The Portuguese David Brito, a researcher at the Research Institute of the Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC-R) of the University of the Algarve, won the prize for the best doctoral thesis awarded by a foundation in Heidelberg, Germany.
The thesis entitled “Molecular mechanisms of memory formation and persistence in the adult and elderly brain” received the “Foundation BrainAid IZN Dissertion Award 2022”, awarded by the BrainAid Foundation and focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms associated with memory learning.
How memories are formed in the brain and what proteins make memories form correctly or incorrectly. Both in physiological conditions, that is, in the absence of disease, and in the aging process”, explained David Brito, in statements to Lusa.
During the five years that he carried out his doctoral thesis in Heidelberg, Germany, the Portuguese researcher discovered that three proteins with slightly different roles are involved in the “regulation of memory in the brain”.
The experimental animal model used was the mouse.
All three proteins may be relevant in a physiological context and in agingbut also in neurological diseases such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Rett Syndrome.
The prize was intended to distinguish the best research work carried out within the scope of a consortium of 59 laboratories at the universities of Heidelberg and Mannheim, the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and DKFZ – The Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN).
It recognizes the work done during my doctorate and facilitates the acquisition of future projects that I will develop as a postdoctoral fellow. It also gives visibility to the center where I am inserted (…) and it will also open doors to financing,” said David Brito.
The Portuguese researcher completed a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Algarve, a master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a specialization in neurosciences at the University of Coimbra. Her doctorate was done in Heidelberg, Germany.
Source: Observadora
