Funded Projects
For more information, please contact the Research Management Office: ggi@fmed.uc.pt
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Decentralized Collaborative Network for Advancing Cancer Research and Innovation |
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UNCAN-Connect |
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Start Date: 09/2025 |
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End Date: 08/2030 |
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The UNCAN.Connect project aims to foster research and innovation in the field of cancer by ensuring secure, interoperable, and ethical access to cancer-related health data across the European Union. The project promotes interoperability, scientific progress, open science practices, and stronger collaboration among researchers, companies, patient representatives, public institutions, and citizens. By creating new platforms and synergies, UNCAN.Connect not only drives research in this field but also paves the way for the development of new cancer treatments — addressing one of the major challenges of Medicine today. |
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Valorização de resíduos agrícolas em produtos anti-envelhecimento |
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VITAGE |
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Start Date: 01/2026 |
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End Date: 02/2029 |
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The VITAGE project aims to develop a dermal film containing an essential oil with anti-aging properties encapsulated in extracellular vesicles derived from agricultural waste. |
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Biomonitoring Anastomotic Leakage with Electronic Tattoos: An Advanced Approach in Abdominal Surgery |
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BioTat |
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Start Date: 01/2026 |
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End Date: 12/2028 |
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The BioTat project aims to develop an innovative biomedical sensor system to monitor and detect postoperative complications early in gastrointestinal surgeries. It seeks to significantly improve postoperative monitoring, enabling faster interventions, reducing prolonged hospitalizations, and enhancing surgical outcomes and patients’ quality of life. |
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Sustainable next-gen prebiotics for precision immunonutrition: applications in multiple sclerosis |
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Releaf |
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Start Date: 10/2025 |
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End Date: 09/2028 |
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RELEAF project, rooted in biotechnology-driven innovation, turns blueberry agrowaste into functional antioxidant fibers, revolutionizing prebiotics to strengthen immune resilience and deliver health benefits for people living with multiple sclerosis. RELEAF turns over a new leaf in sustainability by converting waste into 'w(h)ealth', cultivating a lasting legacy of health, economic, and territorial benefits. |
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THINNER_2.0 |
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Start Date: 09/2025 |
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End Date: 08/2028 |
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THNNER_2.0 will deploy pharmacological strategies targeted to molecular players of adipose tissue dys(function) and metabolic (dys)regulation, combining dopaminergic agonists with modulators of the melanocortin system. |
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N(DR)2_Eye |
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Start Date: 06/2025 |
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End Date: 05/2028 |
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Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading complication of diabetes, threatens the vision of millions worldwide. This project investigates the role of the Ndr2 kinase in diabetic retinopathy, aiming to identify novel biomarkers and expand the currently limited therapeutic options. |
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Radiation Physics and Biology at cellular level: towards the optimization of clinical dosimetry |
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Cell.DOT |
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Start Date: 01/2025 |
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End Date: 12/2027 |
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Cell.DOT aims at improving clinical dosimetry, for TRT, by synergistically exploring the complementarities of different research areas, such as imaging, physics, chemistry and biology. It will be conducted by experts in (bio)physics, radiobiology and imaging, and goes beyond the state-of-the-art by testing the hypothesis that the macroscopic, mean, absorbed dose may not accurately predict the biological effect and subsequent clinical outcome. |
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Blocking Respiratory Exacerbations: AI and data-driven Technology for Health Enhancement |
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BREATHE |
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Start Date: 06/2024 |
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End Date 05/2026 |
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The BREATHE project aims to validate the Evernoa system, a digital health solution that allows asthma patients to monitor their disease from home by measuring exhaled fraction of nitric oxide (FeNO) as a biomarker. The project aims to contribute to better disease management, reduce hospitalisations and provide real data for decision-making by healthcare professionals. |
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EYSON |
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Start Date: 04/2024 |
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End Date 03/2026 |
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This project aims to develop a new treatment for hereditary sight loss caused by a specific mutation in the EYS gene, using a genome editing technique called ‘Prime editing’. This project is vital as there are currently no treatments available for this condition, and the successful application of this strategy could significantly improve the quality of life of affected individuals. |
