CBQF - Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry

🔬 “In recent years, microbes have been the key players in a revolution in health, agriculture, and industry. Portugal is at the forefront of this revolution, which is helping to remove waste and chemicals from the planet. Microorganisms, including bacteria, also bring hope to areas such as cancer treatment.” Featuring researcher Célia Manaia. Read the full article here 👇 #Microbiology #Biotechnology #Sustainability #HealthInnovation #Microbes #Science #Research #FutureOfScience #EnvironmentalScience #CancerResearch #BiotechRevolution #CBQF #ESB #UCP

💡 Ahead of International Women's Day, we celebrate the achievements of scientists and innovators who are transforming the world! CBQF’s researcher Débora Campos has been selected as a finalist in the EIT Women Leadership category of the 2025 European Prize for Women Innovators! As Founder and CEO of AgroGrIN Tech, Débora has pioneered an eco-friendly process to transform industrial fruit waste into functional food ingredients, contributing to a more sustainable and circular food system. 🌍 This prestigious award, jointly organized by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Innovation Council (EIC), recognizes women leading breakthrough innovations in deep-tech and STEM. 🏆 The winners will be announced at the EIC Summit on 3 April 2025. Congratulations, Débora! Your work is an inspiration for future women innovators. 🎉 ➡️ More info: https://lnkd.in/dS9fw5XP #WomenInScience #WomenInnovators #DeepTech #STEM #Innovation #FoodTech #Sustainability #Biotechnology #CBQF #ESB #UCP

CBQF research featured on the cover of Marine Drugs! ✨🔬 A study led by Marta Fernandez Cunha, Ezequiel Coscueta, María Emilia Brassesco , and Manuela Pintado at CBQF – Universidade Católica Portuguesa has been featured on the cover of Marine Drugs! The research, part of the FISHMUC project, explores the bioactive properties of the mucus from the Lusitanian toadfish (Halobatrachus didactylus). Using advanced computational methods and laboratory experiments, the team identified peptides with antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties, which could be valuable for applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and skincare.  🐟 This study highlights the potential of marine environments as a source of novel bioactive compounds that can benefit human health. It has also led to the granting of a patent (PT118365), an important step toward real-world applications. 🔗 Read the article at: https://lnkd.in/dmY_TPhq ➡️ More info: https://lnkd.in/da8iECdK #CBQF #MarineDrugs #Biotechnology #MarineBioactives #HealthInnovation #ScienceInAction #ESB #UCP

AgroGrIN Tech wins prestigious awards for sustainable food innovation! 🌱 AgroGrIN Tech, a start-up co-founded by Débora Campos, researcher at CBQF – Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry, has achieved outstanding recognition! 🥇 1st Prize at EIT Food Accelerator Network (EIT FAN) – Paris Hub (€50,000 funding) 💡 Women TechEU Beneficiary (€75,000 from the European Innovation Council) These awards highlight AgroGrIN Tech’s commitment to developing Clean Label food ingredients through sustainable and circular solutions. CBQF is proud to support researchers like Débora Campos, whose work is shaping the future of food innovation and sustainability. Congratulations to the entire AgroGrIN Tech team! 🌍 ➡️ More info: https://lnkd.in/dUYWXTkm #FoodInnovation #Sustainability #CleanLabel #CircularEconomy #AgroGrINTech #CBQF #ESB

CBQF celebrates researchers' achievements with diploma awards 🏆 On January 16, CBQF honored the outstanding achievements of its researchers with a special diploma awards ceremony. Recognizing excellence at Junior, Intermediate, and Senior levels, the event highlighted above-average productivity and scientific contributions across different career stages. In her remarks, CBQF Director Manuela Pintado emphasized the value of recognition: "By acknowledging and celebrating these achievements, we aim to inspire and encourage continued innovation and dedication to advancing science, as well as to promote our researchers' careers." At CBQF, we believe that fostering a culture of recognition and motivation is key to driving impactful research. Congratulations to all awardees! 👏🎉 ➡️ More info: https://lnkd.in/gEdpQXMy #CBQF #ResearchExcellence #ScienceLeadership #Innovation #Biotechnology

Inspiring Future Scientists at Colégio Horizonte 👩🔬 On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, CBQF researchers - our Women in Science - are at Colégio Horizonte, an all female school, engaging young students in exciting, hands-on experiments! 🔬 Through interactive activities in microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, biomedical sciences, and food sensory analysis, we aim to spark curiosity and highlight the many possibilities in STEM careers. The initiative began with a simple challenge: “Draw a scientist.” Despite not knowing yet which date they were celebrating, the majority of the girls intuitively drew a "Female Scientist", a reality that is quite common in single-sex schools, where boys and girls are encouraged to be whatever they can be with now gender conditioning. By the end of the experimental session, after exploring the wonders of science, students will draw again – this time with a whole new perspective! At CBQF, we believe that inspiring young minds today means shaping a more diverse and inclusive scientific community tomorrow. 💡 #WomenInScience #STEMEducation #FutureScientists #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience #CBQF #ESB

