Dr Teixeira is a Senior Researcher at Tyndall, where she focuses on advancing electrochemical impedance biosensors tailored for a wide range of biomedical and aquaculture applications.
Sofia earned her PhD from Swansea University in 2014, specialising in graphene biosensors.
Subsequently, she held a position as a national research Fellow, contributing to the advancement of epigenetic biomarker screening tools for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Her research pursuits encompass nano device fabrication, electrochemical functionalization, proficiency in clinical sample processing and analysis, and expertise in immune diagnostics.
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Biography
Sofia Teixeira received her doctoral degree in Nanotechnology from Swansea University (April 2014). Her doctoral research was supported by an awarded KESS scholarship and was performed in the field of development of novel nanosensors for the detection of disease-associated biological molecules She obtained strong know-how in biomedical devices, electronic materials and micro/nanofabrication techniques using the strict protocols and methods of a cleanroom environment (Class 10,000 and 1000); micro-fabrication, soft-lithography, prototype design, surface characterization (chemical and physical), chemistry and electrochemistry. Currently, Sofia Teixeira is a senior researcher at Tyndall National Institute where she works on several projects including HOLISTICS – Holistic Human Sensing for Health, Aging and Wellness. HOLISTICS is funded by the Irish Government’s Disruptive Technology and Innovation Fund, DTIF. Her research interests are focused on nanodevice fabrication, 3D fabrication using additive manufacturing, electrochemical functionalisation and biosensors optimisation. Sofia has recognised skills in clinical sample processing and analysis, immune diagnostics, surface electrochemistry and characterisation, electronic materials and microfabrication techniques. Sofia combines advanced material science with molecular and cellular biology techniques. Sofia Teixeira proficiency and collaborations in research have been applied to several projects. She worked on the EU Ecsel JU Position II project (Reference: 783132) with TE Medical/Creganna and Philips to produce the next generation of smart catheters. She worked on the Enterprise Ireland funded PATsule project (Reference: CF/2015/0065A) in collaboration with NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocess Training and Research) to develop novel sensor solutions for inline bioreactor monitoring to improve yield and reduce costs of biologic medicines. On the Ireland-Wales CALIN INTERREG Guide Dog 4.0 project, she worked in collaboration with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind to develop sensors for monitor the wellbeing of the dogs. Her most recent project was the SFI Confirm Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre target project with Johnson & Johnson, which aimed to develop novel inline sensors to enable improved manufacturing efficiency, supporting jobs and industry in Ireland. During her professional activities, she performed several secondments, interacted with 12 R&D projects, published 28 research papers in high impact peer-reviewed journals receiving more than 390 citations with a Scopus h-index of 11. She was invited for several scientific actions: as referee for more than 7 peer-review international journals, and as session organisation/chair at one early career researches meeting, academic jury board, interviews and projects evaluation. Sofia has one patent and 3 invention disclosure forms were submitted and granted resulting from scientific research and industrial product development. Scientific co-supervision of 3 PhD students (3 finished) and main supervision of 3 MSc students; 7 main supervisions for the BSc and MSc (all finished). She is also an invited professor at University College Cork Department of Chemistry, (since 2019). She is a Co-chair of the Medical Devices Working Group in the European Technology Platform for Nanomedicine (ETPN); and a Vice-chair of the Tyndall Early Career Researchers Networks (TEC-NET). Sofia was awarded the I3S-Hovione Capital Health Innovation Prize – an international award aimed at distinguishing innovative ideas in the field of health – recognising a sensor for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Also, my MSc thesis was acknowledged and awarded as the best na
Research Interests
Research Interests
My research focus is the development of novel nanosensors for the detection of disease associated biological molecules. Working within the Tyndall National Institute, my research involves molecular and cell biology techniques together with high-resolution material fabrication, functionalization and characterisation to develop next generation biosensors.
Physical, biochemical and biological characterisation of the sensor platforms is achieved with a number of techniques such as: Ultra violet and electron-beam lithography, chemical etching, physical vapour deposition (PVD) and rapid thermal annealing for fabrication. High-resolution characterisation tools such as Autolab (electrochemical), Scanning Electron Microscopy, Raman Spectrosocpy and Atomic Force Microscopy are also used in conjugation with biological techniques such as quantitative PCR, chromatin Immunoprecipitation, Methylated DNA immunprecipitation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay’s. With the aim of meeting the clinical need for rapid, simple and accurate diagnostics tests, my research is undertaken with clinical context in mind. In the short-term this involves adapting immune-based capture methods to microfluidic devices, whilst longer term goals will focus on multiplex platforms and novel recognition technologies.
