Overview

Biologist, PhD in Cell Biology (University of Coimbra, 2009). After being granted with 2 post-doc fellowships to study several aspects of male (in)fertility, she secured her first funding in 2013 and then recently in 2017 to further study this topic (~300K€), gaining expertise in sperm function, bioenergetics and spermatogenesis. She is a visiting scientist at the German Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology. During her career she has supervised several MSc and PhD students. She has 32 publications, [h-index14-google scholar] and has presented her work in several meetings, having also participated in the organization of tree of them. In order to acquire the skills to boost her scientific knowledge, Sandra has participated in several advanced courses as the Laboratory Animal science or the IneoStart. Sandra is also actively involved in several outreach activities.

Publications

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Information about journal articles, updated at 17-12-2023, from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.

New insights on sperm function in male infertility of unknown origin: a multimodal approach

Pacheco, Rita; Cristo, Maria I., Biomolecules . 10. 13. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13101462 . Biomolecules 2023, 13(10), 1462; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13101462 . published Biomolecules

Why some couples can not have children

Amaral, Sandra; Escada-Rebelo, S.; Cristo, Maria I.; Ramalho-Santos, João; Varela Amaral, Sara; Silva, Andreia, Frontiers for young minds. 1107336. 11. 2023. doi: 10.3389/frym.2023.1107336 . published Frontiers for young minds

Prevalence and impact of antisperm antibodies in semen quality and male reproductive health aspects: a 10-year retrospective study

Silva, Andreia; Amaral, Sandra; Ramalho-Santos, João; Schlatt, S.; Schubert, Maria; Kliesch, Sabine, Fertility and Sterility. 2023. submitted Fertility and Sterility

Metabolic characterization of human sperm cells using the Seahorse metabolic flux analyzer

Freitas-Martins, Artur; Cristo, Maria I.; Sousa, Maria Inês; Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sandra, Andrology . 2023. DOI:10.1111/andr.13486 . published Andrology

MITOCHONDRIA-TARGETED COMPOUNDS TO ASSESS AND IMPROVE HUMAN SPERM FUNCTION

Escada-Rebelo, Sara; Cristo, Maria Inês; Ramalho-Santos, Joao; Amaral, Sandra, Antioxidants & Redox Signaling. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/ars.2021.0238 . 10.1089/ars.2021.0238 . published Antioxidants & Redox Signaling

The impact of antisperm antibodies on human male reproductive function: an update

Silva, Andreia Filipa; Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sandra, Reproduction. R55 - R71. 4. 162. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep-21-0123 . 10.1530/rep-21-0123 . published Reproduction

Can Antidiabetic Drugs Improve Male Reproductive (Dys)Function Associated with Diabetes?

Tavares, Renata S.; Escada-Rebelo, Sara; Sousa, Maria Inês; Silva, Andreia; Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sandra, Current Medicinal Chemistry. 4191 - 4222. 22. 26. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867325666181101111404 . 10.2174/0929867325666181101111404 . published Current Medicinal Chemistry

Raman micro-spectroscopy analysis of different sperm regions: a species comparison

Amaral, Sandra; Da Costa, Raul; Wübbeling, Frank; Redmann, Klaus; Schlatt, S, MHR: Basic science of reproductive medicine. 185 - 202. 4. 24. 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molehr/gax071 . 10.1093/molehr/gax071 . published MHR: Basic science of reproductive medicine

Can we induce spermatogenesis in the domestic cat using an in vitro tissue culture approach?

Silva, Andreia; Escada-Rebelo, S.; Amaral, Sandra; Tavares, Renata S.; Schlatt, S; Ramalho-Santos, João; Mota, Paula C, PLoS ONE. 2. 13. 2018. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85041519878&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1371/journal.pone.0191912 . published PLoS ONE

Spectral features of nuclear DNA in human sperm assessed by Raman Microspectroscopy: Effects of UV-irradiation and hydration

da Costa, Raul; Amaral, Sandra; Redmann, Klaus; Kliesch, S; Schlatt, S., PloS one. e0207786 - e0207786. 11. 13. 2018. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85056802974&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1371/journal.pone.0207786 . published PloS one

Antidiabetic therapies and male reproductive function: where do we stand? (top dowloaded paper in 2018 on Reproduction Journal)

Tavares, Renata S.; Escada-Rebelo, Sara; Silva, Andreia; Sousa, Maria Inês; Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sandra, Reproduction (Cambridge, England). R13 - R37. 1. 155. 2017. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/28993453 . 10.1530/rep-17-0390 . published Reproduction (Cambridge, England)

High glucose levels affect spermatogenesis: an in vitro approach.

