Metabolic engineering with multi-objective optimization of kinetic models

Kinetic models have a great potential for metabolic engineering applications. They can be used for testing which genetic and regulatory modifications can increase the production of metabolites of interest, while simultaneously monitoring other key functions of the host organism. This work presents a methodology for increasing productivity in biotechnological processes exploiting dynamic models. It uses multi-objective dynamic optimization to identify the combination of targets (enzymatic modifications) and the degree of up- or down-regulation that must be performed in order to optimize a set of pre-defined performance metrics subject to process constraints. The capabilities of the approach are demonstrated on a realistic and computationally challenging application: a large-scale metabolic model of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO), which are used for antibody production in a fed-batch process. The proposed methodology manages to provide a sustained and robust growth in CHO cells, increasing productivity while simultaneously increasing biomass production, product titer, and keeping the concentrations of lactate and ammonia at low values. The approach presented here can be used for optimizing metabolic models by finding the best combination of targets and their optimal level of up/down-regulation. Furthermore, it can accommodate additional trade-offs and constraints with great flexibility.

Behavior-based price discrimination in a multi-dimensional preferences market

NIPE WP 04/ 2016

Development of a novel aptamer-based multi-sensor device for the detection of osteopontin

Doctoral Dissertation for PhD degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering

Characterization of late antique and early medieval pottery production of the city of Braga and its territory

The fundamental goal we set ourselves when developing this study is to try to characterize, both technically and formally, ceramics made in the city of Braga and its territory from the initial moments of the Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages. Thus, we will focus on analyzing some own productions that appear attached to the phases of late antique occupation —ceramics of red engobes and late gray—, as well as in the early medieval containers identified in different archaeological interventions practiced in the Braga environment. Concretely, we will analyze the material from various excavations conducted recently at the Theatre in the solar number 20/28 and 36/56 from the Afonso Henriques Street and the former District Hostel as well as the church of São Martinho de Dume.

Noise mapping for an urban area: study case: old city of Damascus, Syria

Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia Urbana

Optimização do processo de recolha de resíduos: desenvolvimento de ferramentas de investigação operacional para o problema de orientação de equipas com multi-restrições

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Industrial e de Sistemas.