Established at iCBR (Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Coimbra, Portugal) as junior researcher in the Retinal Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation Lab (RD&N lab), I study the impact of the immune system in retinal degenerative diseases. I am focusing on the role of Ndr1 and Ndr2 kinases as new therapeutical targets of retinal inflammatory processes.
Research Interests
Retina Degeneration
Retinal Inflammation
Ndr Signaling Pathway
EVENTS
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October 2025: Congratulation to Beatriz for her first "first author" publication! Fazendeiro, B.; Machado, I.; Rolo, A.; Rodrigues Santos, P.; Ambrósio, A.F.; Santos, P.F.; Léger, H. NDR2 Kinase Regulates Microglial Metabolic Adaptation and Inflammatory Response: Critical Role in Glucose-Dependent Functional Plasticity. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 10630. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/21/10630
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June 2023: Congratulation to Paulo and Beatriz for their new publication! Santos PF, Fazendeiro B, Luca FC, Ambrósio AF, Léger H. The NDR/LATS protein kinases in neurobiology: Key regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration in the ocular and central nervous system. Eur J Cell Biol. 2023 Jun;102(2):151333. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0171-9335(23)00048-1
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​February 2025: The project " Deciphering the role of Ndr2 kinase player in the microglia-induced vascularisation in Diabetic Retinopathy was granted by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. 250k for 3 years!
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March 2023: The project "Ndr2 kinase: a novel player in the regulation of microglia in Diabetic Retinopathy" was granted (2022.06170.PTDC, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia)
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September 2025: A new academic year started with some new addition: Lucas, who decided to study biology after mastering textile engineering (Development of New Alternative Approach for the Treatment of Melanoma Skin Cancer) at the University of Minho, Bernardo, a bachelor student of Biomedical engineering and Carolina who won FCT funded fellowship to decipher the role of NDR2 kinase in the microglia-induced vascularisation in Diabetic Retinopathy
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July 2025: João graduated from his master with 17/20! Gabriel and Rúben were both accepted in the Master in Cellular and Molecular Biology (UCoimbra). Congratulations to the 3 of you!
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September 2024: Welcome to the team João, Gabriel and Rúben! Great start of a new academic year
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May 5 - 9 2024: I will be presenting our latest results at ARVO 2024 - Seattle, Wash. USA
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April 5, 2024: Beatriz and I will be presenting our latest results at the 8th Symposium of the Portuguese Glial Network (Braga)
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March 2024: Great participation of our colleague Paulo during the Brain Awareness Week 2024.
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March 2024: Congratulation to Paulo for his new publication Santos, P.F.; Ambrósio, A.F.; Léger, H. The Importance of Kinases in Retinal Degenerative Diseases. Kinases Phosphatases 2024, 2, 93-109. https://www.mdpi.com/2813-3757/2/1/6
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February 2024: Welcome to the team Leelja! See our members page
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February 2024: Aged-Macular Degeneration / Low Vision Month (Mês da Degenerescência Macular da Idade / baixa visâo). Our team co-host exhibitions and seminar on retinal diseases where we present our new vision simulator and raise awareness about retinal diseases such as age macular degeneration.
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October 26-28, 2023: I will be presenting our latest results about the sitagliptin project at the 26th EVER CONGRESS.
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October 12, 2023 - World sight day 2023: Dr. Paulo F. Santos and myself will be presenting the Vision problems resulting from excessive exposure to screens in Mealhada School Group. #worldsightday
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Beatriz won a FCT funded fellowship to decipher the role of Ndr2 kinase in the regulation of microglia in Diabetic Retinopathy
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