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In Press
Santos, Â, Rodrigues B, Otero V, Vilarigues M.  In Press.  The colour of moving images: reconstructing Winsor & Newton 19th-century watercolours for Magic Lantern glass painting. 8th Interim Meeting of the ICOM-CC Art Technological Source Research Working Group. , Cologne, Germany, 26-27 September 2019.
2025
Gil, P, Almeida PL, Godinho MH, Almeida APC.  2025.  The Clear Choice: Developing Transparent Cork for Next-Generation Sustainable Materials. Macromol. 5(2):17.
Saif, HM, Crespo JG, Pawlowski S.  2025.  Can 3D-printed flow electrode gaskets replace CNC-milled graphite current collectors in flow capacitive deionization? Desalination. 597:118362. AbstractWebsite

As billions of people suffer from water scarcity, finding sustainable water resources is imperative. Flow capacitive deionization (FCDI) is a highly promising desalination process that can produce clean water from saline streams such as brackish and seawater. Conventional FCDI systems employ Computerised Numerical Control (CNC)-milled graphite plates that serve as current collectors and flow electrode channels. However, they have drawbacks such as high manufacturing costs, waste generation, and the difficulty of producing complex geometries required for efficient flow electrode mixing. Here, we successfully demonstrate that 3D-printed flow electrode gaskets, made of non-conductive polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G) or a carbon black-infused conductive polylactic acid (PLA), are viable alternatives to traditional graphite plates. In specific cases, the desalination and energy efficiency in FCDI cells with 3D-printed conductive gaskets were even 25 % and 10 % higher, respectively, compared to traditional CNC-milled current collectors. The transition to 3D printing offers notable benefits, such as the competence to fabricate complex designs that enhance internal mixing and charge percolation. This innovation represents a change of paradigm in the way FCDI cells should be designed and manufactured, using additive manufacturing, which represents an efficient, scalable, and cost-effective substitute for the conventional approach, contributing therefore for the advancement of FCDI desalination technology.

2024
Ribeiro, DO, Bonnardel F, Palma AS, Carvalho ALM, Perez S.  2024.  CBMcarb-DB: interface of the three-dimensional landscape of carbohydrate-binding modules, 2024/06/26. Carbohydrate Chemistry: Chemical and Biological Approaches Volume 46. 46(Pilar Rauter, Amélia, Queneau, Yves, Palma, Angelina Sá, Eds.).: Royal Society of Chemistry Abstract

Carbohydrate-binding-modules (CBMs) are discrete auxiliary protein modules with a non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding function and that exhibit a great diversity of binding specificities. CBMcarb-DB is a curated database that classifies the three-dimensional structures of CBM–carbohydrate complexes determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods and solution NMR spectroscopy. We designed the database architecture and the navigation tools to query the database with the Protein Data Bank (PDB), UniProtKB, and GlyTouCan (universal glycan repository) identifiers. Special attention was devoted to describing the bound glycans using simple graphical representation and numerical format for cross-referencing to other glycosciences and functional data databases. CBMcarb-DB provides detailed information on CBMs and their bound oligosaccharides and features their interactions using several open-access applications. We also describe how the curated information provided by CBMcarb-DB can be integrated with AI algorithms of 3D structure prediction, facilitating structure–function studies. Also in this chapter, we discuss the exciting convergence of CBMcarb-DB with the glycan array repository, which serves as a valuable resource for investigating the specific binding interactions between glycans and various biomolecular targets. The interaction of the two fields represents a significant milestone in glycosciences. CBMcarb-DB is freely available at https://cbmdb.glycopedia.eu/ and https://cbmcarb.webhost.fct.unl.pt.

Henriques, JT, Carmo C, Marques A, Ferreira I, Baptista A.  2024.  Carbon threads supercapacitors for washable e-textile applications: configurations and electrochemical performance. ACS Applied Engineering Materials. 2:415-421.
do Carmo, CC, Brito M, Oliveira JP, Marques A, Ferreira I, Baptista A.  2024.  Cellulose Acetate and Polycaprolactone Fibre Coatings on Medical-Grade Metal Substrates for Controlled Drug Release. Polymers 2024. 16(14)
Choroba, K, Machura B, Erfurt K, Casimiro {AR}, Cordeiro S, Baptista {PV}, Fernandes {AR}.  2024.  Copper(II) Complexes with 2,2′:6′,2″-Terpyridine Derivatives Displaying Dimeric Dichloro−μ-Bridged Crystal Structure: Biological Activities from 2D and 3D Tumor Spheroids to In Vivo Models. Journal Of Medicinal Chemistry. 67:5813–5836., Number 7: ACS - American Chemical Society Abstract