Research Grants
Funder | Start Date | End Date | Title | Role |
---|---|---|---|---|
Enterprise Irl | 27-AUG-20 | 26-AUG-21 | Novel Electrochemical Sensor for Point of Care Diagnosis | Principal Investigator |
Research Collaborators
Company | Country | Name |
---|---|---|
Swansea University | UNITED KINGDOM | Sonia Consuegra |
University of Aveiro | PORTUGAL | Florinda Costa |
Wales Fertility Institute Singleton Hospital | UNITED KINGDOM | Nadja Melo |
Tyndall National Institute | IRELAND | Daniela Iacopino |
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals
Year | Journal | Publication |
---|---|---|
2020 | Molecular Ecology | Environmental enrichment induces intergenerational behavioural and epigenetic effects on fish Berbel, WM;Berry, N;Rodriguez-Barreto, D;Teixeira, SR;de Leaniz, CG;Consuegra, S (2020) Environmental enrichment induces intergenerational behavioural and epigenetic effects on fish. : WILEY. |
2020 | Biosensors & Bioelectronics | Non-invasive molecular assessment of human embryo development and implantation potential. Abreu CM;Thomas V;Knaggs P;Bunkheila A;Cruz A;Teixeira SR;Alpuim P;Francis LW;Gebril A;Ibrahim A;Margarit L;Gonzalez D;Freitas PP;Conlan RS;Mendes Pinto I; (2020) Non-invasive molecular assessment of human embryo development and implantation potential.. : . |
2019 | Biosensors & Bioelectronics | Direct monitoring of breast and endometrial cancer cell epigenetic response to DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors. Teixeira SR;Abreu CM;Parkes L;Davies J;Yao S;Sawhney MA;Margarit L;Gonzalez D;Pinto IM;Francis LW;Conlan RS; (2019) Direct monitoring of breast and endometrial cancer cell epigenetic response to DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors.. : . |
2019 | ACS applied materials & interfaces | Physical Structure and Electrochemical Response of Diamond-Graphite Nanoplatelets: From CVD Synthesis to Label-Free Biosensors. Santos, Nuno; Pereira, Sónia; Fernandes, António; Vasconcelos, Thiago; Fung, Chung Man; Archanjo, Braulio; Achete, Carlos; Teixeira, Sofia Rodrigues; Silva, Rui; Costa, Florinda. (2019) Physical Structure and Electrochemical Response of Diamond-Graphite Nanoplatelets: From CVD Synthesis to Label-Free Biosensors.. : . |
2019 | Electrochemistry Communications | Measuring the impact on impedance spectroscopy of pseudo-reference electrode accumulations Sawhney M.;Azzopardi E.;Rodrigues Teixeira S.;Francis L.;Conlan R.;Gazze S. (2019) Measuring the impact on impedance spectroscopy of pseudo-reference electrode accumulations. : . |
2018 | Analytical Biochemistry | Ultrasensitive environmental assessment of xeno-estrogens in water samples using label-free graphene immunosensors. Barton H;Berbel-Filho WM;Consuegra S;Francis L;Tizaoui C;Conlan RS;Teixeira SR; (2018) Ultrasensitive environmental assessment of xeno-estrogens in water samples using label-free graphene immunosensors.. : . |
2017 | Journal Of Controlled Release | Chromophores in operative surgery: Current practice and rationalized development. Azzopardi EA;Owens SE;Murison M;Rees D;Anne Sawhney M;Francis LW;Sofia Rodrigues Teixeira R;Clement M;Steven Conlan R;Whitaker IS; (2017) Chromophores in operative surgery: Current practice and rationalized development.. : . |
2016 | Journal of Surgery | Clinical applications of amylase: Novel perspectives. Azzopardi E;Lloyd C;Teixeira SR;Conlan RS;Whitaker IS; (2016) Clinical applications of amylase: Novel perspectives.. : . |
2016 | Biosensors & Bioelectronics | Polyaniline-graphene based α-amylase biosensor with a linear dynamic range in excess of 6 orders of magnitude. Teixeira SR;Lloyd C;Yao S;Andrea Salvatore Gazze ;Whitaker IS;Francis L;Conlan RS;Azzopardi E; (2016) Polyaniline-graphene based α-amylase biosensor with a linear dynamic range in excess of 6 orders of magnitude.. : . |
2014 | Electroanalysis | Chitosan/AuNPs Modified Graphene Electrochemical Sensor for Label-Free Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Detection Teixeira S., Ferreira N. S., Conlan R S., Guy O. J., M. Goreti F. Sales (2014) Chitosan/AuNPs Modified Graphene Electrochemical Sensor for Label-Free Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Detection. : . |
2014 | Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical | Epitaxial graphene immunosensor for human chorionic gonadotropin Teixeira, S;Burwell, G;Castaing, A;Gonzalez, D;Conlan, RS;Guy, OJ (2014) Epitaxial graphene immunosensor for human chorionic gonadotropin. : ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA. |
2014 | Electrochimica Acta | Novel single-wall carbon nanotube screen-printed electrode as an immunosensor for human chorionic gonadotropin Teixeira, S;Conlan, RS;Guy, OJ;Sales, MGF (2014) Novel single-wall carbon nanotube screen-printed electrode as an immunosensor for human chorionic gonadotropin. : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. |
