The general goal of my group is to obtain a quantitative understanding of the design principles of genetic circuits and intracellular physiology. Our present focus is on elucidating the dynamics of the circadian clock in single-celled cyanobacteria.

This simple model system allows us to ask fundamental questions about how clocks (and gene circuits in general) interact with other circuits and cellular processes in various physiological and environmental contexts. For example, how do the clock and the cell cycle interact with one another to coordinate growth and cell division? How is the clock modulated by intracellular energy states, as well as extracellular environmental changes? Can we use synthetic biology to control the oscillatory dynamics of the clock and design new circuits?

We believe the best way to understand natural circuits and to build new ones is through an iteration of experiment and theory. Our approach is therefore highly interdisciplinary, combining single-cell microscopy, image analysis, microfluidics and mathematical models.

2013. PhD in Systems Biology: University of Edinburgh, UK

2014. Licenciatura (BSc) in Engineering Physics. Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal

Member, Microbiology Society