Downstream processing development of enveloped viruses for clinical applications: innovative tools for rational process optimization

Dissertation presented to obtain a Ph.D. degree in Engineering and Technology Sciences, Biotechnology at the Instituto de Tecnologia Qu��mica e Biol��gica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Microencapsulation technology: a powerful tool for human embryonic stem cells expansion and cryopreservation

Dissertation presented to obtain a Master degree in Biotechnology at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ci��ncias e Tecnologia

New analytical methodologies for doping control ��� detection of anabolic androgenic steroids in human urine

Dissertation submitted to Faculdade de Ci��ncias e Tecnologia - Universidade Nova de Lisboa in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Biochemistry - Biotechnology)

Valorization of traditional portuguese apples and cherries: biochemical characterization and development of functional ingredients

Dissertation presented to obtain a Ph.D degree in Engineering and Technology Sciences, Biotechnology at the Instituto de Tecnologia Qu��mica e Biol��gica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Screening pentachlorophenol degradation ability by environmental fungal strains belonging to the phyla Ascomycota and Zygomycota

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) bioremediation by the fungal strains amongst the cork- colonising community has not yet been analysed. In this paper, the co- and direct metabolism of PCP by each of the 17 fungal species selected from this community were studied. Using hierarchical data analysis, the isolates were ranked by their PCP bioremediation potential. Fifteen isolates were able to degrade PCP under co-metabolic conditions, and surprisingly Chrysonilia sitophila, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Mucor plumbeus, Penicillium janczewskii and P. glandicola were able to directly metabolise PCP, leading to its complete depletion from media. PCP degradation intermediates are preliminarily discussed. Data emphasise the signiWcance of these fungi to have an interesting potential to be used in PCP bioremediation processes.

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

Thesis submitted to Faculdade de Ci��ncias 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

Hybrid systems biology: application to Escherichia coli

Dissertation presented to obtain a Master degree in Biotechnology

Modulation of inflammatory mediators by Opuntia ficus-indica and Prunus avium bioproducts using an in vitro cell-based model of intestinal inflammation

Dissertation to obtain a Master Degree in Biotechnology

Evaluation of Opuntia spp. bioactive products as promising natural chemotherapeutical agents- an in vitro approach

Dissertation to obtain a Master Degree in Biotechnology

A historical perspective and prospects of biomedical research on parasitic diseases

We all hope that biotechnology will answer some social and economical unavoidable requirements of the modern life. It is necessary to improve agriculture production, food abundance and health quality in a sustainable development. It is indeed a hard task to keep the progress on taking into account the rational use of genetic resources and the conservation of biodiversity. In this context, a historical perspective and prospects of the biomedical research on parasitic diseases is described in a view of three generations of investigators. This work begins with a picture of the scientific progress on biomedical research and human health over the last centuries. This black-and-white picture is painted by dissecting current advancements of molecular biology and modern genetics, which are outlined at the meaning of prospecting achievements in health science for this new millenium.

Natural antioxidants extraction and their incorporation into model pharmaceutical systems

Dissertation to obtain a Master Degree in Biotechnology

Expression of the human carboxylesterase 2 enzyme (CES2) in mammalian cells

Dissertation to obtain a Master Degree in Biotechnology

Utiliza����o da Nanotecnologia para o desenvolvimento sustent��vel na ind��stria agro-alimentar

O crescimento populacional esperado para os pr��ximos anos conduzir�� �� necessidade de aumentar a produ����o agr��cola de modo a satisfazer o aumento da procura. Nos ��ltimos anos tem-se assistido a uma evolu����o tecnol��gica nos sistemas de produ����o que tem permitido aumentar a produtividade agr��cola, por vezes �� custa de elevados consumos de energia e com pr��ticas nem sempre ambientalmente corretas. Os desafios que se colocam atualmente s��o no sentido de melhorar a conserva����o de recursos escassos, como o solo e a ��gua, de aumentar a efici��ncia de uso de fatores de produ����o, de encontrar novas culturas, do desenvolvimento da biotecnologia, da diminui����o dos consumos energ��ticos e de melhorar ainda mais as tecnologias associadas �� produ����o. De maneira a responder aos desafios emergentes da procura por alimentos, da escassez de terrenos agr��colas ar��veis bem como da exist��ncia de pragas de insetos e de ervas daninhas, os pesticidas tem vindo a ser usados com maior frequ��ncia, tendo-se assistido a uma contamina����o dos solos e ��guas subterr��neas, causando deste modo um risco para a sa��de dos seres vivos. Neste sentido, v��rios fabricantes de pesticidas est��o a desenvolver novas formula����es contendo pesticidas encapsulados em nanopart��culas como modo de aumentar a sua solubilidade em ��gua, biodisponibilidade, volatilidade, estabilidade e efic��cia. tendo por objetivo um desenvolvimento sustent��vel. Neste trabalho, procedeu-se ao estudo do encapsulamento do herbicida Oxadiargil (5-terc-butil-3-[2,4-dicloro-5-(2-propiniloxi)fenil]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-ona) com a 2-hidroxipropil-��-ciclodextrina (HP-��-CD). O estudo da forma����o do complexo de inclus��o Oxadiargil - HP-��-CD foi realizado em diferentes meios, ��gua desionizada, tamp��o acetato pH = 3,46 e pH = 5,34 e tamp��o fosfato pH = 7,45, com o objetivo de determinar e comparar a sua constante de estabilidade. Verificou-se, em qualquer dos casos, a ocorr��ncia de uma rela����o linear entre o aumento da solubilidade do Oxadiargil e o aumento da concentra����o de HP-��-CD, com um declive inferior a um, o que indicia a forma����o de um complexo na propor����o estequiom��trica de 1:1. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que o processo de complexa����o Oxadiargil - HP-��-CD n��o �� muito influenciado pela constitui����o e pelo pH do meio. De facto, as constantes de estabilidade obtidas para a ��gua desionizada e solu����es-tamp��o pH = 3,46, pH = 5,34 e pH = 7,45 foram de 919 �� 25, 685 �� 13, 623 �� 17 e 753 �� 9, respetivamente. A solubilidade do complexo obtido nos estudos realizados, em diferentes meios, �� cerca de 23 a 32 vezes superior �� observada para o Oxadiargil livre. De forma a caracterizar o complexo Oxadiargil - HP-��-CD procedeu-se �� sua s��ntese utilizando o m��todo de ���kneading���. O composto obtido foi caracterizado por Resson��ncia Magn��tica Nuclear (RMN) tendo-se confirmado a forma����o de um complexo de inclus��o na propor����o estequiom��trica de 1:1. O complexo obtido �� mais sol��vel e porventura mais est��vel quimicamente. O encapsulamento permite uma redu����o da aplica����o dos pesticidas diminuindo assim os custos e o impacto negativo no ambiente. Com a nanotecnologia �� poss��vel a liberta����o controlada dos pesticidas, aumentando a sua efic��cia e fornecendo os meios necess��rios para um desenvolvimento sustent��vel.

Crystallographic studies on two hyperthermophilic enzymes

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biochemistry

Postaerobic Exercise Blood Pressure Reduction in Very Old Persons With Hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A single bout of aerobic exercise acutely decreases blood pressure, even in older adults with hypertension. Nonetheless, blood pressure responses to aerobic exercise in very old adults with hypertension have not yet been documented. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of a single session of aerobic exercise on postexercise blood pressure in very old adults with hypertension. METHODS: Eighteen older adults with essential hypertension were randomized into exercise (N = 9, age: 83.4 �� 3.2 years old) or control (N = 9, age: 82.7 �� 2.5 years old) groups. The exercise group performed a session of aerobic exercise constituting 2 periods of 10 minutes of walking at an intensity of 40% to 60% of the heart rate reserve. The control group rested for the same period of time. Anthropometric variables and medication status were evaluated at baseline. Heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured at baseline, after exercise, and at 20 and 40 minutes postexercise. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure showed a significant interaction for group �� time (F3,24 = 6.698; P = .002; ��p = 0.153). In the exercise group, the systolic blood pressure at 20 (127.3 �� 20.9 mm Hg) and 40 minutes (123.7 �� 21.0 mm Hg) postexercise was significantly lower in comparison with baseline (135.6 �� 20.6 mm Hg). Diastolic blood pressure did not change. Heart rate was significantly higher after the exercise session. In the control group, no significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A single session of aerobic exercise acutely reduces blood pressure in very old adults with hypertension and may be considered an important nonpharmacological strategy to control hypertension in this age group.