Drug Repurposing Next-Gen: Interview with Filipa Lopes (University of Porto)
Filipa Lopes is a specialist in Bioethics, with a background in Biology and Applied Microbiology. She’s currently pursuing her PhD as part of the Ethics team within REPO4EU, where she’s conducting rigorous ethical analysis to ensure all the activities carried by the partners in the project adhere to the highest ethical standards — from animal welfare to patient data protection. In this interview, Filipa shares her journey as a young bioethicist and reflects on the importance of conducting research responsibly.
The role of Bioethics in scientific research
Hi Filipa! Let’s start with the beginning of your scientific journey. What inspired you to pursue a career in science?
My journey started with a Bachelor's in Biology at the University of Porto, followed by a Master's in Applied Microbiology at the Catholic University of Portugal. It was during my master's thesis, where I explored the bioethics of genome editing, that I discovered my passion for bioethics. That interest led me to pursue further specialisation, including a post-graduate degree in animal welfare. Professionally, I worked in evidence-based veterinary medicine before joining REPO4EU as a research fellow focused on ethics. I've also taken courses in clinical and research ethics, which further shaped my perspective.
For those unfamiliar with the term, can you explain what bioethics is and why it's important?
Bioethics is, in short, the way to do science with rules and values. It provides researchers with principles and guidelines that help ensure their work is done responsibly. In the rush to publish or innovate, some might overlook ethical considerations, and that’s where bioethics steps in — to define boundaries, safeguard participants and protect the integrity of research.
And when it comes to powerful technologies like genome editing or AI, what are the key ethical concerns?
Technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 are revolutionary but also raise serious ethical questions. While they offer incredible opportunities, they can also be misused, even for things like bioterrorism. We must apply a precautionary principle — thinking through consequences, risks and societal implications before using such tools, especially in humans.
In the case of Artificial Intelligence, this is still a new world for many of us, and its ethical implications are vast. Issues like bias, transparency, and accountability need careful attention. We're still learning how to navigate this space, but our goal as bioethicists is to ensure that new tools are used responsibly.
You mentioned you did a post-graduate course in animal welfare. What attracted you about this area specifically?
Animal welfare is essential in clinical research. In Europe we have to follow very strict rules and adhere to the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. This means we always strive to minimise animal use, improve their living conditions and replace them when alternatives exist. I’m very passionate about this subject because I do understand that, in some instances, it is necessary to use animals for research because it’s for a huge end — for example, for clinical trials for cancer — but we must do so respectfully and ethically, always.
Developing an ethics-by-design framework for REPO4EU
Let’s talk about your work in the REPO4EU project. What is your role within this European consortium?
I’m currently pursuing my PhD within the ethics team at REPO4EU. We take an ethics-by-design approach to create tools like ethics self-assessment templates for all work packages, helping researchers in the project identify and address ethical issues from the start. We also develop information sheets and consent forms tailored for clinical trials, organise training on research ethics and open science, and ensure compliance across sensitive topics such as data privacy, use of human tissue, animal welfare and the integration of AI.
You mentioned open science and research integrity, how do these two fit in?
Research integrity deals with values and norms that distinguish acceptable from unacceptable scientific behavior, while research ethics applies foundational principles to protect participants and ensure transparency. Open science, in turn, promotes inclusiveness and democratic access to knowledge. Together, they create a framework for ethical, responsible and impactful research.
Have you encountered any challenges in getting researchers to adhere to this ethical framework?
Thankfully, no. Most researchers involved in REPO4EU already had a strong understanding of the importance of ethics. The biggest challenge we face is staying updated with everything happening across such a large, multidisciplinary project; it takes time to connect with all work packages and ensure alignment, but it's essential for applying our ethics-by-design framework effectively.
And what has it been like working with such a diverse, transdisciplinary team?
It’s both exciting and complex. Each REPO4EU partner brings a different expertise and degree of knowledge across AI, clinical trials, legal frameworks… as bioethicists, we need to understand enough of each field to offer meaningful ethical guidance; this means constantly learning and adapting. But I really enjoy this aspect of my work, it's one of the most enriching parts of the project.