2014 | Journal of Materials Chemistry B | Label-free human chorionic gonadotropin detection at picogram levels using oriented antibodies bound to graphene screen-printed electrodes Teixeira, S;Conlan, RS;Guy, OJ;Sales, MGF (2014) Label-free human chorionic gonadotropin detection at picogram levels using oriented antibodies bound to graphene screen-printed electrodes. : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. |
2013 | Total Quality Management & Business Excellence | Food safety management system implementation and certification: survey results Teixeira, S;Sampaio, P (2013) Food safety management system implementation and certification: survey results. : ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. |
Conference Contributions
Year | Publication |
---|---|
2020 | 71st Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry Sofia Rodrigues Teixeira and Paul Galvin (2020) 71st Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry. : . |
2020 | 2nd Symposium on Welfare in aquaculture Sofia Teixeira (2020) 2nd Symposium on Welfare in aquaculture. : . |
2019 | ISSC-22 Interdisciplinary Surface Science Conference Sofia Rodrigues Teixeira and Paul Galvin (2019) ISSC-22 Interdisciplinary Surface Science Conference. : . |
2018 | Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Sixth International Molecular Diagnostics Europe Sofia Teixeira, Lewis Francis, Steve Conlan (2018) Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Sixth International Molecular Diagnostics Europe. : . |
2018 | Oriel Science: Showcasing science in the community Sofia Teixeira (2018) Oriel Science: Showcasing science in the community. : . |
2018 | International Conference on Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology – ICONAN 2018 Teixeira, S., L. Parkes, L. W. Francis, Conlan, R. S. (2018) International Conference on Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology – ICONAN 2018. : . |
2017 | 7th International Congress Nanotechnology in Biology & Medicine Teixeira, S., Pinto, I. Conlan, R. S. (2017) 7th International Congress Nanotechnology in Biology & Medicine. : . |
2015 | 12th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies (NN15) Teixeira, S., Conlan, R.S. (2015) 12th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies (NN15). : . |
2013 | Imaginenano2013 Teixeira, S., Castaing, A., Burwell, G., Conlan, R.S., Guy. O.J. (2013) Imaginenano2013. : . |
Conference Publications
Year | Publication |
---|---|
2013 | Hetero-SIC-WASMPE13 Burwell G., Teixeira S., Castaing A., Guy O. (2013) Hetero-SIC-WASMPE13. : . |
2011 | Institute of Industrial Engineers Annual Conference Teixeira, S., Sampaio, P. (2011) Institute of Industrial Engineers Annual Conference. : . |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
- [2017] – Award a prize from I3S-Hovione Capital Health Innovation Prize. This international award aims at distinguishing innovative ideas in the area of health.
- [2011] – Best MSc thesis
Patents
- [2019] us 16094325 – Method of detecting bacterial infection in a biological sample
Languages
- Portuguese
- English
Employment
- [2018] Tyndall National Institute – Researcher
- [2015] Swansea University – NRN Research Fellow (Early Career Researcher)
- [2015] International Iberian Nanotechnology laboratory – NRN Research Fellow placement
- [2014] Swansea University – Post-doctoral Researcher
- [2020] Tyndall National Institute – Senior Researcher
Education
- [2014] Swansea University – PhD
- [2010] University of Porto and University of Minho – MSc in Technology, science and food safety
- [2005] University of Minho – Graduation in Biological Engineering (5 years’ degree)
Committees
- [2019] Medical Devices Working Group in the European Technology Platform for Nanomedicine (ETPN).,
- [2020] Tyndall Early Career Researchers Networks (TEC-Net), Tyndall National Institute, Ireland,
Journal Activities
- Biosens Bioelectron – Referee
- Bioelectrochemistry – Referee
- Electrochem Commun – Referee
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
2019 – Current Advanced Electrochemistry course, Electroanalytical Chemistry (CM4027/CM6013) University College Cork Department of Chemistry, Ireland
2016 – 2018 Colloids module, MEng Chemical Engineering (EGDM01) Swansea University College of Engineering, United Kingdom
2015 – 2018 Diagnostics and Imaging course of the Nanomedicine Maters studies (PMNM02) Swansea University Medical School, United Kingdom
2015 – 2018 Diagnostics and Imaging course of the Nanomedicine Maters studies (PMZM13) Swansea University Medical School, United Kingdom
2015 – 2016 Wastewater treatment of the Civil Engineering Maters studies (EG-401) Swansea University College of Engineering, United Kingdom