Brazil
This is an Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility project of Leiden University’s Faculty of Medicine with Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz in Brazil.
Types of mobility:
|
Project duration:
|
About the project
This Erasmus+ ICM project supports collaboration between Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) in Brazil.
Although researchers from both institutions have collaborated for more than three decades, the Erasmus+ programme provides an opportunity to deepen and formalise these connections through staff exchanges, joint supervision and doctoral training. The project focuses on strengthening research and educational collaboration in the field of infectious diseases while creating sustainable links between researchers, laboratories and academic programmes.
Building bridges between Leiden and Rio de Janeiro
A key achievement of the project has been the strengthening of collaboration between Professor Annemieke Geluk (LUMC) and Dr Cristiana de Macedo (Fiocruz). Through reciprocal visits to Brazil and the Netherlands, both researchers explored new scientific opportunities, exchanged expertise and developed future research plans together. These face-to-face interactions proved essential for building trust, stimulating creativity and identifying new avenues for collaboration.
The mobility programme also enabled both institutions to gain greater insight into each other’s scientific infrastructure, research expertise and educational structures, creating a stronger foundation for long-term cooperation.
-
Annemieke Geluk during one of her visits to Fiocruz, Brazil. -
Annemieke Geluk during one of her visits to Fiocruz, Brazil. -
Annemieke Geluk during one of her visits to Fiocruz, Brazil.
A pioneering joint PhD trajectory
At the heart of the collaboration is a joint doctoral project involving PhD candidate Matheus Rogério Almeida. Through a 'sandwich' PhD programme, co-funded by LUMC Global, he spent part of each year at LUMC and the remainder at Fiocruz, benefiting from supervision and training at both institutions. This arrangement became the first cotutelle PhD trajectory between Fiocruz and a Dutch institution.
During his mobility periods in Leiden, Almeida received advanced training in:
- Molecular biology techniques, including quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- Immunological assays
- Transcriptomics and proteomics
- Bioinformatics
- Scientific communication and academic writing
In addition to strengthening his technical skills, the experience enabled him to build an international network and serve as an important bridge between researchers in Brazil and the Netherlands.
"Once I had the opportunity to visit the partner institution, I was able to learn new methodologies that I can bring back to my home institution. This exchange of knowledge strengthens cooperation between institutions and contributes to the internationalization of the home institution."
Matheus Almeida, PhD candidate at Fiocruz
Read more about Matheus's experience
"During my PhD journey, I have had the opportunity to grow in many different ways, both professionally and personally. Professionally, I gained valuable knowledge through the courses I attended at LUMC and Fiocruz, which provided me with a strong foundation in academic writing, scientific communication, and topics directly related to my research, such as immunology and the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.
In addition, I had the opportunity to learn different techniques and also the privilege of attending lectures and seminars given by researchers from different parts of the world. These experiences exposed me to a wide range of scientific practices, topics, and perspectives, helping me broaden my knowledge and further develop my critical thinking skills."
"Beyond the academic aspects, conducting part of my PhD in another country was a truly enriching experience. It allowed me to immerse myself in a different culture, learn new customs, and gain perspectives that I would not have encountered otherwise. I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people and build friendships that I will cherish for many years to come.
I am deeply grateful for the time I spent abroad. Without the collaboration between LUMC and Fiocruz, these experiences and opportunities would not have been possible. I would especially like to thank my supervisors for their guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this journey. This journey has not only shaped me as a researcher but has also contributed significantly to my personal growth."
Researching better diagnostics for tuberculosis and leprosy
The scientific focus of the collaboration is the development of improved diagnostic approaches for mycobacterial diseases, particularly tuberculosis and leprosy.
Brazil remains a high-burden country for both diseases, where diagnosis can still depend on costly and time-consuming laboratory methods. Researchers from Fiocruz and LUMC are therefore investigating transcriptomic and proteomic biomarkers that could help distinguish different mycobacterial infections and predict disease progression.
By combining patient samples collected in Brazil with advanced analytical technologies available at LUMC, the team aims to identify host-derived biomarkers that may contribute to faster, more accurate and more accessible diagnostic tools in the future.
Scientific achievements
The collaboration between LUMC and Fiocruz has generated significant scientific output. During the PhD trajectory, two peer-reviewed papers were published, a third manuscript was submitted and additional publications are currently in preparation.
Recent publications
- Proteomic and transcriptomic host biomarkers for the detection of pleural tuberculosis (2026)
- Advancing leprosy risk prediction through identification of a whole-blood host transcriptomic biomarker signature, including non-coding genes (2025)
- Glycosylation profile of mycobatcterium leprae-specific antibodies associated with disseminated infection (accepted for publication 28 May 2026)
Research findings were also presented at national and international scientific meetings, including LUCID, LiTBC, the NVVI Congress and the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.
Impact beyond mobility
The Erasmus+ ICM project demonstrates how mobility can act as a catalyst for broader institutional collaboration. Beyond the exchanges themselves, the project:
- Established the first Fiocruz–Netherlands cotutelle PhD trajectory;
- Strengthened institutional internationalisation efforts at Fiocruz;
- Created new collaborations in infectious disease diagnostics and vaccine research;
- Facilitated knowledge transfer on advanced technologies and laboratory techniques;
- Contributed to capacity building for the future Biomolecule Analysis Core at Fiocruz's Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS).
Looking ahead
The partners intend to continue and expand their collaboration after the conclusion of the current Erasmus+ ICM project. Existing activities on tuberculosis, leprosy and host-derived biomarkers will continue, while new collaborations are emerging in vaccine research and advanced biomolecular analysis. The successful experiences gained through this project are expected to open opportunities for future PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and staff exchanges between Brazil and the Netherlands.
The Erasmus+ mobility programme has therefore not only strengthened existing relationships but has also laid the groundwork for a sustainable and growing strategic partnership between LUMC and Fiocruz.