News

INL REC – Research Ethics Committee – was presented to the INL community

Last Friday, January 19th 2024, the INL Research Ethics Committee (REC) was presented to the INL Community. The committee aims to promote research integrity and establish methodologies to foster an ethical environment. Throughout its beginnings, the REC has been working on its statutes, Code of Ethics, and procedures, to serve both INL researchers and consortia with whom we collaborate. To consolidate an ethical culture in all aspects of research practice, the INL Code of Ethics, following the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, describes the 14 principles which guide their work: common good, excellence, professionalism, freedom, accountability, inventiveness, honesty, integrity, reliability, cooperation, loyalty, respect, fairness, and safety. Following this event, INL plans to reinforce its commitment towards RRI – Responsible Research and Innovation, by indagating into each pillar defining RRI. We began the year 2024 with Ethics, aiming to then bring further awareness of the other pillars: Sustainability, Openness and Transparency, Equality, Science Education and Public Engagement. For more information about RRI, and the INL REC, please visit our INL website. Text by: Mariam Debs, Chief Operations Officer for the RTI OfficePhotography by: Patrícia Barroso, Communication, Conferences & Marketing Officer 

Celebrating 15 Years of Exemplary Leadership: Farewell to INL Deputy Director General, Prof. Paulo Freitas

Yesterday, in a tribute to an extraordinary 15-year journey marked by unwavering dedication, the INL team organised a unique farewell celebration for its esteemed Deputy Director General, Prof. Dr. Paulo Jorge Peixeiro de Freitas. INL DDG, Prof. Dr. Paulo Freitas has been a driving force behind the success and growth of our institution, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of colleagues, collaborators, and the entire community. His visionary leadership, commitment to excellence, and tireless efforts have elevated INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory to new heights. The ceremony commenced with warm reflections and memories from Prof. José Rivas and Prof. Lars Montelius – previous Directors-General, members of the INL council and members of the installation committee, and also team members lauding his transformative leadership, mentorship and the positive impact he had on both professional and personal development. In a surprise announcement, INL DG – Prof. Clivia Sotomayor-Torres, revealed that the institution had decided to rename the auditorium in honor of Prof. Dr. Paulo Freitas. Henceforth, it will be known as the “Auditorium Paulo Freitas.” This gesture serves as a lasting tribute to his remarkable legacy. Prof. Paulo Freitas got his Degree in Physics from the University Porto […]

Leaders of Braga public companies meet with INL for collaborative discussions

Executives representing five prominent public companies from Braga’s municipality gathered this past Monday, January 22nd 2024, for a pivotal meeting at INL. The visit was marked by a warm welcome from INL researchers and supporting professionals, with INL Director-General Clivia M. Sotomayor Torres hosting the delegation. The primary objectives of the meeting were outlined by Sandra Cerqueira, Executive Board Member of TUB – Transportes Urbanos de Braga, who expressed gratitude to the INL Director-General for the hospitality and extended greetings on behalf of the attending members. The delegation, composed also by representatives Rui Morais and Paula Campos from Agere, Carlos Videira from BragaHabit, Gil Carvalho and Carlos Silva from InvestBraga, Joana Meneses Fernandes from Theatro Circo, and Teotónio Andrade dos Santos from TUB,  highlighted the purpose of their visit as a dual-fold initiative: to establish a first meeting of introduction with the recently appointed INL Director-General and to conduct a comprehensive review of past collaborations while exploring possibilities for future engagements. The meeting, deemed essential for fostering strong partnerships between the public companies and INL, marked a significant step in aligning visions and strategies. Sotomayor Torres welcomed the collaborative spirit, emphasising the importance of sustained partnerships and open communication. The […]

INL Open Day 2024

Join us at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga – Portugal, on May 18, 2024. Experience firsthand the boundless possibilities within an environment where greatness is fostered. Meet our researchers and immerse yourself in our unique facilities, ecosystem, and community. We see this as an opportunity to reinforce our dedication to enhancing the communities we serve. Thank you for joining us on this exceptional and enriching day as we delve into the realm of science together! Click here for more information.

