Ana Luísa Daniel da Silva

Current position

Ana Luísa Daniel da Silva is Principal Researcher at CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (Group 1 – Porous Materials and Nanosystems), Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro, Portugal.

Background and Education

Ana Luísa Daniel da Silva holds a BSc degree in Chemical Engineering from IST, Lisbon (2000) and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Alicante, Spain (2005), with trainees at the University of Ghent and Altachem NV, Belgium. From 2005 to 2009, she was postdoctoral researcher at the University of Aveiro, with a focus on developing polymer-based nanocomposites and functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical and environmental applications.

Current Research Activities

Her research has been focused on developing nanostructured materials for various applications and areas, including nanomedicine, bionanotechnology, and water remediation. Her primary interests lie in the area of innovative strategies for the surface modification of the nanomaterials with biopolymers and chemical synthetic routes towards developing green nanosorbents and biocompatible nanomaterials. Recently, she has expanded her research to explore biomolecule detection and multifaceted cancer therapy utilizing functionalized nanoparticles.

Research Output

She has actively participated in 16 funded national/international R&D projects. She has coordinated 2 projects in the field of colloidal nanomaterials for water remediation, namely an IF-exploratory project and more recently, the proof-of-concept project "BIOMAG"(https://biomag.web.ua.pt/ ) under Portugal 2020, fostering fruitful collaboration with an industrial partner.

Among her noteworthy publications, she co-authored the book "Surface Chemistry of Colloidal Nanocrystals" (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2021) and co-edited the book "Nanocomposite Particles for Bio-applications: Materials and Bio-interfaces" (Pan Stanford, 2011). A.L. Daniel da Silva has contributed with over 110 articles/reviews published in SCI-indexed journals in the field of chemistry, chemical engineering and materials chemistry, 14 book chapters, and 8 patent applications to her name. Her research has achieved significant recognition, with over 3400 citations and attaining a respective h-index of 35 (Scopus). In 2022 and 2023, Stanford University recognized her as one of the most cited scientists globally, placing her in the top 2% of researchers of the world.

Scientific Supervision and Teaching

Her experience in supervision includes 3 post-doctoral researchers, 10 PhD students (7 in progress), 25 MSc students (with 3 in progress), 14 research fellows, and 26 undergraduate students. Her commitment to education is evident through her voluntary involvement as a lecturer in various curricular units related to Chemistry (https://www.ua.pt/en/uc/3211; https://www.ua.pt/pt/uc/14634 ; https://www.ua.pt/pt/uc/2525;  and Chemical Engineering (https://www.ua.pt/pt/uc/2379; https://www.ua.pt/pt/uc/10462; https://www.ua.pt/pt/uc/15198 ).

KEYWORDS: Functional nanomaterials; Nanocomposites; Colloidal Nanoparticles; Surface Modification; Environmental Nanotechnology; Biomaterials

1. COLLOIDAL NANOMATERIALS FOR WATER PURIFICATION

Exploring innovative strategies for rational surface modification of magnetic nanoparticles using polymers derived from renewable sources. The ultimate goal is to develop cost-effective, high performance, environmentally friendly nanosorbents for efficiently removing organic pollutants from water. This research involves an in-depth study of interface phenomena and aims to enhance our understanding of sorption mechanisms

Selected Contributions in the last 5 years:

S. F. Soares; J. Nogueira; T. Trindade; A. L. Daniel-da-Silva*, Towards efficient ciprofloxacin adsorption using magnetic hybrid nanoparticles prepared with k-, i-, and l-carrageenan, Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry, 2023, 13, 283–302. DOI: 10.1007/s40097-022-00498-x

S. F. Soares; S. Fateixa; T. Trindade; A. L. Daniel-da-Silva*, A versatile synthetic route towards gelatin-silica hybrids and magnetic composite colloidal nanoparticles, Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 2022, 5, 884-898. DOI: 10.1007/s42114-021-00386-y

S. F. Soares, T. Fernandes, M. Sacramento, T. Trindade, A. L. Daniel-da-Silva*, Magnetic quaternary chitosan hybrid nanoparticles for the efficient uptake of diclofenac from water, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2019, 203, 35-44. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.09.030

2. COLLOIDAL NANOMATERIALS AS MULTIFUNCTIONAL VECTORS FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH APPLICATIONS

Innovative chemical strategies to functionalize the surfaces of inorganic nanocrystals with magnetic and/or plasmonic properties. The primary objective is to detect biomolecules, present in trace amounts in biofluids such as biomarkers associated with cardiovascular diseases. In addition, I have also embarked on a new direction focused on investigating alternative cancer therapies. In this pursuit, functionalized nanoparticles play a vital role in photothermal and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for specific cancers such as melanoma, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma.

