Personal profile
Biography
Ana Sofia Sousa holds a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2018) from Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto. Since 2019, she has been a researcher at the Bioactives and Bioproducts Research Laboratory (CBQF-UCP), where she contributed to the MicoBioExtract project (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033939) and the Gastrocure project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032094), focusing on the valorization of bioactive compounds for health applications. Since March 2022, she has been pursuing her PhD in Biotechnology at Escola Superior de Biotecnologia — Universidade Católica Portuguesa and i3S — Universidade do Porto, supported by an individual fellowship from FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), developing multifunctional microparticles and biocatalytic nanobots for gut inflammatory disorders under the gBiOT project (reference 2022.02926.PTDC). Her main research interests include gut microbiota, intestinal health, nanotechnology, biotechnology, bioproducts, and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical innovations.
Education/Academic qualification
Master, Relatórios de Estágio realizado na Farmácia Central de Gondomar e no Hospital Geral de Santo António (Centro Hospitalar do Porto, EPE) e Programa Erasmus+ Estágio em Investigação, University of Porto
9 Sept 2013 → 26 Nov 2018
Award Date: 26 Nov 2018
Keywords
- Q Science (General)
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
- Applied research
- Translational research
- Innovation in life sciences
- RS Pharmacy and materia medica
- Drug delivery systems
- Biopolymer-based materials
- Encapsulation technologies
- Controlled release
- Gut Microbiota
- RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Oxidative stress modulation
- Antioxidant therapies
- Targeted delivery
- Gut microbiota
- QD Chemistry
- Biopolymer functionalization
- Chitosan-based materials
- Enzyme immobilization
- Nanobots
- Nanomotors
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Multifunctional microparticle targeting colon inflammation
Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Researcher)
1/03/22 → 28/02/26
Project: Research
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gBiOT: Nutraceutical biopolymeric-biocatalytic microbot against gut inflammatory disorders
Coscueta, E. (PI), Pintado, M. M. (CoPI), Machado, M. (Researcher), Coelho, M. (Researcher), Rodrigues, P. M. (Researcher), Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Researcher), Sousa, C. (Researcher), Magalhães, A. (Researcher) & Santos Matos, R. D. (Researcher)
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
1/03/23 → 28/02/27
Project: Research
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GastroCure: Bioactive Soybean and Cruciferous extracts towards application in gastrointestinal disorders: development, characterization and delivery
Pintado, M. M. (PI), Coscueta, E. (CoPI), Reis, C. A. (CoPI), Coscueta, E. (Researcher) & Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Researcher)
1/07/18 → 28/02/22
Project: Research
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MicoBioExtract: Valorização integral de subprodutos resultantes da produção de cogumelos em bioextratos.
Pintado, M. M. (PI) & Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Researcher)
30/06/18 → 29/06/21
Project: Research
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Microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity: a green extraction technology for phenylethyl isothiocyanate from watercress by-products
Sousa, A. S., Sousa, S., Silva, I. V., Reis, C. A., Coscueta, E. R. & Pintado, M. M., 15 Sept 2025, In: Food Chemistry. 486, 51 p., 144551.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile25 Downloads -
Phenylethyl isothiocyanate: a bioactive agent for gastrointestinal health
Coscueta, E. R., Sousa, A. S., Reis, C. A. & Pintado, M. M., 1 Feb 2022, In: Molecules. 27, 3, 12 p., 794.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile36 Citations (Scopus)79 Downloads -
Chitosan-olive oil microparticles for phenylethyl isothiocyanate delivery: optimal formulation
Coscueta, E. R., Sousa, A. S., Reis, C. A. & Pintado, M., May 2021, In: PLoS one. 16, 5, 19 p., e0248257.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile22 Citations (Scopus)40 Downloads -
Phenethyl isothiocyanate microwave with hydrodiffusion and gravity
Coscueta, E. R. (Inventor), Sousa, A. S. (Inventor) & Pintado, M. E. (Inventor), 17 Apr 2025, IPC No. A23L33/105; , A61K36/31, World Intellectual Property Organization, Patent No. PCT/IB2024/059875, 9 Oct 2024, Priority date 9 Oct 2023, Priority No. PT118966Research output: Patent
Open AccessFile7 Downloads -
Impact of postharvest preservation methods on nutritional value and bioactive properties of mushrooms
Marçal, S., Sousa, A. S., Taofiq, O., Antunes, F., Morais, A. M. M. B., Freitas, A. C., Barros, L., Ferreira, I. C. F. R. & Pintado, M., Apr 2021, In: Trends in food science & technology. 110, p. 418-431 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
157 Citations (Scopus)
Activities
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Transforming Healthcare: Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Biocatalytic Nanobots
Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Speaker), Mayer, A. D. N. D. S. (Speaker), Reis, C. (Speaker), Pintado, M. M. (Speaker) & Coscueta, E. (Speaker)
17 Jul 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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University of Bologna
Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Lecturer)
22 Sept 2025 → 24 Sept 2025Activity: Visiting an external institution › Visiting an external academic institution
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gBiOT: A Dual-Action Nanobot for Oxidative Stress Neutralization and PEITC Delivery in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Speaker), Mayer, A. D. N. D. S. (Speaker), Reis, C. (Speaker), Pintado, M. M. (Speaker) & Coscueta, E. (Speaker)
13 May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia
Coscueta, E. (Lecturer) & Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Student)
22 Apr 2025Activity: Visiting an external institution › Visiting an external academic institution
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Green and Reliability Method to Extract Phenylethyl Isothiocyanate in a circular economy approach
Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Speaker), Coscueta, E. (Speaker), Sousa, S. (Speaker), Silva, I. V. M. (Speaker), Reis, C. A. (Speaker) & Pintado, M. M. (Speaker)
17 Nov 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
Press/Media
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PhD student among 12 young scientists chosen for the 1st INFOGUT Training School
3/10/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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CBQF researchers as invited speakers at the world’s leading conference on drug delivery technologies
Coscueta, E. & Sousa, A. S. D. S.
28/07/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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BioUpCycle Project Wins “Visibility Pack” from the Empowering Women in Agrifood Portugal Programme
Vilas-Boas, A. M., Sousa, A. S. D. S., Cunha, M. F., Magalhães, D. & Coelho, M.
28/11/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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BioUpCycle wins YOUAREIN Business Game 2025 European competition
Vilas-Boas, A. M., Sousa, A. S. D. S., Magalhães, D., Cunha, M. F. & Coelho, M.
7/05/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
Impacts
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Biotechnology in Action - From Wastewater Treatment to Sustainable Agriculture | European Researchers Night 2025
Moreira, I. S. S. (Organizer), Amorim, C. R. L. (Organizer), Pereira, S. I. A. (Organizer), Sousa, A. S. D. S. (Organizer) & Godinho, M. S. B. (Organizer)
Impact: Social impacts