Patrícia Henriques Wins L'Oréal Honour Medal
The i3S researcher Patrícia Henriques has been awarded one of the four L'Oréal Portugal and Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) Honour Medals, under the annual "Women in Science" prize, which is part of the international L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme. The scientist will receive 15,000 euros to develop GOcap®, an innovative, reusable cap for catheters used in haemodialysis, which eliminates bacteria using light and graphene without the need for antibiotics.
Catheter-related infections are a frequent and serious complication in patients with renal failure, who rely on haemodialysis to survive. It is estimated that 3.2 million people worldwide have this condition, and approximately 80% begin treatment with central venous catheters, exposing them to infections that can have a mortality rate of up to 15% and cost over 37,000 euros per incident.
GOcap®, explains Patrícia Henriques, "uses near-infrared light and graphene oxide to disinfect the inside of the catheter in a safe, localised, and effective manner. It is reusable, reduces plastic waste production, and avoids the use of antibiotics, which makes it a sustainable and disruptive solution."
In addition to improving the care provided to haemodialysis patients, this innovative cap will also contribute to changing the prevention of hospital infections, as it is a more effective, sustainable, and antibiotic-free method. "The realisation of this project will generate scientific knowledge in an emerging area: the application of light-activated graphene-based materials as an antimicrobial solution in medical devices. Although the antimicrobial potential of light-activated graphene is already known, the mechanisms of action—such as the combination of localised temperature increase (photothermal effect) and the production of oxidative compounds (photodynamic effect)—are not yet fully understood," underlines the i3S researcher.
This project, Patrícia Henriques emphasises, "has been developed in collaboration with i3S, INESC-TEC, Hospital de S. João, Diaverum (a global dialysis service provider), and the start-up GOTECH Antimicrobial, which I co-founded to ensure the translation of this technology to the market. This direct link between science, clinic, and industry allows us to respond effectively to needs identified by healthcare professionals and industry, ensuring that the device is aligned with hospital realities and with regulatory and clinical adoption criteria."
By combining fundamental research with technological development and clinical and regulatory validation, Patrícia Henriques adds, "GOcap® could serve as a basis for future photoactivated—antibiotic-free—disinfection strategies applicable to other medical devices, positioning Portugal and Europe as leaders in innovative solutions to combat hospital infections and antimicrobial resistance."
The Other Medallists
In addition to Patrícia Henriques, the following researchers were awarded an L'Oréal Honour Medal: Celine Gonçalves (Institute for Research in Life and Health Sciences (ICVS), University of Minho), Paola Alberte (IST-ID, Instituto Superior Técnico, in Lisbon), and Ana Rita Lopes (Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon). The four researchers, all with doctorates, were selected from several dozen candidates based on the relevance of their projects submitted in 2024. The selection was made by a scientific jury chaired by Alexandre Quintanilha, a retired full professor from UP and Honorary Researcher at i3S.
About Patrícia Henriques
With a degree in Bioengineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) and a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from the same Faculty, Patrícia Henriques began her research work on graphene-based antibacterial biomaterials for haemodialysis catheters at i3S, in collaboration with LEPABE/FEUP. After completing her doctorate under the supervision of researcher Inês Gonçalves, Patrícia Henriques then undertook a post-doctorate, also at i3S, subsequently taking on the role of project manager for a Wellcome Trust Foundation Innovator Award, focused on the development of GOcap®.
Currently, Patrícia Henriques is a Junior Researcher in the "Advanced Graphene Biomaterials" research group at i3S and co-founder, as well as CSO & COO, of GO Antimicrobial Technologies, Lda (GOTECH Antimicrobial) – a start-up established in December of 2021, dedicated to the development of innovative antimicrobial solutions for combating infections associated with medical devices.
About the L'Oréal Portugal Honour Medals for Women in Science
L'Oréal's support for women in science formally began in 1998, with a partnership with UNESCO, which led to the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme, annually awarding five established female scientists, one from each region of the world. This international programme served as inspiration for dozens of local initiatives aimed at young female researchers, supporting them to continue their scientific careers and to raise awareness among decision-makers and society in general — for science without gender barriers. It was within this context that the L'Oréal Portugal Honour Medals for Women in Science were established in 2004. This national initiative annually recognises young, doctoral-level female scientists, up to the age of 35 (plus one year for each child), with promising projects in the areas of Science, Engineering, and Technologies for Health or the Environment.
Since 2014, over 70 young female researchers have been recognised in Portugal, including 11 from the i3S/founding institutes: Sandra Sousa (IBMC, 2005), Maria José Oliveira (INEB, 2009), Inês Gonçalves (INEB, 2014), Joana Tavares (IBMC, 2014), Sónia Melo (Ipatimup, 2015), Maria Inês Almeida (i3S, 2017), Joana Caldeira (i3S, 2019), Sandra Tavares (i3S, 2021), Andreia Pereira (i3S, 2022), Mariana Osswald (i3S, 2023), and now Patrícia Henriques (i3S, 2024).