Infoday: Chips Joint Undertaking 2024 Calls

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Innovation Agency (ANI) are teaming up to host an informative session on March 4th at the INL auditorium.  This session will be dedicated to the 2024 Calls of the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), which includes both “Initiative” and “non-initiative” components and the participation of the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education, the Executive of Chips JU, and other speakers who will be announced soon.  You can register for the event by clicking here and check the agenda for more details.

Exploring nanotechnology for the health of intestinal microbiota

Researchers at INL are using nanotechnology to develop functional foods that can be consumed by people with food intolerances and allergies. Ana Isabel Bourbon, from the Food Processing and Nutrition research group, explains: “Our society is increasingly changing its eating habits and this has several effects on the intestinal microflora. When eating daily, people are subjected to increasing amounts of different compounds. This promotes microbial changes over the years, which causes diseases that previously did not exist, such as intolerances and allergies, to appear. Trying to understand how we can reduce these intolerances in the future is one of our group’s objectives”. In this context, INL researchers are creating foods with added nutritional value using nanotechnology. The team develops nanostructures enabling the encapsulation and incorporation of active compounds, such as vitamins and antioxidants. The goal is to ensure that, after ingestion, these compounds reach the bloodstream in sufficient quantities to have a positive impact on the consumer. However, obtaining information about the behaviour of these nanostructures during digestion and their effects on intestinal health poses a challenge. The Healthy-Gut project aims to address this gap by evaluating the behaviour of encapsulated systems using in vitro cell models. These models mimic […]

Nanotechnology uncovering the hidden secrets of cancer

Nanotechnology uncovering the hidden secrets of cancer

Metastasis, the spreading of cancer cells to other parts of the body, contributes to 9 out of 10 cancer-related deaths. However, the intricate mechanisms triggering this process remain a mystery. 3DSecret is on a mission to change that. The European consortium 3DSecret, coordinated by INL researchers from the Medical Devices research group, is approaching metastasis in a new way, focusing on single cells and aiming to uncover hidden patterns that can predict and forecast how cancer spreads. “By studying individual circulating tumour cells, or CTCs, 3DSecret hopes to transform how cancer is diagnosed and/or treated, making significant strides in clinical sciences”, says Miguel Xavier, technical coordinator of the 3DSecret project. In response to this challenge, 3DSecret has outlined specific objectives. At the forefront is the development of the ‘3Dsecret-chip,’ a sophisticated tool designed to facilitate the controlled creation of 3D cancer cell models from individual cells. This innovative approach promises reproducibility and precision, enhancing one’s ability to examine the details of cancer cell behaviour. Furthermore, 3DSecret is incorporating ‘SERS metabolomics profiling’, an advanced technology providing continuous insights into the growth kinetics of these 3D cancer cell models. Sara Abalde-Cela, leader of the Medical Devices research group and coordinator of the […]

Johns Hopkins University visits INL: 8 years of collaborative interchange

It was eight years ago that Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and INL began a very interesting collaboration. Every winter, Hopkins graduate students studying Engineering Management travel from the United States as part of an immersive project-based course called “The Practice of Consulting.” During their visit, students come to INL for one week and stay at our INL Guesthouse. But it is not a regular student visit. The student teams work an intense schedule, deep-diving into what nanotechnology can offer and the potential products that derive from developments done here at INL. As part of their curriculum, the students work closely with one of our research groups throughout that week to deliver a report on go-to-market strategies and business translation opportunities for specific projects. This year they worked with Filipa Lebre and Vânia Vilas-Boas from the Nanosafety Research Group and with Laura Rodriguez-Lorenzo, Begoña Espiña, and Raquel Queirós, from the Water Quality Research Group. The team is accompanied and mentored by Dr. Andy Ross, Senior Lecturer and Associate Director of the Professional Communication Program at JHU. “These projects are exceptional opportunities for students to apply the consulting skills they have cultivated in their coursework,” Ross comments. “The experience of travelling abroad and […]