Biography
Ricardo MF da Costa, PhD (Biology / Biochemistry), is an Assistant Researcher specialising in Phytochemicals and Plant Structural Biochemistry, with a focus on addressing phytopathology challenges and valorising plant materials as sustainable resources. Since 2020, Ricardo has been part of the Molecular Physical-Chemistry Research Unit (QFM-UC) at the University of Coimbra, where he applies an interdisciplinary approach to tackle critical scientific issues in plant biochemistry, natural products, and biomass valorisation.
Key Research Areas
- Phytopathology: plant cell wall-mediated mechanisms which influence disease progression and host resistance, particularly in agroforestry species. His work aims to uncover the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions and how plant cell wall composition impacts resistance. This knowledge supports the development of disease mitigation strategies and improved, resistant plant genotypes.
- Natural Products: identification, characterisation, and application of bioactive compounds derived from plant biomass for human health, nutraceuticals, and sustainable agriculture. His research focuses on optimising processes to enhance the utility of plants as reliable sources of natural products.
- Lignocellulosic Biomass: the work in biomass valorisation centres on reducing the recalcitrance of the plant cell wall to saccharification and fermentation, with a focus on biorefinery applications. The improved understanding of lignocellulosic structures fosters the development of value-added biobased products and sustainable materials.
Currently, Ricardo also serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the PineWALL Project (FCT - PTDC/ASP-SIL/3142/2020; https://doi.org/10.54499/PTDC/ASP-SIL/3142/2020). This project investigates how pine cell wall composition and structure determine resistance to the pinewood nematode, the causative agent of pine wilt disease.
Ricardo's versatility as a researcher is demonstrated by his contributions to diverse projects, including the discovery of novel enzymes through metagenomic screening and the identification of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of human pulmonary diseases. His interdisciplinary expertise underscores his capacity to adapt and innovate across multiple domains of life sciences.
Other Webpages
- https://laqv.requimte.pt/people/2734-ricardo_da_costa
- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5426-412X
- https://www.cienciavitae.pt/en/9B15-24E2-13D3
- http://qfm.uc.pt/rcosta
Relevant publications
- Silva H, da Costa et al., 2024. Phytopathologia Mediterranea, https://doi.org/10.36253/phyto-15625
- da Costa et al., 2023. ACS — I&EC, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.3c03325
- Marques MP, da Costa et al., 2023. Planta Medica, https://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-013-58620
- Silva D, da Costa et al., 2023. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2023.122816
- Silva H, da Costa et al., 2023. Forests, https://doi.org/10.3390/f14050962
- Rito, da Costa et al., 2023. Antioxidants, https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020536
- da Costa et al., 2022. Molecules, https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27207006
- Martín, da Costa et al., 2022. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.6446
- Marques MP, da Costa et al., 2022. Scientia Horticulturae, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111248
- da Costa et al., 2021. Frontiers in Plant Science, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.679966
- López-Malvar, da Costa et al., 2021. Agronomy, https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061130
- Love, da Costa et al., 2020. MedRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.27.20162958
- Marques MP, da Costa et al., 2020. Trees, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-020-02036-0
- da Costa et al., 2020. Analysis of Plant Cell Walls by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. In: Popper ZA, ed. The Plant Cell Wall: Methods and Protocols. New York, NY: Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0621-6_16
- da Costa et al., 2019. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 12, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-019-1426-7
- da Costa, 2019. Revista de Ciência Elementar, 7: 1-6. http://doi.org/10.24927/rce2019.006
- Paiva de Carvalho, da Costa, et al., 2019. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2019.104816
- da Costa et al., 2018. Annals of Botany, https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcy155
- Paiva de Carvalho, et al., 2018. Journal of Cultural Heritage, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2018.05.001. Acknowledged as proof-reader and translator of the manuscript
- da Costa et al., 2017. New Phytologist, https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14306
- da Costa et al., 2015. Bio-protocol, 5: e1494. https://doi.org/10.21769/BioProtoc.1494
- da Costa et al., 2014. Annals of Botany, https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcu054
