Between 4 and 6 December, MICROBiotec 2025 took place at the University of the Azores, bringing together researchers and professionals from across the fields of microbiology and biotechnology.
Researchers from GHTM | IHMT NOVA had a strong and highly visible participation in MICROBiotec’25, reflecting the Unit’s scientific diversity, leadership and active engagement across multiple thematic areas of microbiology and biotechnology.
A total of 21 researchers from THOP and VBD GHTM Research Groups took part in the conference, contributing with 2 keynote lectures, 3 oral communications, 21 poster communications (plus one additional poster with GHTM co-authorship), and assuming key roles in five scientific sessions as session chairs. Notably, GHTM research was also distinguished with one Award for Best Poster Communication.
Scientific Leadership and Session Chairs
GHTM researchers played a prominent role in the scientific programme as session chairs across several thematic areas:
- Topic 3 – Session 2: Health Biotechnology and Microbiology
Isabel Couto (GHTM | IHMT NOVA) & Mariana Pinho (ITQB-UNL) - Topic 3 – Session 3: Health Biotechnology
Isabel Couto (GHTM | IHMT NOVA) & Mariana Pinho (ITQB-UNL) - Topic 4 – Session 2: Health Microbiology
Miguel Viveiros (GHTM | IHMT NOVA) & Carla Cabral (CBA – UAç) - Topic 2 – Session 4: Food Microbiology and Biotechnology
Miguel Viveiros (GHTM | IHMT NOVA) & Carla Cabral (CBA – UAç) - Topic 9 – Session 1: Biological Resources and Networks
Ana Paula Arez (GHTM | IHMT NOVA) & Nelson Lima (CEB – University of Minho)
Keynote Lectures
Two GHTM researchers were invited as keynote speakers, highlighting the Unit’s international recognition:
- Isabel Couto (GHTM | IHMT NOVA)
Efflux-driven antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococci
(Topic 3 – Health Biotechnology & Microbiology) - Ana Paula Arez (GHTM | IHMT NOVA)
Biobanks and Biological Collections: driving One Health by strengthening global networks, capacity, and research equity
(Topic 9 – Biological Resources and Networks)
Oral and Poster Communications
GHTM researchers presented three oral communications and an extensive portfolio of poster communications, adressing key topics such as antimicrobial resistance, efflux mechanisms, infectious disease models, drug repurposing, biobanking, vector surveillance, and global health microbiology. Additionally, GHTM researchers participated as co-authors in further poster communications, reinforcing the Unit’s collaborative and interdisciplinary approach.
Oral Communications
- Topic 1 Session 1: Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology
Ana Armada(GHTM | IHMT NOVA)
ID289 | Diversity of Leptospira spp. in biofilms, water, and soil: pathogenic DNA and viable saprophytic isolates in Lisbon, Portugal
Coauthors: Ana Rita Nascimento, Priscyla dos Santos Ribeiro, Angela Lopes, Fernanda Simões, Paula Ristow, Maria Luísa Vieira
- Topic 4 Session 5: Health Microbiology
Liliana Rodrigues(GHTM | IHMT NOVA)
ID499 | From old drugs to novel antifungal strategies: inhibiting efflux mechanisms in Candida albicans
Coauthors: Débora Marques, Sofia Santos Costa
- Topic 8 Session 1: From Science to Society and Business
Luis Filipe Lopes (GHTM, LA-REAL, IHMT)
OP8.1 – MosquitoWEB – A citizen science tool for arbovirus vector surveillance
Coauthors: Teresa Novo, Carla Sousa
Among these contributions, the poster “A biological collection being established at the University of Cabo Verde: A Lusophone node to strengthen research capacity in Cabo Verde”, authored by Alexandra dos Santos and collaborators, was awarded the Best Poster Communication in Topic 9 – Biological Resources and Networks. Alexandra dos Santos also received a Travel Grant from the conference.
This high level of participation demonstrates GHTM’s dedication to promoting research in microbiology, biotechnology and global health, and to encouraging scientific collaboration at national and international levels. GHTM congratulates all the researchers involved.