About
DMF Prazeres is a Senior Researcher at the
Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), a research unit in bioengineering,
biological sciences and biophysics at IST. His research within
the Biomolecular Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering and Nanobiotechnology
fields addresses two major topics: A. Biomanufacturing of Nucleic Acids and Biological Nanostructures, and B. Biorecognition, Biosensing and Diagnostics.
A. Biorecognition, Bio-sensing and Diagnostics
Healthcare is evolving from reactive disease care, to care that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory. Point-Of-Care (POC) devices are one key element of this so called P4 Medicine paradigm. Research on this topic focuses on the development of biologically-based diagnostic systems like microfluidic devices, lateral flow assays and paper-based devices. In particular, biorecognition is explored as a way of functionalizing materials and surfaces with active biological moieties.
Research lines:
ii. Lateral Flow Assays and Paper-Based Devices
B. Biomanufacturing of Nucleic Acids and Biological Nanostructures
The biopharmaceutical relevance of producing nucleic acids and genes at large scale has increased steadily over the years due to the development of a growing number of direct and indirect applications. DNA is used routinely as vectors to deliver genes in the context of gene/cell therapies and DNA vaccination and mRNA reached the spotlight recently as a new platform for mass vaccination. Research on this topic focuses on the engineering of bioprocesses and bacterial strains for the manufacturing of nucleic acids (plasmid DNA, minicircles, mRNA) as therapeutics and ancillary reagents for viral vector or mRNA vaccine manufacturing.
Research lines
i. Biomanufacturing of Nucleic Acids for Disease Management
ii. Biomanufacturing of DNA Origami Nanostructures and Protein Nanocages
Research news
Latest news
B. Biomanufacturing of Nucleic Acids and Biological Nanostructures
The biopharmaceutical relevance of producing nucleic acids and genes at large scale has increased steadily over the years due to the development of a growing number of direct and indirect applications. DNA is used routinely as vectors to deliver genes in the context of gene/cell therapies and DNA vaccination and mRNA reached the spotlight recently as a new platform for mass vaccination. Research on this topic focuses on the engineering of bioprocesses and bacterial strains for the manufacturing of nucleic acids (plasmid DNA, minicircles, mRNA) as therapeutics and ancillary reagents for viral vector or mRNA vaccine manufacturing.
Research lines
i. Biomanufacturing of Nucleic Acids for Disease Management
ii. Biomanufacturing of DNA Origami Nanostructures and Protein Nanocages
Research news
Latest news