Docente
Susana Santos

Resume

Susana Santos holds a degree in Genetics and Microbiology from Lisbon’s Faculty of Sciences, where she began her research on the molecular mechanisms of phage-host interactions relevant to industrial fermentation processes carried out by lactic acid bacteria. She later pursued a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the same institution, continuing her prior work and developing novel approaches in the field. Her academic journey continued with a Post-Doctoral position in Molecular Biology at Lisbon’s Faculty of Pharmacy, where she focused her research on the genetics of cardiovascular diseases. As a researcher at Lisbon’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Lisbon’s Instituto Superior Técnico, she coordinated one national project (Cardiogenetics) and actively participated in over 10 national projects focused on cardiogenetics and cancer research. This experience allowed her to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and healthcare application, strengthening her ability to apply genetic knowledge to medical innovations. In 2009, she became an Assistant Professor at the Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, where she taught a variety of subjects related to Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology. Her academic career expanded in 2013 when she co-founded HeartGenetics, Genetics and Biotechnology, a start-up that pioneered a methodology integrating genomics and computational technologies. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Director of Quality Management System, she played a critical role in developing innovative genetic tests with applications in cardiovascular diseases, pharmacogenetics, cardio-oncology, nutrigenetics, and athletic performance. HeartGenetics aimed to provide healthcare providers with tools to promote wellness, prevent illness, and support disease diagnosis. Her experience as a leader in biotechnology grew further when, in 2018, she joined EXMceuticals Inc. as a consultant. In 2019, she was appointed Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) at EXMceuticals Portugal, a cutting-edge biotechnology company. Her role at EXMceuticals centers on the development of novel cannabis-based products, applying advanced biotechnology strategies while promoting social and environmental responsibility. Her efforts are focused on evaluating and proving the concept of phytochemicals with therapeutic and wellness potential. At EXMceuticals, she drives the company's innovation strategy, promotes scientific and technological research, and supports the development of cannabis-based products aimed at healthcare and wellness. Her work focuses on developing plant-based products that mimic essential natural and regulatory functions in the human body. Susana's career reflects her ongoing commitment to using biotechnology and genetic knowledge to promote health and well-being. Her experience ranges from fundamental academic research to the creation of applied healthcare products. Her main areas of interest lie in the development of solutions for wellness, the pharmaceutical industry, and the design of novel therapeutic products based on biotechnology innovations.

Graus

• Doutoramento
  Biologia Molecular
• Licenciatura
  Biologia Microbiana e Genética
• Título de especialista
  Especialista em Genética Humana
• Outros
  Advanced Management Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Católica Lisbon

Publicações

Artigo em revista

• 2024-12-06, Trigo, G., Coelho, M., Ferreira, C. B., Melosini, M., Lehmann, I. S., Reis, C. P., Gaspar, M. M., & Santos, S. (2024). Exploring the Biological Activity of Phytocannabinoid Formulations for Skin Health Care: A Special Focus on Molecular Pathways., IJMS
• 2024-07-01, Actividad biológica de terpenos vínicos y de cannabis: aplicaciones en aromaterapia, Revista Enólogos
• 2022-02-15, Santos S, Barata P, Charmier A, Lehmann I, Rodrigues S, Melosini MM, Pais PJ, Sousa AP, Teixeira C, Santos I, Rocha AC, Baylina P, Fernandes R. Cannabidiol and Terpene Formulation Reducing SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity Tackling a Therapeutic Strategy. , Front Immunol.
• 2014-08, Gold-nanobeacons for gene therapy: evaluation of genotoxicity, cell toxicity and proteome profiling analysis.
• 2013-06-05, Cobalt and Zinc Compounds Bearing 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione or 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane Derivatives - Synthesis, Characterization, Cytotoxicity, and Cell Selectivity Studies, European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
• 2013-00, Biological characterization of the antiproliferative potential of Co(II) and Sn(IV) coordination compounds in human cancer cell lines: a comparative proteomic approach.
• 2012-11, Cobalt complexes bearing scorpionate ligands: synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and DNA cleavage., Dalton Transactions
• 2012-00, High resolution melting: improvements in the genetic diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a Portuguese cohort.
• 2011-10, Differential expression of CDC25 phosphatases splice variants in human breast cancer cells.
• 2011-01, Genetic diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using mass spectrometry DNA arrays and high resolution melting.
• 2010, Unraveling Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Variability, ERCIM News J.
• 2009, Familial mutation screening and gene expression evaluation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy profiling
• 2005-12, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a Portuguese population: mutations in the myosin-binding protein C gene.
• 2004-07, Diversity in the lysis-integration region of oenophage genomes and evidence for multiple tRNA loci, as targets for prophage integration in Oenococcus oeni.

