Docente
Catarina Pereira-leite

Resume

Catarina Pereira-Leite (CPL) is an Assistant Professor at the School of Health Sciences and Technologies, Lusófona University. She is an integrated member of CBIOS – Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies and a collaborator of LAQV/REQUIMTE. CPL holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences/Biological Sciences (Biochemistry), awarded in December 2017 under a cotutelle agreement between the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (FFUP) and the Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo (IQ-USP). She graduated in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Integrated Master’s) from FFUP in 2012. CPL’s research focuses on biological barriers and the development of nanocarrier-based strategies to modulate or overcome them, with applications in pharmaceutical and dermocosmetic products. Her early work addressed biological membranes to inform the design of safer and more effective anti-inflammatory therapies. More recently, she has been advancing bioinspired lipid-based delivery systems and semisolid formulations for skin applications, including barrier-oriented approaches for atopic dermatitis. In 2021, she was recommended for funding by FCT as Principal Investigator of the exploratory project “BIOMATNANO4AD – Bioinspired materials in nanosolutions to tackle atopic dermatitis,” supporting the consolidation of her independent research line. CPL has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and regularly disseminates her work through oral and poster communications at national and international conferences. She is actively involved in supervising PhD, MSc, and BSc students, teaches in undergraduate and advanced training programmes, and contributes to scientific outreach activities for the general public and secondary-school students.

Graus

• Mestrado
  Integrated Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Licenciatura
  Bachelor's Degree in Basic Studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Doutoramento
  PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Biological Sciences (Biochemistry)

Publicações

Preprint

• 2025, Functionalised Gold Nanoparticles Using Abietane Diterpenoids from Plectranthus Grandidentatus for Cancer Therapy
• 2024-09-16, The Entourage Effect in Cannabis Medicinal Products: A Comprehensive Review
• 2024-02-19, Insect larvae oil: a high value excipient for lipid-based nanocarriers to tackle atopic dermatitis

Journal issue

• 2025, Book of Abstracts: InnovDelivery’25
• 2022-04, Delivery Systems Based on Innovative Nanomaterials, 12
• 2022, Abstract Book - InnovDelivery '22 - I Lusophone Meeting on Innovative Delivery Systems

Journal article

• 2025-12, Functionalised gold nanoparticles using abietane diterpenoids from Plectranthus grandidentatus Gürke for cancer therapy, Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
• 2025-03, Enhancing Transcutaneous Drug Delivery: Advanced Perspectives on Skin Models, JID Innovations
• 2024-12, Lipid extract from Black Soldier Fly larvae: A high value excipient for solid lipid nanoparticles tailored to tackle atopic dermatitis, International Journal of Pharmaceutics
• 2024-11-17, The Entourage Effect in Cannabis Medicinal Products: A Comprehensive Review, Pharmaceuticals
• 2024, 2023 CBIOS Scientific Seminars - Book of Abstracts, Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research
• 2023-12-19, The Golgi Apparatus as an Anticancer Therapeutic Target, Biology
• 2023-07-05, Exploring Stearic-Acid-Based Nanoparticles for Skin Applications - Focusing on Stability and Cosmetic Benefits, Cosmetics
• 2023-04-11, Mixed Edge Activators in Ibuprofen-Loaded Transfersomes: An Innovative Optimization Strategy Using Box–Behnken Factorial Design, Pharmaceutics
• 2023-03, Rational design of magnetoliposomes for enhanced interaction with bacterial membrane models, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes
• 2023-02-08, Revealing the Protective Effect of Topically Applied Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil in Human Skin through A Contact Model, Cosmetics
• 2022-07, Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf essential oil: Unraveling potential benefits on human skin, Journal Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research
• 2022-04-11, Delivery Systems Based on Innovative Nanomaterials, Nanomaterials
• 2022-01-15, Nanodelivery Strategies for Skin Diseases with Barrier Impairment: Focusing on Ceramides and Glucocorticoids, Nanomaterials
• 2021-12-31, Single versus mixed edge activators in caffeine-loaded transfersomes: physicochemical and cytotoxicity assessment, Journal Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research
• 2021-12-21, TransfersomILs: From Ionic Liquids to a New Class of Nanovesicular Systems, Nanomaterials
• 2021-05-11, Characterization of Kefir Produced in Household Conditions: Physicochemical and Nutritional Profile, and Storage Stability, Foods
• 2021-04-13, Interface-Mediated Mechanism of Action—The Root of the Cytoprotective Effect of Immediate-Release Omeprazole, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
• 2021-03, Passive diffusion of ciprofloxacin and its metalloantibiotic: a computational and experimental study, Journal of Molecular Biology
• 2020-12-29, Unraveling the Role of Drug-Lipid Interactions in NSAIDs-Induced Cardiotoxicity, Membranes
• 2020-11, Optimization of gallic acid-loaded transfersomes using a Box-Behnken factorial design, Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research Journal
• 2020-04-26, Neutral Diclofenac Causes Remarkable Changes in Phosphatidylcholine Bilayers: Relevance for Gastric Toxicity Mechanisms, Molecular Pharmacology
• 2019-11-26, Phosphatidylcholine bilayers trigger the degradation of licofelone, Journal Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research
• 2019-01, Licofelone-DPPC Interactions: Putting Membrane Lipids on the Radar of Drug Development, Molecules
• 2018-09, Can NO-indomethacin counteract the topical gastric toxicity induced by indomethacin interactions with phospholipid bilayers?, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
• 2018-05, Acemetacin–phosphatidylcholine interactions are determined by the drug ionization state, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
• 2017, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Therapy: A Journey Toward Safety, Medicinal Research Reviews
• 2014, Bioquim4x: um jogo didático para rever conceitos de bioquímica., Revista de Ensino de Bioquímica
• 2013, Interaction of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with membranes: In vitro assessment and relevance for their biological actions, Progress in Lipid Research
• 2013, In vitro assessment of NSAIDs-membrane interactions: Significance for pharmacological actions, Pharmaceutical Research
• 2013, Evaluation of the structure-activity relationship of rifabutin and analogs: A drug-membrane study, ChemPhysChem
• 2013, Biophysical characterization of the drug-membrane interactions: The case of propranolol and acebutolol, European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics
• 2012, Interaction of celecoxib with membranes: The role of membrane biophysics on its therapeutic and toxic effects, Journal of Physical Chemistry B
• 2011, NSAIDs interactions with membranes: A biophysical approach, Langmuir

