGÃO, MSc student 2016/2017
- ZOÉ ENDERLIN SILVA, PhD student (IBB 2012/2018)
- JOÃO DIAMANTINO, MSC student (2018/2019)
- Nuno Santos, PhD student (2015/2021)
- Mónica Medina, MSC student (2021/2022)
SHORT-TERM VISITING STUDENTS:
- DAVIDE FRAGA (Jan 2014), MSc integrated in medical degree student, University of Algarve, Portugal.
- HENRY OWEN (Summer 2014) , undergraduate student, University of Oxford.
- MEGAN MILARSKI (Summer 2015), undergraduate student, University of Oxford.
- LEONARDO GAIO (January 2016), undergraduate student, University Nova of Lisbon.
- BRUNA PEREIRA (Summer 2016), graduated from University of Aveiro.
- LUKA KRAMPERT ( November 2017 - March 2018), internship Master course from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
- SASHA VIERA (Summer 2018), undergraduate student Imperial College London