The Rheumatology Research Unit (RRU) results from a partnership between the Instituto de Medicina Molecular/Lisbon Medical School and the Rheumatology Department of the Santa Maria Hospital. Basic scientists and clinicians work together promoting translational research and clinical excellence in the field of Rheumatology.

Our specific research aims are the study of the pathogenesis of inflammatory joint diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Spondyloarthropaties and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and bone disorders in order to characterize potential tools for early diagnosis and prognosis and potential targets for novel therapies.

Ongoing research projects are devoted to the study of neutrophils, monocytes and B cells in very early arthritis, to the analysis of the effects of inflammation on atherogenesis in RA and SLE and to the relevance of TNF polymorphisms in the prognosis and pharmacogenetics of several joint diseases. We are also involved in research of bone quality in cooperation with Instituto Superior Técnico. All these research efforts are based on a dual approach which includes human samples and animal models of rheumatic diseases. Finally, we are involved in clinical trials, development of registries (in collaboration with the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology) and epidemiological studies, in providing services to the community, including expertise advisory to governmental institutions and in postgraduate teaching.

2010-2012 An assessment of bone mineral and organic phases in an osteoporosis mice model and their influence on the mechanical properties of bone (European Calcified Tissue Society /Servier Fellowship).

2010-2014 Response to anti-TNF treatment biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis (ref. HMPS-ICS/SAU-ICT/002/2010).

2012-2014 Differences in osteoclastic activity between rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (Private funding).

2011-2013 Clinical, serological and genetic predictors of evolution, outcome and response to treatment in Portuguese patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (Private funding).

2011-2013 Collaboration in “A National Genome Wide Association Study to Predict the Response to Anti-TNF Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis” (Private funding).

2012-2015 How inflammation early affects bone's nano-properties at arthritis onset (Private funding).

2012-2015- Coupling of atherosclerosis progression and bone disturbances in rheumatoid arthritis. (Private funding). 

Sociedade Portuguesa de Reumatologia
Serviços de Reumatologia, Hospital Egas Moniz , Hospital Garcia Orta e HUC
Serviços de Ortopedia e Pediatria, Hospital Santa Maria Departamento de Imunologia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
Unidades de Imunologia Celular e de Biologia Celular do Sistema Imunológico, IMM
Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Universidade de Lisboa
Departamento de Mecânica, Instituto Superior Técnico
Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Universidade de Coimbra
Alfama
Broad Institute and Brigham Women Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Centre for Rheumatology, University College London, London, UK
Department of Medicine, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
Amsterdam Academic Medical Centre

2011 Participation on Health Innovation & Technology Transfer Showcase/ Workshop "Investigação de translação e transferência de tecnologia na área da Saúde", Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal

 

2011 The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker-Bowles and The Portuguese First Lady, Maria Cavaco Silva, visited IMM and RRU, mediated by APOROS (National Association against Osteoporosis).

 

2011 Participation in TV and radio programs

 

2009 Cientistas ao Palco - Noite dos investigadores 2009 - "O Restaurante IMM"

 

2007-2009 Ciência Viva Projects

2012 Bolsa de Investigação Sociedade Portuguesa de Reumatologia/ MSD 2011 (was awarded to Elsa Sousa)

 

2010 Senior Clinical Award, Harvard Medical School- Portugal Program ( was awarded to Helena Canhão)

 

2010 ECTS/Servier award 2010 ( was awarded to Saba Abdulghani)

 

2009 Bial Prize for Clinical Medicine 2008 (was awarded to João Eurico Fonseca, Helena Canhão, Maria José Santos, Ana Filipa Mourão, Elsa Sousa, Joana Caetano Lopes, Rita Moura, Pamela Weinmann, José Alberto Pereira da Silva, Jaime Branco and Mário Viana Queiroz)

 

2005 EULAR Young Investigator Award from European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR),(was awarded to João Eurico Fonseca)

RheugulationDB