Victor Pimentel

Victor Pimentel holds a Master’s in Parasitology from the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of São Paulo. He has experience in Virology, Molecular Biology, Microorganism Genetics, and Bioinformatics applied in the studies of different viruses such as: HIV, DENV, ZIKV, SARS-CoV-2.

He is acting mainly in the development of research activities related to studies of the HIV-1 transmission clusters, HIV-1 Drug resistance using phylogenetic, phylodynamic, and phylogeographic methods. Also, he has been active in carrying out HIV-1 genotyping using next-generation sequencing, developing in-house protocols for sequencing partial genomes of HIV-1 in the PALOP (Portuguese Speaking African Countries).

He is a research fellow at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT-NOVA), investigating the determinants of resistance to antiretrovirals among the immigrant population living in Portugal. He did a short-term internship at the University of Oxford, England, developing research activities in the context of data analysis and statistics in the molecular epidemiology of HIV. He is currently dedicated to the issue of HIV in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Victor’s research focuses on viruses, the transmission of infectious diseases, evolution, and global health, with a particular emphasis on antiviral drug resistance. He applies bioinformatics and health research methods to analyze genomic data, focusing on developing third-generation sequencing techniques using MinION technology. His work aims to create practical, cost-effective solutions to meet the healthcare needs of low- and middle-income countries.

Victor Pimentel is a member of the research team led by Associate Professor Ana Abecasis. The team includes Assistant Professor Marta Pingarilho, PhD students Ricardo Abrantes and Elisangela Bonfim, and post-doctoral researcher Mafalda Miranda.

Pathogen Dispersion and Mobility of Populations

This line of research aims to reconstruct the dissemination of rapidly evolving pathogens and viruses at local and global levels. It integrates genetic, clinical, and epidemiological data with phylodynamic algorithms to date and outline possible routes of dissemination of viral-origin pathogens. This approach has been investigated in various contexts, such as analyzing the spread of the dengue virus throughout Brazilian territory, in collaboration with significant research groups from Fiocruz and reference laboratories.

Investigation and characterization of HIV-1 Molecular Transmission clusters

Viruses that evolve rapidly, such as HIV, can have their transmission clusters reconstructed using phylogenetic methods, taking into account the degree of relatedness based on genetic data. Identifying these potential transmission clusters is essential for distinguishing the factors contributing to the spread within a specific group. Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether these clusters remain active by calculating the R0, which provides a clearer understanding of which groups sustain the epidemic in a given location. Through this type of analysis, it becomes feasible to anticipate transmission chains and, in collaboration with decision-makers, implement control measures aimed at combating and potentially eradicating pathogens.

As an example, we highlight ongoing and completed projects that utilize this approach, including BEST HOPE (completed) and MARVEL (PTDC/SAU-PUB/4018/2021).

HIV diversity and understanding how resistance to antiretroviral drugs develops

In this context, we are examining several HIV research projects within the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), where various subtypes and recombinant forms can be identified. This variability allows us to investigate its impact on resistance to antiretroviral drugs. Some perspectives suggest that certain subtypes may be more infectious, progress more rapidly to AIDS, or require fewer steps to develop resistance. Understanding these specific characteristics is crucial for tailoring therapies to the local context. In this, context we can exemplify MARVEL (PTDC/SAU-PUB/4018/2021) INTEGRIV (PTDC/SAU-INF/31990/2017), and BEST HOPE (HIVERA/0001/2011).

1. Sebastião CS, Bathy J, Nhampossa T, Santos A, Miranda M, Manhiça NM, Bila R, Vubil D, Seabra S, O Martins MR, Giovanetti M, Gomes P, Pingarilho M, Abecasis AB, Pimentel V. Susceptibility to Lenacapavir Among Newly Diagnosed HIV-Positive Patients Followed Up in Mozambique That Presented With Primary Antiretroviral Resistance to Other Classes. J Med Virol. 2025 Mar;97(3):e70317. doi:10.1002/jmv.70317. PMID: 40109100; PMCID: PMC11923580.
2. Sebastião CS, Pingarilho M, Bathy J, Bonfim E, Toancha K, Miranda MNS, Martins MRO, Gomes P, Lázaro L, Pina-Araujo I, Nhampossa T, Leal S, Abecasis AB, Pimentel V. MARVEL-minimising the emergence and dissemination of HIV-1 drug resistance in Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP): low-cost portable NGS platform for HIV-1 surveillance in Africa. BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Aug 29;24(1):884.  DOI: 1186/s12879-024-09803-1.
3. Sebastião CS, Abecasis AB, Jandondo D, Sebastião JMK, Vigário J, Comandante F, Pingarilho M, Pocongo B, Cassinela E, Gonçalves F, Gomes P, Giovanetti M, Francisco NM, Sacomboio E, Brito M, Neto de Vasconcelos J, Morais J, Pimentel V. HIV-1 diversity and pre-treatment drug resistance in the era of integrase inhibitor among newly diagnosed ART-naïve adult patients in Luanda, Angola. Sci Rep. 2024 Jul 10;14(1):15893. DOI: 1038/s41598-024-66905-1
4. Pimentel VF, Pingarilho M, Sole G, Alves D, Miranda M, Diogo I, Fernandes S, Pineda-Pena A, Martins MRO, Camacho R, Gomes P, Abecasis AB; Portuguese HIV-1 Resistance Study Group. Differential patterns of postmigration HIV-1 infection acquisition among Portuguese immigrants of different geographical origins. AIDS. 2022 Jun 1;36(7):997-1005. [IF 2022 = 4.632]. DOI: 1097/QAD.0000000000003203 .
5. delino TÉR, Giovanetti M, Fonseca V, Xavier J, de Abreu ÁS, do Nascimento VA, Demarchi LHF, Oliveira MAA, da Silva VL, de Mello ALES, Cunha GM, Santos RH, de Oliveira EC, Júnior JAC, de Melo Iani FC, …, Pimentel V; Latin American Genomic Surveillance Arboviral Network; Holmes EC, de Oliveira T, Lourenço J, Alcantara LCJ. Field and classroom initiatives for portable sequence-based monitoring of dengue virus in Brazil. Nat Commun. 2021 Apr 16;12(1):2296. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22607-0. PMID: 33863880; PMCID: PMC8052316.