Advice for young scientists and future researchers
What’s one key message you’d like other researchers to take from our conversation?
Be a responsible researcher. Embrace integrity, curiosity, honesty and resilience — and above all, respect science and the people involved in it. It's not just about the results, but about how we get there. Ethics, values and norms should guide everything we do.
And, drawing from your own journey and experiences, what advice would you give to a young person thinking of pursuing a scientific career?
Follow what makes you happy. Science isn’t easy, especially in countries like Portugal where funding is limited, but if it’s your passion, go for it! Be aware of the challenges, but don’t let them stop you. Resilience and love for what you do will carry you forward.
REPO4EU: The Podcast
Our podcast brings listeners closer to the latest innovations, research and developments happening in drug repurposing across the globe. The first season, ‘Drug Repurposing Next-Gen’, spotlights the work of PhD researchers, post-docs and young investigators involved in REPO4EU, exploring their role in the project as well as their career journeys. New episodes will be released monthly. Stay tuned for the next one!
Drug Repurposing Next-Gen: Interview with Dr. Fernando Delgado-Chávez (University of Hamburg)
Dr. Fernando Delgado-Chávez is a bioinformatician and computational biologist with an expertise in generative AI, currently working as Junior Group Leader at University of Hamburg’s Institute for Computational Systems Biology (CoSyBio). In this interview he talks about his journey so far as a young and reputed scientist, how AI can truly become an ally for researchers, and how he’s using network medicine principles to build software systems for the REPO4EU platform.
Building a solid career in Bioinformatics
Hi Fernando! Let’s start at the beginning: what led you to pursue a career in science?
That’s always a tricky question, when you’re 18 no one really knows what they want to be doing for the next 40 years! But in my case, as a teenager, I was fascinated by biology. I was amazed by how cells store so much information in their DNA, this genetic “code” that makes up who we are. I’ve always been curious about how the body works at the microscopic level, and I knew I wanted to do something that could help people. I wasn’t suited to work in a hospital — I’m actually afraid of blood! — but I knew I could contribute through other areas.
You studied biotechnology and then specialised in bioinformatics and health biotechnology. For people unfamiliar with those fields, how would you explain what they involve?
Essentially, biology, medicine and computer science all go hand in hand now. Bioinformatics is about studying how cells work, not just piece by piece, but as a whole system and it involves lots of data processing; that’s where computer science comes in. We can now analyse huge datasets and understand complex diseases in ways that weren’t possible before. It’s definitely an exciting time to be doing this kind of work.
After your postgraduate studies, you decided to do a PhD instead of going into industry. What made you choose that path and what was the focus of your research?
What really drove me was my love of learning. A PhD is very different from previous studies, it requires a lot of self-guided discovery, digging deep into topics that interest you, and that autonomy really suited me.
My research was about understanding what goes wrong in our cells when complex diseases like cancer develop. I focused on analysing gene expression; essentially, which genes are being “switched on” or “off” in diseased versus healthy cells. It’s like working with massive spreadsheets of numbers that represent biological activity, and we used computational algorithms to identify disrupted mechanisms. The goal was to create a system for interpreting this data and finding new therapeutic targets.
You’re now based in Hamburg, working at the Institute for Computational Systems Biology. What does your current role look like?
I started in Hamburg as a postdoctoral researcher, continuing my work on algorithms and disease mechanisms. While working with the CoSyBio team, I’ve also discovered a new passion: generative AI. In my research, I now focus mostly on how tools like ChatGPT can make biomedical research more efficient. And as a Junior Group Leader, I also manage a small team of master’s and bachelor’s students, so I spend a lot of time mentoring, strategizing and collaborating. It’s a real mix of hands-on research and project management.
Generative AI is such a hot topic right now. What would you say to researchers who are skeptical or nervous about using these tools?
AI is transforming the way we work across so many industries, and it’s here to stay, but we need to learn how to make the most of it. In research, for example, there’s just too much information out there, hundreds of new papers are published every week and it would take a lifetime to catch up and read everything.
