Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Nuno Saraiva is an Assistant Professor at Universidade Lusófona and a Principal Investigator at CBIOS, with a background in molecular biology and cell biology; he holds a PhD from Imperial College London (2012), following earlier training at the University of Lisbon and postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge.
His teaching and research focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms of cancer progression, particularly organelle signalling, Golgi Ca2+ homeostasis, redox regulation, cell migration and invasion. His current research investigates how dysregulated secretory pathway ion channels, especially TMBIM proteins, influence cancer cell fate and invasive behaviour, with growing emphasis on glioma biology and translational opportunities.
According to Scopus, he has authored 47 publications and has an h-index of 20, with peer-reviewed work published in journals including Journal of Cell Biology, Journal of Biological Chemistry and Redox Biology. He has led or participated in funded research, mobility and training projects supported by FCT, COST, Erasmus and institutional programmes. He has supervised more than 20 undergraduate/research initiation students, 16 MSc projects and one PhD student, and currently supervises 2 PhD and 4 MSc candidates.
His scientific career includes international research experience and collaborations with institutions such as the University of Cambridge, King’s College London, the University of Vienna, the University of Rouen and the Federal University of Pelotas. At CBIOS, he co-directs the Models & Molecular Mechanisms Lab and has established shared flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy capabilities.
His international recognition includes service as evaluator for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships, management committee membership in COST Actions including EuroCellNet and ERNEST, and participation in Net4Brain. He serves on the Editorial Board of Biology, and acts as Review Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology and Frontiers in Oncology.
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, PhD in Virology and Cell Biology
Award Date: 1 Feb 2012
Master, MSc in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade de Lisboa
Award Date: 1 Jul 2008
Bachelor, Degree in Genetics and Microbiology, Universidade de Lisboa
Award Date: 1 Aug 2006
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Ca2GB: Inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ channels as a strategy to control glioma
Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (PI), Fernandes, A. S. G. (Researcher), SANTOS, D. J. V. A. D. (Researcher), Pereira Leite, C. (Researcher), Júlio, A. L. G. (Researcher), Martins, M. (Researcher), Suzano, P. M. S. (Researcher), Ferreira, S. L. (Researcher), Antão, I. (Researcher), Ramos, M. (Researcher), Sousa, C. (Researcher) & Castel, H. (Researcher)
1/07/25 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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NANO4RARESKIN: Nanosolutions to upgrade the daily management of rare skin conditions
Pereira Leite, C. (PI), Rosado, C. (Researcher), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Researcher), Fernandes, A. S. G. (Researcher), Costa, J. G. F. D. (Researcher), Rijo, P. D. M. (Researcher), Júlio, A. L. G. (Researcher), Isca, V. M. S. (Researcher), Vieira, J. (Researcher), ALMEIDA, C. J. (Researcher), Martins, M. (Researcher), Martinho, M. T. (Research Assistant), Santos, C. (Research Assistant) & Gingado, M. (Research Assistant)
ILIND - Instituto Lusófono de Investigação e Desenvolvimento
1/01/24 → 31/07/26
Project: Research
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EXPLORER: Exploring Unconventional Plant-Derived Metabolites to Keep Away Diabetes: The case of Pomegranate
Menezes, R. (PI), RODRIGUES, L. A. M. (Researcher), Pêgo, C. S. F. (Researcher), Rosado, C. (Researcher), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Researcher), Fernandes, A. S. G. (Researcher), Costa, J. G. F. D. (Researcher), Rijo, P. D. M. (Researcher), PALMA, B. J. E. D. B. (Researcher), MOURATO, A. C. D. P. (Researcher), Alves, E. (Researcher), GOMES, A. F. D. S. (Researcher), Rocha, C. J. G. D. (Researcher), Ferreira, S. G. (Researcher), Farrim, M. I. D. J. D. (Researcher), Júlio, A. L. G. (Researcher), ALMEIDA, C. J. (Researcher), Vieira, J. M. B. (Researcher), Guerreiro, Í. C. F. (Researcher), Lopes, S. R. F. (Researcher), Pereira Leite, C. (Researcher), Lopes, P. B. R. L. (Researcher), SANDES, F. S. (Researcher), Alves, M. (Researcher), Rodrigues, P. (Researcher), Rodrigues da Silva, A. S. (Researcher) & Martins, G. J. S. (Researcher)
