Category: News

From November 9th to 12th, DIG4BIO team members have participated in the 44th International Symposium on the Separation of Proteins, Peptides & Polynucleotides (ISPPP), held in Munich, Germany. The event brougth together leading scientists from both academia and industry from around the world who are advancing downstream processing for a wide range of molecules. Ana Rita Santos, Ricardo Silva and Francisco Marques delivered the following oral presentations:· Ana Rita Santos “3D-printed matrices for steric exclusion chromatography of plasmid DNA”·  Ricardo Silva “Single-step extracellular vesicles isolation strategy using steric exclusion chromatography”·  Francisco Marques “shRNA precipitation strategies for sustainable RNA-based biopesticides” 👏 Acknowledgments:We are deeply grateful to the […]

The workshop “Project Management Made Simple for Researchers – My project was funded! Now what?” gathered researchers and research managers for a practical and engaging session on the essential steps that follow the approval of a funded project. The programme highlighted three key moments: ✨ From funding to action – Margarida Suárez detailed the institutional procedures after a grant award, including required documentation, administrative workflows and key interactions with funding bodies. 🗂️ Day-to-day project management – Sofia Duarte presented practical strategies for smooth execution: organising meetings, maintaining clear partner communication and ensuring alignment throughout the project lifecycle. 🌐 Managing large […]

Workshop ProgrammeProject Management Made Simple for Researchers – “My project was funded! Now what?”📅 21 November 2025 | 🕙 10:00–12:00 (WET) | 💻 Online 10:00 – 10:05 (WET)Welcome and Introduction 10:05 – 10:50 (WET)From Grant Award to Action: The Institutional Role After Funding NotificationMargarida SuárezOverview of the institution’s role once a project is funded: key documents, signatures, and administrative procedures. Practical insights on financial reporting, invoicing alerts, and coordination with project officers. 10:50 – 11:20 (WET)Day-to-Day Project Management: From Meetings to Partner CommunicationSofia DuarteOperational aspects of managing a project: organizing meetings, maintaining effective communication with partners, and ensuring smooth project […]

🤖 DIG4BIO Training School: Innovation in Action at TU Berlin! From October 27–30, 2025, the DIG4BIO Training School – “An Introduction to Automated Research” gathered participants from IST and IST-ID at TU Berlin for an inspiring 4-day deep dive into the world of automation, robotic laboratories, and digital biomanufacturing. 👩‍🔬 Guided by Prof. Peter Neubauer, Rosa Haßfurther, Nicolas Cruz, and Annina Kemmer, participants explored how high-throughput experimentation, and advanced data analytics are transforming modern biotechnology — from small-scale design to industrial applications. 🧠 Days 1–2: Participants defined research hypotheses and experimental goals, shaping the concept for a collaborative manuscript on […]

🚀 Kicking off the DIG4BIO Training School — A Strong Start in Berlin We have successfully completed the first two days of the DIG4BIO Training School — An Introduction to Automated Research at TU Berlin 👩‍🔬🤖👨‍🔬 This hands-on program brings together researchers from IST and TU Berlin to explore:🧪 High-throughput bioprocessing & robotic labs💻 Advanced computational tools📊 Process analytical technologies & data management Highlights from Days 1–2✅ Definition of scientific objectives for a high-throughput experiment✅ Hypothesis building within a controlled design space✅ Preparation of scripts, SOPs, materials & analytical plans✅ Lab tour and team integration on site This phase also […]

27 – 30 October 2025 In Person at TU Berlin OBJECTIVES This training school introduces IST and DTU scientists to the core philosophy of R&D in robotic laboratories and advanced computational tools. The program covers various aspects of bioprocess engineering, from small to large scale, along with insights into process analytical technologies and laboratory data management. COURSE LECTURORS REQUIREMENTS This training schools is specifically targeted to introduce IST and DTU researchers to execute high throughput experiments in the TUB site. Therefore, the access for external participants will not be possible. PROGRAM Day 1: Stating a Hypothesis Monday – October 27th  […]

Vibrio natriegens has been gaining attention as a fast-growing alternative to Escherichia coli in molecular and synthetic biology. However, the increasing use of both organisms in labs raises a crucial challenge: how do we rapidly detect and avoid cross-contamination that can compromise weeks of work?In a recent study by Lara Möller (iBB member & student at Bremen University of Applied Sciences), a rapid in-lab toolbox was developed to discriminate between V. natriegens Vmax and common E. coli K-12 strains, using minimal equipment. 🔬 The toolbox combines:– A commercial oxidase test– Agar culture observations– A dual-marker PCR targeting ccoN (Vibrio) and […]

From October 5th to 9th, DIG4BIO team members took part in the VII Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing Conference, held in Dubrovnik, Croatia.This event brings together leading scientists from both academia and industry from around the world who are advancing continuous biomanufacturing.Ana Azevedo was part of the steering committee and Ana Rita Santos delivered a poster snapshot presentation on “Continuous alkaline lysis of plasmid-containing E. coli cells using an oscillatory flow reactor”. This work highlights the possibility of using this technology in continuous mode to increase plasmid DNA release from cells.

🌟 We celebrated science together at the European Researchers’ Night 2025! 🌟Last Friday, September 26, the DIG4BIO project proudly joined the European Researchers’ Night at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Ciência Viva in Lisbon. 💡 This year, we guided visitors through the fascinating journey of how #plasmid #DNA is produced and how it fuels the development of #mRNA #vaccines. And for the ultimate test… 🎯 participants got to put their skills into action by aiming darts to “hit the virus”! 👏 A heartfelt thank you to Ana Azevedo, Ana Rita Santos, Ricardo Silva, Francisco Marques, Luísa Coelho Dias and Francisco […]

✅ Successful completion of the DIG4BIO Workshop – Project Management: PMI Process (Part 3)! As part of the “Financial Planning & Project Management” training series, this hybrid session held on October 14th focused on introducing participants to the Project Management Institute (PMI) framework and its practical application in research and innovation environments. 📘 Agenda Highlights:– Introduction to PMI and PMI Processes – Catarina Madeira, ColabTrials– Hands-on Exercises & Lessons Learned The workshop provided valuable insights into structured project management approaches, emphasizing efficiency, communication, and risk management within collaborative European projects. A big thank you to all participants for their engagement and […]