Research into gastric cancer, malaria and anesthetic gas awarded L'Oréal Medals

Researchers Inês Gonçalves, from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (INEB), Joana Tavares, from the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IBMC) and Luísa Neves, from the Chemistry and Technology Network REQUIMTE, are the latest winners of the "L'Oréal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science" award, which this year celebrates its 10th edition.

In her award-winning research, Inês Gonçalves aims to remove the Helicobacter pylori bacterium from the stomach, which in cases of persistent infection has been associated with gastric cancers. Her research project involves building a new biomaterial, in the form of microspheres, capable of binding to this bacterium and removing it from the gastrointestinal tract. She hopes to develop a treatment that can be used as an alternative to antibiotics.

Joana Tavares will be furthering her research into the malaria parasite. The researcher intends to identify the molecule (or molecules) responsible for the process that allows the parasite, in the form injected by the mosquito, to overcome the host's defenses and settle in the liver, once in the bloodstream. Through this study, he hopes to be able to interfere with the parasite's ability to remain in the liver and contribute new knowledge to a malaria vaccine.

Luísa Neves' project brings together the areas of health sciences and the environment and aims to develop a system that purifies anesthesia gas and captures carbon dioxide. In surgery, the carbon dioxide produced every time the patient exhales contaminates the anesthetic gas. The process to be developed by the researcher aims to remove the carbon dioxide efficiently and safely, which will make it possible to reuse the anaesthetic gas, helping to reduce hospital costs in surgery.

Since 2004, the Medals of Honor for Women in Science have supported 31 young scientists, in a partnership between the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), L'Oréal Portugal and the National Commission for UNESCO (CNU). In addition to the Medal of Honor, the awarded researchers will receive 20,000 euros in funding to support their research project.