1/06/23 → 30/06/26
Project: Research
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BIOMATNANO4AD: Bioinspired materials in nanosolutions to tackle atopic dermatitis
Pereira Leite, C. (PI), Rosado, C. (Researcher), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Researcher), Júlio, A. L. G. (Researcher), ROQUE, R. M. G. (Researcher), ALMEIDA, C. J. (Researcher) & Vieira, J. M. B. (Researcher)
FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
1/11/21 → 30/10/23
Project: Research
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LusoModLOX: Lusophone flora fighting disease: focus on therapeutic lysyl oxidase modulators
Fernandes, A. S. G. (PI), Rijo, P. D. M. (Researcher), Rosado, C. (Researcher), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Researcher), Costa, J. G. F. D. (Researcher), RODRIGUES, L. A. M. (Researcher), Pereira Leite, C. (Researcher), ALMEIDA, T. V. S. D. (Researcher), ANDRADE, S. F. D. (Researcher), Ramos, A. S. D. F. (Researcher), Júlio, A. L. G. (Researcher), Ntungwe, E. (Researcher) & Isca, V. M. S. (Researcher)
1/09/21 → 31/08/24
Project: Research
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Boosting the topical delivery of ferulic acid with IL-SLNs
Júlio, A., Gomes, A. P., Fernandes, A. S., Saraiva, N., Rosado, C. & Pereira-Leite, C., 2026.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
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Development of rutin-loaded cerosomes for topical photoprotection and skin barrier modulation
Vieira, J., Júlio, A., Hrdinová, I., Kováčik, A., Vávrová, K., Baby, A. R., Roque, R., Saraiva, N., Rosado, C. & Pereira-Leite, C., 10 Aug 2026, In: International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 701, 127097.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Engineering TransfersomIL Nanocarriers to improve topical delivery of caffeic acid
Martins, M. F. D. S. B., Júlio, A., Saraiva, N., Rosado, C. & Pereira-Leite, C., 2026.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
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From virtual screening to cell phenotype: 4-thiazolidone scaffolds argeting LOXL2 in breast cancer
Ferreira, S., Santos, B., Tavares, M., Holota, S., Khylyuk, D., Lesyk, R., Finyuk, N., Dos Santos, D. J. V. A., Díaz-Lanza, A. M., Costa, J. G., Saraiva, N. & Fernandes, A. S., Jun 2026, In: Chemical Biology and Drug Design. 107, 6, 15 p., e70320.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Nanoparticle-mediated silencing of TMBIM4 as a therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma
Pereira, G., Mastrantuono, E., Graça, L., Matias, D. & Saraiva, N., 2026, p. 53. 1 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
Activities
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Ocupação Científica de Jovens nas Férias 2026
Pereira Leite, C. (Chair), Alves, E. (Organiser), Silva, E. (Organiser), GOMES, A. F. D. S. (Organiser), PEREIRA, P. C. D. S. F. G. (Organiser), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Participant), Rosado, C. (Participant), Menezes, R. (Participant), Farrim, M. I. D. J. D. (Participant), Ferreira, S. (Participant), Raposo, A. J. D. A. S. (Participant), Esgalhado, M. G. B. M. (Participant), PALMA, M. L. L. M. G. D. (Participant) & Júlio, A. L. G. (Participant)
6 Jul 2026 → 10 Jul 2026Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
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Catarina Nogueira
Pereira Leite, C. (Host), Rosado, C. (Host), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Host) & Júlio, A. L. G. (Host)
6 Jul 2026 → 10 Jul 2026Activity: Hosting a visitor › Hosting an academic visitor
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Juan Pereira
Pereira Leite, C. (Host), Rosado, C. (Host), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Host) & Júlio, A. L. G. (Host)
6 Jul 2026 → 10 Jul 2026Activity: Hosting a visitor › Hosting an academic visitor
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Cell Migration: Concepts and Techniques
Fernandes, A. S. G. (Speaker) & Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Speaker)
4 Jul 2026Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Entoingredients: Evidence-Based Potential or Overhyped Trend in SkinCare?