Thesis / Dissertation

• 2017-12-07, PhD, NSAIDs developed with recent strategies: a biophysical approach to evaluate their therapeutic and toxic effects

Book chapter

• 2025, Nanoliposomes in skincare products, Elsevier
• 2018, Nanodelivery systems for NSAIDs: Challenges and Breakthroughs, Nanoparticles in Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Pan Stanford Publishing

Encyclopedia entry

• The Golgi Apparatus as an Anticancer Therapeutic Target, Encyclopedia

Conference abstract

• 2023-11-30, LusoModLox: in search of therapeutic lysyl oxidase inhibitors, CBIOS Conference
• 2023, On the trail of biomaterial-based nanosolutions for skin health, Book of Abstracts - 5th CBIOS Conference
• 2023, Ionic liquids: game changers for the development of controlled delivery systems?, Proceedings of the 9th International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry
• 2023, Insect Oil: a High Value Excipient for Lipid-Based Nanocarriers to Tackle Atopic Dermatitis, Acta Farmacêutica Portuguesa - X Congresso Iberoamericano de Ciências Farmacêuticas
• 2022, TransfersomILs: an innovative combination between Transfersomes and Ionic Liquids, InnovDelivery'22 - I Lusophone Meeting on Innovative Delivery Systems
• 2020, On the path of innovative nanodelivery systems for cutaneous applications, Supplement IV CBIOS Seminar
• 2020, Ionic liquids: a technological approach to improve the performance of sustained drug delivery systems, Supplement IV CBIOS Seminar

