João Filipe da Costa Martins (C61F-E0B3-BC6A)

Curriculum Vitae

João Filipe da Costa Martins

João Filipe da Costa Martins obtained his PhD in Biomedical Sciences in 2015 from the University of Coimbra. He has been working in Neurosciences, mainly in Vision Sciences. He has published 38 journal articles, mostly in first-quartile journals, with more than 900 citations and an h-index of 16. João has developed his research studies at the University of Coimbra, Portugal; the Vision Institute in Paris, France; the University of Copenhagen, Denmark; and NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal. He has been involved in more than 20 research projects and has been supervising PhD, MSc, and BSc students in Biology, Biochemistry, and Biomedical Engineering. In 2021, João was awarded a Seed Project at Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, as Principal Investigator, to study neuroplasticity mechanisms in animal models of neurodevelopmental differences. His current research interests focus on understanding basic brain physiology, particularly the visual system from the retina to the visual cortex, and how it is modulated by experience such as social interactions. A major goal is to unravel how neurodevelopmental differences affect neuronal processing and plasticity. He is exploring brain stimulation and pharmacotherapies as potential means of ameliorating cognitive deficits. João uses various techniques, ranging from fundamental cellular and molecular biology and microscopy to rodent behavioral tests, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, optical coherence tomography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. His other activities include serving as reviewer for scientific journals in Neuroscience and Vision Science, acting as jury of BSc and MSc degrees, and speaking at Brain Awareness Week dissemination events, including laboratory and school visits.

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Identification

Personal identification

Full name: João Filipe da Costa Martins

Citation names

Martins, João

Author identifiers

Ciência ID: C61F-E0B3-BC6A
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7764-286X

Email addresses

jfmartins@fmed.uc.pt (Professional)
joao.martins@icnas.uc.pt (Professional)

Addresses

ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal (Professional)

Websites

https://www.uc.pt/en/icnas (Scholar)
https://www.uc.pt/en/uid/cibit (Scholar)

Knowledge fields

Medical and Health Sciences - Basic Medicine - Neurosciences
Medical and Health Sciences - Clinical Medicine - Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

Languages

Language	Speaking	Reading	Writing	Listening	Peer-review
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
English	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)
French	Intermediate (B1)	Upper intermediate (B2)	Elementary (A2)	Upper intermediate (B2)	Elementary (A2)

Education

	Degree	Classification
2015/05/29 Concluded	Ciências da Saúde (Doutoramento) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal "Modulation of Retinal Ganglion Cell Function and Implications for Neuroprotection" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	Approved with distinction and honors
2010/09/14 Concluded	Course in Laboratory Animal Science (Outros) Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
2009/05/14 Concluded	Biologia Celular (Mestrado) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal "Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine administration on rat electroretinogram" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	Very Good
2006/09/15 Concluded	Biologia (Licenciatura) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal "The proliferative effect of neuropeptide Y in rat retinal cell cultures " (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	16

Affiliation

Science

	Category Host institution	Employer
2020/12/01 - Current	Researcher (Research)	Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
	Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Portugal
2017/06/01 - 2020/11/30	Postdoc (Research)	Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
	Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Portugal
2017/01/01 - 2017/05/31	Postdoc (Research)	Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
	Universidade Nova de Lisboa Centro de Estudos de Doenças Crónicas, Portugal
2015/12/01 - 2016/12/30	Researcher (Research)	Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
	Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2013/10/01 - 2015/08/30	Researcher (Research)	Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
	Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2012/09/01 - 2012/12/30	Visiting Researcher (Research)	Kobenhavns Universitet Panum Instituttet, Denmark
	Kobenhavns Universitet Panum Instituttet, Denmark
2009/06/01 - 2011/09/30	Visiting Researcher (Research)	Institut de la vision, France
	Institut de la vision, France
2008/02/01 - 2008/08/30	Researcher (Research)	Associação para a Investigação Biomédica e Inovação em Luz e Imagem, Portugal
	Associação para a Investigação Biomédica e Inovação em Luz e Imagem, Portugal
2007/11/01 - 2008/01/30	Researcher (Research)	Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
	Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2006/03/01 - 2006/09/30	Research Trainee (Research)	Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
	Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal

Projects

Grant

	Designation	Funders
2023/03/25 - Current	Tryptophan supplementation during pregnancy and lactation for cognitive and metabolic improvement in progeny of diabetic mothers Bolsa Emílio Peres - SPD Researcher
2023/03/01 - Current	The role of tryptophan metabolism in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: a possible common mechanism underlying epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder 2022.01066.PTDC Researcher	Ongoing
2023/03/01 - Current	Epigenetic modulation of blood-brain barrier integrity on the prevention of epileptogenesis 2022.03133.PTDC Researcher
2021/03/01 - 2022/02/28	Plasticity recovery in neurodevelopmental disorders by cell-selective and systems-level GABAergic manipulation Seed Projects CIBIT 2021 Principal investigator Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal	Universidade de Coimbra Ongoing
2018/01/01 - 2020/12/31	Non-invasive optical coherence tomography towards the imaging of the neurodegenerative disease: from the animal retina to the human brain PTDC/EMD-EMD/28039/2017 Researcher Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Ongoing
2018/01/01 - 2020/12/31	Recovering neuronal function and promoting neuroprotection in diabetic retinopathy PTDC/MED-PAT/29656/2017 Researcher Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Ongoing
2017/06/01 - 2020/12/31	Linking inhibition from molecular to systems and cognitive levels: a preclinical and clinical approach in autism spectrum disorders and neurofibromatosis FLAD Life Sciences Prize 2017 Researcher Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Portugal	Fundação Luso-Americana Ongoing
2013/06/01 - 2013/12/31	From neuroinflammation control to neuroprotection: blocking adenosine A2A receptor for the treatment of glaucoma PTDC/BIM-MEC/0913/2012 Researcher	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2008/11/01 - 2012/12/31	Life and death of retinal ganglion cells: unmasking the neuromodulatory and neuroprotective roles of Neuropeptide Y PTDC/SAU-NEU/099075/2008 Researcher Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2007/05/01 - 2009/01/30	Neuropeptide Y in the retina: Why? What for? PTDC/SAU-NEU/73119/2006 Other	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded

Contract

	Designation	Funders
2017/01/01 - 2017/05/31	SynDia: Synucleins - the link between Parkinson and Diabetic Retinopathy? iNOVA4Health 201601-02-014 Post-doc Fellow Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal	Concluded
2015/12/01 - 2016/12/31	Functional and Morphological Evaluation of Retina and Choroid in Diabetes Rat Model OA0196.A NOVARTIS Researcher Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal	Concluded
2013/10/01 - 2015/08/30	Neuropeptide Y System: a New Potential Therapeutic Target in Diabetic Retinopathy PTDC/NEU-OSD/1113/2012 Research Technician Fellow Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
2008/02/01 - 2008/08/30	Identification of Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying the Protective Effects of Calcium Dobesilate in Diabetic Retinopathy OM PHARMA PROJECT:DX 2008/01 Research Technician Fellow Associação para a Investigação Biomédica e Inovação em Luz e Imagem, Portugal	Associação para a Investigação Biomédica e Inovação em Luz e Imagem Concluded
2007/11/01 - 2008/01/30	ATP and diabetic retinopathy: role on microglia regulation and on neuronal cell death. POCI/SAU-NEU/59003/2004 Research Fellow Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded

Other

	Designation	Funders
2017/06/01 - 2020/12/31	BrainHealth 2020 - Early Detection, Neuromodulation and Advanced Therapies for Neuropathologies CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000008 Researcher CNC.IBILI, Portugal	Ongoing
2017/06/01 - 2020/12/31	BIGDATIMAGE – From computational modelling and clinical research CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000016 Post-doc Fellow Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Portugal	Ongoing
2014/01/01 - 2019/12/31	Strategic Project CNC.IBILI 2013 PEst-UID/NEU/04539/2013 Researcher	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2009/06/01 - 2015/05/29	Modulation of retinal ganglion cell function and implications for neuroprotection Modulation of Retinal Ganglion Cell Function and Implications for Neuroprotection PhD Student Fellow Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2013/01/01 - 2014/12/31	Strategic Project - LA 1 - 2013-2014 PEst-/SAU/LA0001/2013 Researcher Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2013/01/01 - 2014/12/29	Strategic Project - UI 3282 - 2013-2014 PEst-C/SAU/UI3282/2013 Researcher Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
2011/01 - 2012/12/31	Strategic Project - UI 3282 - 2011-2012 PEst-C/SAU/UI3282/2011 Researcher Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2011/01/01 - 2012/12/30	Strategic Project - LA 1 - 2011-2012 Est-/SAU/LA0001/2011 Researcher Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
2008/01/01 - 2009/05/14	Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine administration on rat electroretinogram Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine administration on rat electroretinogram Master Student Fellow Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal

Outputs

Publications

Book chapter	Elisa J. Campos; António Campos; Martins, João; António Francisco Ambrósio. "Nanotools for the Treatment of Ocular Diseases". In Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology in Medicine, 169-184. Wiley, 2022. 10.1002/9781119558026.ch7
Journal article	Gomes-Ribeiro, Joana; Martins, João; Sereno, José; Deslauriers-Gauthier, Samuel; Summavielle, Teresa; Coelho, Joana E; Remondes, Miguel; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Lopes, Luísa V. "Mapping functional traces of opioid memories in the rat brain". Brain Communications (2024): http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcae281. 10.1093/braincomms/fcae281 Pais, Mariana L.; Martins, João; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana. "Increased susceptibility to kainate-induced seizures in a mouse model of tuberous sclerosis complex: Importance of sex and circadian cycle". Epilepsia Open (2024): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/epi4.12955. 10.1002/epi4.12955 Caramelo, Beatriz; Monteiro-Alfredo, Tamaeh; Martins, João; Sereno, José; Castelhano, João; Manadas, Bruno; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Matafome, Paulo. "Functional imaging and neurochemistry identify in vivo neuroprotection mechanisms counteracting excitotoxicity and neurovascular changes in the hippocampus and visual cortex of obese and type 2 diabetic animal models". Journal of Neurochemistry 165 6 (2023): 892-906. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15825. Santos, Sofia; Martins, Beatriz; Sereno, José; Martins, João; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana. "Neurobehavioral sex-related differences in Nf1+/- mice: female show a 'camouflaging'-type behavior". Biology of Sex Differences 14 1 (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13293-023-00509-8. 10.1186/s13293-023-00509-8 Batista, Ana; Guimarães, Pedro; Martins, João; Moreira, Paula I.; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Serranho, Pedro; Bernardes, Rui. "Normative mice retinal thickness: 16-month longitudinal characterization of wild-type mice and changes in a model of Alzheimer's disease". Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 15 (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1161847. 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1161847 Batista, Ana; Guimarães, Pedro; Serranho, Pedro; Nunes, Ana; Martins, João; Moreira, Paula I.; Ambrósio, António Francisco; et al. "Retinal imaging in animal models: Searching for biomarkers of neurodegeneration". Frontiers in Ophthalmology 3 (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2023.1156605. 10.3389/fopht.2023.1156605 Pais, Mariana Lapo; Martins, João; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana. "Sex Differences in Tryptophan Metabolism: A Systematic Review Focused on Neuropsychiatric Disorders". International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24 6 (2023): 6010. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms24066010. 10.3390/ijms24066010 Ribeiro, Francisco M.; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana; Martins, João. "Visual Cortical Plasticity: Molecular Mechanisms as Revealed by Induction Paradigms in Rodents". International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24 5 (2023): 4701. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054701. 10.3390/ijms24054701 Ferreira, Hugo; Serranho, Pedro; Guimarães, Pedro; Trindade, Rita; Martins, João; Moreira, Paula I.; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Bernardes, Rui. "Stage-independent biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease from the living retina: an animal study". Scientific Reports 12 1 (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18113-y. 10.1038/s41598-022-18113-y Palavra, Filipe; Viana, Sofia D.; Henriques, Sara; Dinis, João; Martins, João; Madeira, Maria H.; Santiago, Raquel; et al. "Defining milestones for the study of remyelination using the cuprizone mouse model: How early is early?". Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 63 (2022): 103886. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2022.103886. 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103886 Guimarães, Pedro; Serranho, Pedro; Martins, João; Moreira, Paula I.; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Bernardes, Rui. "Retinal Aging in 3× Tg-AD Mice Model of Alzheimer's Disease". Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 14 (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.832195. 10.3389/fnagi.2022.832195 Sousa, Beatriz; Martins, João; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana. "Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as an Approach to Mitigate Neurodevelopmental Disorders Affecting Excitation/Inhibition Balance: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder". Journal of Clinical Medicine 11 10 (2022): 2839. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm11102839. 10.3390/jcm11102839 Santos, Sofia; Ferreira, Helena; Martins, João (C61F-E0B3-BC6A); Gonçalves, Joana; Castelo-Branco, Miguel. "Male sex bias in early and late onset neurodevelopmental disorders: shared aspects and differences in autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (2022): Published • 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104577 Ferreira, Helena; Sereno, José; Martins, João (C61F-E0B3-BC6A); Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana; Sousa, Ana C. "Sex-dependent social and repetitive behavior and neurochemical profile in mouse model of autism spectrum disorder". Metabolites (2022): Published • 10.3390/metabo12010071 Ferreira, Hugo; Martins, João; Moreira, Paula I.; Ambrósio, António. F.; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Serranho, Pedro; Bernardes, Rui. "Longitudinal normative OCT retinal thickness data for wild-type mice, and characterisation of changes in the 3xTg-AD mice model of Alzheimer's disease". Aging (2021): Accepted • 10.18632/aging.202916 Campos, António; Martins, João; Campos, Elisa; Silva, Rufino; Ambrósio, António F.. "Choroidal and retinal structural, cellular and vascular changes in a rat model of Type 2 diabetes". Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 132 (2020): 110811. Published • 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110811 Rodrigues, Flávia S. C.; Campos, António; Martins, João; Ambrósio, A. F.; Campos, Elisa. "Emerging Trends in Nanomedicine for Improving Ocular Drug Delivery: Light-Responsive Nanoparticles, Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles, and Contact Lenses". ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering (2020): Published • 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01347 Campos, António; Campos, Elisa J.; Martins, João; Rodrigues, Flávia SC.; Silva, Rufino; Ambrósio, António Francisco. "Inflammatory cells proliferate in the choroid and retina without choroidal thickness change in early Type 1 diabetes". Experimental Eye Research (2020): 108195. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2020.108195. Published • 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108195 Campos, António; Campos, Elisa J.; Martins, João; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Silva, Rufino. "The value of choroidal thickness in diabetic macular oedema is contradictory". Acta Ophthalmologica (2020): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aos.14529. Published • 10.1111/aos.14529 Ferreira, Hugo; Martins, João; Nunes, Ana; Moreira, Paula I.; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Ambrósio, António F.; Serranho, Pedro; Bernardes, Rui. "Characterization of the Retinal Changes of the 3xTg-AD Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease". Health and Technology (2020): Published • https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-020-00413-w Cavaleiro, Carla; Martins, João; Gonçalves, Joana; Castelo-Branco, Miguel. "Memory and Cognition-Related Neuroplasticity Enhancement by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Rodents: A Systematic Review". Neural Plasticity 2020 (2020): 1-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/4795267. Open access • Published • 10.1155/2020/4795267 Campos, Elisa J.; Martins, João; Brudzewsky, Dan; Woldbye, David P.D.; Ambrósio, António F.. "Neuropeptide Y system mRNA expression changes in the hippocampus of a type I diabetes rat model". Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger 227 (2020): 151419. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2019.151419. Open access • Published • 10.1016/j.aanat.2019.151419 Campos, António; Campos, Elisa J; do Carmo, Anália; Caramelo, Francisco; Martins, João; Sousa, João P; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Silva, Rufino. "Evaluation of markers of outcome in real-world treatment of diabetic macular edema". Eye and Vision 5 1 (2018): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40662-018-0119-9. Open access • Published • 10.1186/s40662-018-0119-9 Martins, João; Alves, Mariana R. P.; Boia, Raquel; Campos, Elisa J.; Nunes, Sara; Madeira, Maria H.; Santiago, Ana R.; et al. "Subtle thinning of retinal layers without overt vascular and inflammatory alterations in a rat model of prediabetes". Molecular Vision 24 (2018): 353-366. Open access • Published Campos, Elisa J; Martins, João; Brudzewsky, Dan; Correia, Sandra; Santiago, Ana R; Woldbye, David PD; Ambrósio, António F. "Impact of type 1 diabetes mellitus and sitagliptin treatment on the neuropeptide Y system of rat retina". Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology 46 7 (2018): 783-795. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ceo.13176. Open access • Published • 10.1111/ceo.13176 Campos, Elisa J.; Campos, António; Martins, João; Ambrósio, António Francisco. "Opening eyes to nanomedicine: Where we are, challenges and expectations on nanotherapy for diabetic retinopathy". Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine 13 6 (2017): 2101-2113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2017.04.008. Published • 10.1016/j.nano.2017.04.008 Campos, António; Campos, Elisa J.; Martins, João; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Silva, Rufino. "Viewing the choroid: where we stand, challenges and contradictions in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema". Acta Ophthalmologica 95 5 (2016): 446-459. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aos.13210. Open access • Published • 10.1111/aos.13210 Martins, João; Elvas, Filipe; Brudzewsky, Dan; Martins, Tânia; Kolomiets, Bogdan; Tralhão, Pedro; Gøtzsche, Casper R.; et al. "Activation of Neuropeptide Y Receptors Modulates Retinal Ganglion Cell Physiology and Exerts Neuroprotective ActionsIn Vitro". ASN Neuro 7 4 (2015): 175909141559829. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1759091415598292. Open access • Published • 10.1177/1759091415598292 Gonçalves, Joana; Martins, João; Baptista, Sofia; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Silva, Ana Paula. "Effects of drugs of abuse on the central neuropeptide Y system". Addiction Biology 21 4 (2015): 755-765. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/adb.12250. Published • 10.1111/adb.12250 Martins, João; Kolomiets, Bogdan; Caplette, Romain; Sahel, José-Alain; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Ambrósio, António F.; Picaud, Serge. "Sildenafil Acutely Decreases Visual Responses in ON and OFF Retinal Ganglion Cells". Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science 56 4 (2015): 2639. http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/iovs.14-15964. Open access • Published • 10.1167/iovs.14-15964 Santos-Carvalho, Ana; Álvaro, Ana Rita; Martins, João; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Cavadas, Cláudia. "Emerging novel roles of neuropeptide Y in the retina: From neuromodulation to neuroprotection". Progress in Neurobiology 112 (2014): 70-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.10.002. Published • 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.10.002 Froger, Nicolas; Cadetti, Lucia; Lorach, Henri; Martins, Joao; Bemelmans, Alexis-Pierre; Dubus, Elisabeth; Degardin, Julie; et al. "Taurine Provides Neuroprotection against Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration". PLoS ONE 7 10 (2012): e42017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0042017. Open access • Published • 10.1371/journal.pone.0042017 Martins, João; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Batista, Ana; Oliveiros, Bárbara; Santiago, Ana Raquel; Galvão, Joana; Fernandes, Eduarda; et al. "Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Administration on Retinal Physiology in the Rat". PLoS ONE 6 12 (2011): e29583. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029583. Open access • Published • 10.1371/journal.pone.0029583 Leal, E. C.; Martins, J.; Voabil, P.; Liberal, J.; Chiavaroli, C.; Bauer, J.; Cunha-Vaz, J.; Ambrosio, A. F.. "Calcium Dobesilate Inhibits the Alterations in Tight Junction Proteins and Leukocyte Adhesion to Retinal Endothelial Cells Induced by Diabetes". Diabetes 59 10 (2010): 2637-2645. http://dx.doi.org/10.2337/db09-1421. Open access • Published • 10.2337/db09-1421 Álvaro, Ana Rita; Martins, João; Araújo, Inês M.; Rosmaninho-Salgado, Joana; Ambrósio, António F.; Cavadas, Cláudia. "Neuropeptide Y stimulates retinal neural cell proliferation - involvement of nitric oxide". Journal of Neurochemistry 105 6 (2008): 2501-2510. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05334.x. Open access • Published • 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05334.x Álvaro, A.R.; Martins, J.; Costa, A.C.; Fernandes, E.; Carvalho, F.; Ambrósio, A.F.; Cavadas, C.. "Neuropeptide Y protects retinal neural cells against cell death induced by ecstasy". Neuroscience 152 1 (2008): 97-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.12.027. Published • 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.12.027 Álvaro, Ana Rita; Rosmaninho-Salgado, Joana; Santiago, Ana Raquel; Martins, João; Aveleira, Célia; Santos, Paulo F.; Pereira, Tiago; et al. "NPY in rat retina is present in neurons, in endothelial cells and also in microglial and Müller cells". Neurochemistry International 50 5 (2007): 757-763. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2007.01.010. Published • 10.1016/j.neuint.2007.01.010
Preprint	Martins, Beatriz; Martins, João; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana. "Neuropeptide Y causes sex dependent changes in microbiota-intestinal-brain communication in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder". 2024. http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4441928/v1. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4441928/v1 Gomes-Ribeiro, Joana; Martins, João; Sereno, José; Deslauriers-Gauthier, Samuel; Summavielle, Teresa; Coelho, Joana E.; Remondes, Miguel; Branco, Miguel Castelo; Lopes, Luísa V.. "Mapping functional traces of opioid memories in the rat brain". 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2023.08.07.552221. 10.1101/2023.08.07.552221 Ferreira, Helena; Santos, Sofia; Martins, João; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana. "Fleeting: a Novel Ultrasonic Vocalization in Mice That Allows to Define Altered Developmental Milestones in Autism Spectrum Disorder". 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1169877/v1. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1169877/v1
Thesis / Dissertation	Martins, João. "Modulation of Retinal Ganglion Cell Function and Implications for Neuroprotection". PhD, Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, 2015. https://estudogeral.sib.uc.pt/handle/10316/26530. Martins, João. "Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine administration on rat electroretinogram". Master, Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, 2009. Martins, João. "The proliferative effect of neuropeptide Y in rat retinal cell cultures". Degree, Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, 2006.

