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Biography

I have always nourished a keen interest in Immunology. So, after my BSc in Biochemistry, I did a MSc in Clinical Immunology with the second year’s practical project in the lab of Immunology Mário Arala Chaves at ICBAS. Back then and in accordance with the laboratory current scientific view, I collaborated in the description of a virulence-associated immunomodulatory protein (VIP) secreted by Streptococcus agalactiae being the goal its application in immune intervention strategies. While I was collaborating in the previous project, I found that this VIP had been previously described as a plasminogen receptor in several pathogens. The multifunctional role of this protein attracted my attention so much that I decided to do my PhD under this subject and investigate the role of the host plasminogen system in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus agalactiae infection. I defended my PhD thesis in April 2012 with distinction. My academic degrees gave me a great knowledge and skills in different areas including in Immunology and Microbiology. However, I felt that I had to improve in other areas which were underprivileged in my CV and by which I had always nourished a great interest: Molecular Biology and Genetics. So, I accepted a position as a Postdoctoral Researcher at CIBIO (University of Porto) in the Immunogenetics, Microbes and Co-Evolution group, under the project “Host-pathogen co-evolution” (2 year-contract period). I believed that the interplay between Immunology and Genetics would be very fruitful since I could develop my skills in Molecular Biology in my background area: Immunology. Actually, in addition to the referred, I have gained skills in other subjects such as Population Genetics, Evolution and Bioinformatics.
Along the path, I have been searching for my scientific interests and looking for my place in science and concluded that I would like to work in projects dedicated to develop translational research in the field of biomedicine. In 2015, I had the opportunity to embrace these kind of projects: a position as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Institute of Experimental Dermatology (University of Lübeck, Germany) under the project “Genetics on Pemphigoid diseases” (3 year-contract period). This project aimed the identification and modeling of molecular pathways driving the bullous pemphigoid effector phase being expect that these findings facilitate novel therapeutic strategies for the patients through application of genetic variants-targeted drugs. This has been a rich experience that has allowed me to develop my scientific knowledge, technical skills and creativity.
Due to some family problems, I had to come back to Portugal and in 2016, I have embraced a new and exciting project (6 months-contract period): “A proteogenomics approach towards the understanding of S. epidermidis pathogenicity” at ITQB (University NOVA of Lisbon) whose aim was the characterization of the proteomes of two strains of S. epidermidis belonging to phylogenetic groups with different pathogenic potential and the identification of the metabolic pathways that can be linked to pathogenicity in this species.
Since August 2017, I have been working in the CBMA (University of Minho) under the project “Integrative Research in Environment, Agro-Chain and Tecnhology”, specifically in the line “Innovation for Sustainable Agro-food Chains”. Although a brand-new area, I felt a great interest in it due to its application in translational research, searching for plant extracts and bioactive compounds to improve human health.

Activities

Employment (5)

University of Minho: Braga, PT

2017-07-01 to present | Post-doctoral researcher (Department of Biology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica: Oeiras, Lisboa, PT

2016-09-01 to 2017-04-30 | Post-doctoral researcher (Proteomics of Non-Model Organisms and Bacterial Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology laboratories)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

University of Lubeck: Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, DE

2016-01-01 to 2016-06-30 | Post-doctoral researcher (Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO): Vairao, Porto, PT

2013-10-01 to 2015-06-30 | Post-Doc Researcher (Immunogenetics, Microbes and Infectious Diseases - IMID)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

Universidade dos Açores Departamento de ciencias agrarias: Angra do heroismo, Açores, PT

2013-04-01 to 2013-09-30 | Investigadora (Ciências Agrárias)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

Education and qualifications (3)

University of Porto: Porto, PT

2007-09-01 to 2012-04-23 | Biomedical Sciences/ PhD
Qualification
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

University of Beira Interior: Covilha, PT

2003-09-15 to 2006-12-05 | Clinical Immunology, MSc
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

University of Porto: Porto, PT

1991-09-15 to 1996-12-13 | Biochemistry, BSc
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

Works (13)

Comparative studies on the anti-neuroinflammatory and antioxidant activities of black and red goji berries

Journal of Functional Foods
2022 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85127323256

Part of ISSN: 17564646
Contributors: Magalhães, V.; Silva, A.R.; Silva, B.; Zhang, X.; Dias, A.C.P.
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V. via Scopus - Elsevier

Comparative Study on the Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase Activity by Hyptis marrubioides, Hyptis pectinata, and Hyptis suaveolens Methanolic Extracts

2020-11-09 | Conference paper
Contributors: Vanessa Magalhães; Rejaine M. Rios; Fabiano G. Silva; Alberto C. P. Dias
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Alternated selection mechanisms maintain adaptive diversity in different demographic scenarios of a large carnivore

BMC Evolutionary Biology
2019 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85064221037

Part of ISSN: 14712148
Contributors: Rocha, R.G.; Magalhães, V.; López-Bao, J.V.; Van Der Loo, W.; Llaneza, L.; Alvares, F.; Esteves, P.J.; Godinho, R.
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V. via Scopus - Elsevier

Comparative study of the cytoprotective effects of Baccharis trimera and Baccharis dracunculfolia in vitro against oxidative insults

Planta Medica International Open
2018-08-28 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

Cytoprotective effect of Lycium extracts against oxidative insults

Planta Medica International Open
2018-08-27 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

Genetic diversity comparison of the DQA gene in European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations

Immunogenetics
2015 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84942195924

Part of ISSN: 14321211 00937711
Contributors: Magalhães, V.; Abrantes, J.; Munõz-Pajares, A.J.; Esteves, P.J.
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V. via Scopus - Elsevier

Genetic diversity comparison of the DQA gene in European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations.

Immunogenetics
2015-10-10 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.

Latin-style fresh cheese enhances lactic acid bacteria survival but not Listeria monocytogenes resistance under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions

Journal of Dairy Science
2015-03-15 | Journal article
DOI:

10.3168/jds.2015-9420

Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Group B Streptococcus Hijacks the Host Plasminogen System to Promote Brain Endothelial Cell Invasion

Plos One
2013-05-02 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

Streptococcus agalactiae GAPDH is a virulence-associated immunomodulatory protein

Journal of Immunology
2007 | Journal article
Part of ISSN:

0022-1767

Contributors: Madureira, Pedro; Baptista, Marina; Vieira, Marta; Magalhaes, Vanessa; Camelo, Ana; Oliveira, Liliana; Ribeiro, Adilia; Tavares, Delfina; Trieu-Cuot, Patrick; Vilanova, Manuel et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V. via ResearcherID

Streptococcus agalactiae GAPDH is a virulence-associated immunomodulatory protein

Journal of Immunology
2007 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-33846531957

Part of ISSN: 00221767
Contributors: Madureira, P.; Baptista, M.; Vieira, M.; Magalhães, V.; Camelo, A.; Oliveira, L.; Ribeiro, A.; Tavares, D.; Trieu-Cuot, P.; Vilanova, M. et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V. via Scopus - Elsevier

Interaction with human plasminogen system turns on proteolytic activity in Streptococcus agalactiae and enhances its virulence in a mouse model

Microbes and Infection
2007-09-09 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

Streptococcus agalactiae GAPDH is a virulence-associated immunomodulatory protein

Journal of Immunology
2007-02-01 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Magalhães V.