Centro de Investigação em Genética Molecular Humana (CIGMH)
CIGMH aims to be an internationally leading centre in teaching and advanced innovative human genetic research, combining multidisciplinary approaches, developing knowledge and expertise, crucial for understanding the molecular basis of disease and treatment responses. This centre focuses, in particular, on integrating knowledge concerning gene organisation and expression regulation, signal transduction, individual genetic predisposition and the role of environmental chemical/physical factors, with the ultimate goal of implementing patient specific prevention strategies and treatments. CIGMH is supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and it brings together three teams which carry out complementary activities in the area of human molecular pathology: 1. Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Life Sciences Department at FCT/UNL 2. Department of Genetics at FCM/UNL and 3. Centre of Human Genetics - National Institute of Health, Dr. Ricardo Jorge. This centre includes 35 PhD holders working on the following areas:
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Monogenic diseases;
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Multifactorial diseases and genetic susceptibilities;
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Oncogenesis mechanisms and Oncobiology;
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Cytogenetic and Molecular Cytogenetic.
Centro de Estudos de Doenças Crónicas (CEDOC)
CEDOC includes research groups with expertise from biomedical to clinical science, who have been working together for several years, aiming at the application of basic research data in clinical practice and medical education, whilst contributing to the formation of local, national and international partnerships. The 5 main objectives are: 1. development of multidisciplinary approaches to chronic diseases: from bench to bedside and services; 2. development of integrated networks with strategic national and international partnerships; 3. contributing to the development of new technologies; 4. attract medical students and young researchers (30 PhD holders) and develop their scientific skills; 5. attract significant national and international funding.
The unit is organized in 3 groups:
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Biomedical and Translational Research;
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Clinical Research and Epidemiology;
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Health Policy and Services.
Unidade de Parasitologia e Microbiologia Médica (UPMM)
This unit was established in 1994 and is funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Its main objective is to contribute to the improvement of human health and to the advancement of biomedicine and health sciences related to the Tropical Health. UPMM has two scientific areas: Medical Parasitology with two groups - Medical Entomology and Medical Helminthology (including Medical Malacology), and Medical Microbiology with two groups, Virology and Mycobacteriology. Research activities are carried out either individually or with interactions among its groups and UPMM’s collaborators and include malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, arboviruses, tuberculosis, intestinal parasites, AIDS, fascioliasis, hidatid diseases, cysticercosis and other neglected and emerging diseases, with special focus on ecology, environment and population biology (parasites, vectors, intermediate hosts), host-pathogen interactions, immunodiagnosis, epidemiology, drug resistance and systematic. UPMM collaborates in post-graduate, master courses and doctoral programs of the IHMT.
Centro de Investigação e Estudos em Saúde Pública (CIESP)
CIESP was created in 2007 and depends directly from the Scientific Council of ENSP. It has an interdisciplinary nature and aims to promote, coordinate, support, and disseminate the ENSP research activities on Public Health. CIESP includes 19 PhD members and 6 PhD students and it is now defining how to evolve to be an effective and competitive center on Public Health Research (new relationships with others national and international research centers). Therefore, its main goal is to promote and develop research in different disciplinary areas of the ENSP curricula, as well as in other areas identified as relevant to Public Health Development. CIESP strategic lines are particularly focused on governance systems change and promotion of knowledge in society, impact assessment and innovation. Research areas include:
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Health services administration;
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Health promotion;
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Health management and policy;
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Environmental and occupational health.