Collaborative R&D Projects
Sep 2018 - Ongoing
​
Title: Novel eco-friendly Antifouling Strategies based on Cyanobacterial bioactive Metabolites
​
Acronym: NASCEM
​
Description: This project aims to find natural alternatives to aggressive antifouling agents taking advantage of a key biological resource available in the CIIMAR research group, a cyanobacterial Culture Collection with more than 400 different strains. The antifouling potential of some strains derivatives was already confirmed and encourages further investigation on this topic. From the discovery of effective natural antifouling metabolites towards both micro- and macrofouling organisms, finding the molecular mode of action behind the produced bioactivity (CIIMAR team), and go further to the immobilization and incorporation in polymeric coatings using new patented technology (FCiências.ID team). This technology can not only maintain the functionalization of the bioactive molecules but also guarantee a minimum release to the environment, which increases the durability of the coatings. This project will contribute to innovation in new compounds discovery and attributed bioactivity; understanding of adhesive biofouling organisms’ physiological processes through the assessment of molecular mode of action; evaluation of cyanobacterial metabolites potential and added value; and ultimately to novel eco-friendly marine coatings.
​
Website: http://nascem.ciimar.up.pt/
​
E. R. Silva role: Principal Investigator (PI) of the FCiências.ID team at Faculdade de Ciências (Partner).
​
Partners: Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental – CIIMAR/CIMAR (Project Coordinator) and FCiências.ID - Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (Partner).
​
Sponsor/Co-Sponsor: Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização e Programa Operacional Regional de Lisboa (FEDER) and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (OE)
Jun 2016 – May 2019
Title: Overcoming environmental problems associated with antifouling agents: synthesis of Nature-inspired non-toxic biocides and immobilization in polymeric coatings.
​
Acronym: Anti-incrustante
​
Description: This project concerned the development of new non-toxic coatings systems suitable for biofouling prevention on marine applications. Innovative approaches were followed and developed for this purpose. Polymeric coatings with new chemical immobilized nature-inspired non-toxic biocidal agents (e.g. Sulfated based compounds) were reached and an in-depth characterization of the bioactive systems was carried out, mainly in terms of coating leaching and antifouling activity.
E. R. Silva role: Principal Investigator (PI) of the FCiências.ID team at Faculdade de Ciências (Partner - under Programa Operacional Regional Lisboa 2020).
​
FCiências.ID Team: E.R. Silva (PI), Ana Ferreira (Post-Doc Researcher), Beatriz Pereira (Master), Alexandra Sousa (Licensed).
​
Partners: Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental – CIIMAR/CIMAR (Promotor, Porto); and FCiências.ID - Faculdade de Ciências (FFC/FC/UL) da Universidade de Lisboa.
​
Sponsor/Co-Sponsor: Fundação da Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT/MCTES, PIDDAC) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE – Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade (POFC) programme (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016793)