Capítulo de livro

• 2014, Susana Santos, Ana Teresa Freitas, Alexandra Fernandes. "Overview of HCM genomics and transcriptomics: molecular tools in HCM assessment for application in clinical medicine.", Cardiovascular Disease., iConcept Press Ltd

Artigo em boletim informativo

• 2010, Moser, MI; Santos, S; Rodrigues, MJ; Chabert, T; Castro, L. “PCR in-house para detecçao de D  parcial DMH e D fraco tipo 38”., Revista ABO nº42, Suplemento; P.19.
• 2009, Moser,I; Santos,S; Rodrigues,MJ; Chabert,T; Castro,L. "Desenvolvimento de técnica de PCR in-house para detecção de variantes Rh D." , Revista ABO, nº40, Suplemento; P.33.

Artigo em conferência

• 2012, Catia M Machado, Francisco M Couto, Alexandra R Fernandes, Susana Santos, and Ana T Freitas. "Toward a Translational Medicine Approach for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy"
• 2010, Catia M Machado, Francisco Couto, Alexandra R Fernandes, Susana Santos, Nuno Cardim and  Ana T. Freitas. "Semantic Characterization of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Disease", KEDDH10 - The First Workshop on Knowledge Engineering, Discovery and Dissemination in Health, and The IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics & Biomedicine (BIBM 2010)

