Inês Cardoso Pereira Lab

	We study metabolic pathways and enzymes in anaerobic microorganisms that are relevant for health and the environment, and explore their biotechnological applications.
	Inês Cardoso Pereira Professora Catedrática PhD, Oxford University, UK Phone (+351) 214469327 | Extension 1327 Email ipereira@itqb.unl.pt

Research Interests

The BEM group studies anaerobic bacteria that descend from some of the most ancient life forms on earth, and obtain energy from respiring sulfur compounds. These bacteria are ubiquitous in the environment and in animal guts. They play a key role in the biogeochemical cycles of Sulfur and Carbon, with a high impact on the biogeochemistry of our planet. They are also key members in anaerobic microbial communities, including the human gut, where their flexible energy metabolism allows them to form syntrophic interactions with other bacteria, but may have a detrimental effect due to the large amount of sulfide produced.

We study the unique energy metabolism of these bacteria, and explore it, and associated enzymes, for useful biocatalytic transformations.

The main lines of research in the BEM lab are:

1. Dissimilatory sulfur metabolism in anaerobes.

2. Redox enzymes for H2 production/oxidation and CO2 reduction.

3. Applications of anaerobic microorganisms in biocatalysis or bioremediation.

4. Syntrophic associations of anaerobes and their role in electroactive communities.

5. Link between gut sulfidogenic bacteria and health conditions like colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Group Members

• Teresa Catarino, Auxiliary Professor

• Américo Duarte, Research Associate

• Andreia Pimenta, Post-Doc

• Khurram Tahir, Post-Doc

• Ana Margarida Coito, PhD Student

• Rita Manuel, PhD student

• Gonçalo Manteigas, PhD student

• Raquel Bernardino, PhD student

• Nuno Machado, PhD student (with Felipe Conzuelo)

• Guilherme Martins, Researcher

• Miguel Cunha, Researcher

• André Piteira, Researcher (with Felipe Conzuelo)

Selected Publications

1. Santos A¥, Venceslau SS¥, Grein F, Leavitt WD, Dahl C, Johnston DT and Pereira IAC* (2015) A protein trisulfide couples dissimilatory sulfate reduction to energy conservation . Science 350, 1541

2. Marques MC, Tapia C, Gutiérrez-Sanz O, Ramos AR, Keller KL, Wall JD, De Lacey AL, Matias PM*, Pereira IAC* (2017) The direct role of selenocysteine in [NiFeSe] hydrogenase maturation and catalysis. Nature Chem. Biol., 13, 544-550

3. Martins M, Toste C, Pereira IAC* (2021) Enhanced Light‐Driven Hydrogen Production by Self‐Photosensitized Biohybrid Systems. Angew. Chemie, 60, doi: 10.1002/anie.202016960

4. Barbosa ACC, Venceslau SS, Pereira IAC* (2024) DsrMKJOP is the terminal reductase complex in anaerobic sulfate respiration. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 121 (6) e2313650121, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313650121

5. Oliveira AR, Mota C, Vilela-Alves G, Manuel RR, Pedrosa N, Fourmond V, Klymanska K, Léger C, Guigliarelli B, Romão MJ, Pereira IAC (2023) An allosteric redox switch involved in oxygen protection in a CO2 reductase. Nature Chem. Biol. 2024 20(1):111-119. doi: 10.1038/s41589-023-01484-2.

Laboratory's Website

For further information please visit the laboratory's website

Metabolismo Energético Bacteriano (PT)

O laboratório de Metabolismo Energético Bacteriano estuda o metabolismo de bactérias modelo que produzem energia pela respiração de compostos orgânicos ou inorgânicos, em vez de oxigénio. Nestes organismos os processos de respiração celular são muito diferentes dos organismos aeróbios. Em particular, investigamos as bases moleculares dos processos que permitem a um grande grupo de bactérias respirar compostos de enxofre (como sulfato e sulfito). Estas bactérias são organismos ancestrais que existiam muito antes do aparecimento do oxigénio na Terra, e que se encontram disseminadas no ambiente, (incluindo nos intestinos de mamíferos). São organismos relevantes em diversas áreas como a Saúde, Bioremediação, Produção Biológica de Hidrogénio, Células de Combustível Biológicas, Biocorrosão e Tratamento de Esgotos. O estudo do metabolismo respiratório destes organismos é essencial para uma adequada exploração do seu potencial biotecnológico, e também para um melhor controlo da sua atividade biológica, incluindo os seus potenciais efeitos adversos a nível ambiental e de saúde.

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