- CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, GENETICS AND BIOINFORMATICS / BCM-GBResearch Lines:
1.1. Immunology of Infectious Parasitic Diseases.
Description: investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of pathology or resistance to infections, identifying parasites antigens and development of vaccines.
Research Projects
- Identification of phlebotomines saliva components for animal vaccination.
- Identification of populations and sub cell populations of peripheral blood and its correlation with the pathology of the disease.
- Identification of immunogenic proteins of schistosomulum tegument of Schistosoma mansoni and evaluation of immune protection induced by these antigens.
- The importance of innate immunity molecules in response to infection by Herpes simplex Virus type 1.
- Immunopathogenesis of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax.
- New antigens of Schistosoma mansoni for the diagnosis of active infection and cure control.
- The role of Subpopulations of circulating monocytes in Vivax Malaria.
- Inhibitory receptors and T cell costimulatory molecules to modulate the immune response during malaria.
- Immune response and modulation of the host immune response to infection with Herpes simplex virus 1.
- Innate immune response in murine infection with Herpes simplex virus type 1.
- Evaluation of immune protection induced by protein SM29 and SM22.6 ((Schistosoma mansoni infected and treated mice cousin.
- Duration of vaccine immunity in dogs undergoing anti canine visceral leishmaniasis immunization emphasizing the profile of phagocytic activity and synthesis of inflammatory mediators.
- Human Hookworm Vaccine Initiative: Developing recombinant vaccines against the human hookworms ((Necator americanus and ((Ancylostoma duodenale.
- Identification of cell populations secreting cytokines and chemokines in leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
- Immune response to infection with Herpes simplex virus type 1 in mice.
- Study of changes in expression of genes involved in human innate immunity induced by ((Orthobunyavirus.
- Phenotypic and functional aspects of cellular and humoral immunity in individuals vaccinated against influenza virus A (H1N1).
1.2. Identification of new drugs and targets by Bioprospecting, Bioinformatics, Genomics and Proteomics; Experimental chemotherapy and Resistance Mechanisms
Description: Bioprospecting and Chemistry of Bioactive Natural Products, identification of new drugs and drug targets using bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics. Experimental studies Chemotherapy drug resistance mechanisms in Chagas’ disease.
Research projects
- Isolation and identification of natural products for antileishmanial produced species of the family Asteraceae.
- Oral tolerance to Factor VIII and biotechnology of synthetic peptides: prospects for new treatments for the complications of hemophilia A.
- Using a proteomics approach and comparative genomics to identify new targets for chemotherapeutic studies in populations of four species of leishmania New World sensitive and resistant to drugs.
- Transcriptomics analysis and functional genomics of ((Leishmania braziliensis sensitive populations and resistant to antimony.
- Application of proteomics tools in the search for potential new antigens for diagnosis and vaccine against human schistosomiasis.
- Characterization of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, pteridine reductase and peroxidase tryparedoxin in populations of four species of ((Leishmania spp. sensitive and resistant to antimony.
- Functional characterization of protein Superoxide Dismutase Iron-A and Membrane Protein-11 Kinetoplasto ((Leishmania spp populations. sensitive and resistant trivalent antimony.
- Molecular characterization of ABC transporters and analysis of intracellular levels of antimony in ((Leishmania spp. New World sensitive and resistant trivalent antimony.
- Study of the involvement of the hexose transporter and superoxide dismutase and Dihidrolipoamida Dehydrogenase resistance in ((Trypanosoma cruzi benznidazole.
- Identification of candidate antigens for vaccine against leishmaniasis by proteomic analysis.
- Identification of new targets for chemotherapy through fosfoproteômica analysis and functional genomics ((Leishmania braziliensis strains and ((Leishmania chagasi sensitive and resistant trivalent Antimonial.
- Research activity and mechanisms of action of natural products with leishmanicidal and / or trypanocidal activity.
- Functional Genomic Analysis of the route of synthesis of Trypanothione in ((Leishmania spp. strains. Sensitive and resistant antimonials.
- Evaluation of antiviral activity of plant extracts and fungi from Brazilian biodiversity against Dengue Virus.
- Study of the mechanisms involved in the acquisition and maintenance of genetic diversity related to the development of resistance to chemotherapy in malaria.
