The group works in close collaboration with the University Hospitals of Coimbra (CHUC), and performs research in both the basic biology of gametes and stem cells focusing on metabolism aspects, and translational projects related to Infertility, Assisted Reproduction and Fertility Preservation. The goal is to both understand the molecular mechanisms involved, and directly improve clinical procedures, including communicating with patients.
Research projects on the male side include the proteomics-based search for sperm biomarkers of unexplained infertility, and well as tools to monitor sperm quality. The group is also interested in the potential effect on male fertility of environmental contaminants that may act as endocrine disruptors, and in spermicide-based male contraception.
On the female side the two main projects involve using both human samples and animal models to perfect the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue for oncology patients, and molecular strategies to revert aging-related effects in oocytes.
The group also works on the metabolism of stem cells, and how the manipulation of metabolic pathways can modulate their behavior and properties, notably of pluripotent stem cells, with findings that may have relevance for embryo assessment in assisted reproduction.
Finally, the group is very involved in projects related to outreach, education and science communication activities, including co-creation initiatives specifically targeted to different audiences, focusing on issues related to metabolism-dependent aspects of human health.

Keywords

Metabolism

Infertility

Reproduction

Stem Cells

Outreach

Research Lines 

1 - Infertility and Gamete quality (PIs Sandra Amaral, Ana Paula Sousa)

2 - Fertility preservation (PIs Ana Paula Sousa, Teresa Almeida-Santos)

3 - Metabolism and Stem Cell fate (PI João Ramalho-Santos)

4 - Contraception, Endocrine disruptors and Fertility (PI Renata Tavares)

5 - Science Communication and Outreach (PIs Anabela Marisa Azul, João Ramalho-Santos)

Ongoing Research Projects 

STEM@REST: A novel pluripotency stem cell state and its promise in stem cell bioengineering. CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-028871. Euros. 2018-2021.

INFERTILY2EXPLAIN: In search of novel biomarkers for unexplained human male infertility. CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-028599. 2018-2021.

MERCK Oncofertility Project (CNC/CHUC) 2016-2020.

HealthyAging2020. CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000012-N2323. 2017-2020.

Testing of spermicidal formulations (INNOTHERA International) 2014-2020. 

External Collaborations 

João Arriscado Nunes (CES- UC) University of Coimbra, Portugal 
Artur Paiva, CHUC, Coimbra, Portugal
Vasco Almeida, University of Oporto, Portugal
Paula Macedo, Rogério Ribeiro; APDP, Portugal
Nicola Barnabo, University of Teramo, Italy
Alessandra Ferramosca, Giuseppe Maruccio, University of Salento, Italy
Rafael Oliva, University of Barcelona, Spain
Denis Wirtz, Johns Hopkins University, USA
Teresa Woodruff, Northwestern University, USA
Stefan Schlatt, University of Muenster, Germany

Funding Agencies 

• FCT
• EU
• MERCK
• Innotech International
• EIT-Health

Selected Publications 

Perestrelo, T, Correia M, Ramalho-Santos J* & Wirtz D* *co-corresponding authors (2018) Metabolic and mechanical cues in pluripotent stem cell fate. Trends in Cell Biology 28(12):1014-1029. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.09.005.

Tavares RS, Escada-Rebelo S, Silva AF, Sousa MI, Ramalho-Santos J, Amaral S (2018) Antidiabetic therapies and male reproductive function: where do we stand? Reproduction 155:R13-R37. doi: 10.1530/REP-17-0390. 

Correia M, Perestrelo T, Rodrigues AS, Ribeiro MF, Pereira SL, Sousa MI & Ramalho-Santos J (2017) Sirtuins in metabolism, stemness and differentiation. Biochim Biophys Acta, BBA- General Subjects 1861:3444-3455, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.09.008.

Tavares RS, Escada-Rebelo S, Correia M & Ramalho-Santos J. (2016). The non-genomic effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on mammalian sperm. Reproduction 151:R1-R13. doi: 10.1530/REP-15-0355.

Portela JM, Tavares RS, Mota PC, Ramalho-Santos J, Amaral S. (2015) High glucose concentrations per se do not adversely affect human sperm function in vitro. Reproduction. 150(1):77-84. doi: 10.1530/REP-15-0100.

Rodrigues AS, Correia M, Gomes A, Pereira SL, Perestrelo T, Sousa MI, Ramalho-Santos J. (2015) Dichloroacetate, the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex and the Modulation of mESC Pluripotency. PLoS One. 6;10(7):e0131663. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131663.

Tavares RS, Amaral S, Paiva C, Baptista M, Ramalho-Santos J. (2015) In vitro exposure to the organochlorine p,p'-DDE affects functional human sperm parameters. Chemosphere. 120:443-6. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.08.075. 

Varela Amaral S, Forte T, Ramalho-Santos J, Girão da Cruz MT. (2015) I Want More and Better Cells! - An Outreach Project about Stem Cells and Its Impact on the General Population. PLoS One. 10(7):e0133753. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133753. 

Amaral A, Paiva C, Attardo Parrinello C, Estanyol JM, Ballescà JL, Ramalho-Santos J, Oliva R. (2014) Identification of proteins involved in human sperm motility using high-throughput differential proteomics. J Proteome Res. 13(12):5670-84. doi: 10.1021/pr500652y

Tavares RS, Silva AF, Lourenço B, Almeida-Santos T, Sousa AP, Ramalho-Santos J. (2013) Evaluation of human sperm chromatin status after selection using a modified Diff-Quik stain indicates embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes following in vitro fertilization. Andrology. 1(6):830-7. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2013.00127.x.