(Chemical) Bonding is what makes life possible

Rita Araújo, DDS, PhD in Biomedical Sciences (2025, ICBAS, University of Porto) is a research fellow at BoneLab, within the Associated Laboratory REQUIMTE/LAQV. Her profile integrates clinical training in dental medicine with experience in experimental biomedical research, supporting translational approaches that connect mechanistic insights with clinically relevant challenges.
Her research focuses on the development and implementation of experimental platforms to study biological mechanisms and responses to therapeutic strategies, particularly in the field of bone regeneration. She has contributed to the adaptation and validation of alternative experimental models aligned with New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), with emphasis on avian-based systems such as the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), applied to angiogenesis, tissue repair, infection, and tumor biology studies. This work includes the optimization of experimental workflows, analytical outputs, and data acquisition protocols.
Rita has developed expertise in analyzing complex datasets generated by high-throughput platforms. Her technical skills include proteomic profiling using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, metabolic assessment through Seahorse technology, and integrative analysis combining molecular, metabolic, and imaging data. She also has experience in advanced bioimage analysis, enabling quantitative evaluation of biological responses in complex experimental models.
Her clinical practice in dental medicine adds valuable insight into disease-related challenges affecting oral tissues, reinforcing the clinical relevance of her research. Building on this perspective, she has been involved in collaborative initiatives exploring biotechnology-based strategies aimed at addressing clinically significant conditions.