Cell Signaling and Metabolism in Disease

This Group integrates researchers with extensive know-how in energy metabolism, particularly glucose and mitochondrial metabolism, cell quality control mechanisms, programmed cell death and inflammatory processes, which will allow a more in-depth perspective of the scientific questions. The objective of the Group is to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in metabolic, inflammatory and brain disorders such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Bipolar diseases with potential applications in the diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy using mitochondria, cell lines, primary cell cultures, mouse models of disease and human samples as experimental models. Basic research is used for biomarker identification and drug development, which is indicative of the translational value of our research group. Our know-how, together with our (inter)national collaborations, give us the tools needed for the development of translational approaches that may accelerate the bench to bedside knowledge transference.

Research Lines

Metabolism, Mitochondria and Hormones in Brain Disorders
(P.I. Paula I. Moreira)

Mitochondrial Signaling in Neurodegeneration (mitSiN)
(P.I. Sandra Morais Cardoso)

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress Response and ER-Mitochondria Axis
(P.I. Cláudia M.F. Pereira)

β-Secretase-related Cellular Signaling and Therapeutics in Aging Disorders
(P.I. Armanda Santos)

Innate immunity in inflammation-related diseases
(P.I. Teresa Cruz Rosete)