talvez os agradecimentos mais longos da história

These four years were an intense adventure through the exciting field of African trypanosomiasis. The idea of developing a vaccine against this challenging parasite is still seen by many as an impossible dream. As difficult as this task was, for me this project combined the challenges of developing therapeutic approaches using DNA vaccines, a very interesting tool, against an evasive and intelligent parasite that targets the poorest regions of the planet. This project combined perfectly my will to learn with my love for lost causes.

Luckily I have had the support of many people that made this PhD a very rich and memorable experiment. To these people I would like to address my sincere acknowledgments.

First of all, I would like to refer the significant contribution of my supervisors, Professor Gabriel and Dr Jean Rodgers. I’m certain that my future in Science will be influenced by what I’ve learned with them – their methodology and approach to problems, their thoroughness and attention to detail. I would like to thank them for the trust they have shown in my abilities and for allowing me to pursue my own ideas. I have had their constant support – scientific, but also emotional. Good results were always received with excitement and the bad ones with encouragement. This gave me the energy to carry on.

I would like to thank the close collaboration of Professor Miguel Prazeres. This project has counted from the start with his scientific inputs. His straight to the point comments were always very helpful while setting the experimental designs and during the preparation of papers.
Professor Jorge Atouguia has also made important scientific contributions since the genesis of this project. It was also him that established the contacts with Professor Peter Kennedy’s Group that allowed me to do part of my PhD in the Veterinary School, University of Glasgow. This experience has definitely enriched this work.

My acknowledgments are extensive to Professor Peter Kennedy that has kindly welcomed me into his research group.

I am also certain that I would not have completed this PhD without the precious help of Barbara Bradley. Her constant support in the lab and the help with the animal work were outstanding. She was my Scottish mom, a warm-heart soul that always looks out for her girls. Luckily, I was one of them.

I would like also to address my acknowledgments to Marcelo Silva, for its relevant input to the project of developing DNA vaccines against African trypanosomiasis. It was Marcelo that begun this work during his PhD and it was him that got me started in the lab. My thanks for having provided the ISG-pVAX1 and TSA-pVAX1 plasmids that were the basis of the DNA vaccine prototypes developed in this study.

This multidisciplinary work was only possible with the help of a number of people that have contributed with their specialized knowledge. This has enriched this project significantly. I have to mention the contributions of Dr. Harold Thompson, University of Glasgow, in the analysis of the lymph node histology sections. The liposome particles were prepared by Dr. Satyanarayana Somavarapu, at the School of Pharmacy of London. I would like to acknowledge Ana Margarida Henriques for providing the targeting sequences. Flow cytometry in Lisbon was made in collaboration with Professora Cláudia Lobato and Margarida Diogo, while in Glasgow I have had the advice of Mohamed Nikel. Carla Carvalho has helped with the cell microscopy photos.

During these four years I was a proud member of the board of ABIC, Portuguese Association of grant-holding researchers. To all my friends and colleagues that dedicate their time to promote the recognition of young scientists as workers and raise awareness about the urge of improving the conditions in which researchers in Portugal develop their activity – to them a heart-felt word of recognition and solidarity.

A warm thanks to all the guys in the IBB lab – Sofia, Sindélia, Ricardo, Catarina, Gonçalo, Ana Teresa, Filipe, Pedro, Dragana, Gabriela, Salomé, Ana Luísa, Ming. IBB was where I gave my first steps in Science. I will never forget that. I miss the laughs and the chilled-out environment, the coffee breaks and the shared long hours of work. A special thanks to Adriano, which helped me so much with the GFP paper. I will always remember his calm, generosity and friendly advices.

A word also for the friendly people that I have met in Glasgow. Vicky and Jill, my National Thrust mates, my cake and tea accomplices, my dearest friends. Amy, the sweetest flatmate/wee sister/colleague that I could have ever had. Roz & Jack, Steven & Betty, my sushi buddies, my absolutely coolest friends. Buddhini, my constant company in concerts throughout Glasgow. Of course I can not forget the boys, Nik, Zeeshan, Martin, Gary and Hussein. A big thank to the 10.30 o’clock tea team, Margaret, Willie, Margaret B., Jean, Barbara, James, Denise. To all the rest of the Parasitology group thanks for the cakes and enjoyable times - Eileen, Collette, Brian, Kerry, Brett, Vicky, Alan, Toni, Kristy, David, Fiona, Libby, Jane, Shreerekha. I can not forget the guys from the animal unit, David, Mike and all the rest.

The good memories of Glasgow are also made of the times spent with my Portuguese & Brazilian friends that shared with me the usual complains about the bloody rain, cold and lack of sun. They brought home a bit closer to my heart. We have had good times, usually involving cod and red wine, didn’t we? Thanks to Ricardo, Luís, Cíntia, Romain, André, Adriana, Miguel, Joana, Maurício and Alexandre.

My warmest thanks go to my long time friends. I do not need to list their qualities, I just know that I am very lucky to have them in my life. They love me in any circumstance, they know me inside out. Sara, Patrícia, Beta, Maria, Alex, Inês, Fernando, Vera, Patita, Jo, Filipa, Sílvia, Nuno, João F., João M., Joãzinho, Eunice, Isabel and Cláudia.

I would not be here without the unconditional love of my family. My love and admiration for them can not be measured. They are my reference of courage and honesty: my dad and my sister, my world; my auntie Elsa and uncle Luís, my cousins Miguel, Joana e André; my beloved extended family: Xana, Corda, Aura and António Simões, Sara and Ermelinda.

I would like to finish by saying that I have always dreamed to have the strength of character of my mom and grannies, Adelaide and Maria José. Having survived and loved every minute of this journey has made me feel that I am closer to be a bit like them.