Development of 2-oxazoline-based hydrogels and porous polyester microparticles in scCO2

Thesis submitted to Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia from Universidade Nova de Lisboa in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the obtention of the degree of Master of Science in Biotechnology

Preparation of gas-filled porous microparticles (GPPs) and microbubbles (MBs) by PGSS method

Dissertation to obtain the Master Degree in Biotechnology

Development of chitosan-based microparticles for pulmonary drug delivery

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Química e Bioquímica

Dynamic and interaction of cytochrome c with Pf1 virus

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em BioOrgânica

Development of new methodologies in sample treatment for proteomics workflow based on enzymatic probe sonication technology and mass spectrometry

Thesis submitted to the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

Development of molecularly imprinted polymers using supercritical fluid technology

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Química Sustentável

Electrochemical characterization of Dps, a DNA-protecting protein

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia

Effects of UV radiation exposure on DNA and DNA repair enzymes

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia

A new CuZ active form in the catalytic reduction of N2O by nitrous oxide reductase from Pseudomonas nautica

J Biol Inorg Chem (2010) 15:967–976 DOI 10.1007/s00775-010-0658-6

Mediated catalysis of Paracoccus pantotrophus cytochrome c peroxidase by P. pantotrophus pseudoazurin: kinetics of intermolecular electron transfer

J Biol Inorg Chem (2007) 12:691–698 DOI 10.1007/s00775-007-0219-9

Development of oxidoreductase based electrochemical biosensors

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia

Acidogenic digestion of effluents of the cheese industry in packed bed biofilm reactors

Dissertation for the Master degree in Biotechnology

Development of an affinity pair “Tag-Receptor” for recombinant protein expression and purification

Dissertação apresentada para a obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia, pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Smart macroporous structures for the purification of viral particles

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Química e Bioquímica

Development of composite particles for pulmonary delivery

In this work, biocompatible and biodegradable poly(D-L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles with the potential for use as a controlled release system of vaccines and other drugs to the lung were manufactured using supercritical CO2, through the Supercritical Assisted Atomization (SAA) technique. After performing a controlled variance in production parameters (temperature, pressure, CO2/solution flow ratio) PLGA microparticles were characterized and later used to encapsulate active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was chosen as model protein and vaccine, while sildenafil was the chosen drug to treat pulmonary artery hypertension and their effect on the particles characteristics was evaluated. All the produced formulations were characterized in relation to their morphology (Morphologi G3 and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM)), to their physical-chemical properties (X-ray diffraction (XRD, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)) and aerodynamic performance using an in vitro aerosolization study – Andersen cascade impactor (ACI) - to obtain data such as the fine particle fraction (FPF) and the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD). Furthermore, pharmacokinetic, biodegradability and biocompatibility tests were performed in order to verify the particle suitability for inhalation. The resulting particles showed aerodynamic diameters between the 3 and 5 μm, yields up to 58% and FPF percentages rounding the 30%. Taken as a whole, the produced microparticles do present the necessary requests to make them appropriate for pulmonary delivery.