Conference poster

• 2026-02-06, Antioxidant Evaluation of Phenolic Compounds-Loaded SLNs with Ionic Liquids, VI Jornadas CBIOS
• 2026-02-02, Engineering TransfersomIL Nanocarriers to Improve Topical Delivery of Caffeic Acid, Training School: Nanoparticle Development for Skin Drug Delivery, CA21108-European Network for Skin Engineering and Modeling (NETSKINMODELS)
• 2026-01-14, Bioinspired Solid Lipid Nanoparticles from Insect Oil with Ionic Liquids for Skin Delivery, XVI Spanish-Portuguese Conference on Controlled Drug Delivery
• 2025-11-01, Nanoparticle Systems for Improved Delivery of Plectranthus-Derived Abietane Diterpenoids in Breast Cancer Therapy, 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics
• 2025-11, Evaluation of the impact of IL on SLN with Gelucire® or Precirol ATO®, 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics
• 2025-09-18, Gold Nanoparticle Systems for Plectranthus-Derived Abietane Diterpenoids in Cancer Treatment, 3rd International Symposium on Chinese Medicine and Natural Products (ISCMNP) & the 3rd International Symposium on Pharmaceutical Sciences (ISPS)
• 2025-08-31, Emerging Nanoformulations of Plectranthus-Derived Abietane Diterpenoids for Cancer Treatment, the 73rd International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA)
• 2025-03-26, TransfersomILs as a nanocarrier for Caffeic Acid towards Topical Drug Delivery, 12th Galenus International Workshop: Bioengineering the future of drug delivery
• 2025-02-07, Pioneering New Frontiers in Medical Cannabis: SOMAÍ’s Nanoemulsion Formulations, Innov Delivery
• 2025-02-07, Caffeic acid loading in TransfersomILs: an alternative method for cutaneous delivery, InnovDelivery’25 – II Lusophone Meeting on Innovative Delivery Systems
• 2025-02-07, Advancing Cannabinoid Therapies: SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals’ Solutions using Nanostructured Lipid Carriers, Innov Delivery
• 2025-01-30, TransfersomILs: a key strategy to boost the delivery of hydroxycinnamic acids, 5th SPLC-CRS Young Scientists Meeting – Small Pieces for Big Breakthroughs
• 2024-11-23, Choline-based ionic liquids as functional excipients in lipid-based nanosystems to boost delivery of anti-ageing compounds, Congresso Nacional dos Farmacêuticos-CNF24
• 2024-11-07, Synthetic skin models: insights into permeation enhancement mechanisms, 3rd International Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Physiology
• 2024-11, Somaí Paradigm: Leading Innovation in Medical Cannabis, CNF2024
• 2024-07-10, Enhancing SLNs performance: combining commercial lipids with biobased ILs, The 1st International Online Conference on Functional Biomaterials (IOCFB 2024)
• 2024-07-10, Choline-based ILs as key materials to enhance the performance of lipid-based nanoparticles, Cosmetinnov—The next gen of beauty
• 2024-06-25, Innovative Cerosomes: A multifaceted solution addressing Xeroderma Pigmentosum, RICI X - The 10th Iberian Meeting on Colloids and Interfaces
• 2024-02-28, Insights from skin models into permeation enhancement: the added value of ionic liquids in transfersomes., 3rd NETSKINMODELS Meeting - COST Action CA21108
• 2024-02-28, Efficacy assessment of lipid nanoparticles: beyond hydration and TEWL measurements., 3rd NETSKINMODELS Meeting - COST Action CA21108
• 2024-02-14, May TransfersomILs redefine the hydroxycinnamic acids delivery to the skin?, XV Spanish-Portuguese Conference on Controlled Drug Delivery
• 2024-02-14, Lipid extract from larvae biomass: an added-value biomaterial to produce lipid nanoparticles to tackle atopic dermatitis, XV Spanish-Portuguese Conference on Controlled Drug Delivery
• 2024-02-14, Cerosomes at the forefront: a multifunctional strategy for addressing Xeroderma Pigmentosum, XV Spanish-Portuguese Conference on Controlled Drug Delivery
• 2024-02-14, C. Lipid extract from larvae biomass: an added-value biomaterial to produce lipid nanoparticles to tackle atopic dermatitis., XV Spanish-Portuguese Conference on Controlled Drug Delivery
• 2023-11-10, TransfersomILs loading caffeic or p-coumaric acids: na innovative approach for cutaneous delivery, V Jornadas CBIOS
• 2023-11-10, TransfersomILs for the skin delivery of ferulic acid: impact on permeation assays?, V Jornadas CBIOS
• 2023-11-10, Somaí Paradigm: Establishing Innovative Benchmarks in Medical Cannabis., V Jornadas CBIOS
• 2023-11-10, Development of gels incorporating nanoemulsions based on Hermetia illucens larvae extract: stability and skin compatibility studies., V Jornadas CBIOS
