News

STAB VIDA has ISO9001:2008 certified laboratories, fully equipped, and boasts a highly specialized team with several years of experience in genetics and genomics. Its primary focus on research and development, as well as commercialization, is centered around point-of-care diagnosis and theragnostics, especially for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Lyme, and Cancer. Additionally, the company is dedicated to oligonucleotide synthesis, bioinformatics, and nucleic acid sequencing, including Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), crucial areas in the biotechnology, biomedical research, and clinical community sectors.

Key Infrastructures:

- Comprehensive facilities for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, analysis, and storage, equipped with a robotic pipetting platform, PCR and Real-Time thermocyclers, horizontal and vertical electrophoresis systems, gel doc equipment, centrifuges, freezers, among other molecular biology devices.

- Facilities dedicated to nucleic acid sequencing, including three gold-standard automated capillary sequencers based on Sanger technology (ABI PRISM 3130 and 3730 systems); an Ion Torrent NGS platform (Life Technologies); and various genetic analysis equipment, with licenses for CLC Genomics workbench and other bioinformatics tools. The company also has access to HiSeq 2500 (Illumina) and MiSeq (Illumina) platforms for comprehensive and effective validation of easierNGS on different NGS platforms.

Mechanisms of induction of chromosomal aberrations by hydroquinone in V79 cells

By Céu Silva M, Gaspar J, Duarte Silva I, Leão D, Ruef J

Hydroquinone occurs naturally in bacteria and plants and it is also manufactured for commercial use. Human exposure to this compound can occur by environmental, occupational, dietary and cigarette smoke exposure and from exposure to benzene, which can be metabolized to this compound. However, the main source of exposure to this compound is dietary, since hydroquinone is a naturally occurring compound in many foods.Hydroquinone can be metabolized to benzoquinones, which are potent haematotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds that can also induce the formation of radical species, predisposing cells to oxidative damage. In order to clarify the involvement of radical species in the genotoxicity of hydroquinone, the induction of chromosomal aberrations in V79 cells was studied along with the assessment of the production of hydroxyl radicals at different pH values (6.0, 7.4 and 8.0), as well as the effect of antioxidant enzymes [catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] on the clastogenic effect of hydroquinone. The results obtained indicate that the clastogenic activity of hydroquinone is dependent on the pH, suggesting that deprotonation is a fundamental step leading to DNA lesions under the experimental conditions used. The addition of S9 mix, SOD or SOD and catalase signi®cantly decreased the clastogenic activity, suggesting the involvement of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in the genotoxicity of hydroquinone. However, other species generated in the auto-oxidation process of hydroquinone, such as the semiquinone radical or the quinone, also seem to play a role in its genotoxicity, since the addition of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and SOD) or S9 mix do not lead to a complete abolition of the observed genotoxic activity. These results suggest the existence of at least two mechanisms associated with the genotoxic activity of this compound.

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DIRNANO

"Directing the immune response through designed nanomaterials"
European Union’s Horizon 2020 - MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training Networks
Grant Agreement nº: 956544

STAB VIDA is proud to be part of the H2020 DIRNANO project, a MSCA-ITN-2020 - Innovative Training Network.

DIRNANO provides a highly integrated and interdisciplinary training of next-generation Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) at the interface of nanopharmaceutical bioengineering and its translation on preclinical and human immunology.

DIRNANO will develop biocompatible nanopharmaceuticals with either “super”-stealth or immune-specific behavior for cancer immunotherapy and vaccination by mapping nanoparticle-immune interactions through two core approaches: 1) inception of novel surface engineering approaches, based on new organic polymers, zwitterionic lipids and conjugation chemistry strategies, 2) engineering of host or microbial-derived modulators of innate immunity (e.g. complement system).

DIRNANO team comprises internationally renowned scientists and industrialists at the forefront of nanoengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, molecular biosciences, commerce and business, thereby generating a unique pan-European macro-environment for interdisciplinary training of ESRs at the highest international level. Through participation of industrial partners, we will furnish ESRs with in-demand industrial and business skills, including process manufacturing, reproducibility and regulatory challenges, intellectual property and commercialization strategies.

DIRNANO will lead to rational engineering of broader libraries of NPs with tunable immune-modulating functions. The combinatorial analysis of new nanomaterial core-coat scaffolds will improve temporal and spatial understanding of biomaterial-innate immune interactions at the molecular level, thereby filling the void in overcoming adverse reactions to nanopharmaceuticals injection. DIRNANO will drive future development of small molecules and biologics-based nanopharmaceuticals through a “low-risk-high gain” perspective and within the context of personalized therapies and precision medicine. As such, DIRNANO, will extensively contribute to European science, education and socioeconomics value, skill retention and brain-gain.