1.3. Genomics and Bioinformatics.
Description: Genetics of human populations, vector and parasite and molecular biology of pathogens and their hosts mainly in schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and malaria.
Research Projects:
- Method, software and database for molecular serotyping of ((Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes and monitoring of replacement after the incorporation of anti-pneumococcal vaccine conjugate to the basic calendar of children vaccination in Brazil.
- Protein interaction network analysis (PPI) in the genome of ((Corynebacterium spp .
- Study of DNA repair systems in Plasmodium vivax.
- Collection and data integration “omics” of helminths in a new relational database, FLATDB, to identify candidates for therapeutic targets through an international network of research.
- ((Anopheles aquasalis genome and analysis of transcriptomics dynamic tissue of specific vector interaction with Plasmodium vivax.
1.4. Population Genetics and Molecular Biology of Pathogens and Their Hosts.
Description: Genetics of human populations, vectorial parasitical and molecular biology of pathogens and their hosts mainly in schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease malaria
Research Projects:
- Molecular studies of Malaria simian
- Iron homeostasis related factors to the activation of Hipnozoíto and anemia during infection by Plasmodium vivax: the role of Hepcidin.
- Characterization of expression of RAP1 protein in squamous intraepithelial lesions associated with infection by human papilloma virus from cervical cytology.
- Study of the genetic variability of Leishmania (V.) braziliensis in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Sequencing of the nucleotide region of Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) mtDNA and internal transcribed spacer region two (ITS2) rDNA of the genus ((Lymnaea ((molluscs (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae).
- Molecular characterization of Biomphalaria and effector mechanisms of resistance to ((Schistosoma mansoni.
2. INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASES AND CHRONIC NON-TRANSMISSIBLE / DIP-NCD.
Research Lines
2.1. Diagnostic of Infectious Parasitic Diseases
Description: Aims to creation and improvement of parasitological, immunological and molecular diagnostic techniques. The goal is to lower costs and increase the sensitivity / specificity of the techniques. Reviews for validation of new methods / procedures
Research Projects
- Collaborative program of research and development of new therapies and diagnostics for neglected diseases.
- Malaria by ((Plasmodium vivax: validation of molecular diagnostic in reference services in Minas Gerais.
- Evaluation of diagnostic methods for schistosomiasis in an area of low endemicity, Pedra Preta locality, municipality of Montes Claros / MG – Brazil.
- Development, improvement and validation of diagnostic and therapeutic control of infectious and parasitic diseases.
- Development of helpers supplies in the diagnosis of Human Cervical cancer through biomarker protein RAP1.
- Parasitological and immunological Diagnostic of Schistosomiasis in low endemicity area.
2.2. Epidemiology and Control of Parasitic Diseases
Description: To study aspects of parasitic diseases related to parasites, vectors and reservoirs order to know the dynamics of transmission contributing to the implementation of control measures.
Research Projects
- Study of american cutaneous leishmaniasis in the urban area of Timóteo and in the State Park of Rio Doce, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Genetic Epidemiology of Human Chagas Cardiomyopathy.
- Mapping of leishmaniasis in the municipality of Divinópolis, Minas Gerais.
- Mortality in Chronic Chagas’ disease.
- Epidemiological surveillance.
- Control of visceral leishmaniasis in the municipality of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Serra do Cipó, important tourist center of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Natural history of Chagas disease.
- Epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in the city of Sabará metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- The development of a model of prediction of dengue epidemics by entomological and virological surveillance in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.
- Multidisciplinary dengue control studies: analysis of competence / vectorial capacity of ((Aedes aegypti and predicting the emergence of epidemics and preventive educational activities.
2.3. Host-Parasite Interactions
Description: To study the interactions between parasites causing disease and their hosts, trying to characterize resistant and susceptible vectors and vertebrate host factors that induce a protective or pathogenic response.
Research projects
- Cellular immune response of hemocytes of the vectors ((Aedes aegypti and ((Aedes albopictus during the dengue virus invasion process.
- Leishmania amazonensis: Role of Lipofosfoglicano (LPG) in the interaction process.
- The parasite-vector interaction of human malaria in the Amazon region with an emphasis on immune response of mosquitoes to invasion by ((Plasmodium.
