Neuroscience and Disease

Synapse Architeture and Ageing

Ageing

Cognitive decline

Synaptic nanoscale organization

Synaptic resilience

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Leader

Joana Ferreira

Researcher

joana.s.ferreira@uc.pt

Research lines

Define the nanoscale organization of synapses during ageing, focusing on trans-synaptic connections.

Determine how dynamic protein interactions regulate synaptic plasticity and how they change during ageing.

Characterize age-related changes in synaptic morphology and molecular composition

Identify molecular and structural mechanisms underlying synaptic vulnerability and cognitive decline

Determine the mechanisms that promote synaptic resilience during ageing, including potential sex-specific differences.

Home Research Research Groups

Overview

The Synapse Architecture Group investigates the nanoscale molecular and structural changes in synapses that underlie cognitive performance in ageing. Our primary goal is to understand how ageing affects synaptic function and contributes to cognitive decline associated with ageing. Using cutting-edge biochemistry, molecular imaging, and super-resolution microscopy, we explore how synaptic architecture evolves with ageing and how these changes impact neuronal communication. By investigating the nanoscale architecture of synapses and the intricate molecular interactions that underlie cognitive performance in ageing, we aim to uncover key principles of neuronal communication and plasticity in ageing. This fundamental knowledge is crucial for building a comprehensive understanding of brain function across the lifespan.

Team

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Joana Ferreira

Leader

Researcher
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João Martins

PhD Student

Publications

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Information about journal articles, updated at 09-08-2026, from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.

Neurexins, Ephrin Receptors and N-cadherin Signaling: Emerging Mechanisms in Synaptic Dysfunction and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Gonçalves-Martins, J.; Cação, Carlos; Ferreira, Joana S, 2026. Communications Biology. 2026. under revision Communications Biology

Neuronal ARHGAP8 controls synapse structure and AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission

Schmidt, Jeannette; Inácio, Ângela; Ferreira, Joana S; Serrenho, Débora; Socodato, Renato; Beltrão, Nuno; Ribeiro, Luís F; et al, 2026. Communications Biology. 2026. 10.1038/s42003-026-09884-5 . in press Communications Biology

3D-STORM-based nanoscale organization of NMDA receptors in hippocampal brain tissue

Ferreira, Joana S; Jeanne Linarès-Loyez; Pierre Bon; Laurent Cognet; Laurent Groc, 2025. STAR Protocols. 2025. published STAR Protocols

GluN3A subunit tunes NMDA receptor synaptic trafficking and content during postnatal brain development

Inmaculada M. González-González; John A. Gray; Joana Ferreira; María Jose Conde-Dusman; Delphine Bouchet; Isabel Perez-Otaño; Laurent Groc, 2023. Cell Reports. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112477 . 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112477 . Cell Reports

Near-Infrared Carbon Nanotube Tracking Reveals the Nanoscale Extracellular Space around Synapses

Paviolo, Chiara; Ferreira, Joana S.; Lee, Antony; Hunter, Daniel; Calaresu, Ivo; Nandi, Somen; Groc, Laurent; Cognet, Laurent, 2022. Nano Letters. 6849 - 6856. 17. 22. 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04259 . 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04259 . Nano Letters

CaMKII activation persistently segregates postsynaptic proteins via liquid phase separation

Tomohisa Hosokawa; Pin-Wu Liu; Qixu Cai; Joana S. Ferreira; Florian Levet; Corey Butler; Jean-Baptiste Sibarita; et al, 2021. Nature Neuroscience. 777 - 785. 6. 24. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-021-00843-3 . 10.1038/s41593-021-00843-3 . Nature Neuroscience

CaMKII activation triggers persistent formation and segregation of postsynaptic liquid phase

Tomohisa Hosokawa; Pin-Wu Liu; Qixu Cai; Joana S. Ferreira; Florian Levet; Corey Butler; Jean-Baptiste Sibarita; et al, 2021. Nature Neuroscience. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.25.397091 . 10.1101/2020.11.25.397091 . accepted Nature Neuroscience

Interplay between NMDA receptor dynamics and the synaptic proteasome

Joana S. Ferreira; Blanka Kellermayer; Ana Luísa Carvalho; Laurent Groc, 2021. European Journal of Neuroscience. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.15427 . 10.1111/ejn.15427 . European Journal of Neuroscience

A Bottom-Up Approach to Red-Emitting Molecular-Based Nanoparticles with Natural Stealth Properties and their Use for Single-Particle Tracking Deep in Brain Tissue.