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INNOV2CARE |
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Start Date: 01/2024 |
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End Date 06/2026 |
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The INNOV2CARE project aims to contribute to the modernization and adequacy of care that is increasingly delivered through digital and technological tools. The preparation of current and future health professionals for the challenges that such mediation entails is fundamental in this context. The project aims not only to readjust the way medicine and related areas are taught and learned (initial training) using simulation tools and new technological advances, but also to promote the continuous readaptation and updating of health professionals' skills in the face of rapid technological advances with a strong impact on medical acts and on health organizations and teams. |
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ARISTOTELES |
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Start Date: 11/2023 |
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End Date: 10/2028 |
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| The ARISTOTELES project aims to develop and validate an innovative AI-based approach embedded within an integrated care system, delivering personalized risk assessments and supporting targeted implementation of management strategies. |
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START'ship |
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Start Date: 09/2023 |
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End Date: 08/2025 |
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START’ship is an ERASMUS+ project which aims to promote, develop, and strengthen the entrepreneurial skills of higher education students through practical activities and an interactive training programme. |
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VIDA |
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Start Date: 07/2023 |
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End Date: 12/2024 |
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The VIDA project focuses on the use of food waste to obtain vesicles with potential application in health, namely in the development of innovative drug delivery strategies within the cell. |
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Creating ValEU |
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Start Date: 04/2023 |
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End Date 12/2025 |
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The Creating ValEU Innovation programme was developed by leading European institutions to empower the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs in the healthcare field. Students have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, work with experienced mentors and pitch their ideas to experts and investors. The programme takes place in a mixed format, with interactive online sessions and face-to-face sessions at the University of Oxford for the selected team. |
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Ndr2 kinase: a novel player in the regulation of microglia in Diabetic Retinopathy |
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N(DR)2-Eye |
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Start Date: 03/2023 |
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End Date: 09/2023 |
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The N(DR)2-Eye project aimed to elucidate the role of Ndr2 kinase as a new key player in microglial cells and on oxidative stress-induced inflammation in the context of diabetic retinopathy. This exploratory project intended to lay the ground for future studies on how Ndr signaling modulates neuronal immune response, helping to better understand the pathology of diabetic retinopathy. |
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Deciphering the role of Piezo1 mechanosensitive channel in microglia-mediated glaucomatous neurodegeneration |
| PRESING | |
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Start Date: 03/2023 |
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End Date: 03/2026 |
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The PRESING project will investigate the role of the Piezo1 channel in microglia as a sensor of elevated pressure, leading to the inflammatory microglia response that contributes to the loss of retinal ganglion cells. The elucidation of early alterations in microglia may pave the way for the development of therapeutic strategies in glaucoma. |
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LTC |
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Start Date: 02/2023 |
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End Date 01/2026 |
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The LTC project aims to improve the mental health of children from vulnerable families by training professionals so that they can acquire specific skills, which will be fundamental for them to recognize the psychosocial needs of children and their families at an early stage. |
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Connected Hubs in Ageing: Healthy Living to Protect Cerebrovascular Function |
| CHAngeing | |
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Start Date: 01/2023 |
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End Date 12/2026 |
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CHAngeing will foster collaboration between two Excellence Hubs in Southern Europe, strengthening ageing-related research and innovation. By combining health and social sciences, it will drive cross-border synergies, promote healthy living, and enhance CVD prevention and stroke rehabilitation through a unified R&I strategy. |
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An Innovative Transdermal Heart-targeted Drug Delivery Strategy |
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PATCH |
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Start Date: 01/2023 |
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End Date: 12/2024 |
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The PATCH proposal aims to develop an innovative transdermal strategy to successfully deliver monoterpenes do the diseased heart. In this exploratory proposal, we hypothesize that the transdermal administration of functionalized plant vesicles containing the active monoterpene will improve the compound’s bioavailability and effectively deliver it to the heart where it will exert its cardioprotective effect. |