AI tools like DrugRepoChatter, which I spearheaded the development for, can help us sift through a high volume of scientific literature much faster, which in turn makes the whole research process more streamlined and efficient. Of course, responsible use is key. Just like we once had to learn how to use Google effectively, now we need proper training on how to use AI wisely.
Building the REPO4EU platform with a network medicine approach
Let’s talk about your involvement in REPO4EU. What’s your role in the project?
I’m part of Work Package 2, where we build the bioinformatics software that powers the REPO4EU platform. I work on designing user-friendly tools that help researchers analyse molecular data to identify the root causes of disease, using the principles of network medicine. But I also contribute beyond that. I see myself as a generalist, and I’m also passionate about science communication and user-centred design, which is something I bring to the table within the context of the project. I spend a lot of time talking to future users of the platform to make sure we’re building something truly useful.
One of the aspects I love the most about being part of this project is that I get to work with experts from many different disciplines: computer scientists, clinicians, legal experts, communication teams… It’s an amazing learning opportunity, and it reflects how science really works today — it’s never in isolation.
In a nutshell, what is the REPO4EU platform and who is it for?
The platform is still in development, but its goal is to streamline the entire drug repurposing process. First, it helps researchers analyse biomolecular data to identify what’s going wrong inside a patient’s cells. Then it helps find existing drugs that could potentially target those disruptions. From there, researchers can use the platform to plan and manage preclinical and even early-phase clinical trials, and it also provides guidance on patents and regulatory issues. It’s an all-in-one online hub for anyone working on drug repurposing.
Advice for young scientists and future researchers
You said earlier that you enjoy communicating about science and exploring creative ways of making research more accessible to others. Do you see science and creativity as areas that go hand in hand?
Definitely. Science is one of the most creative activities I can think of. We’re constantly thinking of new ideas, solving problems, and designing experiments. Creativity is essential to innovation, and I think there’s a huge overlap between artistic thinking and scientific thinking.
Actually, before diving into science, I worked as a wedding photographer and did a lot of social media content. I’ve always been passionate about visual storytelling, and I think that background really shaped my approach to science communication. I strongly believe that scientists should be more visible, we need to give science a face so people can see beyond the data and the numbers. Social media can be a great tool to bridge that gap, that’s why I’m very active on LinkedIn, because it’s a great way to share my work with wider audiences.
Let’s finish our conversation with a piece of advice for young people considering a career in science. What would you say to them?
Don’t be afraid of science. I wasn’t the best student in chemistry or maths, but I was passionate about biology and I stayed curious. Science teaches you how to think critically, how to solve problems, and how to collaborate. Even if you don’t end up working in science forever, the skills you gain will shape your thinking for life. If you’re curious and you love learning, then you’re probably already on the right path.
REPO4EU: The Podcast
Our podcast brings listeners closer to the latest innovations, research and developments happening in drug repurposing across the globe. The first season, ‘Drug Repurposing Next-Gen’, spotlights the work of PhD researchers, post-docs and young investigators involved in REPO4EU, exploring their role in the project as well as their career journeys. New episodes will be released monthly. Stay tuned for the next one!
Drug Repurposing Next-Gen: Interview with Johannes Kersting (Technical University of Munich)
Johannes Kersting is a bioinformatician and PhD student at DaiSyBio, the research group led by Prof. Markus List at the Technical University of Munich. In this interview he talks about his journey into bioinformatics, what motivates him as a researcher, and how he’s building a data-driven knowledge base for drug repurposing as part of his involvement in REPO4EU.
A clearly defined path towards Bioinformatics
Johannes, you’ve focused all your studies in Bioinformatics so far, including your degree, masters and now your doctorate. What first drew you to this field in particular?
What attracted me to bioinformatics was how it brings together so many scientific disciplines. I enjoyed science in school — especially problem-solving — but wasn’t sure which field to focus on. Bioinformatics offered a mix of biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and even physics. That interdisciplinary nature really appealed to me.
And what’s your favourite part about working as a bioinformatician?
I’ve always liked programming, so the computer science side was a big plus. But what really stood out was that bioinformatics is still a relatively young field. It emerged because biology started producing so much data that people needed new tools to make sense of it all. Since it’s still evolving, there’s a lot of room to contribute and shape the direction of the field, and that’s very exciting to me.
After finishing your masters, you chose to do a PhD, instead of going into industry. What made you take the academic route?
Mainly the chance for personal growth. In academia, you're constantly learning new things and being challenged with new problems. In the last two years alone, I’ve grown so much, not just in terms of knowledge, but in how I think and approach problems. That continuous learning is a big motivator for me.
What’s the main focus of your PhD research?
I’m studying gene regulation in the context of complex diseases. These diseases are often influenced by changes in how genes are regulated, so understanding those mechanisms can help us better understand disease progression — and ultimately improve treatments, including drug repurposing strategies.
Building a knowledge base for drug repurposing
Let’s talk a bit about your role in REPO4EU. What’s your main contribution to the project?
I work on the REPO4EU knowledge base. Drug repurposing relies on huge amounts of data, from drug-target interactions to side effects and disease associations. This information exists, but it’s scattered across different databases; our goal is to bring all of that together into a unified, accessible knowledge graph. That way, researchers across the project — and eventually, the wider scientific community — can work with the data more effectively.
On a day-to-day basis, what does this work entail?
It requires a lot of programming! I spend most days integrating new data sources, writing and testing code, and making sure everything is up to date. We’re building on an existing resource called NeDRex and extending it for REPO4EU. It’s very hands-on, which I really enjoy.
REPO4EU brings together people from a wide range of backgrounds — clinicians, software developers, legal experts, data scientists. Have you seen any benefits to being part of a diverse consortium?
I believe having an interdisciplinary approach in a project like REPO4EU is absolutely essential. Drug repurposing spans so many areas of expertise that no one person could master them all. You need people from pharmacology, biology, bioinformatics, software engineering, law, and more. Collaborating with people from other disciplines not only helps me solve problems more effectively, it also helps me see things from a different perspective. There are many examples I can think about that reflect this!
Is there one example in particular that comes to mind?
Yes, a small but funny one! A student in our group built a web tool that visualises gene interactions. We used technical gene identifiers that are easier for computers to handle. But then we got feedback from biologists in the project who said, “These numbers don’t mean anything to us!” So we changed it to use more readable gene names. It’s a great reminder that even if biotechnologists have a biology background, we’re not the end users, and working with peers from different disciplines help us achieve the best route that works for all of us.
Before joining REPO4EU, were you familiar with drug repurposing as a field?
Not really! I had a general idea, but I learned most of what I know now through my PhD and being involved in REPO4EU. What keeps me interested is how relevant this field is becoming. Drug repurposing won’t just be a “nice to have”, it will be a necessity. And like bioinformatics, it’s a young and evolving space, there are still many open questions, which means there’s room for creativity and innovation.
A word of advice for young researchers
Being a researcher can be challenging sometimes. What keeps you motivated to do what you do?
Honestly, I just really enjoy solving problems, that’s what drives me. It could be any research area — if there’s a challenge, I’m in. But I also draw a lot of inspiration from my team. Discussions with my supervisor, my colleagues at DaiSyBio, and collaborators in REPO4EU really help me develop and refine ideas. Those conversations are often where abstract concepts start to feel real, and it also helps me feel supported in my journey.
To wrap up, what advice would you give to a young researcher just starting out?
I’m still early in my career myself, so I don’t think I’ve been doing this long enough to give wise advice! But, if I have to say something that could’ve helped me at the beginning of my research career, I’d say: don’t get intimidated by how much you don’t know. That feeling is completely normal. When I started my PhD, I realised I knew way less than I thought I did — but that’s part of the journey. It gets better with time, and you really do learn something new every day. You’ll never know everything, and that’s okay.
REPO4EU: The Podcast
Our podcast brings listeners closer to the latest innovations, research and developments happening in drug repurposing across the globe. The first season, ‘Drug Repurposing Next-Gen’, spotlights the work of PhD researchers, post-docs and young investigators involved in REPO4EU, exploring their role in the project as well as their career journeys. New episodes will be released monthly. Stay tuned for the next one!
Drug Repurposing Next-Gen: Interview with Dr. Ana Casas (University Hospital Essen)
Dr. Ana Casas is Assistant Professor in Neurology at University Hospital Essen in Germany, where she also leads a research group focused on network pharmacology for neurovascular diseases. In this interview she shares insights into her academic journey, challenges as a young researcher, and her involvement in the REPO4EU project as work package leader.
An academic journey fuelled by a passion for science
Ana, your academic background is fascinating—it combines neurology, pharmacology, and biotechnology. What led you to pursue these fields?
Like many scientists, I was driven by curiosity. As a kid, I loved learning how the body works. I was fascinated by forensic science TV shows, which sparked my interest in biology. When the time came to choose a degree, biotechnology was still new in Spain, but I decided to go for it. Later, during my studies, I became particularly interested in pharmacology—understanding how drugs work and how we can improve them. That led me to specialize in neuropharmacology during my master's.
For those unfamiliar with the term, can you briefly explain what neuropharmacology is?
Of course! Neuropharmacology focuses on the development and understanding of drugs that target neurological, psychiatric, and neurovascular disorders—such as stroke, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s. In my case, I specialized in neurovascular diseases and the mechanisms underlying conditions like brain ischemia.
What made you look for new opportunities outside of Spain?
It was quite unexpected! During my master’s, I worked on a neurovascular disease in a lab that collaborated with Professor Harald Schmidt at Maastricht University, who is now the REPO4EU coordinator. When I was finishing my master’s, he offered me a PhD position. Two days after submitting my thesis, I moved to the Netherlands and started my PhD research.
What was the focus of your PhD?
I continued researching neurovascular diseases, but at a more mechanistic level—trying to identify specific targets and potential drugs to treat brain ischemia. My goal was to validate new therapeutic approaches for stroke patients.
Many young researchers would agree that PhD journeys are full of opportunities but also challenges. What were some of the biggest obstacles you faced?
Science comes with constant challenges. You’re fighting the unknown, dealing with technical difficulties, and facing personal struggles. Moving abroad at 22, starting from scratch, handling bureaucracy in a foreign language—it was tough for me. But if there’s one thing a PhD teaches you, it’s resilience. You learn to cope with frustration, adapt, and always have a Plan B, C, or even D!
What kept you going?
Passion. Science isn’t just a job—it’s a vocation. You need to believe in your work, your field, and your team. That passion fuels you even in the toughest moments.
Joining REPO4EU and redefining the future of medicine
Let’s talk about REPO4EU. How did you get involved in this EU-funded initiative?
By the time REPO4EU started, I had moved to Germany, but I maintained my collaboration with Professor Schmidt. Given my expertise in preclinical research and animal studies, I was invited to join the project. It was a natural continuation of our work together.
What’s your role in the project?
REPO4EU is a large consortium covering everything from target identification to business development. My work focuses on preclinical validation—testing potential therapies in vitro and in vivo before they move to clinical trials. Essentially, we lay the foundation for later stages of drug development.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is key in such projects. How has working with experts from different fields influenced your approach?
It’s been a game-changer. Scientists often get stuck in their niche, but projects like REPO4EU push us beyond that. I work with clinicians, bioinformaticians, patenting experts, and business strategists—all with the shared goal of improving medicine. It’s a unique and enriching experience.
Drug repurposing has been gaining a lot of traction in the last few years. How does it feel to be part of this movement?
It’s incredibly exciting! Our work has the potential to redefine medicine—not just by accelerating drug development but by making treatments more accessible and efficient. Being part of something that can impact healthcare at a global level is truly rewarding.
A word of advice for young researchers
To wrap up, drawing from your own experiences, what advice would you give to young scientists considering a research career?
Fight for your passion. Science isn’t easy, and the path won’t be straightforward, but if it’s what you love, it will be worth it. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do—believe in yourself and push forward.
REPO4EU: The Podcast
Our podcast brings listeners closer to the latest innovations, research and developments happening in drug repurposing across the globe. The first season, ‘Drug Repurposing Next-Gen’, spotlights the work of PhD researchers, post-docs and young investigators involved in REPO4EU, exploring their role in the project as well as their career journeys. New episodes will be released monthly. Stay tuned for the next one!