Selected Contributions in the last 5 years:

M. António; T. Lima; R. Vitorino; A. L. Daniel-da-Silva*, Label-free dynamic light scattering assay for C-reactive protein detection using magnetic nanoparticles, Analytica Chimica Acta, 2022, 1222, 34016. DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340169

M. António; R. Ferreira; R. Vitorino; A. L. Daniel-da-Silva*, A simple aptamer-based colorimetric assay for rapid detection of C-reactive protein using gold nanoparticles, Talanta, 2020, 214, 120868. DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.120868

F. Magalhães; M. R. Almeida; S. F. Soares; T. Trindade; M. G. Freire; A. L. Daniel-da-Silva; A. P. M. Tavares*, Recovery of immunoglobulin G from rabbit serum using k-carrageenan-modified hybrid magnetic nanoparticles, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020, 150, 914-921. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.02.135

PhD Students

9. Joana Patrícia da Silva Santos “Nanotechnology risk assessment – a global Ecotoxicological approach for innovative polySaccharide/Silica hybrid nanomaterials” Doctoral program: Biology. Supervisor: Vera Lúcia Maria; Co-supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva. (Ongoing)

8. Diana Salvador “Drug combination enhanced by photodynamic therapy: a targeted delivery therapeutic approach in pancreatic cancer” Doctoral program: Biotechnology. Supervisor: Helena Oliveira; Co-supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva. (Ongoing)

7. Diogo Marinheiro “Nanoencapsulated Zn(II)-polyphenol complexes for diabetes therapy”. Doctoral program Nanosciences and Nanotechnology. Supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva; Co-supervisors: Bárbara Leite Ferreira and Fátima Martel (Ongoing)

6. Leonardo José Oliveira Amaral “Removal of pesticides from wastewaters through combined adsorption and sunlight-induced photodegradation using magnetic nanomaterials”. Doctoral program Chemical Engineering. Supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva; Co-supervisors: João Amaral and Isabel del Hierro  (Ongoing)

5. João Humberto Gonçalves Francisco Nogueira “Carbon-based functional nanomaterials from renewable natural resources: novel synthetic routes and water treatment applications”. SFRH/BD/146249/2019; doctoral program: Sustainable Chemistry. Supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva; Co-supervisor: Andrei Kavaleuski   (Ongoing)

4. Párástu Oskoei “Upconversion nanoparticles for multimodal therapy of melanoma”, Doctoral program Biology. Supervisor: Helena Oliveira; Co-supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva and Maria Gaspar   (Ongoing)

3. Maria de Almeida Vasconcelos António “Nanostructures for biodetection: synthesis, surface functionalization, and application in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases”, SFRH/BD/136881/2018; PhD in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology. Supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva; Co-supervisor: Rui Vitorino.   2023 (Concluded)

2. João Tiago Moniz Fernandes; “Magneto-plasmonic nanoassemblies using dendrimers: chemical synthesis and water quality monitoring”, SFRH/BD/130934/2017; PhD in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Supervisor: Tito Trindade; Co-supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva. 2022 (Concluded)

1. Sofia Farias Soares; “Magnetic bio-hybrid nanosorbents for the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants and pesticides from water”, SFRH/BD/121366/2016; PhD in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Supervisor: AL Daniel-da-Silva; Co-supervisor: Tito Trindade.   2021 (Concluded)

MSc Students

25. Eduarda Silva, Desenvolvimento de membranas de MoS₂ para monitorização da qualidade da água, Supervisors: Sara Fateixa and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (Ongoing).

24. Beatriz Costa, Avaliação de impacto de agentes reológicos na reatividade de ligantes minerais, Supervisors: Luís Silva (Saint-Gobain) and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (Ongoing).

23. Emília Carreira, Avaliação de impacto de agentes reológicos na reatividade de ligantes minerais com baixo teor de CO₂, Supervisors: Luís Silva (Saint-Gobain) and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (Ongoing).

22. Evi Lande, Laccase immobilization on magnetic hybrid nanoparticles modified with silica-gelatin-alkoxysilane biopolymers, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Sustainable Catalysis., Supervisors: A.L. Daniel-da-Silva and Ana Paula Tavares (2023).

21. Bárbara Ferreira, Descontaminação de águas utilizando bionanocompósitos magnéticos, Supervisors: A.L. Daniel-da-Silva and Vera Lúcia Maria (2023).

20. Daniel Henrique Guedes Tomás, Estudo da melhoria do processo de fabrico de rolhas aglomeradas para vinhos efervescentes, Supervisors: Emanuel Cabeça (Relvas II – Rolhas de Champanhe, S.A) and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2022).

19. Diogo Marinheiro, Design of Nutraceutical–Mesoporous Silica Nanoconjugates, Supervisors: Bárbara Ferreira Leite and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2021).

18. Diogo Lopes, Multifunctional photocatalysts composites based on titania, Supervisors: Andrei Kavaleuski and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2019).

