Sandra Sousa

Group leader

srsousa@i3s.up.pt

Sandra is a microbiologist with deep interest in Host-pathogen interactions. She obtained a PhD in the laboratory of Pascale Cossart (Institut Pasteur, Paris) studying the bacterial mechanisms triggering key host signaling pathways to facilitate bacterial invasion of mammalian cells. She has been focusing her research on the understanding of mechanisms of host usurpation by relevant human pathogens. Sandra has extensive expertise in host cytoskeleton remodeling induced upon bacterial infection and to bacterial plasma membrane damaging factors, such as secreted pore-forming toxins. 

Sandra leads the group of Cell Biology of Bacterial Infections (CBBI) at i3S since June 2019. Her current research focus on intracellular responses to plasma membrane damage caused by pore-forming toxins, which are secreted by relevant human pathogens and play key roles in infection. In particular, she concentrates on plasma membrane and actomyosin remodeling, ER disruption and calcium signaling triggered  by pore-forming toxins induced damage.

Sílvia Vale-Costa

Auxiliary researcher, PhD

svalecosta@i3s.up.pt

Sílvia is a cell biologist keen on understanding the mechanisms of plasma membrane repair responding to viral-bacterial co-infection. 

She has prior experience in studying influenza A virus-induced membrane remodeling and associated vesicular trafficking events, and she is an expert in multimodal imaging. 

Outside the lab, Sílvia is the mom of a baby girl and enjoys cinema and Pilates. 

• 2023-now: Auxiliary Researcher at CBBI-i3S (Porto, PT)
• 2018 - 2023: Junior Researcher at CBV-IGC (Oeiras, PT)
• 2013-2018: Postdoc at CBV-IGC (Oeiras, PT)
• 2007-2013: PhD in Biomedical Sciences (U. Porto, PT)

Joana Pereira

PhD student

jmpereira@ibmc.up.pt

Joana is a PhD student in Molecular and Cell Biology. Her research centers on unraveling the cytoskeletal and plasma membrane events triggered by the pore-forming toxin pneumolysin during infection by pneumococcus. She masters and is fascinated by microscopy imaging techniques and infection biology.

Outside the lab, Joana loves to spend time with family, friends and her dogs. She's a healthy lifestyle enthusiast and loves running outdoors.

• 2020-now: PhD candidate at CBBI-i3S (Porto, PT)
• 2018: Research Fellow at GM2-i3S (Porto, PT)
• 2017-2018: Research Fellow at CDR-i3S (Porto, PT)
• 2015-2016: Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences (U. Porto, PT)

Ricardo Lima

Trainee

ricardol@i3s.up.pt

Ricardo is currently a Biology undergraduate student at the Faculty of Sciences and is developing his curricular internship. He is studying the intracellular responses involving calcium-responsive proteins engaged during the repair of plasma membrane damage when induced by bacterial toxins. 

His interests in the research field began back in high school with participation in extracurricular projects such as the SEI Project, in partnership with the University of Porto, or the LIP Project, in partnership with the Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro. 

Outside of academic life, he is a competitive swimmer.

• 2021-present - Bachelor's degree in Biology
• 2020 - LIP Project
• 2017-2020 - SEI Project

João Monteiro

MSc student

joao.monteiro@i3s.up.pt

João is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Biochemistry in Health at the School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (E2S). His project will be developed at CBBI-i3S and aims to identify new proteins involved in plasma membrane repair in response to intoxication by pneumolysin.

He got his Bachelor's degree in Medicinal Biotechnology (E2S) and his thesis focused on biotechnology, infectious diseases, immunology, and microbiology.

His professional journey started with voluntary work at the Laboratory of Medical and Industrial Biotechnology (LaBmi) at Porto Research Technology and Innovation Center (PORTIC) from 2021 to 2022. In 2023 and 2024, João volunteered as research assistant at TBIO - Center for Translational Health and Medical Biotechnology Research.

• 2023-present - Master degree in Biochemistry in Health (i3S-U. Porto and P. Porto)
• 2020 - 2023 - Bachelor degree in Medicinal Biotechnology (P. Porto)

Francesca Palma

Visiting PhD student

fpalma@i3s.up.pt

Francesca is a PhD student in Microbiology from Italy. During her master degree internship she got fond of microbes and since then she hasn't let them go anymore.

Her main research activity focuses on the cellular response to emergent viruses infection. Now at i3S she would like to improve her microscopy imaging and molecular biology skills.

Outside the lab, Francesca loves taking photos, baking and playing with her dog.

• 2021 – now: PhD candidate at University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Naples, IT)
• 2021 – Research Fellow at University of Siena (Siena, IT)
• 2020 – Master Degree in Medical Biotechnologies (University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, IT)

Beatriz Lopes

MSc student

beatrizl@i3s.up.pt

Beatriz is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the Universidade de Aveiro (UA). Her project will be developed at CBBI-i3S and aims to identify new proteins involved in plasma membrane repair in response to intoxication by pneumolysin by Proteomics and to define the ultrastructure of plasma membrane remodeling sites upon intoxication by Electron Microscopy.

She got her Bachelor's degree in Biology with a branch in Molecular Biology and Genetics (UA) and her thesis focused on regeneration, immunology and ecotoxicology.

Outside the lab, Beatriz likes to spend time with family and manual arts.

• 2023-present - Master degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology (i3S-U. Porto and Universidade de Aveiro)
• 2020 - 2023 - Bachelor degree in Biology with a branch in Molecular Biology and Genetics (Universidade de Aveiro)