Resumo em conferência

• 2017, Santos, S., Freitas A.T, Machado C.M., Branco, P., Silveira, L., Carreira I., Antunes, M., Monteiro C, Fernandes, A.R. "Molecular Strategies for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Genetic Analysis: correlation between genotyping and expression data", European Society of Human Genetics
• 2013, S. Santos; V. Marques; AC. Nunes; AT. Freitas; MR. Gouveia; M. Antunes; IM. Carreira; IM. Gaspar; C. Monteiro; AR. Fernandes. "Novel insights in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) evaluation: mirs as biomarkers of HCM cardiac remodeling", European Journal of Heart Failure
• 2013, Luís R Raposo, Susana Santos, Joaquim Henriques, Pedro Faisca, Margarida Alves, André Beselga, Jorge Correia, Alexandra R Fernandes. Imortalização de linhas celulares caninas primárias de tumores mamários: optimização de protocolo, XVIII Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Animal Pathology - International Meeting of Leporidae Pathology
• 2012-12-13, S. R. Santos, V. Marques, M. Pires, A. C. Nunes, C. M. Machado, I. M. Gaspar, D. Brito, I. M.  Carreira, F. M. Couto, C. Monteiro, A. T. Freitas, A. R. Fernandes. "Genomics and transcriptomics in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: from the bench to clinics.", European Conference of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG)
• 2012-11, João Conde, João Rosa, Alexandra R. Fernandes, Luís Raposo, Susana Santos, Pedro V. Baptista. "Gold Nanobeacons for Gene Therapy.", NanoMed: International Conference on Nanotechnology in Medicine
• 2012, S. Santos, V. Marques, M. Pires, AC. Nunes, IM. Gaspar, D. Brito, H. Madeira, I. Carreira, C. Monteiro, AR. Fernandes. "Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: from genes and transcripts to clinical profile.", European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ESC)
• 2012, Joana F. Silva, Ana C. Silva, Daniel V. Luís, Susana Santos, Guadalupe Cabral, Paula Videira, António S. Rodrigues, Jamal Lasri, Adília Charmier, Fátima Guedes, Carolino Monteiro, Armando Pombeiro, Alexandra R. Fernandes."Characterization of the antiproliferative potential and biological targets of a new platinum complex", International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry
• 2012, Gaspar IM, Menezes I, Teixeira A, Aguiar C, Ferreira J, Nogueira G, Anjos R, Correia MJ, Amado P, Adragão PP, Santos KR, Cavaco MD, Rebocho MJ, Ribeiras R, Gouveia MR, Carmo P, Abecasis J, Santos S, Fernandes AR, Marques V, Pires M, Monteiro C, Carreira IM, Mendes M. "The severe phenotype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and multiple mutations genotype in a portuguese cardiac department", II Florence International Symposium on Advances in Cardiomyopathies.
• 2012, Fernandes AR; Marques V; Nunes AC, Freitas AT, Gouveia MR, Antunes M, Carreira IM, Gaspar IM, Monteiro C, Santos S. "Transcriptomic signature pattern for HCM remodeling." , II Florence International Symposium on Advances in Cardiomyopathies
• 2012, Catia M Machado, Francisco M Couto, Alexandra R Fernandes, Susana Santos, and Ana T Freitas. Toward a Translational Medicine Approach for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, ITBAM 2012
• 2012, Ana C. Silva, Daniel V. Luís, Susana Santos, Pedro M. Borralho, Cecília M. Rodrigues, Guadalupe Cabral, Paula Videira, António S. Rodrigues, Fátima Guedes, Carolino Monteiro, Armando Pombeiro, Alexandra R. Fernandes. "Biological characterization of antitumor potencial of a cyclic trinuclear organotin (iv) complex", International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry
• 2012, A. Mascarenhas, A. Santos, S. Santos, A.R. Fernandes, C. Monteiro, F. Corte-Real, I. Marques Carreira. "Sudden Cardiac Death – The Importance of a Molecular Diagnosis", Sociedade Portuguesa de Genetica Humana
• 2011, Martins LMDRS, Silva TFS, Silva MFG, Fernandes AR, Silva A, Borralho PM, Santos S, Rodrigues CMP, Pombeiro AJL. " Cobalt complexes bearing scorpionate ligands: synthesis, characterization and applications as catalysts for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane and as in vitro tumor inhibitors", 5th EuCheMS Conference on nitrogen ligands in Coordination Chemistry, Metalorganic Chemistry,Bioinorganic Chemistry, Materials & Catalysis
• 2011, Marques V., Pires, M., Santos S., Oliveira, H., Monteiro, C, Fernandes A.R.”. "Novel Sarcomeric Mutations Associated to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a Portuguese cohort", 15ª Reunião Anual. Sociedade Portuguesa de Genetica Humana
• 2011, Gaspar IM; Menezes, I; Teixeira, A; Aguiar, C; Ferreira, J; Correia MJ; Amado P; Adragão PP; Cavaco D; Santos KR; Ribeiras R; Mendes M; Gouveia MR; Santos S; Fernandes AR; Marques V; Pires M; Monteiro C; Anjos R. "Clinical features, molecular characterization and outcome of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: improved strategy for accurate evaluation", I European Congress on Myocardial and Pericardial diseases
• 2010-09, Santos, S., Fernandes, A.R., Freitas A.T., Machado C.M, Branco, P., Silveira, L., Carreira I., Antunes, M., Monteiro C. "HCM sarcomere gene expression analysis: a machine learning approach. Advances in qPCR", European Conference, Select Biosciences
• 2009, Santos, S., Fernandes, A. R., Freitas A.T., Machado C, Araújo, R., Branco, P., Silveira, L., Carreira, I., Antunes, M., Monteiro C. "HCM sarcomere gene expression analysis: a machine learning approach. ", 13ª Reunião da Sociedade Portuguesa de Genética Humana
• 2009, Santos S., Cavaco D., Adragão P., S I., Carreira I., Antunes M., Cardim N., Monteiro C. "Familial mutation screening and gene expression evaluation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy profiling: Implications for a molecular diagnosis strategy. ", 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Belgian Society of Cardiology Brussels
• 2009, Araújo, R., Santos, S., Lança, V., Oliveira, H., Marques, V., Branco, P., Silveira, L., Brito, D., Madeira, H., Fernandes, A.R. "High resolution melting analysis can extend the diagnostic power in HCM patients.", 13ª Reunião da Sociedade Portuguesa de Genética Humana
• 2005, Santos S., Carapuço M., Evangelista C., Brito M., Antunes M., Cardim N, Monteiro C. "Hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies: genetic analysis in the Portuguese population", 2nd Functional Genomics and Disease, ESF Functional Genomics