• 2023-11, On the path to innovative nanotechnological formulations for skin diseases associated with barrier impairment., 9th International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry
• 2023-07-13, Rutin-loaded cerosomes enhancing the delivery of a bioactive natural compound for the management of UV-induced skin rare diseases., III Bio.Natural - Bioactive Natural Products Research Conference
• 2023-07-05, Using insect larvae biomass to produce innovative lipid nanoparticles: a bioinspired and sustainable approach to tackle atopic dermatitis, Ciência 2023
• 2023-07-05, Development of cerosomes loading rutin towards the management of UV-induced skin diseases., Ciência 2023
• 2023-06-19, TransfersomILs: an innovative nanosystem for the cutaneous delivery of hydroxycinnamic acids, NanoMed Europe 2023
• 2023-06-19, From insect larvae biomass to lipid-based nanocarriers: an advanced approach for the management of atopic dermatitis., NanoMed Europe 2023
• 2023-06-19, Combining lipids extracted from larvae biomass and biobased ionic liquids to boost skin nanodelivery, NanoMed Europe 2023
• 2023-06-19, A multifunctional vesicular nanosystem for the management of Xeroderma pigmentosum - a rare skin disease, NanoMed Europe 2023
• 2023-02-06, Optimization of rutin-loaded cerosomes: a step forward for the management of dermatological conditions, 4th SPLC-CRS Young Scientists Meeting
• 2023-02-06, Exploring the innovative TransfersomILs for the cutaneous delivery of hydroxycinnamic acids, 4th SPLC-CRS Young Scientists Meeting
• 2022-11-11, The Portuguese Physiology Roadmap – From molecules to the individual – perspectives from CBIOS
• 2022-11-11, Probing the impact of TransferomILs containing rutin in skin physiology — cytotoxicity studies, 2nd International Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Physiology
• 2022-11-11, Optimization of Transfersomes for Ibuprofen delivery, 2nd International Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Physiology
• 2022-11-11, New perspectives in the approach to skin barrier dysfunction - using lipid nanoparticles based on insect biomass to improve dexamethasone delivery, 2nd International Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Physiology
• 2022-10-21, Improving the performance of SLNs - combining lipids extracted from larvae biomass and choline-based ILs, 5º Encontro de Biotecnologia Medicinal/2nd Iberian Congress on Medicinal Biotechnology
• 2022-04-28, PEGylated Magnetoliposomes: A new drug delivery system to target bacterial membranes, Nanomaterials Applied to Life Science 2022 (NALS 2022)
• 2022-03, Stratum corneum lipids as the basis of nanoparticles for epidermal regeneration. , COSMETINNOV
• 2022-03, Effects of a formulation containing Cymbopogon citratus essential oil on human skin. , COSMETINNOV
• 2022-03, Development of lipid nanoparticles based on insect larvae biomass for skin delivery., COSMETINNOV
• 2021-11-18, Innovative formulations loading phytochemicals to tackle skin ageing: preliminary studies, II Bio.Natural – Bioactive Natural Products Research Meeting
• 2021-11-03, Innovative transfersomes for the transdermal nanodelivery of ibuprofen., CIFARP 2021 - 13th International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• 2021-11, Using lipids extracted from black soldier fly larvae for nanoparticles development - Preliminary studies., II Bio.Natural – Bioactive Natural Products Research Meeting.
• 2021-08-18, Desenvolvimento de nanopartículas lipídicas baseadas na composição do estrato córneo para regeneração epidérmica. , 33º Congresso Brasileiro de Cosmetologia
• 2021-05, Optimization of Ibuprofen-loaded Transfersomes for Transdermal Delivery., EuroNanoForum 2021 International Online Conference
• 2020-11-23, Preliminary studies to design ibuprofen-loaded transfersomes for cutaneous applications. , IV CBIOS Seminar
• 2020-11-03, Development of rutin delivery systems assisted by a choline-amino acid ionic liquid, Encontro Ciência 2020
• 2020-06, Optimization of a vesicular system for the transdermal delivery of acidic compounds, Controlled Release Society Virtual Annual Meeting: 2020 Vision for Global Impact
• 2019-07, Quality by design development of fusogenic magnetoliposomes, XXVI Encontro Nacional da Sociedade Portuguesa de Química
• 2019-07, New anti-inflammatory drugs: less, equal or more topical actions on membrane lipids?, XXVI Encontro Nacional da Sociedade Portuguesa de Química
• 2019-07, Membrane-permeabilizing activity of NSAIDs: a role in cardiotoxicity?, Joint 12th EBSA-10th ICBP-IUPAP Biophysics Congress
• 2019-06, Lipid interfaces in drug development: focusing on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 2019 FEBS Advanced Lecture Course - Biological Surfaces and Interfaces: The Mechanistic View
