Molecular Biology

Acronym:	BMOL
Person in Charge:	Jorge Eduardo Azevedo
Mission:	The Department of Molecular Biology consists of the following laboratories: Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. The teaching staff (7 full professors, 4 associate professors, 3 assistant professors and one invited teaching assistant) and 8 technicians are responsible for several courses for undergraduate students of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Aquatic Environment Sciences, Biochemistry and Bioengineering. The Department is also involved in both the teaching and supervision of MSc and PhD students in many areas of basic and applied biology. The research laboratories are located at ICBAS and IBMC and cover the following themes: structural, biochemical, genetic and pathological aspects of Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy; mitosis regulation; structure and function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain; immune response to intracellular infections; biogenesis of peroxisomes; molecular mechanisms associated to oxidative stress; and understanding and communicating risk. Promoting science and science education are also a concern of many members of the Department. Therefore, they participate in symposia and public debates on life science issues, they visit high schools, organize seminars for teachers, as well as open days for secondary school teachers and students.