Ferreira, Joana S, 2021. Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.). 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202006644 . 10.1002/adma.202006644 . Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

Distance-dependent regulation of NMDAR nanoscale organization along hippocampal neuron dendrites

Joana S. Ferreira; Julien P. Dupuis; Blanka Kellermayer; Nathan Bénac; Constance Manso; Delphine Bouchet; Florian Levet; et al, 2020. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1922477117 . 10.1073/pnas.1922477117 . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Fluorescent sp3 Defect-Tailored Carbon Nanotubes Enable NIR-II Single Particle Imaging in Live Brain Slices at Ultra-Low Excitation Doses

Amit Kumar Mandal; Xiaojian Wu; Joana S. Ferreira; Mijin Kim; Lyndsey R. Powell; Hyejin Kwon; Laurent Groc; YuHuang Wang; Laurent Cognet, 2020. Scientific Reports. 1. 10. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62201-w . 10.1038/s41598-020-62201-w . Scientific Reports

Self-Interference (SELFI) Microscopy for Live Super-Resolution Imaging and Single Particle Tracking in 3D

Ferreira, Joana S, 2019. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2019.00068 . 10.3389/fphy.2019.00068 .

Nanoscale exploration of the extracellular space in the live brain by combining single carbon nanotube tracking and super-resolution imaging analysis

Ferreira, Joana S, 2019. Methods (San Diego, Calif.). 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.03.005 . 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.03.005 . Methods (San Diego, Calif.)

Differential Nanoscale Topography and Functional Role of GluN2-NMDA Receptor Subtypes at Glutamatergic Synapses

Ferreira, Joana, 2018. Neuron. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2018.09.012 . 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.09.012 . Neuron

Co-agonists differentially tune GluN2B-NMDA receptor trafficking at hippocampal synapses

Joana S Ferreira; Thomas Papouin; Laurent Ladépêche; Andrea Yao; Valentin C Langlais; Delphine Bouchet; Jérôme Dulong; et al, 2017. eLife. 6. 2017. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25492 . 10.7554/eLife.25492 . eLife

Biotinylation and Purification of Plasma Membrane-associated Proteins from Rodent Cultured Neurons

Caldeira, Margarida; Ferreira, Joana; Carvalho, Ana; Duarte, Carlos, 2016. BIO-PROTOCOL. 10. 6. 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.21769/bioprotoc.1807 . 10.21769/bioprotoc.1807 . BIO-PROTOCOL

Multiple domains in the C-terminus of NMDA receptor GluN2B subunit contribute to neuronal death following in vitro ischemia.

Vieira MM; Schmidt J; Ferreira JS; She K; Oku S; Mele M; Santos AE; et al, 2016. 2016. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/26581639 . 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.11.007 .

Single nanoparticle tracking of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in cultured and intact brain tissue

Varela, J.A.; Ferreira, J.S.; Dupuis, J.P.; Durand, P.; Bouchet, D.; Groc, L.; Varela JA; et al, 2016. Neurophotonics. 4. 3. 2016. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84991525161&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1117/1.NPh.3.4.041808] . Neurophotonics

GluN2B-Containing NMDA Receptors Regulate AMPA Receptor Traffic through Anchoring of the Synaptic Proteasome

Ferreira, J. S.; Schmidt, J.; Rio, P.; Águas, R.; Rooyakkers, A.; Li, K. W.; Smit, A. B.; Craig, A. M.; Carvalho, A. L., 2015. J Neurosci. 8462 - 79. 22. 35. 2015. 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3567-14.2015 . J Neurosci

Glutamate binding to the GluN2B subunit controls surface trafficking of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.

She K; Ferreira JS; Carvalho AL; Craig AM, 2012. 2012. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/22740692 . 10.1074/jbc.M112.345108 .

Contactin-associated protein 1 (Caspr1) regulates the traffic and synaptic content of a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors.

Santos SD; Iuliano O; Ribeiro L; Veran J; Ferreira JS; Rio P; Mulle C; Duarte CB; Carvalho AL, 2012. 2012. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/22223644 . 10.1074/jbc.M111.322909 .

Activity and protein kinase C regulate synaptic accumulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors independently of GluN1 splice variant.

Ferreira JS; Rooyakkers A; She K; Ribeiro L; Carvalho AL; Craig AM, 2011. 2011. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/21676872 . 10.1074/jbc.M111.222539 .

Characterization of alternatively spliced isoforms of AMPA receptor subunits encoding truncated receptors.

Gomes AR; Ferreira JS; Paternain AV; Lerma J; Duarte CB; Carvalho AL, 2008. 2008. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/18065236 . 10.1016/j.mcn.2007.10.008 .

5 23 out of 23 Publications

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