Professional Experience
2018-present: Assistant Professor with habilitation, University of Aveiro
2016-2018: Assistant Professor, University of Aveiro
2012-2018: Director of Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences, University of Aveiro
2010-present: Principal Investigator, University of Aveiro
2009-2011: Techer Coordinator, Polytechnic Health Institute of North (CESPU)
2006-2016: Invited Assistant Professor, University of Aveiro
2004-2010: Post-doctoral researcher, University of Aveiro
Expertise and Research Interests
Margarida Fardilha main topics of research are related to the role of Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1) in male-related disorders. PP1 is one of the most conserved phosphatases and it is involved in many crucial processes. The specificity and activity of PP1 depends on its binding partners, known as PP1-interacting proteins (PIPs). To identify and modulate protein complexes, Margarida Fardilha implemented the use of the Y2H in Portugal and more recently of the mammalian two hybrid (M2H). Margarida Fardilha is putting a lot of effort in identifying and characterizing PP1 and PIPs interactomes in male reproductive-related tissues, to identify protein complexes that may be used as therapy targets or prognostic/diagnostic tools and to develop tools to target protein complexes. Margarida Fardilha is involved in the development of a novel male contraceptive based on the modulation of sperm specific PP1 complexes. The understanding of the molecular bases of sperm function and its relation with male (in)fertility, as well as the characterization of molecular events associated with prostate carcinogenesis have also been the focus of her research.
Selected Publications
Felgueiras, J., Lobo, J., Camilo, V., Carneiro, I., Matos, B., Henrique, R., Jerónimo, C., Fardilha, M. (2022) PP1 catalytic isoforms are differentially expressed and regulated in human prostate cancer. Experimental Cell Research, 418(2), Doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113282
Lima, T., Barros, A. S., Trindade, F., Ferreira, R., Leite-Moreira, A., Barros-Silva, D., Jerónimo, C., Araújo, L., Henriques, R., Vitorino, R., Fardilha, M. (2022). Application of Proteogenomics
to Urine Analysis towards the Identification of Novel Biomarkers of Prostate Cancer: An Exploratory Study. Cancers, 14(8), 2001. Doi: 10.3390/cancers14082001
Santiago J., Silva J.V., Howl J., Santos M.A.S., Fardilha M. (2021) All you need to know about sperm RNAs, Hum Reprod Update. Dec 21;28(1):67-91. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmab034
Silva, J.V., Freitas, M.J., Santiago, J., Jones, S., Guimarães, S., Vijayaraghavan, S., Publicover, S., Colombo, G., Howl, J., Fardilha, M. (2020) Disruption of protein phosphatase 1 complexes
with the use of bioportides as a novel approach to target sperm motility. Fertility and Sterility. Doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.08.013
Silva, J.V., Yoon, S., Bock, P.J., Goltsev, A.V., Gevaert, K., Mendes, J.F., Fardilha, M. (2017). Construction and analysis of a human testis/sperm-enriched interaction network: unraveling the PPP1CC2 interactome. BBA – General Subjects. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.11.041
Freitas, M.J.; Vijayaraghavan, S., Fardilha, M. (2017). Signaling mechanisms in mammalian
sperm motility. Biology of Reproduction, doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.144337
Information
COST Action
European Sexual Medicine Network
COST Action CA18124
COST
COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation.