Eight 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines, substituted at the 4′-position with aromatic groups featuring variations in π-conjugation, ring size, heteroatoms, and methoxy groups, were employed to enhance the antiproliferative potential of [Cu2Cl2(R-terpy)2](PF6)2. Assessing the cytotoxicity in A2780 (ovarian carcinoma), HCT116 (colorectal carcinoma), and HCT116DoxR (colorectal carcinoma resistant to doxorubicin) and normal primary fibroblasts revealed that Cu(II) complexes with 4-quinolinyl, 4-methoxy-1-naphthyl, 2-furanyl, and 2-pyridynyl substituents showed superior therapeutic potential in HCT116DoxR cells with significantly reduced cytotoxicity in normal fibroblasts (42-129× lower). Besides their cytotoxicity, the Cu(II) complexes are able to increase intracellular ROS and interfere with cell cycle progression, leading to cell death by apoptosis and autophagy. Importantly, they demonstrated antimetastatic and antiangiogenic properties without in vivo toxicity. In accordance with their nuclear accumulation, the Cu(II) complexes are able to cleave pDNA and interact with bovine serum albumin, which is a good indication of their ability for internalization and transport toward tumor cells.

2023
Amendoeira, {AF }, Luz A, Valente R, Roma-Rodrigues C, Ali H, {van Lier} {JE }, Marques F, Baptista {PV}, Fernandes {AR}.  2023.  Cell Uptake of Steroid-BODIPY Conjugates and Their Internalization Mechanisms: Cancer Theranostic Dyes, feb. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24, Number 4: MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute Abstract

Estradiol-BODIPY linked via an 8-carbon spacer chain and 19-nortestosterone- and testosterone-BODIPY linked via an ethynyl spacer group were evaluated for cell uptake in the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 and prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and LNCaP, as well as in normal dermal fibroblasts, using fluorescence microscopy. The highest level of internalization was observed with 11β-OMe-estradiol-BODIPY 2 and 7α-Me-19-nortestosterone-BODIPY 4 towards cells expressing their specific receptors. Blocking experiments showed changes in non-specific cell uptake in the cancer and normal cells, which likely reflect differences in the lipophilicity of the conjugates. The internalization of the conjugates was shown to be an energy-dependent process that is likely mediated by clathrin- and caveolae-endocytosis. Studies using 2D co-cultures of cancer cells and normal fibroblasts showed that the conjugates are more selective towards cancer cells. Cell viability assays showed that the conjugates are non-toxic for cancer and/or normal cells. Visible light irradiation of cells incubated with estradiol-BODIPYs 1 and 2 and 7α-Me-19-nortestosterone-BODIPY 4 induced cell death, suggesting their potential for use as PDT agents.

Moniz, M, Carmo J, Sequeira I, Rafique A, Ferreira I, Baptista A.  2023.  Carbon Yarn Coated with PEDOT:PSS for Flexible Supercapacitors: Exploring Electrospray Process, 3-6 July. 16th International Symposium on Flexible Organic Electronics. , Thessaloniki, Greece
Baptista, A, Rafique A, Moniz M, Sequeira I, Carmo J, Ferreira I.  2023.  Cellulose-based supercapacitors, 11-12 May. 1st Iberian Symposium on Functional Organic Polymers. , Aveiro, Portugal
Veiga, H, Jousselin A, Schaeper S, Marques LB, Reed P, Saraiva BM, Wilton J, Filipe SR, Pinho MG.  2023.  Cell division protein FtsK coordinates bacterial chromosome segregation and daughter cell separation. EMBO J. 42:e112140.
Teixeira, FC, Teixeira APS, Rangel CM.  2023.  Chemical stability of new nafion membranes doped with bisphosphonic acids under Fenton oxidative conditions. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 48(96):37489-37499.
Pimenta, AI, Paquete CM, Morgado L, Edwards MJ, Clarke TA, Salgueiro CA, Pereira IAC, Duarte AG.  2023.  Characterization of the inner membrane cytochrome ImcH from Geobacter reveals its importance for extracellular electron transfer and energy conservation. Protein Science. 32:e4796., Number 11 AbstractWebsite

