PROF. Cristina Silva Pereira
Welcome to Professor C. Silva Pereira Lab. Her research focus has always been problem-driven, often leading her to cross perceived discipline boundaries, such as those of Chemistry and Microbiology, reflected in the topics explored by her team.
Photo: Gonçalo F. Santos
WHO ARE WE?
HOME
Research in the Silva Pereira Lab gravitates around the study of filamentous fungi, especially their ability to sense and interact with the surrounds. We currently explore an eclectic mix of topics ranging from basic fungal physiology to bioactive compound discovery. Our strong fungal biotech focus promotes a high interdisciplinary scientific landscape.
VISION
We seek to better understand fungal behaviour (e.g. specialisation, key metabolic trails, resilience and pathogenicity) when placed in a heterogeneously, and continuously changing, niche. We wish to transform untapped natural resources into safe prodrugs and/or functional biomaterials with potential application in antifungal therapy, both preventive and curative.
HOW WE DO IT
Our group has expertise in analysing proteins, metabolites and gene expression in fungi, thus it is distinctive because it can tackle studies requiring chemical expertise (synthesis, spectroscopy, etc) which is often lacking in fundamental biology research. Usually we resort to model fungi, e.g. Aspergillus nidulans, yet we are also familiarized with soil mycobiota and fungal holobiomes.
FUNDING
