About the Lab
Leonor Faleiro is an Assistant Professor at Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology and earned her PhD in Biological Sciences, Microbiology in the University of Algarve.
Our lab’s research is focused on understanding how gut bacterial members may contribute to dysbiosis in diseases, such as Type 1 Diabetes and how their impact can be restricted either by mammalian cells or by reset the gut microbiota.
In the frame of the Project AlfaScore we are investigating the ageing microbiome of Algarve elderly.
Sarcopenia is one of the common age-related health problems and is defined as a generalized and progressive skeletal muscle disease associated with an increased likelihood of adverse events including falls, fractures, frailty, and mortality. Evidence suggest that microbiota can impact age-associated changes, including sarcopenia. In our lab we are interested to evaluate how the sarcopenia influences anorectal dysfunction in women, particularly the relationship between fecal incontinence and the composition of the intestinal microbiota.
Obesity is a global epidemic, and this condition has been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Different diet regimens in patients with Type 2 Diabetes may alter the intestinal microbiota and affect their health. We are investigating the impact of alternate-day fasting on intestinal microbiota and changes in insulin resistance of Type 2 Diabetes patients.
Another research interest is the combat to the development of antibiotic resistance by screening new compounds and natural products with potential to inhibit the bacterial growth without inducing resistance.
