2013 Pulido Valente Science Award presented to Tiago Santos

The 2013 Pulido Valente Science Award recognized the article "Polymeric nanoparticles to control the differentiation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone of the brain," by Tiago Santos, published in the journal ACS Nano. 

The published work describes the application of nanoparticles containing encapsulated retinoic acid as an innovative and effective strategy for inducing the differentiation of brain stem cells into new neurons. The formulation developed offers significant advantages and opens up new perspectives for the treatment of brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. The project was developed at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology at the University of Coimbra.

The award ceremony took place on March 11 at the Palácio das Laranjeiras and featured a lecture by the award winner on "Therapeutic potential of nanoparticles with encapsulated retinoic acid for brain repair."

The Pulido Valente Science Award, created by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Professor Francisco Pulido Valente Foundation (FPFPV), aims to recognize the best published work in the field of Biomedical Sciences, describing research carried out by researchers under the age of 35 in national laboratories. First awarded in 2003, the prize is awarded annually and is worth €10,000.