Madalena Pimentel
PhD (2000) in Pharmacy (Microbiology), Universidade de Lisboa
Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa
Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa — Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
Research Interests
Pimentel’s main interests have been focused in the study of mycobacteriophage-mycobacteria interactions particularly in understanding the molecular mechanisms of phage-induced lysis. The group has been pioneer in these studies and has identified specific lysis proteins that compromise the integrity of the mycobacteria cell envelope being focused in exploring their activity, aiming the development of new anti-mycobacteria therapeutics. Pimentel’s interests are also focused in therapeutic applications of other bacteriophages and derived products.
Selected Publications
Gigante AM, Hampton CH, Dillard RS, Gil F, Catalão MJ, Moniz-Pereira J, Wright ER, Pimentel M. The Ms6 Mycolyl-Arabinogalactan Esterase LysB is Essential for an Efficient Mycobacteriophage-Induced Lysis. Viruses 2017; 9: E343.
Proença D, Velours C, Leandro C, Garcia M, Pimentel M, São-José C.. A two-component, multimeric endolysin encoded by a single gene. Mol Microbiol 2015; 95: 739-753
Pimentel M. Genetics of phage lysis. Microbiol Spectrum 2014; 2: MGM2-0017-2013
Catalão, MJ, Gil, F, Moniz-Pereira, J, Pimentel, M. The mycobacteriophage Ms6 encodes a chaperone-like protein involved in the endolysin delivery to the peptidoglycan. Mol Microbiol 2010; 77: 672-686.
Gil F, Grzegorzewicz AE, Catalão MJ, Vital J, McNeil M, Pimentel M. The mycobacteriophage Ms6 LysB specifically targets the outer membrane of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Microbiology 2010; 154: 1364-1371.