Lia Ascensão

I received a Ph.D. in Biology (Cell Biology) from University of Lisbon in 1985 and I am currently working in the Plant Biotechnology group of CE3C.  Since my Ph.D. I was professor in Plant Biology Department of FCUL, being nowadays a retired professor with a Collaborative Working Agreement with FCUL. For many years my research focusses on better understanding the biology of plant secretions in relation with environment, aiming to gather information on the great variety of secretory structures that occurs in Angiosperms, to improve our understanding of the cell sites synthesis and accumulation of the natural products secreted by plants, which may represent chemical adaptations to environmental conditions or may serve as defense against microorganisms, insects, and herbivores predators. My current research is driven by three overarching objectives (1), study the secreted structures of Portuguese aromatic and medicinal species used traditionally as herbal remedies. (2), evaluate the biological activities of these plant extracts that could explain some of their traditional uses. (3), contribute to a better knowledge, valuation and conservation of these species.