About Us

Associate Laboratory for Animal & Veterinary Science

AL4AnimalS was born in 2021 following a successful application to the Associate Laboratory contest of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). AL4AnimalS was created to bring together and synergistically integrate the research of the three national R&D Centres (CIISA, CECA and CECAV) exclusively dedicated to animal and veterinary science, under the ONE HEALTH concept. This established a unique research platform in Portugal, designed to generate high-impact science and knowledge, and inform public policies on animal, public and environmental health, and their societal and economic challenges.

AL4AnimalS promotes collaborative research projects, joint postgraduate training and Masters and PhD student supervision, and the sharing of facilities and expertise, increasing the critical mass in ONE HEALTH research. Anchored in key formal partnerships with State Laboratories (INIAV, INSA), State Regulatory Agencies (DGAV) and an extensive network of national and international collaborations, AL4AnimalS is solidly grounded to stakeholders, addressing fundamental and applied research to pressing problems at both the national and global (planetary) levels.

The three R&D Centres are hosted by four Universities: CIISA from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMV-ULisboa, Coordinator); CECA from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Dr Abel Salazar (ICBAS – University of Porto) and from the University Fernando Pessoa (Porto); and CECAV from the University of Trás-Os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD, Vila Real).

Our Mission

AL4AnimalS develops fundamental and applied research designed to deliver innovative solutions to real-world problems with a national and global impact. Its mission is to tackle sustainability-related challenges in animal production and welfare, food security and safety, animal and public health, and environmental and biodiversity sustainability.

AL4AnimalS is committed to a set of strategic goals, which include:

Producing, disseminating and communicating high-quality research with a social impact
Contributing to public policies and addressing pressing scientific, economic and societal challenges
Promoting training, mobility and scientific employment, while translating research into value for industry and society
Securing competitive funding and fostering internationalisation

Facing Global Challenges

Animal and veterinary sciences are key to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2020-30, the FAO and WHO missions, as well as Portugal Innovation Agenda 2030.

AL4AnimalS focuses on three global challenges:

Ensuring safe and nutritious animal products for a growing human population through sustainable and ethical animal production systems
Controlling emerging infectious animal diseases and zoonoses, which have a devastating impact on production efficiency and public health
Innovating diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for animal diseases, and developing translational models for human health

Thematic Lines

AL4AnimalS addresses these major challenges through three Thematic Lines:

Green Animal Production

Advancing sustainable livestock production while protecting animal welfare and the environment, promoting consumer health, strengthening sector competitiveness, and adding value to traditional products.

Emerging Infectious Diseases & Zoonoses

Proactively controlling zoonoses and emerging animal diseases through innovative diagnostics, vaccine development, and surveillance strategies adapted to the growing effects of climate change.

Comparative & Translational Medicine and Biotechnology

Advancing innovative therapies in animal medicine and translational models of human disease, from preclinical research to clinical trials, to improve diagnostics, treatments, and health outcomes.

The Research Centres

AL4AnimalS brings together three leading research centres in Portugal. Together, they create a unique environment for veterinary and animal sciences.

Discover more about their history, expertise, and impact!