01 /
Plasmid biology & horizontal gene transfer
Transmission, persistence and interactions of plasmids, including their role in the spread of bacterial traits.
MOBILE GENETIC ELEMENTSEvolutionary Ecology of
Microorganisms
We study how bacteria evolve, interact and exchange genes — and what these processes mean for antimicrobial resistance, virulence and public health.
Francisco Dionísio Associate Professor with Habilitation
Faculty of Sciences · University of Lisbon
MICROBIAL SYSTEMS
01 / 04
EVOLUTION × ECOLOGY × GENETICS
FD / 26
RESEARCH ACROSS MOLECULES, CELLS & POPULATIONS
SCROLL TO DISCOVER
01 / ABOUT
A quantitative approach to biological questions.
I am an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon. Our research is centered on bacterial evolution and the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
Our work combines laboratory experimentation with computational and mathematical models to investigate how genetic interactions, horizontal gene transfer and ecological context shape evolutionary outcomes.
A complementary line of research explores the human and psychological factors associated with antibiotic use, connecting microbiology to broader public-health questions.
02 / RESEARCH AREAS
Questions that drive our research.
From the dynamics of mobile genetic elements to the ecological and behavioural dimensions of antimicrobial resistance.
02 /
Antimicrobial resistance & virulence
Evolutionary and genomic processes shaping antibiotic resistance and the distribution of virulence-associated genes.
BACTERIAL ADAPTATION
03 /
Microbial social evolution
Cooperation, competition, genetic conflict and social interactions in bacterial populations, using experimental and theoretical approaches.
EVOLUTIONARY THEORY
04 /
Antibiotic use & human behaviour
Psychological and social factors associated with antibiotic use and prescription, including research on infancy and family context.
ONE HEALTH & BEHAVIOUR
03 / BOOK
A book on genetic conflicts.
Science communication · Published in Portuguese
FRANCISCO DIONÍSIO · BIZÂNCIO · 2011
Uma Tampa Para Cada Tacho
Conflitos genéticos e evolução
A book in Portuguese
View book at Wook
04 / SCHOLARLY OUTPUT
Publications.
Search and filter the indexed publications and selected additional works included in the attached profiles.
Preprints and book works are listed separately. Some author strings are abbreviated as in the export; check original records for complete metadata.
05 / ACADEMIC LIFE
Research, teaching & mentorship.
My academic work brings together evolutionary microbiology, quantitative methods and training of the next generation of biologists, microbiologists and researchers.
Academic appointments
2023 — present*
Associate Professor with Habilitation
Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon
2006 — 2023
Assistant Professor
University of Lisbon
2000
PhD in Microbiology
Université Paris VII Denis Diderot
1995
Five-year degree in Physics Engineering
Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon
Teaching & academic service
Teaching at bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, including bioinformatics, evolution of microorganisms, evolutionary biology in medicine and computational approaches to biology.
I have coordinated the MSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics (2019-2025), following a period coordinating the MSc in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (2010–2019).
Experience supervising MSc and PhD research projects.
06 / GET IN TOUCH
Let's talk
Let's talk
science.
Interested in collaboration, research discussions or academic exchange? Get in touch.
fadionisio@ciencias.ulisboa.pt