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Areas of focus
Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic, irreversible and debilitating disorders of the central nervous system, characterized by cognitive decline and brain selective neurodegeneration, which has been largely attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction and protein misfolding. However, how modified or mutant proteins interfere with neuronal and mitochondrial function is not completely clear. Our group uses molecular, cellular and animal experimental approaches to examine defective intracellular signaling pathways underlying mitochondrial dysfunction, and related mechanisms of neurodegeneration, including oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and transcription deregulation. Studies shed extra light on the characterization and identification of molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in distinct neurodegenerative disorders, namely Huntington’s disease (a polyglutamine-expansion disorder), Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In this perspective, several neuroprotective strategies have been tested, such as neurotrophic factors (e.g. BDNF, IGF-1), NMDA receptor antagonists or histone deacetylase inhibitors.
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| A.Cristina Rego |
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| Group Leader |
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| Ildete Luisa Ferreira |
| PhD |
| Researcher |
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| Jorge Valero |
| PhD |
| Researcher |
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| Elisabete Ferreiro |
| PhD |
| Post-Doc Fellow |
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| Mário Laço |
| PhD |
Post-Doc Fellow
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| Sandra Mota |
| PhD |
| Post-Doc Fellow |
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| Tatiana Rosenstock |
| PhD |
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| António Silva |
| BSci |
| PhD Student (PDBEB) |
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| Carla Lopes |
| MSci |
| PhD Student (PDBEB) |
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| Luana Naia |
| MSci |
| PhD Student |
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| Marta Cerejo |
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| PhD Student |
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| Ana Oliveira |
| MSci |
| Technician |
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| Catarina Carmo |
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| MSci Student |
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| Inês Dias |
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| MSci Student |
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| Irina Fonseca |
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Alumini
Ana Catarina Henriques Oliveira
PhD student in Biochemistry (Univ. Coimbra), 2006-13
Ana Cláudia Saraiva Ribeiro
Master student in Integrated Master in Medicine (Univ. Coimbra), 2008-09
Ana Cristina Julião Licuco
Undergraduate Biochemistry student (Univ. Coimbra), 2009-10
Ana Cristina Oliveira Brett
Undergraduate Medical and Master student in Integrated Master in Medicine (Univ. Coimbra), 2002-03; 2008-09
Ana Cristina Rosa da Silva
Master student in Cell Biology and PhD student in Biochemistry (Univ. Coimbra), 2004-13
Ana Isabel Marques Duarte
PhD student in Cell Biology (Univ. Coimbra) and Post-doc fellow, 2001-10
Ana Isabel Osório Eufrásio
Undergraduate Medical student (Univ. Coimbra), 2000-01
Ana Margarida Alves de Oliveira
Master student in Clinical Biochemistry (Aveiro Univ.), 2011-12
Ana Raquel Fontes
Master student in Molecular and Cell Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2013-14
António Miguel de Jesus Domingues
Master student in Molecular Microbiology (Aveiro Univ.), 2001-05
Carmela Padovano
Master student in Biology (Univ. Sannio, Benevento, Italy), 2010
Carolina Noronha
MD Master student (integrated Master in Medicine, Univ. Coimbra), 2008-13
Catarina Caldeira Vaz
Undergraduate voluntary student (Univ. Coimbra), 2013-14
Chiara d’Amati
Master student in Biology (Univ. Sannio, Benevento, Italy), 2010
Giorgia Mastrella
International Master student of Neuroscience (Univ Trieste, Italy), 2013-14
Gladys Tarcila Lima Caldeira
Master in Cell and Molecular Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2011-12
Inês Nobre Góis
Undergraduate Medical student (Univ. Coimbra), 2002-03
Joana Maria do Amaral Campos Gil
Undergraduate Biochemistry student, Master and PhD student in Cell Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2000-07
Joana Cristina Pedro Rodrigues
Master in Cell and Molecular Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2011-12
Jorge Alexandre Antunes Pereira