For more information: https://www.biomed.unipd.it/ricercare/dirnano-956544-directing-the-immune-response-through-designed-nanomaterials/dirnano-the-project/

NAD

"Medical Research and Nanotechnologies Allied to Combat Alzheimer’s Disease"
FP7 - NMP - Collaborative Project
Grant Agreement nº 212043

The NAD (Nanoparticles for therapy and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease) Project is aiming to develop nanoparticles for Alzheimer's diagnosis and therapy. The research is financed by the European Union's 7th Framework Program and includes 19 European research centers.
Grant agreement no: CP-IP 212043-2 NAD. Prof. Masserini of University of Milano-Bicocca is the scientific coordinator of the project.

Recent statistics indicate that 24.3 million people worldwide are affected by dementia with 4.6 million new cases per year (one new case every 7 seconds). In Europe there are 5 million cases of dementia, 3 million of which are classified as Alzheimer's. Given the continuing increase in life expectancy, these numbers are expected to rise dramatically. In 2040 cases are expected to double in Western Europe and to triple in Eastern Europe. Despite great progress in the scientific field, which has made interpretation of the molecular bases of the disease possible, there has been little progress in diagnosis and therapy.

The goal of the study, developed in the field of nanotechnologies, is to create nanoparticles (NPs) able to cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain, principal site of Alzheimer's disease. Molecules that can recognize (diagnosis) and destroy (therapy) the amyloid deposits, characteristic of the illness, will be attached to the nanoparticles, and tested on animal models of the disease (transgenic mice). If the expectations of the research are attained, future experiments can be performed on humans. The results can have an enormous impact on the early diagnosis and therapy of a disease of high incidence, which takes a heavy social cost.

Hilysens I

"Highy sensitive and specific low-cost lab-on-chip system for lyme disease diagnosis"
FP7 - Research for the benefict of SMEs
Grant Agreement nº: 262411

The aim of HILYSENS is to develop a novel lab-on-chip diagnostic tool to improve clinical diagnostic, disease monitoring and treatment of Lyme disease by enabling specific and sensitive detection of the human serological response against its causative agent: Borrelia burgdoferi. Lyme Disease is the most common tick-borne infection in Europe with around 85,000 new cases per year and its incidence is increasing due to climate change. Current laboratory diagnostic methods lack sensitivity and specificity to detect early cases as well as late manifestations of the disease such as chronic or autoimmune-related infections. For this reasons, disease incidence is underestimated as many cases go mis- or undiagnosed. Late, delayed, or inadequate treatment can lead to serious symptoms such as neuroborreliosis or arthritis, which can be disabling and difficult to treat.

HILYSENS will develop a specific multi-antigen assay in a lab-on-a-chip device to detect Borrelia infections.

Hilysens II

" Demonstration Activities for the clinical validation of the prototype HILYSENS Lab-on-a-Chip "

FP7 - Collaborative project

Grand Agreement nº: 606348

The HILYSENS II is based on the 2-year HILYSENS research and development project (started November 2010)funded by the ‘Research for the Benefit of SMEs’ program of the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). HILYSENS II proposes Demonstration Activities for the prototype HILYSENS Lab-on-a-Chip developed during the successful research and development project, which was designed as a specific and sensitive diagnostic system for acute, chronic and autoimmunity-associated Lyme disease. The developed prototype comprises a Bio-Chip, which enables specific and sensitive detection of the human serological responses to Borrelia species in patients with Lyme disease, and a portable Reader with user-friendly software,which together enable precise, accurate and reproducible testing of serum samples. Lyme disease is the mostcommon tick-borne infection in Europe, with around 85,000 new cases per year. Current laboratory diagnosticmethods for Borrelia species lack the necessary sensitivity and specificity to detect early cases, as well as late manifestations of the disease, such as chronic or autoimmune-related infections. As a consequence, many cases are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Late, delayed, or inadequate treatment can lead to serious problems, such as neuroborreliosis or arthritis, which can be disabling and difficult to treat.

The HILYSENS II Demonstration Activity, which will involve SMEs from Portugal, Italy, and Spain, will include verification of the Bio-Chip and Reader components, followed by scaling-up of the production of the complete system. This will be followed by clinical validation at partner Borrelia testing centers in Germany and Sweden, and confirmatory testing in Portugal. By the end of the 24-month Demonstration Activity it is expected that the HILYSENS diagnostic system will be submitted for approval by regulatory authorities in Europe and the US and will enter these markets shortly thereafter.