Abstract Electroactive bacteria combine the oxidation of carbon substrates with an extracellular electron transfer (EET) process that discharges electrons to an electron acceptor outside the cell. This process involves electron transfer through consecutive redox proteins that efficiently connect the inner membrane to the cell exterior. In this study, we isolated and characterized the quinone-interacting membrane cytochrome c ImcH from Geobacter sulfurreducens, which is involved in the EET process to high redox potential acceptors. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies show that ImcH hemes have low midpoint redox potentials, ranging from −150 to −358 mV, and connect the oxidation of the quinol-pool to EET, transferring electrons to the highly abundant periplasmic cytochrome PpcA with higher affinity than to its homologues. Despite the larger number of hemes and transmembrane helices, the ImcH structural model has similarities with the NapC/NirT/NrfH superfamily, namely the presence of a quinone-binding site on the P-side of the membrane. In addition, the first heme, likely involved on the quinol oxidation, has apparently an unusual His/Gln coordination. Our work suggests that ImcH is electroneutral and transfers electrons and protons to the same side of the membrane, contributing to the maintenance of a proton motive force and playing a central role in recycling the menaquinone pool.

Luís, MP, Pereira IS, Bugalhão JN, Simões CN, Mota C, Romão MJ, Mota LJ.  2023.  The Chlamydia trachomatis IncM Protein Interferes with Host Cell Cytokinesis, Centrosome Positioning, and Golgi Distribution and Contributes to the Stability of the Pathogen-Containing Vacuole. Infection and Immunity. 91:e00405-22., Number 4 AbstractWebsite

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes ocular and urogenital infections in humans. The ability of C. trachomatis to grow intracellularly in a pathogen-containing vacuole (known as an inclusion) depends on chlamydial effector proteins transported into the host cell by a type III secretion system. Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes ocular and urogenital infections in humans. The ability of C. trachomatis to grow intracellularly in a pathogen-containing vacuole (known as an inclusion) depends on chlamydial effector proteins transported into the host cell by a type III secretion system. Among these effectors, several inclusion membrane proteins (Incs) insert in the vacuolar membrane. Here, we show that human cell lines infected by a C. trachomatis strain deficient for Inc CT288/CTL0540 (renamed IncM) displayed less multinucleation than when infected by IncM-producing strains (wild type or complemented). This indicated that IncM is involved in the ability of Chlamydia to inhibit host cell cytokinesis. The capacity of IncM to induce multinucleation in infected cells was shown to be conserved among its chlamydial homologues and appeared to require its two larger regions predicted to be exposed to the host cell cytosol. C. trachomatis-infected cells also displayed IncM-dependent defects in centrosome positioning, Golgi distribution around the inclusion, and morphology and stability of the inclusion. The altered morphology of inclusions containing IncM-deficient C. trachomatis was further affected by depolymerization of host cell microtubules. This was not observed after depolymerization of microfilaments, and inclusions containing wild-type C. trachomatis did not alter their morphology upon depolymerization of microtubules. Overall, these findings suggest that IncM may exert its effector function by acting directly or indirectly on host cell microtubules.

Oliveira, {BB }, Costa B, Morão B, Faias S, Veigas B, Pereira {LP}, Albuquerque C, Maio R, Cravo M, Fernandes {AR}, Baptista {PV}.  2023.  Combining the amplification refractory mutation system and high-resolution melting analysis for KRAS mutation detection in clinical samples. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 415:2849–2863., Number 14: Springer Abstract

The success of personalized medicine depends on the discovery of biomarkers that allow oncologists to identify patients that will benefit from a particular targeted drug. Molecular tests are mostly performed using tumor samples, which may not be representative of the tumor’s temporal and spatial heterogeneity. Liquid biopsies, and particularly the analysis of circulating tumor DNA, are emerging as an interesting means for diagnosis, prognosis, and predictive biomarker discovery. In this study, the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) coupled with high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) was developed for detecting two of the most relevant KRAS mutations in codon 12. After optimization with commercial cancer cell lines, KRAS mutation screening was validated in tumor and plasma samples collected from patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and the results were compared to those obtained by Sanger sequencing (SS) and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). The developed ARMS-HRMA methodology stands out for its simplicity and reduced time to result when compared to both SS and ddPCR but showing high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of mutations in tumor and plasma samples. In fact, ARMS-HRMA scored 3 more mutations compared to SS (tumor samples T6, T7, and T12) and one more compared to ddPCR (tumor sample T7) in DNA extracted from tumors. For ctDNA from plasma samples, insufficient genetic material prevented the screening of all samples. Still, ARMS-HRMA allowed for scoring more mutations in comparison to SS and 1 more mutation in comparison to ddPCR (plasma sample P7). We propose that ARMS-HRMA might be used as a sensitive, specific, and simple method for the screening of low-level mutations in liquid biopsies, suitable for improving diagnosis and prognosis schemes. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

