Raquel A. Oliveira

Raquel A. Oliveira is an Associate Professor at Católica Medical School and a Researcher at Católica Biomedical Research Centre (CBR), where she serves as head of the Chromosome Dynamics lab and vice-director. Her work focuses on chromosome biology and mitosis, with significant contributions to understanding how mitotic chromosomes are assembled and how their structure impacts DNA-related processes.

Her educational background includes:

• Undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at the Faculdade de Ciências of the Universidade do Porto
• PhD in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine from CNC (University of Coimbra), completed at Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), University of Porto (2007)
• Postdoctoral work at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, UK

Dr. Oliveira's research focuses on chromosome dynamics during cell division, particularly on how mitotic chromosomes are assembled and how their structure impacts transcription and other DNA processes. Her work has important implications for understanding mitotic fidelity, organism development, and human disease. She investigates key molecular players including cohesin, condensin, and various chromosome-associated proteins that regulate sister chromatid cohesion and chromosome segregation.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on chromosome structure-function relationships, with particular attention to transcription regulation during mitosis, chromosome topology, and the implications of mitotic errors in stem cells and developmental disorders. Her work bridges fundamental chromosome biology with clinical implications for genetic disorders.

Her scientific achievements include:

• ERC Starting Grant
• ERC Consolidator Grant
• EMBO Installation Grant
• Marie Curie Career Integration Grant
• EMBO membership (elected in 2022)

Dr. Oliveira has secured approximately 4 million euros in competitive funding for her research. She leads the Chromosome Dynamics lab which investigates fundamental mechanisms of chromosome organization and function. Her research has significant implications for understanding genetic disorders related to chromosome segregation errors and has contributed to the scientific community's understanding of how chromosome structure impacts cellular function beyond mitosis.