Fernando Rocha

Senior Researcher

Research group: Supramolecular Assemblies

Academic position: Invited Professor for research (retired since 2022)

Background: PhD in Chemical Engineering – Faculty of Engineering of Porto, Portugal

Major research topics

• Crystal growth modelling.
• Protein crystallization.
• Meso oscillatory flow reactors.
• Microencapsulation.
• Process intensification.

Selected Publications

Ferreira, C., Rocha, F.A. Damas, A.M., Martins, P.M. "The finding of nondissolving lysozyme crystals and its significance for the study of hard-to-crystallize biological macromolecules" Crystal Growth & Design, (2016), 16(8), 4285–4291.

Castro, F., Ferreira, A., Teixeira, J.A., Rocha, F., "Protein crystallization as a process step in a novel meso oscillatory flow reactor: study of lysozyme phase behavior", Crystal Growth & Design, (2016), 16(7), 3748–3755.

Crespo, R., Villar-Alvarez, E., Taboada, P., Rocha, F.A., Damas, A.M., Martins, P.M. "What Can the Kinetics of Amyloid Fibril Formation Tell about Off-pathway Aggregation? " The Journal of Biological Chemistry, (2016), 291, 2018-2032.

Ferreira, A., Teixeira, J.A., Rocha, F. "O2 mass transfer in an oscillatory flow reactor provided with smooth periodic constrictions. Individual characterization of kL and a", Chemical Engineering Journal, (2015), 262, 499–508.

Estevinho, B.E., Carlan, I., Blaga, A., Rocha, F., "Soluble vitamins (vitamin B12 and vitamin C) microencapsulated with different biopolymers by a spray drying process" Powder Technology, (2016), 289, 71–78.

Selected Projects

"CrystalFlow - Continuous crystallization of active pharmaceutical ingredients" (PTDC/QEQ-PRS/3787/2014|16816) in copromotion with Hovione Farmaciência, S.A. funded by Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia (P2020|COMPETE programme). Beginning: 2016. Duration: 36 months. Role: Investigator.

"Characterization and application of the novel molinate hydrolase (MolA) in bioremediation processes" (PTDC/AAG-TEC/3909/2012|FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027883) funded by Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia. Beginning: 2013. Duration: 40 months. Role: Investigator.

"Crystal growth engineering used to improve the X-ray diffraction properties of protein crystals" (PTDC/BIA-PRO/101260/2008) funded by Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia. Beginning: 2010. Duration: 36 months. Role: Principal investigator for FEUP's team.

"Crystal growth science: new applications on the crystallization of sucrose and proteins in pure and impure solutions" (  PTDC/EQU-FTT/81496/2006) funded by Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia. Beginning: 2007. Duration: 38 months. Role: Principal investigator.

"Characterization of transfer of impurities into the crystals in industrial processes" (POCI/ECU/47922/2002) funded by Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia. Beginning: 2005. Duration: 36 months. Role: Principal investigator.