Tavares, Renata S.; Portela, J; Sousa, Maria Inês; Mota, Paula C; Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sandra, Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 1369 - 1378. 7. 29. 2017. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/27264729 . 10.1071/rd15475 . published Reproduction, Fertility and Development

Spermatogonial stem cell organization in felid testis as revealed by Dolichos biflorus lectin.

Escada-Rebelo, Sara; Silva, Andreia; Amaral, Sandra; Tavares, Renata S.; Paiva, Carla; Schlatt, S; Ramalho-Santos, João; Mota, Paula C, Andrology. 1159 - 1168. 6. 4. 2016. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/27317258 . 10.1111/andr.12223 . published Andrology

Mitochondrial Functionality and Chemical Compound Action on Sperm Function

Amaral, Sandra; Tavares, Renata S.; Baptista, Marta; Sousa, Maria Inês; Silva, Andreia; Escada-Rebelo, Sara; Paiva, Carla; Ramalho-Santos, João, Current Medicinal Chemistry. 3575 - 3606. 31. 23. 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867323666160425113518 . 10.2174/0929867323666160425113518 . published Current Medicinal Chemistry

High glucose concentrations per se do not adversely affect human sperm function in vitro

Portela, Joana; Tavares, Renata S.; Mota, Paula C; Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sandra, REPRODUCTION. 77 - 84. 1. 150. 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep-15-0100 . 10.1530/rep-15-0100 . published REPRODUCTION

In vitro exposure to the organochlorine p,p'-DDE affects functional human sperm parameters

Tavares, Renata S.; Amaral, Sandra; Paiva, Carla; Baptista, Marta; Ramalho-Santos, João, Chemosphere. 443 - 446. 120. 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.08.075 . 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.08.075 . published Chemosphere

Concentration-dependent Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) effects on ROS production, energy status, and human sperm function

Sousa, Maria Inês; Amaral, Sandra; Tavares, Renata S.; Paiva, Carla; Ramalho-Santos, João, Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine. 72 - 79. 2. 60. 2014. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84901672805&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.3109/19396368.2013.867380 . published Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine

Mitochondria and mammalian reproduction

Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sandra, Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 74 - 84. 1-2. 379. 2013. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84884535027&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.mce.2013.06.005 . published Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

Aging and male reproductive function: a mitochondrial perspective.

Amaral, Sandra; Ramalho-Santos, João, 181 - 187. S5. 2013. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/23277044 . 10.2741/s365 . published

UVB irradiation as a tool to assess ROS-induced damage in human spermatozoa

Amaral, Sandra; Redmann, Klaus; Sanchez, V.; Mallidis, Con; Ramalho-Santos, João; Schlatt, S, Andrology. 707 - 714. 5. 1. 2013. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84883044268&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2013.00098.x . published Andrology

Aging, Mitochondria and Male Reproductive Function

Amaral, Sandra; Ramalho-Santos, João, Current Aging Sciencee. 165 - 173. 3. 2. 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874609810902030165 . 10.2174/1874609810902030165 . published Current Aging Sciencee

Mitochondrial functionality in reproduction: from gonads and gametes to embryos and embryonic stem cells

Ramalho-Santos, João; Varum, Sandra; Amaral, Sandra; Mota, Paula C; Ana Paula Sousa; Amaral, Alexandra, Human Reproduction Update. 553 - 572. 5. 15. 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmp016 . 10.1093/humupd/dmp016 . published Human Reproduction Update

Mitochondrial bioenergetics of testicular cells from the domestic cat (Felis catus)- A model for endangered species

Mota, Paula C; Amaral, Sandra; Martins, Luís; de Lourdes Pereira, Maria; Oliveira, Paulo; Ramalho-Santos, João, Reproductive Toxicology. 111 - 116. 2. 27. 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2009.01.008 . 10.1016/j.reprotox.2009.01.008 . published Reproductive Toxicology