• 2019-02, New anti-inflammatory drugs: novel or old effects on membrane lipids?, 12th Meeting of young researchers of University of Porto (IJUP’19)
• 2019-02, Is there a role for membrane lipids on drug-induced cardiovascular toxicity?, 12th Meeting of young researchers of University of Porto (IJUP’19)
• 2018-06, Biophysical interactions between omeprazole and lipid membrane models: unveiling an additional mechanism of action, 6th International Iberian Biophysics Congress and X Iberoamerican Congress of Biophysics
• 2018-02, Drug-membrane interaction studies on revealing NSAIDs-induced cardiovascular toxicity, 11th Meeting of young researchers of University of Porto (IJUP’18)
• 2017-02, NSAIDs cardiovascular risk: a role for drug effects on membranes?, 10th Meeting of young researchers of University of Porto (IJUP’17)
• 2016-06, Unraveling the acemetacin effects on phosphatidylcholine bilayers, 5th International Iberian Biophysics Congress
• 2015-09, Avaliação in vitro da interação da acemetacina com lipídios de membrana, 23º Simpósio Internacional de Iniciação Científica da Universidade de São Paulo (SIICUSP)
• 2015-07, In vitro study of NSAIDs-membrane interactions: the case of indomethacin and derivative, 10th European Biophysics Congress
• 2014-11, Membrane lipids biophyics and structure in disease: relevance for drug delivery therapies, XX Encontro Luso-Galego de Química
• 2014-11, In vitro assessment of NSAIDs-membrane interactions: the case of diclofenac and novel derivative, XX Encontro Luso-Galego de Química
• 2014-06, The role of the membrane fluidity increase by indomethacin and derivatives in their gastrointestinal toxic effects, 20th International Symposium on Surfactants in Solution
• 2014-05, The effect of indomethacin and derivatives on the phase transition parameters of DMPC, XLIII Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular
• 2013-10-15, A biophysical approach diet compounds membrane interactions, Biophysics in Drug Discovery. Strasbourg, France.
• 2013-10, NSAIDs interactions with supported lipid bilayers: An atomic force microscopy study, Bioimaging 2013 - International Symposium in applied Bioimaging from molecule to man
• 2013-10, NSAIDs interactions with membranes: the role of membrane biophysics on its therapeutic and toxic effects, Biophysics in drug discovery, NovAliX conference
• 2013-10, A biophysical approach to diet compounds-membrane interactions, Biophysics in drug discovery, NovAliX conference
• 2013-05, Interação da indometacina e do nimesulide com modelos membranares, 36ª Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Química
• 2013-02, Production of innovative trojan horses for the treatment of inflammatory chronic conditions, 6th Meeting of young researchers of University of Porto (IJUP’13)
• 2013-02, Evaluation of the structure-activity relationship of rifabutin and analogues: a drug-membrane study, 6th Meeting of young researchers of University of Porto (IJUP’13)
• 2012-07, Electrophoretic Mobility, Zeta Potential and Dissociation Degree of Vesicles prepared with Mixtures of Charged and Zwitterionic Lipids suggest that ion condensation determines surface potential above ten percent charged lipid in the mixture, Colloids and Nanomedicine
• 2012-05, Effect of mixtures of charged and zwitterionic lipids on vesicles properties: size, electrophoretic mobility, zeta potential and dissociation degree, XLI Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular
• 2011-10, Biomimetic membranes applied to the study of drug-membrane interactions: the case of celecoxib, 8th Lipidomics Meeting – Membranes and bioactive lipids
• 2011-07, NSAIDs interactions with membranes: a biophysical approach, 4th Iberian Meeting on Colloids and Interfaces (RICI4)
• 2011-07, Lipid-drug interaction: biophysical and structural effects of Celecoxib on membrane mimetic systems, 4th Iberian Meeting on Colloids and Interfaces (RICI4)
• 2011-07, Lipid monolayers as resourceful tools to study the activity of enzymes and drugs at the interface, 4th Iberian Meeting on Colloids and Interfaces (RICI4)
• 2010-11, The interaction of Celecoxib with membranes: a biophysical study, XVI Encontro Luso-Galego de Química
• 2010-02, In vitro assessment of meloxicam effects on biomembranes, 2nd Meeting of young researchers of University of Porto (IJUP’09)
• 2009-04, Studies for improving therapeutic effects of drugs: the role of membrane biophysics and drug-membrane interactions, Meeting on Nanotechnology, Liposome and Health