Pereira Leite, C. (Speaker), ALMEIDA, C. J. (Speaker), Gomes, A. P. (Speaker), André, R. A. O. E. (Speaker), Rijo, P. D. M. (Speaker), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Speaker), Júlio, A. L. G. (Speaker) & Rosado, C. (Speaker)
23 Jun 2026 → 24 Jun 2026Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
Prizes
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Award for best poster: Effect of TMBIM Family Members in Glioma
Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Recipient), 2020
Prize
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B.INOV 2.0 award to project “New biomarkers in HER2+ breast cancer to enhance diagnosis and personalized therapy
Luz, P. (Recipient), Fernandes, A. S. G. (Recipient), Costa, J. G. F. D. (Recipient), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Recipient), Gregório, J. P. B. (Recipient) & Ramos, A. S. D. F. (Recipient), 2024
Prize
Press/Media
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Les compléments alimentaires sont-ils mauvais pour le foie ?
Fernandes, A. S. G., Costa, J. G. F. D., Saraiva, N. R. D. A. & COSTA, M. D. C. G. D.
5/08/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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A New Paradigm for Healing — Shifting Focus to Cellular Health
Fernandes, A. S. G., Saraiva, N. R. D. A., Costa, J. G. F. D. & COSTA, M. D. C. G. D.
29/03/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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Liver problems linked to supplement use are on the rise—here’s why
Fernandes, A. S. G., Saraiva, N. R. D. A., Costa, J. G. F. D. & COSTA, M. D. C. G. D.
14/02/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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New biomarkers in HER2-positive breast cancer: a contribution to personalized therapy
Luz, P., Ramos, A. S. D. F., FAISCA, R. P. B. M., Ferreira, S. L., Gregório, J. P. B., Saraiva, N. R. D. A., Costa, J. G. F. D. & Fernandes, A. S. G.
3/02/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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The Golgi at the steering weal of a cancer cell
Saraiva, N. R. D. A. & Fernandes, A. S. G.
17/11/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
Impacts
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Food safety in personalized nutrition
Fernandes, A. S. G. (Participant), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Participant), Costa, J. G. F. D. (Participant) & COSTA, M. D. C. G. D. (Participant)
Impact: Public policy impacts
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L 2023 nr 06 - Mikrobiologiska risker med kosttillskott
Fernandes, A. S. G. (Participant), Saraiva, N. R. D. A. (Participant), Costa, J. G. F. D. (Participant) & COSTA, M. D. C. G. D. (Participant)
Impact: Public policy impacts
Datasets
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Association between Dysregulated Expression of Ca2+ and ROS-Related Gene Pairs and Breast Cancer Patient Survival
Ramos, S. (Creator), Saraiva, N. (Supervisor), Fernandes, A. S. (Supervisor) & Gregório, J. (Supervisor), Zenodo, 19 Jun 2024
Dataset
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TMBIM-correlated genes from glioma datasets
Ramos, S. (Creator) & Saraiva, N. (Supervisor), Zenodo, 25 Mar 2026
Dataset
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Association between Dysregulated Expression of Ca2+ and ROS-Related Gene Pairs and Breast Cancer Patient Survival
Ramos, S. (Creator), Saraiva, N. (Supervisor), Fernandes, A. S. (Supervisor) & Gregório, J. (Supervisor), Zenodo, 19 Jun 2024
Dataset