[SSS] Real-time, label-free, cellular analysis using the xCELLigence system

Pedro Borralho, PhD

Auxiliary Researcher

Cellular Function and Therapeutic Targeting, Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences (iMed.ULisboa),
Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon

Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
A +351 21 794 6400 (ext:14510) | Fax: +351 21 794 6491

borralho (at) ff.ul.pt

http://pt.linkedin.com/in/pedroborralho

Pedro Borralho received his degree in Biotechnology Engineering in 2004. He performs colon cancer research since 2005. His PhD studies were performed at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon (FFUL), and at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Division, having received his PhD in 2009, from the University of Lisbon. From 2010 to 2011 he developed post-doctoral studies at the Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences (iMed.UL), FFUL and Centro de Investigação em Patobiologia Experimental, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil (IPOLFG). He is Assistant Investigator at FFUL since 2012. During his graduate work, he explored 5-fluorouracil molecular cell death pathways. He also explored miR-143 biological role, showing that its over-expression reduces colon cancer cell viability and sensitizes to 5-FU-induced apoptosis, via ERK5/NF-kB signaling pathway(s). He has also been actively involved in identifying miRNA expression profiles in colon cancer, contributing to added knowledge of microRNAs aberrantly expressed in colon cancer progression. These results are part of ongoing collaborations with Professor Clifford Steer, University of Minnesota, USA, and Dr. Stephen Thibodeau, Mayo Clinic, USA. These studies are currently being expanded, by evaluating miRNAs differentially expressed in colon cancer, exploring their biological roles in colon cancer progression and chemotherapy and targeted therapy response, dissecting cell death, proliferation and survival pathways. He is also investigating miRNA mimetics and inhibitors as therapeutic strategies for colon cancer and other human malignancies. He is also interested in the evaluation of anticancer activity of novel synthesis and natural compounds to discover putative novel anticancer agents.