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INE-CSC |
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Start Date: 10/2022 |
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End Date: 10/2026 |
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The INE-CSC project aims to systematically support the sustained translation of evidence-based interventions into routine clinical practice as part of a cross-border cancer survivorship pathway that ultimately improves the health and well-being of cancer survivors. This network will use an international comparative approach to map and create preliminary models that outline the contextual factors affecting: the implementation of cancer survivorship care and risk-stratified survivorship care pathways and the use of digital/electronic health solutions. |
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Potential of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants in Cardiovascular Ageing |
| PLANTS4AGEING | |
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Start Date: 09/2022 |
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End Date: 08/2025 |
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The project aims to develop an innovative product to mitigate cardiovascular aging and increase people's quality of life and well-being, valuing the natural heritage of Castelo Branco region and border area through four fundamental pillars: Conservation – Enhancement – Training – Promotion, which interconnect creating scientific and cultural knowledge. |
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Training Robot for Ultrassound |
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TrainR4U |
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Start Date: 01/2022 |
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End Date 12/2025 |
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The TrainR4U project aims to contribute to the training of health professionals in abdominal ultrasound by implementing a course in abdominal ultrasound, certified by the University of Coimbra, using a remote manipulation robotic instrument. |
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ConCOEUR |
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Start Date: 01/2022 |
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End Date 12/2023 |
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| Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is characterized by progressive narrowing, fibrosis and calcification of the aortic valve (AV), which ultimately interfere with proper blood ejection from the heart. AV replacement is the standard of care for severe symptomatic AVS patients, improving quality of life and long-term survival. However, most patients have a long asymptomatic period, which hampers timely diagnosis and intervention. Hence, the long-term goal of the proposal was to unveil the function of nuclear Cx43 and its impact on cardiovascular diseases, since we hypothesized that injury-induced accumulation of nuclear Cx43 regulates the expression of genes that drive AVS progression and cardiac hypertrophy. |
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LightImplant |
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Start Date: 01/2022 |
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End Date: 06/2023 |
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The LightImplant project aimed to develop a multifunctional, light-responsive dental implant coated to control inflammation and promote the rapid proliferation of soft tissue and bone around implants using the remotely controlled manner. |
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LOLit – Low Literacy at Play |
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Start Date: 01/2022 |
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End Date: 12/2023 |
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The LOLit project focused on the learning needs of seniors with low health and digital literacy, in order to help reduce the associated socio-economic disparities. The project had three main objectives: to develop a flexible learning approach for seniors, to provide tools adapted to seniors with low literacy levels so that they can access information effectively and, finally, to raise awareness among adult education professionals. The “Healthy ageing through play!” game was created using educational cards based on the collaborative learning method in a fun, interactive format that is tailored to people's needs. |
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Neutrophils infiltration through blood-brain barrier in traumatic brain injury: Role of CXCL8 |
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brainINVASION |
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Start Date: 01/2022 |
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End Date: 12/2023 |
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The brainINVASION project aimed to demonstrate that neutrophils are capable of migrating through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), exploiting paracellular or transcellular routes of transport within the BBB, in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Therefore, the project addressed the lack of specific TBI therapeutic approaches, uncovering the transmigration of neutrophils as the key mediator of the deleterious outcomes of TBI regarding brain function, providing the CXCL8-CXCR2 axis as an innovative therapy. |
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| MED4Youth | |
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Start Date: 12/2019 |
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End Date 11/2023 |
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An interventional study with adolescents with obesity to understand how the Mediterranean Diet can help to tackle obesity. In the study, the effects of a Mediterranean Diet, including products such as sourdough bread, olive oil, pomegranate, hummus and mixed nuts, will be compared with the effects of a conventional low-fat diet. |
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International Network for Translating Research on Perinatal Derivatives into Therapeutic Approaches |
| SPRINT | |
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Start Date: 10/2018 |
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End Date: 04/2023 |
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The SPRINT COST Action aimed to implement an integrated scientific, medical, and industrial global network to comprehensively investigate and exploit the therapeutic potential of PnD. |