Within the framework of his PhD project, Ricardo Santos from the NOVA School of Science and Technology (University of Lisbon), will be visiting CQM and present the conference "Dissecting Killer Yeast Systems – From function to diversity", which will be held on 03^rd of December 2025, 10h30, at the conference room 0.57 (University of Madeira, Campus da Penteada).

Space is limited, so please be sure to complete your registration as soon as possible.

Abstract:
Killer yeasts are infected with a double-stranded (ds)RNA virus that encodes a toxin (M virus) and a helper virus (L-A virus), both belonging to the Totiviridae family. Although most studies have focused on Saccharomyces cerevisiae and, more recently, Saccharomyces paradoxus, multiple yeast species exhibit killer phenotypes. Despite advances in understanding infection mechanisms and host immunity, these processes remain only partially resolved.

This project aims to compare the functional characteristics of known killer toxins and to screen yeast populations from the Madeira and Azores Archipelagos (Portugal) for the presence of viral killer systems. Each known toxin - K1, K2 and Klus from S. cerevisiae, and K21/K66, K28, K45, K62 and K74 from S. paradoxus - shows a distinct pH activity profile against the sensitive strain S. cerevisiae 5X47. Among the conditions tested, pH 4.5 consistently yielded the strongest killer activity, and will therefore be applied in subsequent oxidative stress assays and transcriptome analyses of toxin-exposed strains.

Of the 17 S. cerevisiae wine strains isolated from Madeira Island, 16 exhibited killer activity, all producing the K2 toxin. However, variation in inhibition halo diameters against sensitive strains (5X47 and BY4741) suggests possible genetic differences either in the viral elements or the host nuclear genome. Ongoing phylogenetic analyses reveal a notable proximity between Madeira yeast populations and those from South Africa, a pattern that echoes historical Portuguese maritime routes and centuries of exchange across the Atlantic. This historical/biological connection provides a unique framework for understanding the dissemination and evolution of killer systems in geographically isolated regions.

These findings highlight the scientific and biotechnological significance of characterizing killer yeast diversity. By integrating functional assays with population genomics, this work expands current knowledge on microbial symbioses and on the evolutionary dynamics of virus–host interactions in natural yeast populations.


About Ricardo Santos:
Ricardo Santos holds a Master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Aveiro. His scientific background encompasses biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, virology, genetics, bioinformatics, and microbial biochemistry. He has also received international training in advanced molecular biology techniques at Smith College (USA).

His Master’s thesis, “The Yeast Comet Assay: A Study to Optimize the Technique for the Evaluation of DNA Damage Caused by Exposure to Uranium Mine Effluents,” focused on improving the yeast comet assay to assess genotoxicity arising from environmental contaminants. This work strengthened his expertise in DNA damage assessment, fluorescence microscopy, statistical data analysis, and yeast physiology.

Ricardo is currently a fourth-year PhD candidate in Biology, (specialization in Microbiology and Virology), conducting a collaborative research project involving NOVA School of Science and Technology (University of Lisbon), the University of Manchester, Imperial College London, IB2 Lab (Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto), and the University of Salamanca. His doctoral research, “Investigating Virus–Host Interactions in the Killer Yeast System,” aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying killer toxin production and activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. paradoxus. This work integrates molecular biology, transcriptomics, phylogenetics, microbial fermentation, and protein analysis to explore the biotechnological potential of yeast-derived toxins in areas such as winemaking, agriculture, and antimicrobial development. His PhD is funded by the Maria de Sousa Studentship (FCT | 2021.09335.BD).

In addition, Ricardo is the iB2 Lab microorganism curator and a research collaborator in the European project BiomeHealth, which focuses on plant microbiomes and sustainable disease management. Within this project, he investigates toxin-based biocontrol strategies targeting agricultural pathogens, including Erwinia amylovora and Stemphylium vesicarium, and contributes to field sampling and fungal isolation to support plant pathology research.

	Registration until 02nd of December 2025.
	Registration form Limited seats available

CQM Welcomes a New Assistant Researcher 

The Madeira Chemistry Research Centre (CQM) is pleased to announce that, within the aim of the 7^th edition of the Individual Scientific Employment Stimulus Call by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), another Assistant Researcher contract has been approved, with CQM as the host institution.

Oriana Marques was selected in this highly competitive call, in which only 14.4% of applications were successful, highlighting the scientific excellence and high potential of the approved proposal.

After eight years at Heidelberg University and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Germany, where she established herself as a specialist in iron metabolism and inflammatory diseases, Dr. Oriana Marques is now returning to Portugal to continue her research at CQM.

The three-year contract aligns with CQM’s strategic priorities for the coming years and will enable the development of innovative nanoparticle-based therapies for Anemia of Inflammation—a condition affecting millions of patients worldwide with chronic inflammatory diseases.

This project combines CQM’s established expertise in developing nanomaterials for biomedical applications with Dr. Oriana Marques’ specialized knowledge in iron biology and immune system regulation. The goal is to create “smart” nanoparticles capable of selectively targeting immune cells, restoring appropriate iron levels in patients, and paving the way for new therapeutic approaches to anemia associated with autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

Following the approval of two other Assistant Researcher positions in previous calls, this third FCT-funded contract represents further recognition and strengthens CQM’s position in the international landscape of biomedical research and nanomedicine, by integrating into its team a highly qualified researcher with solid scientific experience and established collaborations with leading international institutions.

 

CQM's yearly event, "A Química é Divertida®" (Chemistry is Fun), will be held from 27 to 28 November 2025.
For more information visit the official website: qdiv.cqm.uma.pt.

CQM joins INL in European platform for the development of new semiconductor chips. 

The Madeira Chemistry Research Centre (CQM) has partnered with the INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory to join the INFRACHIP, an European research platform dedicated to the sustainable development of the next generation of semiconductor chips.

Through INFRACHIP, researchers can access cutting-edge technologies installed across various parts of Europe free of charge.

CQM is participating in this initiative with the project "Heteroatom-doped and co-doped CDs: characterization", which was recently selected by a European panel to be part of the platform. This partnership will allow CQM researchers involved in the project to access highly specialized knowledge and advanced technologies in electron and X-ray microscopy available at INL. These are essential tools for the structural and morphological characterization of carbon nanomaterials, particularly carbon dots.

These nanomaterials, composed mainly of carbon but which may also contain oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms, exhibit unique optical properties and hold great potential for biomedical applications, especially in bioimaging. At CQM, carbon dots are being developed as part of the PhD project of junior researcher Ivo Martins, titled Fluorescent Carbon dot-cored dendritic polymers as novel cancer theranostics nanoarchitectures, funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (Ref. 2021.05990.BD) and supervised by Professor João Rodrigues, Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Madeira and senior member of CQM.

The first results of this collaboration have already enabled the observation and identification of new carbon nanostructures, with further structural and biochemical characterization studies currently underway. These efforts aim to pave the way for new applications of these materials not only in the field of next-generation chips and bioimaging but also in catalytic processes of high scientific and technological interest.