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NanoImmunoTech

NanoImmunoTech
NIT Research Labs

NIT is focused on the identification of biomarkers in cancer progression, angiogenesis and metastasis, and characterization of glycan-based recognition of molecular cues in oncogenesis.This fundamental knowledge assists the development of novel biosensors for diagnostics and on the design of better and innovative therapies to fight cancer.


NIT outstanding contributions to elucidate exosome trafficking, modulation of the tumor microenvironment and angiogenesis and the role of glycans in cancer progression, metastasis and evasion of immune response, has paved the way to optimize novel immunotherapies (antibodies and dendritic cells; proprietary technology) and novel targeted nanomedicines against cancer (particularly colorectal, breast and lung carcinomas). Several molecular marks have been targeted:

  • i) gene silencing and controlling crucial genes;

  • ii) targeted drug delivery;

  • iii) controlling exosomes malignant transformation of normal cells;

  • iv) localized hyperthermia against cancer.


NIT is strongly committed to develop molecular biosensors towards portable devices for diagnostics. This work has allowed to integrate multidisciplinary international networks (MSCAITN-GlycoCan; ERA-Net; and M-ERA-Net) in prolific collaborations with biopharma.


Recent publications
de Almeida, MP; Rodrigues, C; Novais, A; Grosso, F; Leopold, N; Peixe, L; Franco, R; Pereira, E. 2023. Silver Nanostar-Based SERS for the Discrimination of Clinically Relevant Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae Species and Clones. BIOSENSORS-BASEL, 13, DOI: 10.3390/bios13020149
Oliveira, MJ; Caetano, S; Dalot, A; Sabino, F; Calmeiro, TR; Fortunato, E; Martins, R; Pereira, E; Prudencio, M; Byrne, HJ; Franco, R; Aguas, H. 2023. A simple polystyrene microfluidic device for sensitive and accurate SERS-based detection of infection by malaria parasites. ANALYST, 148, DOI: 10.1039/d3an00971h
Monteiro, T; Moreira, M; Gaspar, SBR; Almeida, MG. 2022. Bilirubin oxidase as a single enzymatic oxygen scavenger for the development of reductase-based biosensors in the open air and its application on a nitrite biosensor. BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS, 217, DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114720
Enea, M; de Almeida, MP; Dias, A; Ferreira, B; Bernardes, C; Flores, O; Pereira, E; Franco, R. 2022. Improved Gold Nanoprobes for Detection of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms: The Influence of Size. PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION, DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.202200137
Stéphane Besson, M. Gabriela Almeida, Célia M. Silveira. 2022. Nitrite reduction in bacteria: A comprehensive view of nitrite reductases. COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS, 464, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214560