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Repositório Institucional da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
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Prokaryotic/eukaryotic co-culture as a model for in vitro functional validation of a dual and sequential drug delivery system with antimicrobial and bone regenerative features
Publication . Rodrigues, Miguel A.; Barbolini, Giorgia; Ferraz, Maria P.; Borges, João P.; Santos, José D.; Lopes, Maria A.; DCM - Departamento de Ciência dos Materiais; CENIMAT-i3N - Centro de Investigação de Materiais (Lab. Associado I3N); IOP Publishing
Bacteria-mammalian cell co-cultures can provide information on host-cell responses to biomaterials under bacterial challenge that is not available from separate monocultures. This study established a two-stage osteogenic cell–Staphylococcus aureus co-culture for assessment of a previously developed dual and sequential drug delivery system (DDS) designed to release gentamicin followed by alendronate. MG-63 cells were initially exposed to (Formula presented) (Formula presented) CFU/ml of S. aureus for different periods. An inoculum of (Formula presented) (Formula presented) CFU/ml and a 2 h exposure were selected because MG-63 metabolic activity did not differ significantly from the monoculture control at this time point (p > 0.05). These conditions were subsequently transferred to primary human bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells. The DDS-containing co-culture exhibited an increasing resazurin signal over 16 d and maintained adherent cells with an organised F-actin cytoskeleton. On day 25, protein-normalised alkaline phosphatase activity was 40 mol µg−1 protein in the DDS-containing co-culture, compared with 5 mol µg−1 protein in the basal-medium control and 63 mol µg−1 protein in the osteogenic-medium control. The model supports preliminary assessment of mammalian-cell compatibility and osteogenic-associated activity during sequential drug release under an initial bacterial challenge.
Halobasidium palustre sp. nov., Halobasidium insectorum sp. nov. and Sterigmatospora alpina sp. nov., three novel basidiomycetous yeasts in Pucciniomycotina from Europe
Publication . Avesani, Michele; Carvalho, Claudia; Yurkov, Andrey; Kachalkin, Aleksey; Chernyakovskaya, Tatyana; Zaccone, Claudio; Zapparoli, Giacomo; Sampaio, Jose Paulo; DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit; Springer Science Business Media
Seven yeast strains, isolated from an alpine peatland, plants and insect frass in Europe (Italy, Russia and Germany), were accommodated in three new species belonging to the subphylum Pucciniomycotina. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the 26S ribosomal RNA and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region placed two novel species closely related to Halobasidium xiangyangense and Halobasidium phyllopilum (Cystobasidiomycetes), while a third one was found to be closely related to Sterigmatospora layueensis (Agaricostilbomycetes). The tree topology positioned the Halobasidium isolates in two distinct subclades. Physiological characterization showed that the three novel species differed from their closest relatives. Sexual structures were not observed. These new species are primarily associated with the phyllosphere. The species described here are Halobasidium palustre sp. nov. (PYCC 10024T; MycoBank MB 862292), Halobasidium insectorum sp. nov. (PYCC 10357T; MycoBank MB 862293) and Sterigmatospora alpina sp. nov. (PYCC 10025T; MycoBank MB 862295).
Stakeholder Perspectives on Open and Sustainable Innovation in Portuguese Ports
Publication . Sabino, Maria R.; Cabrita, Maria do Rosário; Castro, Marcela; Mendes, Ana J.; Pinho, Tiago; DEMI - Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica e Industrial; UNIDEMI - Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Engenharia Mecânica e Industrial; Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)
The transition towards sustainable, resilient and digitally integrated port ecosystems has increased the need for collaborative innovation approaches capable of supporting broader sustainability transitions. In this context, open and sustainable innovation (OSI) offers a strategic mechanism for integrating economic, environmental and social objectives within complex maritime ecosystems. Although previous studies have explored technological innovation and isolated sustainability initiatives in ports, limited empirical attention has been given to how stakeholders perceive OSI and how its implementation is operationalised across a national port system. This study addresses this gap by investigating the central research question: how do key stakeholders perceive and implement OSI practices within the Portuguese port system? Specifically, it analyses organisational culture, governance structures, stakeholder engagement mechanisms, institutional barriers and sustainability-oriented innovation practices. The research adopts a qualitative approach based on ten semi-structured interviews with representatives of five Portuguese port authorities occupying senior management and strategic positions. The findings show that OSI is widely recognised as important for competitiveness, sustainability performance and alignment with transition agendas, but its implementation remains uneven across ports. Organisational resistance, fragmented governance, regulatory complexity and limited monitoring mechanisms constrain the institutionalisation of OSI practices. Nevertheless, collaborative initiatives involving universities, innovation networks, public–private partnerships and digital platforms indicate a gradual shift towards more integrated and participatory governance models. The study concludes that OSI can support sustainability transitions in port ecosystems when enabled by coordinated governance, stakeholder collaboration and organisational capabilities.