- Population-based study in Brazilian Amazon: characterization of malarial infections and receptor used by ((Plasmodium vivax to invade erythrocytes.
- Study of schistosomulum gene expression of ((Shistossoma mansoni in the presence of portal and peripheral serum of hamsters;
• behavioral aspects of interaction between Trypanosomatids and ((Rhodnius prolixus. - Evaluation of ((Trypanosoma rangeli circulation between its vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
- The influence of polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in the humoral response naturally exposed to ((Plasmodium vivax in individuals living in the Brazilian Amazon.
- Characterization of small RNAs processing machinery in ((Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1918).
- Leishmania spp study interaction with host cells.
2.4. Clinical Research in Morbidity / Evolution and Therapy of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Description: Study of biological, parasitological and immunological related to infectious and parasitic diseases of epidemiological importance in public health, aimed at prevention, treatment and looking for morbidity / evolution indicators.
Research Projects
- Characterization of anti-yellow fever vaccine response in children and adults previously vaccinated using the panoramic model of Phenotypic analysis.
- Identification of cellular and molecular biomarkers applicable in clinical studies of infectious and parasitic diseases and human and experimental oncological disorders.
- Morbidity biomarkers in malaria by ((Plasmodium vivax: micro particles and circulating nucleic acids.
2.5. Experimental Chemotherapy of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and Resistance Vectors / Transmitters
Description: To evaluate in vitro and in vivo new drugs, combination therapies and development of new experimental models. Determine the vector resistance to insecticides and the mechanisms involved in this process.
Research projects:
- Resistance to Praziquantel by chemotherapic pressure in ((B. glabrata infected with Schistosoma mansoni.
- Triatomine resistance to insecticides.
- Antimalarial evaluation from quinoline derivatives and purine and derived from Chloroquine obtained by chemical synthesis by collaborators.
- Evaluation of the antimalarial activity of primaquine derivatives;
• Development of resistance to esquistosicides drugs using as selective filter the infected snail. - In vivo studies and in vitro of Anti-((Schistosoma mansoni drugs.
- Study of ((Biomphalaria glabrata reinfection process by ((Schistosoma mansoni after cure by treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) associated with oxaminiquine (OXA).
3. TRANSMITTERS PATHOGENS / TP
3.1. Taxonomy, Biology, Behavior and Ecology of Vectors / Transmitters.
Description: To determine the factors related to the development of vectors, their guidance systems and the dynamics of transmission cycles in nature.
Research Projects
- Modifying mosquito population age structure to eliminate Dengue transmission.
- Use of ((Wolbachia bacteria for dengue lock in ((Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
- Analysis of the role of intestinal microbiota of ((Lutzomyia longipalpis in vector competence for ((Leishmania chagasi.
- Preliminary studies for the use of ((Wolbachia bacteria in dengue transmission control of Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
- Microbiota role study of ((Anopheles mosquitoes and ((Aedes aegypti brazilians possibility of using paratransgenesis.
- Phylogeography of ((Wolbachia in ((Aedes fluviatilis and in mosquitoes of Central and South America.
- Population Study of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidadae) in the city of Belo Horizonte and Sumidouro State Park, Minas Gerais – Brazil.
- The role of essential nutrients during Plasmodium infection in mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia.
- Evaluation of ((Trypanosoma cruzi colonization and ((Trypanosoma rangeli in intestinal tract of ((Rhodnius prolixus.
- Biosystematics triatomine.
- Behavior and neurobiology of vectors mosquitos of human disease.
- Behavior, neurobiology and physiology of Triatomine.
- Temperature effect on infection of ((Rhodnius prolixus by ((Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli.
- Study factors involved in the distribution of triatomine and vectors infection and reservoirs by Trypanosoma cruzi in the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Taxonomic study and morphological and molecular variability of species of Lymnaea Lamarck, 1799 (Basommatophora, Lymnaeidae) intermediate hosts of ((Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758 (Trematoda, Digeneans).
- Taxonomic and ecological studies of phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) collected in the Iron Quadrangle caves, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Food source identification of phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) collected in different ecotypes and their relationship with the cycles of transmission of leishmaniasis.