Pedro Fernandes
Research Scientist
Background
Research Scientist (Ciência 2007), IST, 2008-2013
Postdoctoral fellow, BERG, IST, 2005-February 2008
Invited Research Scientist, BERG, IST, 2000-2005
Assistant Professor, Universidade Lusófona
de Humanidades e Tecnologias, 2000- 2007
Scientific Advisor, Biotrend, 2005-present
Co-founder of Biotrend, 2000
Ph.D. in Biotechnology, IST, UTL, 1999
MSc (Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering), IST, UTL, 1994
Graduation in Chemical Engineering, IST, UTL, 1989
Research Activities
Development of a rational strategy to implement a framework based
in the use of microtiter plates and minibioreactors to speed up the
screening, characterization and optimization of
biotransformation/fermentation systems. Identification of key
parameters that allow for reproducibility in scaling up/scaling down
bioconversion and fermentative systems.
Development of process techniques aiming at improving the
productivity of bioconversion processes.
Methodologies and rationale for the design of immobilized
biocatalysts.
More commonly used model systems: Whole cell modification of
sterol/steroid molecules. Enzymatic modification of carbohydrates
for the food industry.
Selected Publications
Nunes, M.A.P., Fernandes, P.C.B., Ribeiro, M.H.L. (2013) Microtiter plates versus stirred mini-bioreactors in biocatalysis: A scalable approach. Bioresource Technol., 136, 30-40.
Jovanovic-Malinovska, R., Fernandes, P., Winkelhausen, E., Fonseca,
L. (2012) Galacto-oligosaccharides Synthesis from Lactose and Whey
by β-Galactosidase Immobilized in PVA. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol.,
168,1197-1211.
Santa, G.L.M., Bernardino, S.M.S.A., Magalhães, S., Mendes, V.,
Marques, M.P.C., Fonseca, L.P., Fernandes, P. (2011) From Inulin to
Fructose Syrups Using Sol–Gel Immobilized Inulinase. Appl Biochem
Biotechnol., 165, 1-12.
Marques, M.P.C., Fernandes, P., Cabral, J.M.S., Žnidaršič-Plazl, P.,
Plazl, I. (2010) On the feasibility of in situ steroid
biotransformation and product recovery in microchannels. Chem. Eng.
J., 160 708-714.
Fernandes, P., Marques, M.P.C., Carvalho, F., Cabral, J.M.S. (2009)
A simple method for biocatalyst immobilization using PVA-based
hydrogel particles. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 84, 561–564.
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