17. Adriana Bernardes, Liquid-phase exfoliation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and its oxidation by air-ozone atomization, Supervisors: Bruno Neves (Graphenest) and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2018).

16. Cátia Leal, Removal of AOX from paper pulp effluents using photocatalysis, Supervisors: A.L. Daniel-da-Silva and Paula Pinto (RAIZ) (2018).

15. Maria António, Detection of C-reactive protein in biological samples using functionalized gold nanoparticles, Supervisors: A.L. Daniel-da-Silva and Rui Vitorino (2017).

14. Joana Maia, Nanostructured additives for concrete, Supervisors: Frederico Maia and Cláudia Rocha (Smallmatek) and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2017).

13. Tiago Polónio, Treatment of the effluents of Kraft pulp industry using photocatalytic oxidation, Supervisors: António Mendes de Sousa (RAIZ) and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2016).

12. Tânia Silva, Study of alternative resins in decorative paints, Supervisors: Vasco Lopes (CIN) and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2015).

11. Ana Raquel Fernandes, Laccase immobilization onto magnetic nanoparticles: study and applications, Supervisors: A. Xavier and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2015).

10. Tânia Simões, Magnetic removal of pollutants from water using green nanocomposites, Supervisors: A.L. Daniel-da-Silva and T. Trindade (2015).

9. Marta Julia Busse, Bionanocomposites of Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ and alginate for the magnetic removal of Cr(III) species in water, Supervisors: T. Trindade and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2014).

8. Catarina Rebelo, Gold nanocomposites for controlled drug release, Supervisor: A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2014).

7. Bianca Creaney, Nano-adsorventes para remoção magnética de corantes orgânicos de águas, Supervisors: A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2013).

6. Maria Graça Oliveira, Hidrogéis nanocompósitos de ouro para aplicações em libertação controlada de fármacos, Supervisors: A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2012).

5. Luís Melo, Libertação de prata ionica em nanocompositos, Supervisors: Tito Trindade and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2012).

4. Rui Pedro Silva, Funcionalização de nanopartículas magnéticas para o desenvolvimento de um sistema de caraterização de proteases, Supervisors: Rui Vitorino and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2012).

3. Ana Margarida Salgueiro, Hidrogeis termosensiveis compósitos contendo nanobastonetes de ouro, Supervisors: A. L. Daniel-da-Silva and Tito Trindade (2011).

2. Cristina Schitco, Thermo conductivity and electrical properties of PVDF/Cu nanocomposites, Supervisors: Paula Vilarinho and A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2011).

1. Joana da Silva Moreira, Estudo de síntese e cinética de libertação em bionanocompósitos, Supervisors: Tito Trindade and  A.L. Daniel-da-Silva (2010).

8. European Patent Application, 2023, METHOD FOR THE REMOVAL OF CATIONIC AND/OR ANIONIC DYES FROM WATER OR WASTEWATER USING MAGNETIC BIONANOCOMPOSITE PARTICLES

7. Portuguese Provisional Patent Application, 2023, METHOD FOR THE REMOVAL OF CATIONIC AND/OR ANIONIC DYES FROM WATER OR WASTEWATER USING MAGNETIC BIONANOCOMPOSITE PARTICLES

6. Portuguese Provisional Patent Application, 2022, HYBRID NANOPARTICLES AS MULTIFUNCTIONAL PLATFORM FOR BRAIN TUMOR THERAPY

5. Portuguese Provisional Patent Application, 2021, MÉTODO EX-VIVO PARA DETEÇÃO E QUANTIFICAÇÃO DE PROTEÍNA CREATIVA EM AMOSTRAS DE SALIVA USANDO DISPERSÃO DINÂMICA DE LUZ E NANOPARTÍCULAS MAGNÉTICAS. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/086603519/publication/PT117614A?q=PT%20117614

4. European Patent Application, 2017, CHELATOR MODIFIED MAGNETIC SILICA NANOPARTICLES, THEIR USE AND PREPARATION.

3. Patent Cooperation Treaty Application, 2015, CHELATOR MODIFIED MAGNETIC SILICA NANOPARTICLES, THEIR USE AND PREPARATION.

2. Portuguese Patent (GRANTED) 2019, MÉTODO PARA A PREPARAÇÃO DE MATERIAIS HÍBRIDOS DE POLISSACARÍDEO/SÍLICA E MÉTODO DE PREPARAÇÃO DE PARTÍCULAS MAGNÉTICAS REVESTIDAS COM UMA CAMADA DE MATERIAL HÍBRIDO POLISSACARÍDEO/SÍLICA. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/058668366/publication/PT108283B?q=PT108283B

1. Portuguese Patent (GRANTED), 2011, MÉTODO DE PRAPARAÇÃO DE ESTRUTURAS POROSAS COMPÓSITAS DE BASE POLIMÉRICA PARA APLICAÇÃO EM ENGENHARIAS DE TECIDOS. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/042026000/publication/PT104136B?q=PT%20104136B