A self-reliance framework for identifying strategic advanced materials
Publication . Teixeira, Cristina; Gabbett, Cian; Synnatschke, Kevin; Coleman, Jonathan N.; Sofer, Zdenek; Mendes, Manuel J.; Fortunato, Elvira; Martins, Rodrigo; Pereira, Luis; Kelly, Adam G.; CENIMAT-i3N - Centro de Investigação de Materiais (Lab. Associado I3N); DCM - Departamento de Ciência dos Materiais; Nature Portfolio
Global supply chain disruptions make securing raw materials for next-generation technologies an urgent priority. Raw materials are currently deemed ‘critical’ based on their supply risk and ‘strategic’ if vital for green or digital transitions. However, these frameworks do not yet cover advanced materials, the complex, engineered substances like nanomaterials that are the drivers of modern innovation. Here we introduce a self-reliance index that quantifies European autonomy for elements, compounds and devices, using import dependence, recycling rates and supplier concentration. Linking this index to the state-of-the-art performance of a broad range of advanced materials, across conductors, semiconductors, dielectrics, battery electrodes and photovoltaic layers, we find that high-performance materials based on heavily imported elements almost always have European-sourced substitutes with comparable performance. We propose defining ‘strategic advanced materials’ as those offering high performance through locally available inputs. This framework provides a selection tool for researchers and policymakers to strengthen supply chain resilience and drive European technological sovereignty.
Biofunctionalization of Bacterial Cellulose with FucoPol Enhances Keratinocyte Activity and Wound Closure
Publication . Esmail, Asiyah; Rovisco, Ana; Morais, Maria; Fortunato, Elvira; Serra, Ana Teresa; Freitas, Filomena; DQ - Departamento de Química; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit; UNINOVA-Instituto de Desenvolvimento de Novas Tecnologias; CENIMAT-i3N - Centro de Investigação de Materiais (Lab. Associado I3N); DCM - Departamento de Ciência dos Materiais; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB); Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT); ACS - American Chemical Society
Bacterial cellulose (BC), a renewable microbially produced biocompatible polymer, is widely studied as a wound dressing given its nanofibrillar structure, mechanical strength, and high water retention capacity. However, pristine BC is largely biologically inert and does not actively stimulate tissue regeneration, highlighting the need for its biofunctionalization. Effective wound care requires dressings that both protect the wound environment and actively promote healing, driving growing interest in advanced and affordable bioactive wound dressings. FucoPol (FP), a fucose-containing, polyanionic microbial polysaccharide with proven wound-healing, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties, offers an attractive strategy to impart bioactivity to BC. In this study, BC membranes were functionalized by impregnation with an FP solution, enabling efficient diffusion and loading of the bioactive polysaccharide. The resulting FP-functionalized membranes presented reduced crystallinity (CI = 47 vs 56%) and water-holding capacity (41 ± 2.1 vs 75 ± 0.9 g/g). However, they outperformed neat BC in biological properties; BC/FP membranes promoted keratinocyte proliferation and metabolic activity and accelerated wound closure (28.3 ± 7.5% at 24 h). Overall, FP-functionalized BC membranes emerge as promising materials for developing bioactive wound dressings with clear enhanced therapeutic potential, particularly for early-stage wound management.