Other

Dataset

Martins, João; Ribeiro, Francisco M. Retinal structure and function of NF1 mice. Mendeley Data. 2025.
10.17632/cy9h3chr48.1

Activities

Oral presentation

	Presentation title	Event name Host (Event location)
2024/11/08	The rodent central visual system as a means to study neural plasticity	Research methods and techniques, Master in Biomedical Research Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (Coimbra, Portugal)
2024/11/07	Sex-Specific Gut-Brain Axis Alterations in ASD: The Role of Neuropeptide Y in an ASD Mouse Model	10th European Student Conference on Behavior & Cognition (Paris, France)
2024/03/04	Rodent central visual system	Vision Sciences Advanced Course, PhD Program in Health Sciences and Master in Biomedical Research Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
2023/11/14	The rodent central visual system as a means to study neural plasticity	Research methods and techniques, Master in Biomedical Research Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
2023/03/13	Rodent central visual system	Visual System and Related Pathologies, Master in Molecular and Translational Neuroscience Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
2022/11/02	The rodent central visual system as a means to study neural plasticity	Research methods and techniques, Master in Biomedical Research Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
2022/03/14	Rodent central visual system	PhD Program in Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
2021/11/02	Assessing the rodent central visual system function	Research methods and techniques, Master in Biomedical Research Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
2021/02/17	Impact of methylphenidate on the retina in control and ADHD conditions	XXXIX Annual Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology Portuguese Society of Pharmacology (Lisbon, Portugal)
2019/06/30	Characterization of neurofibromatosis type 1-induced changes in pre-pubertal male and female mice: a combined behavioral, biochemical and neuroimaging study	Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neurosciences Portuguese Society for Neurosciences (Lisbon, Portugal)
2019/05/30	Neural basis for adult cognitive deficits in neurofibromatosis type 1 animal model: Relevance for autism spectrum disorders	Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neurosciences Portuguese Society for Neurosciences (Lisbon, Portugal)
2019/05/20	Heterozygosity for the neurofibromatosis 1 results in sex-specific changes in brain morphometry, neurochemical profile and behavior in infant and pre-pubertal mice	Sex differences, dimorphisms, divergences: impact on brain and behavior in health and disease Workshop (Erice, Sicily, Italy)
2016/11/23	Biochemical characterization of cuprizone-induced demyelination animal model: a DPP-4 centered approach	Portuguese Society for Neurology Meeting Portuguese Society for Neurology (Lisbon, Portugal)
2013/12/12	Neuropeptide Y in the Retina: Neuromodulation and Neuroprotection	Annual Meeting of IBILI Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (Coimbra, Portugal)
2013/05/30	Retinal ganglion cells express neuropeptide Y and NPY receptors	Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neurosciences Portuguese Society for Neurosciences (Luso, Portugal)
2013/05/30	Neuropeptide Y modulates retinal ganglion cell activity and protects retinal ganglion cell against excitotoxicity	XIII Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neurosciences Portuguese Society for Neurosciences (Luso, Portugal)
2008/12/03	3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration induces alterations in rat electroretinogram	Annual Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology Portuguese Society of Pharmacology (Lisbon, Portugal)
2007/12/20	Neuropeptide Y stimulates retinal cells proliferation – involvement of nitric oxide	CNC Annual Meeting Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra (Coimbra, Portugal)
2007/12/05	Neuropeptide Y protects retinal neural cells against cell death induced by ecstasy	Annual Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology Portuguese Society of Pharmacology (Coimbra, Portugal)
2007/04/27	Role of Neuropeptide Y in Rat Retinal Cells: Proliferation of Progenitor Cells and Neuroprotection	Annual International Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Stem Cells and Cell Therapies Portuguese Society for Stem Cells and Cell Therapies (Coimbra, Portugal)
2007/03/21	Rat retinal cells and toxicity: role of neuropeptide Y	International Courses on Toxicology 2007 “Stem Cells as a Tool in Toxicology (Coimbra, Portugal)
2006/12/05	Toxicity of Ecstasy in Rat Retina Primary Cell Cultures	Annual Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology Portuguese Society of Pharmacology (Porto, Portugal)

