Scientific Area: Medical and Health Sciences.

EXPR: Infectious diseases.

Name of the service: Molecular Biology Lab (COVID-19 Lab) IPB.

Main responsible: Carina de Fátima Rodrigues, PhD, Professor, Researcher at LiveWell – Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing.

Category of the service:Technological service.

Target group: The laboratory’s services are aimed at various groups that can benefit from its expertise, including:

– Farmers and Agricultural Organizations (Monitoring zoonoses in livestock and assessing environmental factors).

– Local Communities (education and aware

Scientific refence: 

Graduated in Biology (Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto), master’s in molecular Genetics (University of Minho), and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, specializing in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto). Specialist in Medical Genetics (Ministry of Health). From 1999 to 2004, worked as a senior genetics technician at the Jacinto de Magalhães Institute of Medical Genetics (INSA), focusing on molecular prenatal diagnosis of rare diseases. Served as an assistant and later adjunct professor at the School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), Genetics, Genomics, and Cellular Biology, and researcher at the Mountain Research Center, IPB. She coordinated the project “SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Northeastern Portugal” and was the technical director of the COVID-19 Laboratory at IPB during the pandemic. Her main research areas include the “One Health” approach to zoonoses, genetic susceptibility to diseases and the application of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicine. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9773-1413 https://www.cienciavitae.pt/portal/en/C415-C677-0253.

Offer description:

The laboratory is currently dedicated to a detailed investigation of zoonotic cases in humans and animals over the past 20 years. It is developing an integrated database for risk analysis and assessment. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the laboratory offers the following services: Advanced Diagnostics:

– Implementation of modern laboratory protocols, such as Real-Time PCR), for pathogen identification, including new strains and antimicrobial resistance. – Development of multiplex immunoassays for simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens. – Monitoring pathogens in environmental samples (water, effluents, etc.) to identify potential zoonotic agents. Education and Training.

– Partnerships with health units, veterinary authorities, and agricultural organizations to ensure coordinated strategies for managing specific zoonotic diseases.

– Training sessions, workshops, and seminars for local professionals to enhance diagnostic and surveillance efficiency.