Gonçalo Seixas

GS graduated in Biomedical Sciences, holds a MsC in Medical Parasitology and concluded the PhD in Biomedical Sciences at IHMT/NOVA in 2019. GS scientific career focus on major disease vector research, targeting public health and quality of life in Portugal improvement. Particularly, his studies are directed to vectors and vector-borne diseases with special emphasis on mosquitoes and ticks. In both vectors, he´s been applying a combination of innovative methodologies such as genomics, population genetics, transcriptomics to collect and analyse data concerning vector-pathogen interface and, ultimately, propose strategies and tools for their reduction and control.

During the MSc and PhD, GS studies focused on invasive mosquito species present in Portugal. Such studies contributed for the design and implementation of vector control strategies by the National Health authorities. In the last years, GS has been applying his expertise to study tick functional genomics and immuno-informatics in which, the group is leading tick research by testing tick antigens, obtained through a reverse vaccinology approach.

GS is member of 3 FCT funded projects, collaborator of 2 EU projects and member of the Installing Committee of VIASEF (In Vivo Arthropod Security Facility, level 3) at IHMT/NOVA. GS has co-authored 17 publications in international peer-reviewed journals, 5 as first author with a total of 517 citations, and an H-index of 9.

Presently, GS in the main supervisor of one PhD student, two MsC students, a BsC student and trained several national and international researchers in laboratory work related to parasitology, molecular biology, in vitro and in vivo studies and vector-pathogen interactions. GS has supported the lecture of online and practical classes from IHMT/NOVA. Together with the head of the group GS is part of, he is responsible for whole genome sequencing studies in major tick vectors. Also, during the last years GS has collaborated with international partners such as Institut Pasteur and Yale University, strengthening networks and promoting knowledge transfer and scientific excellency.

1.     Couto J et al. 2021. Probing the Rhipicephalus bursa sialomes in potential anti-tick vaccine candidates: a reverse vaccinology approach. Biomedicines, 9(4), 363 (IF: 4.7).

2.     Nazareth T et al. 2020. What happens when we modify mosquitoes for disease prevention? A systematic review. Emerg Microbes & Infections, 9:1, 348-365. (IF: 6.18).

3.     Seixas G et al. 2017. Insecticide resistance is mediated by multiple mechanisms in recently introduced Aedes aegypti from Madeira Island (Portugal). PLoS Negl Trop Dis: 11(7), (IF=4.4)

4.     Gloria-Soria et al. 2016. Global Genetic Diversity of Aedes aegypti. Molecular Ecology. (IF= 6.1)

5.     Jupille H et al. 2016. Zika virus, a new threat for Europe? Plos Negl Trop Dis, 10(8). (IF=4.4)