Main achievements of the NatProMicro Research Group in 2022 were as follows:
a) Scientific qualification of endogenous products (plant extracts, thermal waters and fruits) as cosmetic ingredients, food supplements/preservatives, and potential drugs against infectious and inflammatory diseases, diabetes and prostate cancer ((doi:10.1016/j.ifset.2022.103077; ; doi:10.3390/nu14214576; doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114935; doi: 10.3390/molecules27103294; doi: 10.3390/molecules27185760), by combination of phytochemical analysis of extracts with their in vitro characterisation ((doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130503); safety and efficacy were studied using in vitro toxicity, bioaccessibility and bioavailability tests (doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.114232);
A strong translational perspective is reflected in collaborations with industry and entities (LABFIT-HPRD Lda, CERFUNDÃO, Termalistur) and registration of a national patent for food applications (PT115034);
b) Combined phenotypic, molecular and (meta)genomic approaches were successfully used to understand and control pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and fungi ((doi:10.3390/antibiotics11020146; doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10122409; doi: 10.3390/life12060838), as a useful asset for fighting infectious diseases.
Prizes and Awards
1) Joint publication merit award, 2021 edition, from the Faculty of Sciences for the scientific article: Cristiana Mateus, Rodrigo Martins, Ângelo Luís, Mónica Oleastro, Fernanda Domingues, Luísa Pereira, Susana Ferreira. (2021) Prevalence of Arcobacter: From farm to retail – A systematic review and meta-analysis. Food Control, 128, 108177.
2) “World’s Top 2% Scientists List”, study annually prepared by Stanford University USA (researcher Ângelo Luis).
3) Second prize for best poster awarded to the work “Cosmetics use during pregnancy: product advice”. Ana Rita Gama, Rute Soeiro, Ana Palmeira de Oliveira, José Martinez de Oliveira, Paulo Duarte e Rita Palmeira de Oliveira. VIII UBIPHARMA Annual Scientific Congress “From maternal to pediatric health: Pharmaceutical Challenges”. 4th-5th November 2022. UBI.
4) Third prize for best poster awarded to the work “Cosmetics use during pregnancy: changes in the habits of pregnant women”. Rute Soeiro, Ana Rita Gama, Ana Palmeira de Oliveira, José Martinez de Oliveira, Paulo Duarte e Rita Palmeira de Oliveira. VIII UBIPHARMA Annual Scientific Congress “From maternal to pediatric health: Pharmaceutical Challenges”. 4th-5th November 2022. UBI.