Filipe Mergulhão

Senior Researcher

Coordinator of the research group Biotechnology

Member of the Scientific Steering Committee

Research group: Biotechnology

Academic position: Associate Professor (FEUP)

Background: PhD in Biotechnology – Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal

Major research topics

• Bacterial adhesion to surfaces.
• Biofilm formation and resistance.
• Recombinant protein expression.
• Biomedical, industrial and marine biofilms.
• Hydrodynamic effects on biofilms

Selected Publications

Gomes L.C., Saubade F., Amin M., Spall J., Liauw C.M., Mergulhão F., Whitehead K.A. A comparison of vegetable leaves and replicated biomimetic surfaces on the binding of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Food and Bioproducts Processing, (2023), 137: p. 99-112.

Romeu M.J., Domínguez-Pérez D., Almeida D., Morais J., Araújo M.J., Osório H., Campos A., Vasconcelos V., Mergulhão F.J. Hydrodynamic conditions affect the proteomic profile of marine biofilms formed by filamentous cyanobacterium. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, (2022), 8(1), p. 80.

Moreira, J.M.R., J.D.P. Araújo, J.M. Miranda, M. Simões, L.F. Melo, and F.J. Mergulhão "The effects of surface properties on escherichia coli adhesion are modulated by shear stress "Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces", (2014), 123, 1-7.

Teodósio, J.S., F.C. Silva, J.M.R. Moreira, M. Simões, L.F. Melo, M.A. Alves, and F.J. Mergulhão "Flow cells as quasi-ideal systems for biofouling simulation of industrial piping systems" Biofouling, (2013), 29(8), 953-966.

Mergulhao, F.J.M., D.K. Summers, and G.A. Monteiro, "Recombinant protein secretion in Escherichia coli" Biotechnology Advances, (2005), 23(3), 177-202.

Selected Projects

"SurfSAFE - Surface modification to increase microbial SAFEty in the food industry" (952471), funded by European Commission. Beginning: 2021. Duration: 36 months. Role: Principal investigator.

“Bridging systems and synthetic biology for the development of improved microbial cell factories” (MIT-Pt/BS-BB/0082/2008) funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (MIT-Portugal Alliance programme). Beginning: 2009. Duration: 42 months. Role: Principal investigator for FEUP's team.

"FilmPROT - The use of Escherichia coli biofilms for the production of recombinant proteins and other added-value compounds" (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029589), funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. Beginning: 2018. Duration: 44 months. Role: Principal investigator.

“Filmstart - Initial conditions controlling the onset of biofilms” (PTDC/EBB-BIO/104940/2008) funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. Beginning: 2013. Duration: 40 months. Role: Principal investigator.

"Biofilm - The interaction between recombinant protein secretion and biofilm formation and stability" (PTDC/BIO/69092/2006), funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. Beginning: 2007. Duration: 42 months. Role: Principal investigator.