PROJECTS
PROJECT DETAILS:
A) Improved Dendritic cell-based vaccines for cancer treatment:
Aim: To identify the role of glycans expressed by human dendritic cells and use glycoengineering to improve dendritic cell based vaccines.
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B) Glycans involved in haematogenous cell migration:
Aim: To identify the role of glycans expressed by human dendritic cells and cancer cells that contribute to transendothelial migration.
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C) Bispecific antibodies for breast cancer treatment:
Aim: To develop therapeutics to treat breast cancer that specifically target cancer cells, and simultaneously engage patient’s immune system to kill these tumor cells.
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D) Host-pathogen interaction - In vitro model based on human dendritic cell functions:
Aim: to address mechanisms of immune evasion by bacteria.
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E) In vivo model of skin/ surgery infection using immunocompetent rats:
Aim: to compare bacteria growth in skin or surgical wounds, to compare immune response after evasion, to test anti-microbial drugs and drug-delivery systems. and
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F) SARS-CoV-2 in vitro assays - role of glycans in infection and as therapeutic targets:
Aim: understand the role of glycans in SARS-CoV-2 infection and the possibility of using glycan-based approaches to counterattack this infection. A) evaluate S protein anti-glycan antibodies and nutraceutical glycans to neutralized SARS-CoV-2. B) characterize the glycosylation profile of SARS-CoV-2 S protein after synthesis in cells with aberrant glycosylation (cancer cells and CDG patient-derived cells), as well as to test the SARS-CoV-2 infectivity rates in these cells, using a viral vector coated with the S protein.
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G) ProDGNE - Novel therapeutic approaches to target GNE myopathy - Horizon 2020 EJP RD Joint Transnational
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H) FCT, RESEARCH 4 COVID-19: "GLYCOVID19 - Testing existing glycan-based drugs to neutralize SARS-CoV-2"
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I) Women in Entrepreneurship Roadshow, Lisbon 2019
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J) DCMatters Project
The DCMatters project aims to study an innovative therapeutic approach based on the combination of dendritic cell (DC) vaccine together with immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as inhibition of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint, as first-line therapy in patients with solid malignancies. An in silico approach will be explored by building machine learning classification models to predict the inhibition of PD-1/PD-L1 which subsequently are going to be applied to a library of off patent small molecules and approved drugs. These virtual hits will be prioritized using computer-aided drug design softwares which afterwards will be validated in vitro, in order to optimize the DCs maturation with the aim of increasing the potential of DCs to activate T-cells and therefore increase T-cell antitumor activity.
This project is part of the studies of the Glycoimmunology group, which has stood out with publications and projects on the mechanisms controlling the maturation of dendritic cells and their antitumor activity, developing technologies to improve their application as anti-cancer vaccines.
Co Promoters:
Stemmatters - Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine S.A
Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto Francisco Gentil (IPO) - EPE
NOVA School of Science and Technology - NOVA University Lisbon
CINTESIS / FMUP
Researchers FCT-NOVA:
Paula Videira, DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Florbela Pereira, DQ - Departamento de Química
Jaime Mota, DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida
João Aires de Sousa, DQ - Departamento de Química
João Almeida, DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida
José Sampaio, DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Margarida Braga, DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Patricia Sobral, DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Vanessa Luz, DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida
use
glycoengineering to improve dendritic cell based vaccines.