Undergraduate Biology student (Univ. Coimbra), 2003-04
Jorge Miguel de Ascenção Oliveira
PhD student in Pharmacy (Porto Univ.), 2004-06
Luís Miguel Morais Calado de Oliveira Bajouco
Master student in Integrated Master in Medicine (Univ. Coimbra), 2009-10
Luís Miguel Vaz Rodrigues
Undergraduate Medical student (Univ. Coimbra), 2000-01
Maria João Rodrigues Ferreira Ribeiro
Master student (UTAD), 2010-11
Maria Martins Viegas Nascimento
Master student in Cell Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2006-09
Maria Teresa Martins da Cunha Oliveira
Master student in Cell Biology, PhD student in Cell Biology (Univ. Coimbra) and post-doctoral fellow, 2001-12
Mariagrazia Lanzillo
Master student in Biology (Univ. Sannio, Benevento, Italy), 2014
Márcio José do Coito Ribeiro
PhD student in Biosciences (Univ. Coimbra), 2007-14
Nuno Miguel dos Santos Monteiro
Master student in Cell Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2002-04
Olga Martins de Brito
Undergraduate Biochemistry student (Univ. Coimbra), 2001-02
Paulo André Ribeiro dos Santos
Master in Cell and Molecular Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2011-13
PRita Catarina Gonçalves Perfeito
PhD student in Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2005-12
Rui Pedro Marques da Costa
Undergraduate Biochemistry student (Univ. Coimbra), 2007-08
Sandra Cristina Vicente e Almeida
Undergraduate in Biochemistry and PhD student in Cell Biology (Univ. Coimbra), 2001-08
Sofia Sousa (MSci)
Master in Biomedical Engineering (Univ. Coimbra), 2010-11; voluntary researcher, 2011-13
Susana Ribeiro dos Louros
Undergraduate Biology student (Univ. Coimbra), 2006-07
Valentina Maio
B.S. student in Biology (Univ. Sannio, Benevento, Italy), 2008
Valeria de Rosa
Aluna de Mestrado ERASMUS em Biologia Molecular e Celular (Univ. Coimbra), 2012-13
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Facilities and equipment
The lab is located at the Faculty of Medicine building (1st floor) of the University of Coimbra (polo I). The lab is equipped with general molecular and cell biology apparatus, electrophoresis apparatus, temperature-control bench centrifuge, liquid nitrogen container, computerized oxygen electrode chamber and real-time PCR system. Researchers have access to culture rooms (laminar flow hoods, CO2 incubators, phase inverted microscopes), fluorescence and scanning confocal microscopy, PCR thermal cycles, HPLCs, freeze-dryer, deep-freezers and (ultra)centrifuge facilities.
Current collaborations
Ana Luísa Carvalho (PhD)
Faculty of Sciences and Technology, and Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Antero Abrunhosa (PhD)
ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Cristina Januário (MD, PhD)
Coimbra University Hospitals (CHUC), and Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Isabel Santana (MD, PhD)
Coimbra University Hospitals (CHUC), and Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
João Laranjinha (PhD)
Faculty of Pharmacy, and Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
John Jones (PhD)
Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Luís Pereira de Almeida (PhD)
Faculty of Pharmacy, and Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Michael Hayden (MD, PhD)
Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT), The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Miguel Castelo-Branco (MD, PhD)
IBILI and Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Rodrigo Cunha (PhD)
Faculty of Medicine, and Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Ruth Luthi-Carter (PhD)
College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
Sandrine Humbert (PhD)
Institut Curie, Orsay F-91405, France
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Selected Publications
Ribeiro M, Silva AC, Rodrigues J, Naia L, Rego AC. (2013) Oxidizing Effects of exogenous stressors in Huntington's disease knock-in striatal cells - protective effect of cystamine and creatine. Toxicol Sci. [Epub ahead of print]
Mota SI, Ferreira IL, Rego AC. (2013) Dysfunctional synapse in Alzheimer's disease - A focus on NMDA receptors. Neuropharmacology. [Epub ahead of print]
Silva AC, Almeida S, Laço M, Duarte AI, Domingues J, Oliveira CR, Januário C, Rego AC. (2013) Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity and bioenergetic alterations in human platelets derived from pre-symptomatic and symptomatic Huntington's disease carriers. Mitochondrion [Epub ahead of print]
Caldeira GL, Ferreira IL, Rego AC. (2013) Impaired transcription in Alzheimer's disease: key role in mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. J Alzheimers Dis. 34:115-31.(Review)
Ribeiro M, Rosenstock TR, Cunha-Oliveira T, Ferreira IL, Oliveira CR, Rego AC. (2012) Glutathione redox cycle dysregulation in Huntington's disease knock-in striatal cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 53:1857-67.
