CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering

Promoting #skin health with #natural solutions! The #ValBioDerm Project, supported by CEB's Intramural Funding programme, aims to explore the potential of #prebiotic biosurfactants produced by lactic bacteria in #cosmetic product formulations. Skin aesthetics and well-being are fundamental indicators of quality of life in today's society, and using these compounds could be an effective approach to correct imbalances in the skin #microbiota. Why? They offer superior properties compared to conventional chemical surfactants, including enhanced antimicrobial, anti-adhesive, and emulsifying capacities. The research aims to validate the efficacy of these #biosurfactants to enable their integration into the cosmetics sector, specifically for #dermal applications. Learn more here: www.lkme.pt/4FiBl

Do you hold a #Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Chemical and Biological Engineering, or related fields and are looking for a new challenge to support #sustainability? Then take note of this opportunity! The Centre of Biological Engineering is accepting applications for a Research #Grant within the project "#ESSEntial – Establishing sustainable #bioproduction of #lactones from metabolic engineering of industrial cell factory systems: Ashbya gossypii." This initiative aims to revolutionise the #food and #cosmetic industries by making them more environmentally friendly and economically competitive. This transformation will be achieved by redirecting the #genetic code of the fungus #Ashbya gossypii to sustainably and efficiently convert sugars into lactones. Applications are open until 11 November. Find all the details here: www.lkme.pt/zFsJG

CEB participates in #Circularity Week, promoted by the Municipality of Braga! Researcher Lucília Domingues, from the Centre of Biological Engineering, visited Gualtar Primary School, in Braga, Portugal, to present the #ESSEntial Project, which aims to use Ashbya gossypii, a filamentous #fungus known for producing vitamin B2, to make the #food and #cosmetics industries more #environmentally friendly. This activity is part of Circularity Week, an initiative encompassing several actions in collaboration with different entities to highlight the role of the circular #economy as an effective tool for mitigating climate change and #biodiversity loss. Through research projects like this, the Centre actively contributes to creating innovative #solutions for a greener, more #sustainable future!

Improving drinking #water quality by understanding the interactions between #bacteria and #fungi. This is the main objective of the #BacFunBio Project, which receives support from CEB's Intramural Funding Programme. The research focuses on the presence of #biofilms, communities of microorganisms with a high degree of organisation, in #drinking water distribution systems. Although bacteria are the dominant microbial population, filamentous fungi also appear in significant numbers, contributing to the #deterioration of this valuable resource. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate the formation and behaviour of these inter-kingdom biofilms is, therefore, fundamental to improving existing control #strategies and creating more effective alternatives that ensure water #safety. The project aims to uncover the role of interactions between bacteria and fungi, as well as to analyse alternative #disinfectants. Learn more here: www.lkme.pt/RaIvZ

Fungi as allies of #Biotechnology and #Bioengineering! Do you know what Applied #Mycology consists of? This field of science seeks to understand how #fungi can be used in different sectors, such as addressing #environmental issues, #food production, and promoting public #health. At the Centre of Biological Engineering, our researchers have been exploring the potential of these organisms to develop innovative #solutions. The research focuses on two main areas: - Through Environmental and #Medical Mycology, we work on the #biodegradation of pollutants and the identification of emerging #diseases to find new #treatment methods. - In Food and #Water Mycology, we are dedicated to preventing fungi and #mycotoxins in food and drinking water while also analysing how #climate change and European policies influence the resilience of fungi in the food supply. Find out more about our research work here: www.lkme.pt/oB7Ht

Project by CEB's researcher to combat #Alzheimer's awarded in Spain!   The #HERCULES – Bacteriophages to Combat Alzheimer's Project, led by Ivone Martins from the Centre of Biological Engineering, has been awarded €40,000 in the Human #Health category at the 5th Edition of the International ZENDAL Awards, promoted by the Spanish pharmaceutical group with a presence in 65 countries.   This research aims to develop an effective method to #detect Alzheimer's disease long before the first symptoms appear, offering new hope for early #diagnosis and #treatment. By using #bacteriophages – viruses that only infect bacteria – it may be possible not only to identify the early signs of neuronal #degeneration but also to inhibit the formation of the #peptide responsible for the condition.   CEB is proud of this remarkable achievement and congratulates the entire research team on this international recognition, which reaffirms the Centre’s commitment to scientific #excellence.

Finding an effective #alternative for the prevention of #hair loss during #chemotherapy. The #SmartCAP Project, supported by CEB’s Intramural Funding programme, seeks to develop an innovative method to combat #alopecia – condition of hair loss - induced by oncological treatments (CIA). Since the only available therapy currently is scalp #cooling, the research aims to create a #safer and more #efficient option for patients, regardless of hair type or chemotherapy regimen. By combining multiple strategies into a single formula, researchers are implementing in #vitro and ex #vivo models of hair #follicles to test #solutions that can address the issue without compromising the effectiveness of the treatment for the disease. Learn more here: www.lkme.pt/GaVVL

#Biotechnology has been profoundly revolutionising various #industrial sectors, offering innovative solutions that make production processes more #sustainable and #efficient! At the Centre of Biological Engineering, we are at the forefront of this transformation, harnessing the power of #microorganisms, #enzymes, and #bioprocesses to create new ways of #producing, #processing, and #optimising products in fields such as #food, #pharmaceuticals, and #cosmetics. By applying biotechnology to industry, our researchers are helping to shape the future of several sectors, promoting more #environmentally friendly practices and developing products with the potential to make a positive #impact on people's lives. Learn more here: www.lkme.pt/Z73gM

Did you know that #CEB is active on several #social media #platforms? Through these channels, we share interesting and informative content about our scientific #projects and #researchers, as well as insights into #Biotechnology and #Bioengineering. You will also stay updated with relevant #news related to the Centre of Biological Engineering. Curious? Follow us, and don't miss any updates! • Facebook: www.lkme.pt/zsn69 • Instagram: www.lkme.pt/fV8sK • LinkedIn: www.lkme.pt/IxlYF • X (Twitter): www.lkme.pt/tmpfv • YouTube: www.lkme.pt/HzbLC

Producing cello-oligosaccharides #sustainably and innovatively. The #BioCello Project, one of the initiatives supported by CEB's Intramural Funding programme, aims to explore the production of cello-oligosaccharides (#COS), small #glucose molecules with vast #prebiotic potential. A #metagenomic study will be conducted through composting samples to identify promising #enzymes that enable the sustainable production of these compounds. Additionally, the research will evaluate the beneficial impact of COS on health, using in vitro models that simulate the #gastrointestinal tract and #skin. This Project promises to contribute to sustainable #biotechnology and open new avenues for applications in the #food and #health sectors. Learn more here: www.lkme.pt/gYsRT