The first edition of the Ignition Grants for Interdisciplinary Research competition, promoted by NOVA University Lisbon with the support of the Santander Portugal Foundation, recognised three innovative scientific projects, two of which involve researchers from NOVA Medical School.
NOVACryoSkin proposes a new paradigm in the cryopreservation of biological materials. Principal Investigator Duarte Barral, from NOVA Medical School, co-leads this initiative together with Ana Rita Duarte from NOVA FCT, with the collaboration of Marta Cerejo and Luís Cabaço (NOVA Medical School) and Filipe Oliveira (NOVA FCT). The project combines emerging technologies that could reduce the toxicity of cryoprotectants and enable the preservation of biological material at more moderate temperatures, simplifying processes and reducing the ecological footprint of cryopreservation.
INSUBIO focuses on developing an innovative insulin biosensor, with the aim of making glycaemic control more personalised, effective and accessible for people with diabetes. The project is led by Tomás Pinheiro (NOVA FCT) and Tatiana Burrinha (NOVA Medical School) and also includes Professor Paula Macedo (NOVA Medical School) and Professor Elvira Fortunato (NOVA FCT). The initiative combines technological innovation with sustainability and aims to democratise access to diabetes monitoring solutions, reinforcing the social impact of research.
With researchers involved in two of the three award-winning projects, NOVA Medical School has established itself as a centre of excellence in interdisciplinary research, contributing to scientific solutions with a direct impact on health, sustainability and quality of life.