Jacinto Lab

Raquel De Amaro Lourenço is a researcher dedicated to uncovering the cellular mechanisms thatregulate tissue regeneration, with a particular focus on metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming forregenerative therapies. Her recent work using the zebrafish model has provided valuable insights intopotential therapies for degenerative diseases, particularly in the contexts of retinal (Lourenço et al.,2021, Front Cell Dev Biol) and bone regeneration (Mateus et al., 2015, Development; Brandão et al.,2019, J Cell Sci; Brandão et al., 2022, eLife).​

Currently, her research explores how metabolic reprogramming through lactate production influencestissue regeneration. Raquel has demonstrated strong leadership in project management,experimental design, and grant and manuscript writing. She has supervised undergraduate andMaster’s students, mentored PhD candidates, and actively participated in academic juries.

​Ana Teresa Tavares graduated in Biology from Faculdade de Ciências (UL, Lisbon) in 1993, and joined the Gulbenkian PhD Programme in Biology and Medicine in 1995. Ana developed her PhD studies at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (La Jolla, USA) and presented her thesis on Limb Development at Faculdade de Medicina (UL, Lisbon) in 2001. Ana’s postdoctoral studies were conducted at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (Oeiras), and in 2007 she became an independent Research Fellow at the same institution. In 2009, Ana was granted a five-year Research Scientist position (FCT “Ciência 2007” programme) at the Vascular Development laboratory of Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (UL, Lisbon). In 2015, Ana integrated the Tissue Repair and Inflammation group at NOVA Medical School (UNL, Lisbon) as a senior Postdoctoral Researcher. Since 2011, Ana is also an invited Lecturer and Chair of Developmental Biology at ISPA – Instituto Universitário (Lisbon).​

Rute Salvador obtained a master’s degree in Oncobiology-Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer from AlgarveUniversity (2019). She also completed a Clinical Trials Coordination course in 2018, gaining valuable skills to interact with nurses and doctors in clinical settings. During her internship at Beatriz Ângelo Hospital, where she refined her ability to manage clinical trial logistics, she enhanced her communication and collaboration in clinical environments. She is proficient in various laboratory techniques, including flow cytometry, diverse cell culture methodologies (encompassing 3D co-cultures and primary cell cultures), microscopy and ELISA. Throughout her journey, Rute has gained experience in clinical research, specifically in managing patients’ databases, ethical committees’ approvals and writing informed consent forms. Rute has co-authored several posters and also 7 papers published in peer-reviewed international journals. ​​​

Inês Gomes has a BSc in Biology with a specialization in Molecular Biology and Genetics and also a MSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics given by the Faculty of Sciences (University of Lisbon). She developed her master thesis at the Oncology Institute in Lisbon (IPOLFG), in Barret’s esophagus cancer progression. Currently she is a PhD student in Health Sciences at NOVA Medical School in Lisbon, working in epigenetic alterations and its impact in cancer. ​​​

​Ana Patrícia Silva started her academic life with a Bachelor’s in Biology and wandered into the Marine Biology field, wherein she worked in several laboratories. She followed these experiences by a Master’s in Bioinformatics after an opportunity allowed her a glimpse in this field and inspired her. She’s currently in a research fellowship at NIMSB and a PhD student, working in metabolic models.​​

Rita Pereira holds a degree in Biology from Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa,
and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Biomedical Research at Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. Her
thesis work, in the field of Regenerative Medicine, focuses on epigenetics — specifically, on the role
of histone lactylation, a post-translational modification, and its transcriptional regulation during
cellular responses to toxicity-induced damage.​

With a strong interest in the interplay between metabolism and epigenetics, Rita is committed to
advancing our understanding of how these mechanisms contribute to cellular stress responses and
tissue regeneration.​​