Personal presentation

Holds a degree in agricultural engineering (ESALQ - USP - 1995), a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Göteborg University, Sweden (2004) and a post-doctorate in Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom - 2004 to 2015). Is currently assistant professor at the Department of Structural and Functional Biology (area of #8203;#8203;cell biology) of the Institute of Biology of the State University of Campinas. Established the Laboratory of Synthetic Biology (LaBS), where molecular biology, genetics, microbiology and biochemistry are combined to search for new antimicrobials, antiparasitics and for the engineering of stress-resistant yeasts. LaBS uses the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bacteria (E. coli, Bacillus, Streptomyces and Komagataeibacter) as a platform for the discovery of new drugs and biotechnological solutions.

Research activities

The current COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of our society to infections diseases. Whilst the current media focus is centered on SARS-CoV2, we must be prepared for the threat posed by drug-resistant parasites, fungi, and bacteria. The Synthetic Biology Laboratory (LaBS) was established in 2016 and is based on synthetic biology as a tool for drug discovery, using yeast and bacteria as hosts for heterologous expression and a platform for genome-wide screens. We have 3 well-established lines of investigation, which can further be improved and rapidly yield results. We are also introducing a novel highly ambitious line of research, taking advantage of our strong international collaboration network, for the development of novel antimicrobials inspired by secondary metabolites from native actinomycetes, filamentous fungi, or plant species.

Teaching activities

Teaching in Cell biology and Synthetic Biology

Extension activities

Coordinator of the iGEM - UNICAMP team