NATURAL SCIENCES

Translational neuroscience

Cell Biology

Ageing

Neurodegeneration

The Chromosome Segregation in Disease Laboratory investigates the canonical and non-canonical functions of mitotic proteins and their contribution to human disease. We study how proteins classically associated with chromosome segregation acquire additional roles, and how their dysfunction drives rare neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer.

Biorhythms underlie many aspects of our lives ensuring that all cellular processes occur in their optimal temporal niche. Molecular oscillators with circadian or ultradian (<24h) rhythms have been independently characterized in multiple organisms/cells and revealed to be crucial timekeeping mechanisms operating during DEVELOPMENT, AGEING AND DISEASE. Our group studies one such oscillator – the EMBRYO MOLECULAR CLOCK (EC) – which regulates the periodic formation of the vertebrate embryo axial skeleton precursors.

https://abcri.pt/stem-cells-biology-lab/

Our laboratory is primarily focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms that enable cancer cells to develop resistance to multiple anticancer therapies. In particular, we investigate the TRIBBLES family of pseudokinases and their contribution to tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance.

The Ocean, Coastal and Land Surface Processes group integrates geophysical, geological and geochemical expertise to investigate internal and external geodynamic processes affecting terrestrial, coastal and oceanic systems, with a particular focus on natural hazards, climate change and georesource exploration.

The project will undertake a comparative analysis of Poland and Italy concerning the bioethical and legal implications of deploying AI in healthcare, with particular emphasis on the civil, criminal, and professional (disciplinary) liability of medical professionals. The analysis will examine: (i) the applicable standard of care in AI-supported practice; (ii) the attribution of responsibility for clinical decisions supported by AI systems; (iii) requirements for documenting AI-assisted decision-making processes; and (iv) the role and scope of informed consent in this context.