New site

This is the group's new website:

http://sites.google.com/site/mitochondrialdysfunction/

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cell Death

The main purpose of our group is the study of basic mechanisms underlying selective neurodegeneration involving mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders. By accomplishing this, we hope to bring about new therapeutic strategies to neurodegenerative diseases.

The structure of group can be defined in terms of research interests. Here you can find a list of our ongoing research projects and its participants and funding.

1. MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION AND DISEASE

1.1 Polyglutamine expansion diseases

Research team: A. Cristina Rego (PhD), Catarina R. Oliveira (MD, PhD), Mário Laço (UC PhD stud.), Sandra Almeida (UC PhD)

Collaborators: David G. Nicholls and Lisa Ellerby (Buck Institute, Novato, CA, USA); Henry Paulson (Iowa University, Iowa, USA); Jorge Gonçalves (Fac. Pharm, Univ. Porto, PT); Patrícia Maciel (Minho University, PT) and Ana Luísa Carvalho (CNCB/UC).

1.1.1 FK-506 and BDNF neuroprotection in a mitochondrial model of Huntington’s disease – Sandra Almeida

1.1.2 Mitochondrial dysfunction and nuclear aggregation of expanded ataxin-3 in cell models of Machado-Joseph disease – Mário Laço

2. CELL DEGENERATION AND PROTECTION

2.1 oxidative stress

Research Team: A. Cristina Rego (PhD), Ana Duarte (PhD), Catarina R. Oliveira (MD, PhD), Rita Perfeito (PhD student), Sancha M. Santos (PhD)

Collaborators: João Bettencourt-Relvas and Jorge Pereira (Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland)

2.1.1 Insulin neuroprotection against neuronal oxidative stress – Ana Duarte

2.1.2 Oxidative lesion of oligodendrocytes and role of antioxidants – Rita Perfeito

2.2 Neurotoxicity of drugs of abuse

Research Team: A. Cristina Rego (PhD), Catarina R. Oliveira (MD, PhD), Teresa Cunha Oliveira (PhD)

Collaborators: Tice Macedo (FMED, UC), Fernanda Borges (Fac. Pharm, Univ. Porto, PT), Paula Marques (FCTUC, PT), Ana Paula Silva (FMED, UC).

3. NEURAL STEM CELL RESEARCH

Research Team: A. Cristina Rego (PhD), Ana C. Silva (UC PhD stud.), Catarina R. Oliveira (MD, PhD),

Collaborators: João Bettencourt-Relvas and Jorge Pereira (Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland), Luís Pereira de Almeida (CNCB/UC).

Future perspectives:

Study of neurodegeneration involving mitochondrial dysfunction and on neural stem cells therapy, using cell and animal models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Group Members:

Catarina Resende de Oliveira (Director of CNCB)

Ana Cristina Carvalho Rego (Head of the group)

Post-Docs

Ana Duarte, Teresa Oliveira, Sandra Almeida, I. Luísa Ferreira

PhD students:

Mário Laço, Rita Perfeito, Ana Cristina Silva, A. Catarina Oliveira, Susana Louros

Master students:

Maria Nascimento, Márcio Ribeiro

Undergraduate students:

Rui Costa

Membros

Ana Cristina Rego (PhD) - Group leader



A. Catarina Oliveira (PhD student)



Ana Cristina Silva (PhD student)




Ana Isabel Duarte (MSc, PhD)




I. Luísa Ferreira (PhD)


Maria Nascimento (MSc student)



Márcio Ribeiro (MSc student)





Mário Laço (PhD student)





Sandra Almeida (PhD)





Rita Perfeito (PhD student)



Rui Costa (Undergraduate student)



Teresa Cunha Oliveira (MSc, PhD)