Paola Alberte, a researcher at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (IBB) and a professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, was one of the four winners of the 21st edition of the L’Óreal-Unesco For Women in Science for her research on bioelectronics (a combination of biology and electronics engineering).
The researcher was awarded a Junior Postdoctoral Fellowship from the ‘la Caixa’ Foundation in 2023 for her work in developing bioelectronic devices that can interact with living organisms and biological systems. This is based on the fact that every cell in the human body carries an electrical charge.
These nanobioelectronic systems are activated by external ultrasound and can be used to detect and monitor biological signals. They can also provide electrical or other stimuli to influence biological processes.
“For instance, in the case of cancer, cells exhibit a very specific pattern of electrical activity that triggers changes in their behaviour. By understanding the electrical properties of cells, we could develop more targeted and effective diagnostic tools and new therapies”, explains the researcher. The goal is to stop the growth of cancer cells and correct their bioelectrical activity. This technology could also be applied to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy”, she adds.
In tests conducted with breast cancer cells, this system successfully halted tumour growth and induced the death of cancerous cells without harming healthy cells. Preliminary results in mice also demonstrated a reduction in tumour size, which led to the creation of the WireCAN project, which Paola Alberte coordinates.
Additionally, Técnico has had previous medallists in this competition: Patrícia Baptista in 2017 and Carina Crucho in 2018.
In Portugal, the programme is a collaboration between L’Óreal Portugal and the Foundation for Science and Technology and recognises projects with significant social and scientific impact in the fields of health and marine sustainability. The award consists of a grant of 15,000 euros to support ongoing research.
