Project Description:

   Studying the mechanisms that maintain genome stability and the consequences of disrupting those mechanisms is my aim. More precisely, I am investigating the role of the MRN (Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1) complex in the processing and repair of unprotected telomeres. Currently I use fission yeast as a model for my studies.

Academic Degrees:

2006  PhD in Biochemistry / Molecular Biology, ITQB, Oeiras, Portugal.

          Thesis Title: Study of Trf4 and Trf5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Poly(A) Polymerases with a

                                Function in Histone Homeostasis.

1999  Licenciatura in Biological Engineer, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.

Professional Experience:

Sep 2008:     Invited Professor in the «Molecular and Cell Biology Introductory Course»

                      MIT-Portugal PhD Program.

2002 - 2006  Postgraduate Research

                     Study of Trf4 and Trf5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Poly(A) Polymerases with

                     a Function in Histone Homeostasis.

                     Lab head: Judith L. Campbell

                     California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, USA

2000 - 2001  Junior Researcher

                     Study of the Structure-Function Relationships of Metalloproteins Involved in Energy

                     Transduction Processes.

                     Lab head: António V. Xavier

                     ITQB–Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal

1999:            Junior Researcher

                     Molecular Characterisation of the Genetic Variability of Portuguese Bovine Breeds.

                     Relation with Production Traits

                     Lab head: Alfredo Cravador

                     Estação Zootécnica Nacional, Santarém, Portugal