2022
Alves, R, Rodrigues J, Ramou E, Palma S, Roque A, Gamboa H.  2022.  Classification of Volatile Compounds with Morphological Analysis of e-nose Response, Feb. Proceedings of the 15th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies - BIOSIGNALS. :31–39.: Scitepress AbstractPDF

Electronic noses (e-noses) mimic human olfaction, by identifying Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). This
work presents a novel approach that successfully classifies 11 known VOCs using the signals generated by
sensing gels in an in-house developed e-nose. The proposed signals’ analysis methodology is based on the
generated signals’ morphology for each VOC since different sensing gels produce signals with different shapes
when exposed to the same VOC. For this study, two different gel formulations were considered, and an average
f1-score of 84% and 71% was obtained, respectively. Moreover, a standard method in time series classification
was used to compare the performances. Even though this comparison reveals that the morphological approach
is not as good as the 1-nearest neighbour with euclidean distance, it shows the possibility of using descriptive
sentences with text mining techniques to perform VOC classification.

Baptista, A.  2022.  Cellulose-based energy storage devices, 20th July. International Summer School “BEST Summer Course on Technology”. , Almada: BEST Group Almada
Reljic, S, Cuadrado-Collados C, Farrando-Perez J, Jardim EO, Martinez-Escandell M, Silvestre-Albero J.  2022.  Carbon-based monoliths with improved thermal and mechanical properties for methane storage. Fuel. 324(124753)
Faria, J, Dionísio B, Soares I, Baptista AC, Marques A, Gonçalves L, Bettencourt A, Baleizão C, Ferreira I.  2022.  Cellulose acetate fibres loaded with daptomycin for metal implant coatings. Carbohydrate Polymers. 276:118733.
da Rosa, RR, Silva PES, Saraiva DV, Kumar A, de Sousa AMP, Sebastião P, Fernandes SN, Godinho MH.  2022.  Cellulose Nanocrystal Aqueous Colloidal Suspensions: Evidence of Density Inversion at the Isotropic-liquid Crystal Phase Transition. Advanced Materials. n/a:2108227., Number n/a AbstractWebsite

Abstract The colloidal suspensions of aqueous cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are known to form liquid crystalline systems above certain critical concentrations. From an isotropic phase; tactoid formation; growth; and sedimentation have been determined as the genesis of a high-density cholesteric phase; which after drying; originates solid iridescent films. Herein; we report the coexistence of a liquid crystal upper phase and an isotropic bottom phase in CNC aqueous suspensions at isotropic-nematic phase separation for the first time. Furthermore; isotropic spindle-like domains are observed in the low-density liquid crystalline phase; and high-density liquid crystalline phases are also prepared. The CNCs isolated from the low- and high-density liquid crystalline phases are found to have similar average lengths; diameters; and surface charges. The existence of a liquid crystalline low-density phase is explained by the presence of air dissolved in the water present within the CNCs. The air dissolves out when the water solidifies into ice and remains within the CNCs. The self-adjustment of the cellulose chain conformation enables the entrapment of air within the CNCs and CNC buoyancy in aqueous suspensions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Shlapa, Y, Solopan S, Sarnatskaya V, Siposova K, Garcarova I, Veltruska K, Timashkov I, Lykhova O, Kolesnik D, Musatov A, Nikolaev V, Belous A.  2022.  Cerium dioxide nanoparticles synthesized via precipitation at constant pH: Synthesis, physical-chemical and antioxidant properties. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerface. 220(112960 )
Moniz, AB, Candeias M, Boavida NFFG.  2022.  Changes in productivity and labour relations: artificial intelligence in the automotive sector in Portugal. Int. J. Automotive Technology and Management. :1-23.2022_ijatm-98457_tafpv.pdf
Moniz, AB, Candeias M, Boavida N.  2022.  Changes in productivity and labour relations: artificial intelligence in the automotive sector in Portugal. Int. J. Automotive Technology and Management. 22(2):222–244.Website
https://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/5.0098145.  2022.  Characterization and modeling of resistive switching phenomena in IGZO devices. AIP Advances. 12(8)
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