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 🔬 Science transforms the world – and today we celebrate the Women and Girls who drive the transformation forward! At Escola Superior de Biotecnologia da Universidade Católica Portuguesa, young researchers learn, experiment, and create solutions for a safer and sustainable planet. Margarida Neves Oliveira, a 12th grade student at Colégio Internato dos Carvalhos, considers that "Science is of great importance in my life. It is with it that I increase my knowledge about the world." At the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), we provide unique research opportunities in essential areas such as food safety, sustainability, and public health. The future of science is being written today, with the talent and curiosity of young people like Margarida. #WomenInScience #GirlsInSTEM #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience #STEMPower #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInResearch #FutureOfScience #ScienceForSustainability #STEMeducation #YoungResearchers #WomenInBiotech #ScienceForChange #EmpoweringWomenInScience #WomenInInnovation #STEMInnovation #ESB #CBQF

Safety First at CBQF! 🔬 On January 29, CBQF and ESB hosted Safety Day Biotecnologia, engaging researchers, students, and staff in a hands-on approach to laboratory safety. This year’s event empowered participants to take an active role in safety audits, fostering awareness and a proactive mindset in risk prevention. Throughout the day: ✅ Participants conducted lab safety audits using structured checklists ✅ Findings were presented and discussed in an open forum ✅ The Health & Safety Team and Safety Committee provided on-the-ground support By reinforcing safety culture through active participation, CBQF and ESB continue to ensure a safe and responsible research environment. 🧪🔍 ➡️ More info: https://lnkd.in/gHP_qAGq #SafetyCulture #LabSafety #CBQF #ESB #Biotechnology #ResearchSafety

Join us in celebrating World Food Safety Day with CATALYSE! 🌍 CATALYSE is a Horizon Europe project aiming to promote the implementation of new innovative solutions for food safety to solve the real needs of end-users in the food supply chain. Over the past year, the CATALYSE has actively organized initiatives focusing on food safety innovations and has gathered valuable insights into the needs and priorities of the food safety community. With this wealth of engagement, we are excited to officially launch the Community of Practice to all stakeholders, on 5th June 2025, in a free in person event dedicated to celebrating World Food Safety Day. 📅 Event Date: June 5th, 2025 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM 📍 Location: Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal This free, in-person event will feature insightful discussions from top speakers and innovators who will present cutting-edge developments in food safety. 🔗 Register now and be part of the future of food safety: https://lnkd.in/dkN7Ftkx It will feature a lineup of speakers and innovators discussing the latest ideas and developments in food safety. If you are interested in participating, please register here. Additional details, including the agenda, will be shared in due course. We look forward to your participation as we foster innovation and collaboration in global food safety.🌐 ➡️ More info: https://lnkd.in/d8ZA2FfG #WorldFoodSafetyDay #FoodSafetyInnovation #CATALYSE #CBQF #HorizonEurope

📢 CBQF at the CROSSPATHS Cross-Border Workshop in Poland CBQF researchers recently participated in the first CROSSPATHS cross-border workshop in Olsztyn, Poland, organized by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (InLife). Ana Paulo, Eduardo Costa, and Emilia Brassesco represented CBQF in discussions focused on leveraging ERDF investments and strengthening regional participation in Horizon Europe projects through a quadruple-helix approach. Alongside partners from Estonia (EMU) and The Netherlands (WUR), the CBQF team engaged with local government and industry leaders, exploring smart specialization strategies in the agri-food sector. The event highlighted the importance of aligning regional strategies with European innovation initiatives, fostering stronger connections between science, policy, business, and consumers. Additionally, CBQF researchers attended a Grant Writing training led by WUR experts, gaining key insights into successful proposal writing and consortium building for Horizon Europe funding. 🔎 What is CROSSPATHS? The Crosspaths project connects research institutions from Poland, Estonia, and Portugal, aiming to enhance management and research skills for greater success in European R&I projects. Running until April 2026, CROSSPATHS will organize staff training, research initiatives, and international events to drive innovation in the European food system. ➡️ More info: https://lnkd.in/dSJNMsdR #CBQF #CROSSPATHS #EUInnovation #HorizonEurope #AgriFood #ResearchFunding