Testicular mitochondrial alterations in untreated streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Amaral, Sandra; Mota, Paula C; Lacerda, Beatriz; Alves, Marco; Pereira, Maria de Lourdes; Oliveira, Paulo; Ramalho-Santos, João, Mitochondrion. 41 - 50. 1. 9. 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mito.2008.11.005 . 10.1016/j.mito.2008.11.005 . published Mitochondrion

Diabetes and the Impairment of Reproductive Function: Possible Role of Mitochondria and Reactive Oxygen Species

Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sandra; Oliveira, Paulo, Current Diabetes Reviews. 46 - 54. 1. 4. 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339908783502398 . 10.2174/157339908783502398 . published Current Diabetes Reviews

Testicular aging involves mitochondrial dysfunction as well as an increase in UCP2 levels and proton leak

Amaral, Sandra; Mota, Paula C; Rodrigues, Ana Sofia; Martins, Luís; Oliveira, Paulo; Ramalho-Santos, João, FEBS Letters. 4191 - 4196. 30. 582. 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2008.11.020 . 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.11.020 . published FEBS Letters

Effects of hyperglycemia on sperm and testicular cells of Goto-Kakizaki and streptozotocin-treated rat models for diabetes

Amaral, Sandra; Moreno, António J.; Santos, Maria Sancha; Seiça, Raquel; Ramalho-Santos, João, Theriogenology. 2056 - 2067. 9. 66. 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.06.006 . 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.06.006 . published Theriogenology

All projects

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Information of exclusive responsibility of the researcher 17-12-2023 , from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.

2021 - 2025

SR&TD Project - SCHL 394/16-1 " Biochemical and physiological characterization of human spermatozoa using novel optical technologies - A new understanding of sperm functional competence" (400k|3yrs| DGF)

SCHL 394/16-1

Researcher

Universitätsklinikum Münster Centrum für Reproduktionsmedizin und Andrologie

Funders: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

2018 - 2022

SR&TD Project - PTDC/MEC-AND/28599/2017 |(POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028599) (236.679,81 eur, 3 Years, FCT): "Searching for novel biomarkers in unknown origin (UOMI) male infertility"

PTDC/MEC-AND/28599/2017

Principal investigator

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2016/01 - 2017/12

Cooperation Project- AI A06/16 (4000 eur, 2 Years, CRUP_DAAD) : "Pesquisa de novos biomarcadores para a infertilidade masculina inexplicada"

AI06/ 16

Principal investigator

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular; Universitätsklinikum Münster Centrum für Reproduktionsmedizin und Andrologie

Funders: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst; CRUP (Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas-Portuguese Council of University Rectors)

2013 - 2015

Cooperation project: Bilateral exchanging program between FCT and DAAD. "Fertility preservation in endangered felids"

n/a

Researcher

Universitätsklinikum Münster Centrum für Reproduktionsmedizin und Andrologie

Funders: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst; Fundação para a Ciencia e Tecnologia

2013/01 - 2014/12

Exploratory project - EXPL/BEX-BCM/0224/2012 (48.132 eur, 1.5 year, FCT):"Novel insights into the reproductive dysfunction in diabetes: 3D dimensional analysis of spermatogenesis and analysis of mitochondria status through Confocal Raman Microscopy"

EXPL/BEX-BCM/0224/2012

Principal investigator

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciencia e Tecnologia

2012 - 2015

PTDC/EBB-EBI/120634/2010 "Metabolic modulation as a tool to create and propagate pluripotent stem cell lines"

PTDC/EBB-EBI/120634/2010

Other

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2012 - 2015

PTDC/QUI-BIQ/120652/2010 "Role of the pyruvate dehydrogenase Kinase metabolic swith in pluripotency insights into cancer and stem cell biology"

PTDC/QUI-BIQ/120652/2010

Other

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2012 - 2015

PTDC/CVT/119477/2010:"New strategies to recover fertility and genetic variability of endangered felids: development of xenografting and spermatogonial stem cell transplantation in domestic cat as model for endangered felids"

PTDC/CVT/119477/2010

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2010 - 2013

PTDC/EBB­-EBI/101114/2008 " Metabolism as a modulator of stem cell pluripotency and differentiation"

PTDC/EBB­-EBI/101114/2008

Other

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2006 - 2008

III/BIO/50/2005 "What makes a good spermatozoon? a trans-specific perspective" University of coimbra, Instituto de investigação interdisciplinar

III/BIO/50/2005

Other

Universidade de Coimbra

Funders: Universidade de Coimbra

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