LungCard

"Point-of-care blood device for fast and reliable prediction of drug response in non- small-cell lung carcinoma patients from blood samples"

FP7 - Research for the Benefict of SMEs

Grant Agreement nº: 315586

The standard of care in the treatment of NSCLC patients is to use a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, especially in advanced disease (stages III and especially IV). Chemotherapy regimens usually include two drugs: often this combination regimen includes a platinum drug like cisplatin along with either an older (etoposide) or newer (docetaxel, gemcitabine, pemetrexed (Alimta) or vinorelbine) chemotherapeutic drug. Beyond of unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy, most of nonsmall cell lung cancer tumours are not sensitive to this treatment. Targeted therapy could be used to improve treatment effectiveness in those patients, since relevant biomarkers were already identified allowing the stratification of those patients. Recent randomised phase III studies (IPASS, INTEREST, V-15- 32, ISEL) and external literature have demonstrated that patients with tumours harbouring EGFR mutations show a better response to EGFR-TKI (epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors) than platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents. In cancer cells, somatic mutations in exons 18-21 in tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR gene should be analysed to support the treatment decision for a patient with NSCLC. The personalised medicine is now a reality for NSCLC patients and the improvement of overall survival is clearly evident.

Extrabrain

"Extracellular brain proteolysis in neuronal plasticity and neuropsychiatric disorders"

FP7 - People - Initial Training Network

Grant Agreement nº: 606950

The extracellular matrix (ECM) has recently emerged as a fourth "synaptic" element, in addition to presynapse, postsynapse, and glia, which rapidly exchanges molecular signals with the other three. The ECM/CAMs also span the synaptic cleft, providing a transsynaptic adhesive apparatus, and the molecular steric hindrance imposed by the ECM/CAMs appears to regulate the synaptic dynamics. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that proteolytic activity may release from the ECM/CAMs cryptic ligand(s) that activate cell surface receptors and initiate intracellular signalling cascade(s). Thus, ECM and its enzymatic modifications have emerged as a highly topical research area, also because their extracellular localization makes the development of enzymatic inhibitors more feasible, with better access for novel drugs. In brief, it can be expected that a better understanding of the newly emerging field of ECM and its proteolysis in major brain diseases may change the way they are diagnosed and treated.

The ITN EXTRABRAIN brings together a group of well-established academic and industrial partners sharing interest in the ECM and its proteolysis.

PANA

“Promoting Active Ageing: Functional Nanostructures for Alzheimer’s disease at ultra-early stages”
European Union’s Horizon 2020 - Research and Innovation Programme
Grant Agreement nº: 686009

“STAB VIDA is happy to be part of the H2020’s PANA project – “Promoting Active Ageing: Functional Nanostructures for Alzheimer’s disease at ultra-early stages” - a project conducted by a consortium of 11 partners from different countries across Europe and coordinated by “Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS)”.

spinit-crispr

Designation of the project | spinit-crispr
Project Code | POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033778
Main goal | Reinforce research, technology development and innovation
Region of activity | Lisboa
Beneficiary | biosurfit, S.A./ IPATIMUP – Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto/ Stab Vida - Investigação e Serviços em Ciências Biológicas, Lda

Project summary
On a co-promotion initiative, the project presents the development of a rapid diagnostic test panel of Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya febrile syndromes. The grant supports all R&D developments and the translation of multiplexed molecular isothermal amplification techniques to a lab-on-a-disc device and subsequent analytical and clinical validation.

Strategic goals

Make the spinit® technology a global solution being one of the top players in the PoC diagnostic market;
Attract intelligent and international strategic investment to maintain national production and generate investment;
Create and develop an R&D and manufacture centre with a specialized team contributing to the country’s development and supporting the launch of new projects at the diagnostics market; - Continuously invest in technological innovation to solve key technical problems, contributing to a reduction of costs and improvement of diagnostic performance;
Actively participate in the development of the companion diagnostics and assisted living with remote clinical monitoring, through the development and launch in the market of diagnostic solutions with high performance and reduced investment for the end users and their integration with the health systems.

STAB4COVID

Objectives, activities and expected / achieved results

STAB4COVID project foresees the battle of the pandemic COVID-19 through the provision of :

(A) Diagnostic and analysis of COVID-19;
(B) Characterization and viral genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2; and
(C) Characterization of individual and collective immunity to COVID-19.

DV4COVID19

Project Code | LISBOA-01-02B7-FEDER-050356

Main goal | Strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs

Region of activity | Lisbon

Beneficiary | STAB VIDA, Investigação e Serviços em Ciências Biológicas

Approval on | 02-10-2020

Start date | 01-02-2020

Complition date | 28-02-2021

Total eligible cost | € 326.039,65

European Union financial support | FEDER: € 260.831,72

Project Objectives, activities and expected / achieved results

The DV4COVID19 project is a fast diagnostic solution for COVID-19 in PoC context (with the patient - point of care).

Using a small physical device, a biochip with an exclusive composition of biomarkers, and a smartphone application, it will be possible to present results in 20 minutes.

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