Supervision

	Thesis Title Role	Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2024/09/15 - Current	Novel visual and odor stimulus paradigms for sensory processing study in mouse brain using functional MRI Supervisor	MSc in Biomedical Engineering (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2023/12/15 - Current	Perineuronal net modulation and neural plasticity: focus on a syndromic autism spectrum disorder mouse model Supervisor	PhD in Health Sciences (PhD) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2023/09/11 - Current	Social stimulus encoding in neurodevelopmental disorders using mouse models Supervisor	MSc in Molecular and Translational Neuroscience (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2021/01/01 - Current	Contribution of NPY for neuroendocrine-immune regulation in autism spectrum disorder Co-supervisor of Beatriz Corte Real Martins	Ciências da Saúde (PhD) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2024/01/24 - 2034/06/27	Evaluation of brain activity in four different behavioural conditions in NF1 mice Supervisor	Project in Biochemistry BSc (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2022/07/27 - 2024/03/24	Mapping the functional connectomics in rat models of obesity and diabetes Supervisor	Engenharia Biomédica (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2023/02/08 - 2023/06/30	Decoding of neuronal activity after visual training in neurodevelopmental disorder mouse models Supervisor	Project in Biomedical Engineering BSc (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2023/02/08 - 2023/06/30	Analysis of a novel ultrasonic vocalization in mice model of autism spectrum disorder Co-supervisor	Project in Biomedical Engineering BSc (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2023/02/02 - 2023/06/27	Behavioral analysis of neurodevelopment disorder mouse models Supervisor	Project in Biochemistry BSc (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2023/02/02 - 2023/06/27	The effects of excitation/inhibition imbalance in NF1+/- mice (a model of autism spectrum disorder) Co-supervisor	Project in Biochemistry BSc (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2023/02/01 - 2023/06/27	Neuronal processing and synaptic plasticity in neurodevelopmental disorders Supervisor	Project in Biochemistry BSc (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2022/04/12 - 2022/11/17	Neural coding and synaptic plasticity in neurodevelopmental disorder animal model Supervisor	Engenharia Biomédica (Master) Instituto Politécnico do Porto Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Portugal
2021/11/29 - 2022/11/16	Phenotypic Characterization of the Visual System in Animal Models of Neurodevelopmental Diseases Supervisor	Engenharia Biomédica (Master) Instituto Politécnico do Porto Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Portugal
2021/07/01 - 2022/09/14	Visual cortical plasticity in neurofibromatosis type 1 Supervisor	MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2022/02/21 - 2022/06/23	Neuronal processing and synaptic plasticity in neurodevelopment disorder mouse models Supervisor	Project in Biochemistry BSc (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2020/09/01 - 2021/11/15	Study of brain microstructures organization in TSC2 mouse model using diffusion tensor imaging Co-supervisor of Ana Catarina Baptista de Sousa	Engenharia Biomédica (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2020/11/25 - 2021/11/11	Visual system phenotypic characterization with software development in animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders Supervisor	Engenharia Biomédica (Master) Instituto Politécnico do Porto Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Portugal
2021/02/15 - 2021/06/30	Molecular and anatomic characterization of the retina of a mouse model of NF1 Supervisor of Gonçalo Conde de Oliveira	Bioquímica (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2021/02/15 - 2021/06/30	Molecular and anatomic characterization of the retina of a mouse model of TSC2 Co-supervisor of Telmo Mota Leal	Bioquímica (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2021/02/15 - 2021/06/30	Impact of biological sex in autism spectrum disorders Co-supervisor	Biologia (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2019/09/01 - 2021/04/22	Building an autism severity classification model for NF1 mouse Co-supervisor of Maria Beatriz Moreira Pinto e Sousa	Investigação Biomédica (Master) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Portugal
2020/02/01 - 2020/06/26	Retinal characteristics of the TSC2 mouse model Co-supervisor of Maria Luísa Dias Pereira Félix Amado	Biologia (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2020/02/01 - 2020/06/26	Characterization of retinal GABAergic changes in NF1 animal model Supervisor of Rita Antunes Gageiro	Biologia (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2020/02/01 - 2020/06/25	Sensorial synaptic plasticity evaluation in ASD mouse model Supervisor of Isa Fernandes Mota	Bioquímica (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2020/01/01 - 2020/06/25	Study of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in pup and juvenile TSC2+/- mouse Co-supervisor of Helena Margarida Teixeira Ferreira	Bioquímica (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2019/09/01 - 2019/12/31	Effects of transcranial electrostimulation in NF1 and TSC2 mouse model Co-supervisor of Francisco Moreira Ribeiro	Biologia (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2019/02/01 - 2019/07/15	Analysis of GABAergic pathway changes in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type 1: a cellular and molecular approach Co-supervisor of Sofia Ferreira Santos	Bioquímica (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2018/02/01 - 2018/06/30	Neurofibromatosis type 1 as a single-gene model of autism spectrum disorder. Evaluation of achievement of developmental milestones Co-supervisor of Diana Sofia Santiago Jesus	Bioquímica (Degree) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2015/01/01 - 2015/07/30	Study of the functional and histological alterations of the rat retina upon elevated intraocular pressure Co-supervisor of Joana Silva	Biotecnologia (Degree) Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Portugal

