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Detecting food allergens with paper microfluidics and a smartphone

Every day, millions are at risk of falling ill due to undetected allergens or contaminants in their food. However, a groundbreaking solution may be on the horizon, as researchers investigate a game-changing technology to combat foodborne risks. The Food Quality and Safety research group recently published a study describing a cutting-edge technology that provides faster, cheaper, and more reliable detection of allergens like β-lactoglobulin in our food. Traditionally, detecting allergens in food products has been a complex and costly process. Current methods, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), require specialised equipment and highly-trained personnel, making them difficult to use. INL researchers are contributing to reshaping the landscape of food safety with a new nanotechnology approach. Their pioneering approach? Fluorescent carbon quantum dots combined with aptamers, which are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can bind to specific target molecules with high affinity and specificity. By leveraging the unique properties of carbon quantum dots and aptamers, the researchers have developed a highly sensitive and portable detection method for β-lactoglobulin, the primary allergenic whey protein found in cow’s milk. What sets this technology apart is its simplicity and effectiveness. The team has created a user-friendly platform that […]

Prof. Paulo Freitas completed 15 years as INL Deputy Director General, the last interview

Welcome to our final interview with Professor Paulo Freitas, marking his remarkable 15-year tenure as Deputy Director General of INL (International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory). Throughout his tenure, Prof. Freitas has been instrumental in steering INL towards excellence in nanotechnology research and innovation. In this interview, we’ll reflect on Prof. Freitas’s significant contributions, highlight key achievements during his tenure, and gain insights into the future of nanotechnology and scientific leadership. Join us as we celebrate Prof. Freitas’s outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing nanotechnology on the global stage. Welcome to a conversation honouring 15 years of visionary leadership at INL. Best wishes for the future, Prof. Paulo Freitas! May your path continue to be illuminated with success, fulfilment, and boundless opportunities. Your dedication, leadership, and contributions to the field of nanotechnology have been truly inspiring. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavours! Text by Gina Palha, Corporate Communication and Marketing Officer

INL hosts Info Session dedicated to the Chips JU 2024 funding opportunities

INL partnered up with the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Agency of Innovation (ANI) to promote an Information Session dedicated to the European Partnership Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU). The event delved into the funding opportunities available under the initiative that acts as an instrumental central force in the implementation of the European Chips Act mission – a framework designed to strengthen the continent’s competitiveness and resilience in semiconductor technologies. Opening the session, the Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, Elvira Fortunato, assured that Portugal is deeply committed to contributing to the joint resilience of the European Union, having established a National Strategy for Semiconductors with strategic lines of action in innovative areas. According to the Minister, the endeavour aims at improving not only the infrastructure, facilities, laboratories, and organisation of chip manufacturing but also in terms of talent capabilities, qualification, and retention – one of the global challenges in this sector. The event counted with the presence of Anton Chichkov, Chips JU Programme Officer, who explored the joint undertaking work plan, introducing the calls available for 2024, and presenting the Pilot Lines and Competence Centres foreseen for this initiative, as well as […]

Alexandra Teixeira, developing diagnostic tools tailored for accurate MRD diagnosis

Welcome to a new series of interviews highlighting the indispensable role of women in science. Throughout this series, we aim to showcase the remarkable contributions of women scientists across various disciplines and career stages. From groundbreaking research to innovative discoveries, these interviews will provide insight into the diverse and impactful work of women in the scientific community. Join us as we celebrate their achievements, share their stories, and inspire future generations of female scientists. Meet Alexandra Teixeira, PhD Student at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. Recently defended her PhD thesis entitled: “Development of microfluidic nano biosensors for early diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia and monitoring of minimal residual disease” with the highest grade. Could you provide some insights into your background, your primary field of expertise, and the significance of your work? My educational journey started with a degree in Biology and Geology at the University of Minho. However, driven by a passion for health-related sciences, I did a master’s degree and later a PhD in Health Sciences at the School of Medicine, also at the University of Minho. Throughout my career, particularly during PhD, I gained expertise in microfluidics, surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS), and next-generation sequencing (NGS). […]

Is there a nano-sized ‘magic bullet’ for treating cancer?

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) selected a research study from INL as one of the groundbreaking cancer research papers of 2023. This collection of papers aims to highlight recent developments in efforts to understand cancer and ways to provide effective treatments. In this study published in the journal Nanoscale, the Nanomedicine research group at INL, in collaboration with Stasiuk’s group at King’s College London, developed a new theranostic method for cancer treatment. Theranostics combines therapy and monitoring in a single formulation, offering a more personalised approach to treat cancer. INL researchers developed redox-responsive nanoparticles comprising manganese dioxide and a platinum prodrug, both intended to be activated specifically at the tumour microenvironment. Smart theranostic strategies, also known as responsive theranostics, are approaches in which the drug and/or imaging components are only activated or released in response to a certain stimulus. This stimulus can be a multitude of switches: light, magnetic fields, temperature, ultrasounds, or biological conditions such as the pH or redox state. For example, imagine a scenario where smart theranostic nanoparticles, which are temperature sensitive, are injected into the body, and they travel to a tumour site. When an external trigger, such as an alternating magnetic field or a laser, is […]

New Manufacturing Workshop at INL

Creativity has now even wider wings to fly. At INL, we inaugurated this month the Manufacturing Workshop. It is a facility that consolidates various resources to enhance research capabilities, promote innovation, and provide cost-effective internal services. The portfolio of tools housed within include: Additionally, the workshop is managed by dedicated personnel to operate and maintain these tools, ensuring proper usage and safety. The aim is to streamline operations and maximise the workshop’s potential to serve the day-to-day needs of INL researchers, engineers, and technicians. Text by Marco Martins, Technology Engineering Group Leader, and Mariam Debs, Chief Operations Officer for Research at INLPhotography by Catarina Moura, Science Communication Officer

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