Researchers from CBQF receive funding from FCT for their projects
Joana Cristina Barbosa, Ezequiel Cosqueta, Ricardo Garcia, Viviana Ribeiro and João Botelho (from another institution). These are the names of the researchers from the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) of the Faculty of Biotechnology who saw their individual projects selected in the 6th edition of the Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus, promoted by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). This is a financial support that intends to deepen and specialize the exercise of scientific research and technological development activities in the country.
The five projects to be carried out at CBQF are framed within two research areas: from Biology and Experimental Biochemistry to Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Food Biotechnology.
In the first scientific area, Joana Cristina Barbosa aims to study the potential of intestinal probiotics (beneficial bacteria which enhance the human body defense) for producing antimicrobial compounds (that inhibit the development of potential pathogenic microorganisms); João Botelho, also from Biology and Experimental Biochemistry area, seeks to understand and investigate the relationship between genetic redundancy and the resistance to antibiotic effects.
Within the scope of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Food Biotechnology Ezequiel Coscueta proposes a research line about the use of microbots in the prevention and resolution of gastrointestinal diseases; Ricardo Garcia will focus his research work on sustainable models for processing new proteins with nutritional and food potential; and Viviana Ribeiro wants to investigate the potential of rabbit skin for the burn treatment.
Manuela Pintado, who is associate professor, researcher and director of CBQF, declares that the selection of these five scientific projects supported by FCT “proves and reinforces the continued scientific research work at the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry, with an approval rate of 20%.”
The support for hiring doctorate researchers, provided by the Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus, aims “to strengthen the national scientific and technological system by creating employment opportunities for doctoral researchers, promoting the formalization of scientific employment of PhD holders, helping to attract and retain qualified PhD holders in Portugal and also to contribute to the rejuvenation of scientific institutions.”, according to the notice published by FCT.
CBQF was founded in 1990 and currently has more than 245 researchers, whose mission is to develop and disseminate innovative knowledge in the area of biotechnology, contributing to the health and well-being of citizens.