Ana Maria da Silva Campos

Ana Maria da Silva Campos is a PhD candidate in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Minho and Visiting Researcher at the National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV). Her work focuses on developing aptamer-based solutions against Escherichia coli pathogens in animal agriculture, funded by a FCT PhD Studentship (2023.03705.BDANA). She collaborates with international networks including COST Actions EURESTOP and EU-LI-PHE.

Education:

• PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering (2024-2028, in progress), University of Minho, Department of Biological Engineering
• Master's in Molecular Genetics (2022-2024), University of Minho, School of Sciences
• Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences (2018-2022), Polytechnic Institute of Porto, School of Health

Her research centers on Microbiology and Molecular Biology with specialization in aptamer technology for pathogen detection. She develops molecular methods for identifying ETEC virulence factors using SELEX methodology, bioinformatics analysis, NGS aptamer library evaluation, and real-time PCR affinity determination. Current work targets Shiga toxins in swine colibacillosis, providing alternatives to antibiotics through molecular therapeutics and enhancing food safety protocols.

Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on combating bacterial infections in animal production systems. Her work in Frontiers in Chemistry and Pathogens journals establishes aptamers as viable alternatives for blocking ETEC adhesion and toxicity, while epidemiological studies in Antibiotics journal analyze global antimicrobial resistance patterns in swine farming. This research integrates molecular engineering with veterinary applications to address antimicrobial resistance through innovative detection and intervention strategies.

Scientific Awards:

• 2023 FCT PhD Studentship
• Microbiotec 2023 Best Scientific Poster (Food Microbiology)
• 5th Science Communication in Microbiology Contest Winner

She currently holds no advisees as a PhD candidate but contributes to multiple collaborative projects. Primary funding includes the FCT PhD grant for 'Aptamers for blocking E. coli Shiga toxins' and participation in COST Actions (EURESTOP, Precision-BTC-Network, EU-LI-PHE, Insect-IMP) as PhD scholarship holder. Previous involvement includes APTAcoli project (Master's scholarship) and TRACE-RICE (scientific initiation).

Her laboratory work occurs at INIAV's facilities through the APTAcoli project, with computational analysis conducted at University of Minho. She participates in e.Biofilm Training School workshops and contributes to European networks including EURESTOP (antibiotic resistance) and EU-LI-PHE (livestock phenomics), focusing on translating molecular research into agricultural applications through international consortia.