Read more
Laço MN, Cortes L, Travis SM, Paulson HL, Rego AC. Valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97) is an activator of wild-type ataxin-3. 2012 PLoS One.;7:e43563
Perfeito R, Cunha-Oliveira T, Rego AC. (2012) Revisiting oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease--resemblance to the effect of amphetamine drugs of abuse. Free Radic Biol Med. 53:1791-806.(Review)
Costa RO, Lacor PN, Ferreira IL, Resende R, Auberson YP, Klein WL, Oliveira CR, Rego AC, Pereira CM. (2012) Endoplasmic reticulum stress occurs downstream of GluN2B subunit of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor in mature hippocampal cultures treated with amyloid-β oligomers. Aging Cell. 11 :823-33.
Mota SI, Ferreira IL, Pereira C, Oliveira CR, Rego AC. (2012) Amyloid-beta peptide 1-42 causes microtubule deregulation through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in mature hippocampal cultures. Curr Alzheimer Res. 9:844-56.
Ferreira IL, Bajouco LM, Mota SI, Auberson YP, Oliveira CR, Rego AC. (2012) Amyloid beta peptide 1-42 disturbs intracellular calcium homeostasis through activation of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in cortical cultures. Cell Calcium. 51:95-106.
Laço MN, Oliveira CR, Paulson HL, Rego AC. (2012) Compromised mitochondrial complex II in models of Machado-Joseph disease. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1822:139-49.
Naia L, Ribeiro MJ, Rego AC. (2011) Mitochondrial and metabolic-based protective strategies in Huntington's disease: the case of creatine and coenzyme Q. Rev Neurosci. 23:13-28. (Review)
Duarte AI, Petit GH, Ranganathan S, Li JY, Oliveira CR, Brundin P, Björkqvist M, Rego AC. (2011) IGF-1 protects against diabetic features in an in vivo model of Huntington's disease. Exp Neurol. 231:314-9.
Rosenstock TR, de Brito OM, Lombardi V, Louros S, Ribeiro M, Almeida S, Ferreira IL, Oliveira CR, Rego AC. (2011) FK506 ameliorates cell death features in Huntington's disease striatal cell models. Neurochem Int. 59:600-9.
Ferreira IL, Cunha-Oliveira T, Nascimento MV, Ribeiro M, Proença MT, Januário C, Oliveira CR, Rego AC. (2011) Bioenergetic dysfunction in Huntington's disease human cybrids. Exp Neurol. 231:127-34.
Rosenstock TR, Duarte AI, Rego AC. (2010) Mitochondrial-associated metabolic changes and neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease - from clinical features to the bench. Curr Drug Targets. 11:1218-36. (Review)
Ferreira IL, Resende R, Ferreiro E, Rego AC, Pereira CF. (2010) Multiple defects in energy metabolism in Alzheimer's disease. Curr Drug Targets. 11:1193-206. (Review)
Ferreira IL, Nascimento MV, Ribeiro M, Almeida S, Cardoso SM, Grazina M, Pratas J, Santos MJ, Januário C, Oliveira CR, Rego AC. (2010) Mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in Huntington's disease human cybrids. Exp Neurol. 222:243-55.
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GROUP LEADER
A. Cristina Rego (Ph.D.)
Tenure Assistant Professor with ‘agregação’
Faculty of Medicine
University of Coimbra
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