Annual Report of Activities CNC 2008 - Center for Neuroscience and ...

Future ResearchThis Area carried out the 4th edition of the “International Courses on Toxicology at the CNCʺ, organizedon a yearly basis, entitled ʺMetabolic Toxicology, From Pathway to Organismʺ, which had theparticipation of highly recognized scientists: Vitor M. C. Madeira (Portugal), Yvonne Will (USA), ElaineHolmes (UK), Piero Portincasa (Italy), Maria de Lourdes Bastos (Portugal), Rui A. Carvalho (Portugal),Carlos M. Palmeira (Portugal) (April 9‐11, 2008).Future PlansThis area is maintaining a focus on the study of cellular and molecular basis of disease as well as druginducedcell toxicity, in which mitochondria, lipid membrane or free radicals could be involved, for thepurpose of translating this knowledge into disease treatment and prevention. Future research plansencompass mainly the continuation of ongoing research and new objectives, including the use of noveltechniques and biological and non‐biological models, as specified by each group. Also, the recently createdgroup, Pharmacometrics, is bringing into the CNC the expertise on developing and applying mathematicaland statistical methods to a better understanding and prediction of drug pharmacokinetic andpharmacodynamic behaviour, which are critical for optimizing drug efficacy and minimizing its toxicity.In silico techniques are becoming now popular in drug discovery and drug toxicolgy. Optimization ofsuch approaches and the potential synergism with other groups within CNC constitute a great challengein near future. It is worthy of note that besides the ongoing basic research from the molecular and cellularlevel to in vivo animal models, as specified by each group, future research plans encompass also sometranslational research. In fact, a few lines of research are currently working in the borderline between thebench and the bedside and all the groups are pushing forward some translational research projects in anear future.On the other hand, aware of the relevance of the cohesion and synergy within the area, a trend is beingimplemented to conjugate the expertise of groups. Also, we are engaged in expanding the network ofcollaborations within the CNC and abroad. A great effort will be done to maintain the organization of theannual International Courses on Toxicology at CNC with the participation of highly recognized scientists.The organization of conferences and advanced courses, mainly in the scope of the CNC DoctoralProgramme, by joining the efforts of the research groups will be stimulated.44