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INL team develops sensor to detect multidrug-resistant bacteria

A research team at INL is using ionizing light to “smell” volatile compounds emitted by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a serious global threat with widespread implications, contributing to an estimated 5 million deaths annually due to drug-resistant infections. This occurs as bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics, leading to new bacterial strains that are resistant to treatment. As a result, infections become harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. The SMARTgNOSTICS project addresses the antibiotic resistance challenge using a comprehensive One Health approach. It focuses on developing solutions and devices to detect bacteria, relevant genes, and antibiotic residues in different domains that contribute to the antibiotic resistance cycle (including human and animal health, food safety, and the environment). Recently, SMARTgNOSTICS was featured in ‘90 Segundos de Ciência’, a series of science communication episodes with daily broadcasts on Antena 1 Portuguese public radio. In this episode, Research Engineer Susana Costa explains INL’s contribution towards this exciting project in just 90 seconds (in Portuguese). The novel sensor is being designed to detect multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospital environments and healthcare facilities. Susana Costa explains that “the photo-ionization sensor employs a sophisticated mechanism that emits […]

European Researchers’ Night 2024: a celebration of science for global challenges this Friday

The European Researchers’ Night (ERN) returns this year on September 27, 2024, uniting science enthusiasts across Europe for an unforgettable evening of discovery, innovation, and community engagement. Promoted by the European Commission since 2005, this annual event aims to bring science closer to citizens and highlight its role in addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges. As part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, ERN 2024 will take place in over 30 countries and 300 cities, including key locations in Portugal: Braga, Coimbra, Lisbon, and Évora. The event, themed “Science for Global Challenges”, will focus on connecting the general public, particularly students, with important scientific research and knowledge aimed at tackling global issues like environmental protection, economic growth, and social fairness. Connecting Society with Science The European Researchers’ Night is more than just a celebration; it serves as a bridge between society and the scientific community. By reaching out to students and the public, ERN2024 aims to increase awareness of the vital role science plays in everyday life and inspire the next generation of scientists. This year’s theme emphasises how scientific research can be a powerful tool for addressing global challenges—from climate change to social inequality. ERN2024 aims to show why by helping students, educators, and communities understand the relevance of scientific research in tackling real-world problems. At […]

September 20, 2024, Government Declares National Day of Mourning for Fire Victims

The Portuguese Government has declared a National Day of Mourning for Friday, September 20, 2024, to honour the victims of the devastating wildfires that swept through the North and Central Portugal earlier this week. The announcement was made today by António Leitão Amaro, the Minister of the Presidency. This day of national mourning reflects the profound sorrow and solidarity of the Portuguese people in the wake of these tragic events. “On behalf of the government and the nation, we express deep regret for the loss of lives and the devastating impact of the fires,” said Leitão Amaro. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, and we stand united with them in their grief.” The fires, which have claimed lives and left several injured, tore through rural and forested areas, leaving destruction in their wake. Several towns and villages were severely affected, with homes, businesses, and farmlands reduced to ashes. While thousands of residents have been evacuated, many remain displaced as emergency services work tirelessly to bring the situation under control. Over the past week, the combination of intense heatwaves and strong winds fuelled the fires, making them extraordinarily difficult to contain. Portugal’s emergency response was further challenged […]

SPMicros2024 Conference: Advancing Microscopy in Materials and Life Sciences

The Portuguese Microscopy Society (SPMicros) hosted its annual conference, SPMicros2024, on September 13th, bringing together experts from across Portugal. The event focused on the latest breakthroughs in microscopy within Materials Science and Life Science, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and networking among researchers, students, and industry professionals. Two notable invited talks highlighted the event: Materials Science Talk with with Daniela Gomes, Assistant Professor at NOVA FCT, Department of Materials Science, CENIMAT/I3N, she explored how advanced microscopy is revolutionizing the study of materials at the nanoscale, revealing new properties and innovations; and the Life Sciences Talk with Antonio Pedro Matos, Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research, he discussed the enduring relevance of conventional electron microscopy in modern life science research, showing how past techniques are still vital in solving today’s challenges. SPMicros would like to thank all participants for making SPMicros2024 a success. Your contributions, whether through presentations or participation, were essential in fostering meaningful discussions and advancing microscopy research in Portugal. We look forward to continuing this journey together and seeing you at future events. + Check the full gallery here Text and Photography by Gina Palha, Communication, Conferences & Marketing Officer

Highlights from CMD31 Conference and INL’s Contributions

The European Society of Physics, an organisation dedicated to advancing the understanding of physics across Europe, encompasses various specialised divisions, including the Condensed Matter Division (CMD). This division is renowned for its biennial international conference, which became annual after the COVID pandemic but will return to a two-year schedule, with the next event scheduled for 2026. This year’s CMD31 conference, held from September 2-6, 2024, took place at Forum Braga, Portugal. The event was organised in collaboration with the Portuguese Society of Physics, marking a significant partnership between the two institutions. With over 900 participants, the five-day international conference brought together leading minds in condensed matter physics and materials physics, addressing various topics including quantum physics, superconductivity, magnetism, and biophysics. The CMD-General Conference is structured to accommodate a diverse set of discussions and presentations. The 2024 edition featured four plenary and ten semi-plenary lectures delivered by internationally recognised scientists. The CMD31 program was further enriched by forty-eight “bottom-up” mini-colloquia, which allowed attendees to split into smaller, focused sessions in the afternoons. These parallel sessions covered a wide range of contemporary issues in condensed matter physics, proposed by the participants themselves. Additionally, a special session was dedicated to the Europhysics Prize […]

Espiña and Kolen’ko Groups at XI NyNA 2024 in Santiago de Compostela

From September 3 to 6, 2024, members of the Espiña (Water Quality) and Kolen’ko (Nanochemistry) groups from INL (International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory) participated in the XI International Congress on Analytical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NyNA 2024), held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The event brought together experts in analytical chemistry and nanotechnology to exchange cutting-edge developments and research under key topics such as Nano(bio)sensors, Nanomaterials for sample preparation, Analytical Nanometrology, and Detection, characterization, and quantification of nanomaterials. The INL researchers made a significant impact, presenting one plenary talk, two oral presentations, and one poster, demonstrating their leading role in these fields. Begoña Espiña from the Water Quality group delivered the Plenary Lecture (PL5) entitled “Nanotechnology-based sensors and materials for water contaminants monitoring,” discussing innovative approaches to the detection of harmful substances in water using nanotechnology. The talk highlighted advanced solutions for water quality management, showcasing the increasing importance of nanosensors in environmental monitoring. Javier Terán and Carlos Gonçalves contributed with oral presentations, further elaborating on analytical methods and strategies involving nanomaterials, while Joana Araújo presented a poster detailing recent research advancements. NyNA 2024 focused on fostering the growth of analytical chemistry concepts applied to nanoscience, with discussions spanning across nanotechnological applications and miniaturized nanosystems. With their substantial contributions, the Espiña and Kolen’ko groups continue to pave the way for innovation in the realms of water quality and nanochemistry. […]

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