Jury of academic degree

	Topic Role	Candidate name (Type of degree) Institution / Organization
2024/07/23	Sexual dimorphism in brain and intestinal permeability (Thesis) Main arguer	Francisco Carreira Sousa (Other) Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Portugal
2023/10/23	A nanotechnology-based solution for enhancing corneal permeability in the treatment of keratoconus (Thesis) Main arguer	Rita Isabel Martins Pais (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2023/09/22	New insights on the impact of prenatal stress on offspring retinal function and structure (Thesis) Main arguer	Inês Carolina Santos Sousa (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2023/09/19	Re-wiring of interneuron engrams in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (Thesis) Main arguer	Miguel de Castro Vera Cruz Vieira (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2022/10/27	In vivo characterization of prefrontal cortical neurons involved in social hierarchies (Thesis) Main arguer	Bárbara Canijo Santos (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2022/09/27	Impact of maternal diabetes on offspring retinal structure and function (Thesis) Main arguer	Ana Margarida Realinho (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2022/07/11	Study of the role of a-adducin protein on retinal neurogenesis, focusing on ganglion cell layer (Thesis) Main arguer	Ana Raquel Nossa (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2021/07/09	Evaluation of the effect of NIR radiation on the retina and cornea	Rita Teixeira (Other) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2018/11/14	Elucidating the role of synucleins in retinal neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes and Ageing (Thesis) Main arguer	Luís Miguel Antunes de Sousa (Master) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Portugal
2018/10/19	Ins2Akita mouse as a model of diabetic retinopathy: angiogenic and inflammatory characterization for selection of therapeutic targets (Thesis) Main arguer	Maria Carolina Sousa Silva (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2016/12/12	Study of the potential neuroprotective effect of minocycline in the retina of a diabetes animal model (Thesis) Main arguer	Flávia Soraia Cunha Rodrigues (Other) Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Portugal

Ad Hoc journal article review

	Journal title (ISSN)	Publisher
2024/05/22 - Current	Investigative Ophthalmology & Vision Science	Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
2023/08/20 - Current	Scientific Reports	Nature Portfolio
2023/07/19 - Current	Experimental Eye Research	Elsevier
2022/07/22 - Current	International Journal of Molecular Sciences	MDPI
2016/12/06 - Current	Journal of Neuroinflammation	BioMed Central
2015/07/01 - Current	Ophthalmic Research	Karger
2015/06/01 - Current	Journal of Ophthalmology	Hindawi

Association member

	Society Organization name	Role
2007/05/26 - Current	Portuguese Society for Neuroscience	Full member

Mentoring / Tutoring

	Topic	Student name
2024/04/08 - 2024/04/26	Lab Rotation, MSc in Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra	Ângelo Rosado
2023/08/01 - 2023/09/08	Summer Traineeship in Biology BSc	Inês Maria Figueiredo Salgado
2023/07/20 - 2023/09/08	Summer Traineeship in Biomedical Engineering BSc	Filipa Maria Barata da Costa
2023/07/03 - 2023/08/03	Summer Traineeship in Biomedical Engineering BSc	José Pedro Gomes Neves
2023/07/03 - 2023/08/03	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Guilherme Olivar Vasconcelos Castanheira
2023/06/12 - 2023/07/14	Summer Traineeship in Biology BSc	Marina Elisabeth Dezidério Wanderley
2023/06/12 - 2023/07/14	Summer Traineeship in Biomedical Engineering BSc	Laura Domingues Carreira
2022/09/01 - 2022/09/30	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Ana Carolina Dias Pinto
2022/08/01 - 2022/08/31	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Beatriz Ramos Paiva
2022/08/01 - 2022/08/31	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Margarida Antunes Silva
2022/07/01 - 2022/07/29	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Francisco de Oliveira Gil Saraiva Gamboa
2022/07/01 - 2022/07/29	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Mara Raquel Santos Ribeiro
2022/05/09 - 2022/06/09	Lab Rotation, MSc in Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra	Ângela Soares
2022/01/24 - 2022/02/28	Lab Rotation, MSc in Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra	Rita Isabel Martins Pais
2021/08/02 - 2021/09/03	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Jorge Gonçalo da Costa Pedrosa
2021/08/17 - 2021/08/31	CIBIT Summer Traineeship	David José Marinho Teixeira
2021/07/01 - 2021/07/30	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Margarida Brites Coelho Beleza Moreira
2020/07/06 - 2020/09/15	Summer Traineeship in Biochemistry BSc	Carolina Carriço

Other jury / evaluation

	Activity description	Institution / Organization
2024/12/16 - Current	Jury of Research fellowship call for the project “Deciphering the neonatal shift in neurovascular coupling: a multimodal approach”, IT137-24-467	Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2024/07/26 - Current	Jury of PhD thesis project “Exploring the contribution of homeostatic plasticity mechanisms in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder”, Maria Luísa Dias Pereira Félix Amado, PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, University of Coimbra	Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2024/09/05 - 2024/10/29	Jury of Research fellowship call for the project “Deciphering the neonatal shift in neurovascular coupling: a multimodal approach”, IT137-24-324	Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2021/11/21 - 2021/12/22	Jury of Research fellowship call for plasticGABA CIBIT seed project, in the framework of strategic project CIBIT, UID/4959/2020 PL772577	Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal