Universidade Do Porto Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas De Abel Salazar Pedro

Aknowledgements To Prof. Doutor Manuel Teixeira, supervisor of this thesis, for the opportunity of doing research in oncology, for all the support during the development of this work and for being available all the time. To Dra. Ana Peixoto, co-supervisor of this thesis, for all the knowledge, ideas and great support provided. Thank you for all the motivation given during this last year. To all the colleagues in the Genetics Department, for receiving me so well and providing me a friendly work environment. To Isabel and Patricia, for helping me throughout the development of this thesis. To Catarina and Carla, for all the friendship, advice and support. To Manuela, a special thanks for the constant support and encouragement. And for all the fun moments spent together. To my family, for everything they taught me and for being present in all moments. To Andreia, for the love, friendship, affection and patience. None of this would have been possible without you.