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I completed my Master's in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Coimbra in september 2020. My research has primarily centered around unraveling the mechanisms of action of autoantibodies targeting neurons, both at the molecular and functional levels. During a year-long tenure with the “Neuronal Signaling” group at CNC-UC, I delved into studying the pathological effects of neuronal-autoantibodies from epileptic patients on GABAergic neurotransmission. Specifically, I investigated their impact on hippocampal network functionality, as well as the trafficking and dendritic distribution of GABAA receptors. This experience not only equipped me with essential laboratory skills, teamwork abilities, and scientific communication prowess but also enabled me to contribute to two scientific posters and win the "Best E-Poster" award at the 35th National Epileptology Meeting. Subsequently, I secured an ERASMUS+ grant to undertake a research internship at the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Institute in Bordeaux. Here, I focused on exploring the molecular and functional effects of autoantibodies targeting proteins of the NMDA receptor interactome on excitatory synaptic activity. This opportunity allowed me to further refine my laboratory techniques in a multicultural setting and contributed to a scientific publication in EMBO Reports, where I was listed as a co-author. I am currently a PhD student in the Experimental Biology and Biomedicine program at the University of Coimbra, having won a PhD scholarship from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), to do research on autoimmune epilepsy.
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Catarina Daniela Gonçalves Rodrigues

Citation names

  • Rodrigues, Catarina

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
AA10-BE3A-B308

Email addresses

  • crodrigues@cnc.uc.pt (Professional)
  • catarinadanielarodrigues@gmail.com (Personal)

Websites

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
English Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Proficiency (C2)
French Elementary (A2) Elementary (A2) Beginner (A1) Intermediate (B1)
Education
Degree Classification
2024/09/01 - 2028/09/01
Ongoing
Doctoral Program in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (Doutoramento)
Major in Neuroscience and Disease
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2024/11 - 2025/03
Ongoing
Modular Training in Laboratory Animal Science: Mouse and Rat (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2025/02/10 - 2025/02/14
Attended
Neuronal Circuits and Behavior (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares))
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2025/01/20 - 2025/01/31
Attended
Principles and Practices in Drug Development (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares))
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2025/01/13 - 2025/01/17
Attended
Mechanisms in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares))
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2025/01/06 - 2025/01/10
Attended
Synapse Assembly, Function and Plasticity (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares))
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2024/12/02 - 2024/12/13
Attended
Core Technologies @ CNC (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares))
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2024/11/25 - 2024/11/29
Attended
Experimental Research Design & Responsible Research Practices (Part I) (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares))
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2024/10/14 - 2024/10/25
Attended
Connecting Researchers with the Society and Industry (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares))
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2020/09 - 2022/09/20
Concluded
Cellular and Molecular Biology (Mestrado)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
"Modulation of GABAergic synapses by autoantibodies from epileptic patients" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
18
2020/07 - 2020/07
Concluded
Interactive 3D Online Course: "Immune System and Cancer" (Outros)
Sciencestanding by 3D Tech Omega Zeta (online platform), Spain
2017/09 - 2020/06
Concluded
Biology (Licenciatura)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
16
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution
Employer
2024/09/01 - Current Researcher (Research) Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2024/01 - 2024/07/31 Researcher (Research) Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2022/11/02 - 2023/05/01 Research Trainee (Research) Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neurosciences, France
Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neurosciences, France
2021/09 - 2022/09 Research Trainee (Research) Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2020/02 - 2020/06 Research Trainee (Research) Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/02 - 2019/05 Research Trainee (Research) Universidade de Coimbra Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Portugal
Universidade de Coimbra Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2024/09/01 - Current Modulation of GABAergic synapse by autoantibodies from epileptic patients
2024.00565.BD
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2022/11/01 - 2023/04/30 Challenging the membrane NMDAR interactome with distint neuronal-autoantibodies
Erasmus
Research Fellow
Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neurosciences, France
Fundos da União Europeia, Portugal
Concluded
2022/08/30 - 2022/09/30 Modulation of GABAergic synapses by autoantibodies from epileptic patients
CENTRO-01–0145-FEDER- 030659
Scientific Initiation Fellow
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Outputs

Publications

Conference poster
  1. Rodrigues, Catarina; Mele, Miranda; Duarte, Carlos B.. Corresponding author: Rodrigues, Catarina. "Pathogenic mechanisms mediated by anti-GABAAR-autoantibodies in autoimmune epilepsy". Paper presented in 18th PDBEB symposium, 2024.
  2. Rodrigues, Catarina; Carvalho, Inês V. ; Bento, Conceição; Dalmau, Josep; Duarte, Carlos B.; Mele, Miranda. "Modulation of neuronal activity and GABAergic synapses by autoantibodies from epileptic patients". Paper presented in 35º Encontro Nacional de Epileptologia, 2023.
  3. Claudia Corso; Giorgio Belperio; Cinzia Miarelli; Rodrigues, Catarina; Filipe Duarte; Costa, Rui; Duarte, Carlos B.; Mele, Miranda. "K+-Cl- cotransporter (KCC2) activation as a novel therapeutic strategy for epilepsy". Paper presented in 8th European Synapse Meeting, 20th-21st of October 2022. Coimbra, 2022.
Journal article
  1. Hunter, Daniel; Petit-Pedrol, Mar; Fernandes, Dominique; Bénac, Nathan; Rodrigues, Catarina; Kreye, Jakob; Ceanga, Mihai; et al. "Converging synaptic and network dysfunctions in distinct autoimmune encephalitis". EMBO Reports 25 3 (2024): 1623-1649. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44319-024-00056-2.
    10.1038/s44319-024-00056-2
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. "Modulation of GABAergic synapses by autoantibodies from epileptic patients". Master, Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, 2022.
Activities

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role)
Institution / Organization
2024/03 - 2024/03/20 Volunteer in a science communication activity as part of the "International Brain Week 2024", where several neuroscientists went to primary schools to talk to children about the brain and what it means to be a scientist. (2024/03/20 - 2024/03/20)
Other (Co-organisor)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018/12 - 2019/03 Member of the organization of the III meet.Lab, a laboratory meeting organized by the Núcleo de Estudantes da Associação Académica de Coimbra. At this meeting, various lectures and workshops in the most diverse areas of Biology allow students not only to deepen their knowledge in the multiple areas covered, but also allow a close contact with different experts in the field. (2019/03/16)
Meeting (Member of the Organising Committee)
Universidade de Coimbra Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Portugal

Association member

Society Organization name Role
2017 - 2020 Member of the "Núcleo de Estudantes de Biologia da Associação Académica de Coimbra". Collaborator in the Recreational and Cultural Department
Distinctions

Award

2023 Best E-Poster presented at the 35th National Epileptology Meeting
Liga Portuguesa Contra a Epilepsia, Portugal

Other distinction

2024 PhD Grant
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2022 Erasmus Grant
Fundos da União Europeia, Portugal, Portugal
2022 Scientific Initiation Grant
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal