FCT Digital Services
Activity Funded
CENTRE OF MOLECULAR AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
CENTRO DE BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR E AMBIENTAL
Details
Reference
UID/PRR2/04050/2025
UID/PRR2/04050/2025
Project Start Date
2025-01-01
2025-01-01
Project End Date
2026-06-30
2026-06-30
981B-E017-4206 
0000-0002-2018-4201
Scientific Area
Natural sciences
Natural sciences
Funding Program
EQUIPAR +2 - UID.PRR2
EQUIPAR +2 - UID.PRR2
Abstract
The Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) is an FCT Research Unit hosted in the School of Sciences at the University of Minho andfounding member of the Associate Laboratory AQUATIC RESEARCH NETWORK - ARNET. Our MISSION is to conduct cutting-edge research and training in Molecular and Environmental Biology, translating it into practical applications, while fostering scientific literacy and facilitating knowledge transfer to our stakeholders. Our team consists of 60 PhD holder researchers, 59 PhD students, 87 MSc students, 5 technical staff and 27 collaborators.
The centre is organised in 4 Research Groups reflecting complementary scientific expertise and approaches:
i) SUSTAINING LIFE: Aquatic Biodiversity and Socio-Ecological Systems under Global Change;
ii) GROWING LIFE: Sustainable and Resilient Agroecosystem aiming;
iii) TRANSLATING LIFE: Bioresources and Bioinspired Systems towards Bio-Sustainability;
iv) COMPUTING LIFE: Bioinformatics from Molecules to Ecosystems.
The CBMA strategic framework for 2025-29 is based on 4 pillars: RESEARCH, TEAM, TRAINING and SOCIETY, which are rooted in our mission to address the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. These pillars converge to protect life and the environment, while promoting human well-being and the preservation of the natural legacy for future generations. We are fully aligned with the European Research Area Policy Agenda supporting research careers development, contributing to the green and digital transition, promoting the open sharing of knowledge and its valorisation, and bringing science to society.
To fulfil our mission, we aim to
i) Advance scientific knowledge on bio-sustainability by using a combined approach of hypothesis-driven and high-throughput technologies. We develop innovative strategies to monitor and manage aquatic biodiversity using molecular tools and ecologically-relevant bioindicators. We contribute to understand the impacts of global change drivers on biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services, while addressing the mechanisms underlying such effects. In agroecosystems, we contribute to understand how plant microbiota affect plant physiology and increase crop resistance to phytopathogens. We explore biodiversity and bio-based processes to create innovative products relevant for agriculture and biotechnology. We drive progress in genomic profiling, cross-omics informatics and cutting-edge AI tools, with ecological and biotechnological applications.
ii) Establish a committed and resourceful team. We foster teamwork, transparency, and equal opportunities, focusing on career development through mentoring and skill-building.
iii) Empower the next generation of skilled researchers through training. We offer PhD programs and advanced courses. We facilitate students´ mobility.
iv) Leverage the societal impact of our research. We are committed to bridging science and society and to promote scientific literacy.
Institutions
Main Institutions
- Universidade do Minho Centro de Biologia Molecular e Ambiental (UMinho CBMA)
- Universidade do Minho (UMinho)
Funding 631.191,32 €
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal
0,00 €
União Europeia - Estrutura de Missão Recuperar Portugal (UE - EMRP)
631.191,32 €