Paola Sanjuan Alberte, researcher at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB) and Professor at the Department of Bioengineering of Instituto Superior Técnico, has been awarded one of the four prestigious Honor Medals in the 2025 edition of the Women in Science program. This award is jointly promoted by L’Oréal Portugal and the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), within the international initiative L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science.
The distinction recognizes her pioneering research project, WireCan, which explores the unique electrical characteristics of cancer cells. The project aims to develop nanobioelectronic devices capable of disrupting cancer cell bioelectric signals, thereby inhibiting their growth.
In laboratory studies, the technology successfully stopped tumour growth in breast cancer cells and selectively induced the death of diseased cells without harming healthy ones. Preliminary animal model tests have also shown promising results, including a measurable reduction in tumour size.
Beyond oncology, the underlying technology holds potential for therapeutic applications in neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, further broadening the impact of this innovative approach.
The other three researchers recognized in this year’s edition are:
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Ana Rita Lopes (Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon),
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Céline Gonçalves (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute – ICVS, University of Minho),
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Patrícia Henriques (i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto).