INFRASTRUCTURE

São Paulo Campus

1) Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Cristina de Oliveira Massoco Salles Gomes

This laboratory serves the needs of both undergraduate and postgraduate education, in addition to scientific research, carrying out research on drugs and toxic agents, and its effects on the central nervous system, the reproductive field, in animal development and in the immune system. The services offered are toxicity tests, reproduction toxicology tests, neurotransmitter dosages, blood biochemistry and blood count.

2) Toxicological Diagnosis Laboratory

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Helenice de Souza Spinosa

This laboratory developed and perfected techniques that aim to help the diagnosis of intoxications in Veterinary Medicine. For this, it has analytical methods that mainly use chromatography, in thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the identification of toxic agents. Services offered are aid for the diagnosis of intoxication by cholinesterase inhibiting pesticides (organophosphates and carbamates), coumarins, alkaloids (strychnine), arsenic and cyanide.

3) Neurobiology Laboratory

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Luciano Freitas Felício

The laboratory is focused on behavioral research and aspects of molecular biology linked to the study of maternal behavior, stress and neuroimmune interaction. The laboratory has a modern infrastructure for behavioral studies, such as an area for experimentation in animal behavior, image analysis programs, in addition to a wide structure for phenotypic and genotypic assessment of behaviors.

4) Neuroimmunomodulation laboratory

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. João Palermo Neto

In this laboratory, the relevant interactions between behavior, activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis (HPA axis), central neurotransmitters and immunity are analyzed. In particular, the effects of stress and drugs acting on the Central Nervous System (CNS) on these parameters are analyzed using, for this purpose, the open field and the elevated plus maze to measure levels of anxiety and / or of animal stress, neurochemical measurements of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in specific regions of the CNS and flow cytometry to analyze the innate immunity of animals (activity of peritoneal macrophages and blood neutrophils). The laboratory has several equipment, among which we highlight: rooms suitable for behavioral analysis with computerized observation system Ethovision® (Noldus Information Technology), flow cytometer (FACSCalibur Beckton Dickinson), HPLC-ED (Shimatsu model 6 A), microscope (Nikon Eclipse TE 300), microscope (Nikon Eclipse 80i with DXM 1200c coupled digital camera), 2 PCR equipment, one phonomyography, 4 force transducers, 2 physiological pressure transducers, 4 manipulators, 1 portable balance, multichannel pipettes, a spectrophotometer (Bio-Tek – Powerwavw), a refrigerated centrifuge and accessories, an electrophoresis and documentation system, a server and components, 4 digital camcorders, a thermocycler (Brinkmann-Mastercycler EP 115V), a precision scale (Denver Maxx MXX-2001).

5) Inflammation Laboratory

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Frederico Azevedo da Costa Pinto

Laboratory inserted in the line of research in neuroimmunomodulation. Relying on the basic structure of biomedical laboratories (refrigerator, freezer, fume hood, pH meter, scale, tube shaker, microcentrifuge and others), it is mainly used to prepare and perform immunohistochemistry of rodent brain for evaluation of previous neuronal activity.

6) Histopathology Laboratory

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Paulo César Maiorka and Prof. Ph.D. Frederico Azevedo da Costa Pinto

The Histopathology Laboratory has been processing materials and making histological slides for routine and research purposes. To this end, it has two laboratory technicians, in addition to having a physical structure to allow postgraduate students themselves to process their research materials, complementing their training. Currently the laboratory performs routine staining techniques, as well as specific stains (histochemistry) and preparation of materials for immunohistochemistry.

7) Laboratory of Comparative Pathology of Wild Animals

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Eliana Reiko Matushima and Prof. Ph.D. José Luiz Catão Dias

This laboratory has structure for the development of research devoted to microbiological, hematological, parasitological and molecular diagnosis of materials from wild animals, aiming to study the main affections of these animals, both in the etiological context and in the pathogenesis of the processes. This laboratory aims to study the main conditions (infectious and non-infectious) that affect these species, involving both animals being held captive and free-living animals.

8) Laboratory of Morphological and Molecular Pathology (LAPMOL)

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Bruno Cogliati

The Laboratory of Morphological and Molecular Pathology (LAPMOL) operates mainly in the field of Experimental and Comparative Hepatology. Liver diseases are of great importance in human and veterinary medicine and are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, justifying a search for new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in experimental models in vivo and in vitro. On the other hand, veterinary hepatology is still a little explored area, despite its great importance in veterinary clinic and animal nutrition. Thus, the laboratory adequate lines of research in the context of liver disease, using a multidisciplinary and compared approach. In LAPMOL liver cancer in dogs and cats are studied, looking for new tissue markers and molecular targets for the development of more effective and personalized therapies. Currently LAPMOL comprises ​​40 m², divided into the cell culture sector and the immunohistochemistry and molecular biology sector. The cell culture room, used for the cultivation of cell lines (HepG2, HuH7, LX-2, GRX), drug testing and medicinal plant extracts, is equipped with laminar flow, CO2 incubator, centrifuge, water bath and inverted microscope. The immunohistochemistry and molecular biology sector comprises areas of general use, such as washing and solution preparation areas, in addition to immunohistochemistry and molecular biology procedures, equipped with -80ºC freezer, cryostat, thermocycler, real-time PCR, laminar flow, thermomixer, refrigerated centrifuge, western blot system and documentation system, incubators, microscope and image capture and analysis system, refrigerators and freezers.

9) Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Neuropathology

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Paulo César Maiorka

This laboratory is relevant for the characterization of the etiopathogenesis of spontaneous diseases of the nervous system and the creation and evaluation of experimental models of diseases of this system. It also works on the creation of diagnostic methods, data collection and processing of epidemiological information on diseases of the nervous system of domestic animals. The laboratory also aims to study the etiopathogenesis of animal diseases and their molecular aspects, working on the implementation of research methods in diseases of domestic animals, and aiming at the genetic-molecular characterization of agents and genes of hosts involved in pathogenesis. Studies are conducted with the use of genetically modified animals and cloned animals. The laboratory has a tissue microarray device (tissuemicro array, TMA). The use of the TMA technique allows the evaluation of large quantities of samples in a single slide, providing an improvement in data acquisition. It also has 3 -20 freezers and a -80 freezer for material conservation, 2 thermal cyclers, 3 gel electrophoresis tanks, a NIKON trinocular microscope coupled with the data show for AFIP blade seminars (Armed Forces Institute of Pathology – USA) and histopathological study of TMA slides, in addition to 2 Core 2 Duo microcomputers with 19-inch LCD monitor, coupled to a system for capturing and analyzing images – Nikon and a complete tissue processing laboratory for immunohistochemistry and lecithin chemistry for protein analysis and glycoproteins in pathological processes of domestic animals. Finally, the laboratory has been working in ​​Legal Veterinary Medicine, with the implementation of molecular methods as a tool to assist forensic veterinary medicine.

10) Laboratory of Diagnostic and Environmental Pathology

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Lílian Rose Marques de Sá

The Laboratory of Diagnostic and Environmental Pathology conducts research in the field of diagnostic pathology for infectious, parasitic, and neoplastic diseases that affect domestic, wild, and experimental animals. While in the area of ​​environmental pathology, the research involves evaluation of environmental biomonitors, in particular fish, analysis of environmental biomarkers, such as histopathology of liver, kidneys, and gills, and the evaluation of the concentration of heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and copper in animal tissues, as well as the analysis of the correlations of these elements with the quality of the water and the sediment of reservoirs in the state of São Paulo, in partnership with the Laboratory of Toxicological Analysis of the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (CETESB), as well as in experimental studies using zebrafishes (Danio rerio). Among the general goals of the studies are the characterization of anatomopathological lesions and the profile of animals affected in naturally occurring diseases, evaluation of environmental health indicators, anthropogenic action, and proposals for improvements in environmental monitoring. Students involved in any of these proposed sections have the chance to develop skills in the field of veterinary anatomopathological diagnosis and comparative pathology, as well as expand the network and knowledge in veterinary medicine with a view to preventing and controlling diseases and contributing for the environmental management of different ecosystems, with emphasis on reservoirs. The studies carried out on the subject of comparative gastroenterology continue, with less emphasis, but the Syndrome of Progressive Thinning of Callitrichids (SEP), in which the marmoset is the animal species that naturally develops malabsorption in captivity conditions and is sensitive to gluten, will count with the participation of the international researcher Penelope Lea Nayudu.

11) Ornitopathology Laboratory

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Antonio José Piantino Ferreira

This laboratory aims to study poultry diseases, developing antibacterial products and medicines to control avian infections. Performs diagnosis of avian diseases using molecular techniques (PCR). Isolation and characterization of enteric and respiratory viruses from commercial and wild birds. Development of immunobiological for use in poultry. The laboratory has infrastructure for research related to the development, isolation, and characterization of infectious agents of avian origin. It consists of an experimental center, an isolation room for the study of infectious agents and a poultry clinic for the clinical care of wild and commercial birds. The laboratory is dedicated to the study of bacterial diseases, such as salmonellosis and avian colibacillosis, and viral diseases, such as infectious bronchitis, infectious laryngotracheitis and infections caused by avian metapneumovirus

12) Avian Ecopathology Laboratory

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Tânia de Freitas Raso

The Avian Ecopathology Laboratory receives students for curricular internships, Updating Programs, Undergraduate Research, Master and Doctorate, offering molecular and serological diagnostic services. The main line of research is the study of Chlamydia sp. and its implications for birds and humans. Research is focused on the diagnosis of psittacosis in humans and animal chlamydiosis; in the eco epidemiological and molecular characterization of the different species and serovars of this agent in Brazil, and in the investigation of zoonotic risk and possible outbreaks. Other studies are aimed at emerging / reemerging viral diseases and the potential impacts of pathogens on bird conservation. The research approaches epidemiological surveillance in free-living birds, captive birds, production and synanthropic birds, in relation to the dissemination of relevant pathogens in avian medicine and public health.

13) Laboratory of Avian Medicine

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Terezinha Knöbl

The Avian Medicine Laboratory’s main activity is the isolation, identification, phenotypic and molecular characterization of enterobacteria (Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae), molecular diagnosis of diseases in commercial and wild birds, phylogenetic analysis of avian pathogens, phenotypic virulence assays and resistance, analysis of genetic markers of virulence and antimicrobial resistance, analysis of the bacterial genome by total genome sequencing. In a public-private partnership, the projects developed help characterize pathogenic agents, seeking control alternatives that include prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes, and organic acids related to the control of multi-resistant bacterial infections. The laboratory provides various equipment, including thermocycler, imaging system, electrophoresis systems, freezers, refrigerators, benches with Bunsen burners, autoclave, bacteriological greenhouses, laminar flows, analytical scales, and computers with phylogenetic and bioinformatics analysis software. The main activity is related to research with training of undergraduate (undergraduate research), postgraduate (master’s and doctoral) students, in addition to graduated professionals enrolled in the Professional Improvement Program. Training in ​​Bioinformatics is periodically offered to students and professionals in the medical and veterinary fields. At the laboratory, some practical classes of the postgraduate program in Experimental and Comparative Pathology are held, in addition to monitoring exams of the University Extension Program, called “Avian Medicine – Health in the Park”, established through an agreement with the Environment Secretariat of the State of São Paulo.

14) Bioterium

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Claudia Madalena Cabrera Mori

The pathology department’s bioterium has 650 m2 of built area. The equipment infrastructure consists of two horizontal autoclaves with a capacity of 432 liters each, a cage washer and a central air conditioning system comprising a chiller and three self-contained equipment. It is intended for the maintenance and experimentation of laboratory rodents, of the following species and strains: Wistar Hannover rats; mice: Swiss Webster, A/J, BALB/c, BALB/c nude, C57BL/6, C3H/HeJ, C3H/HePas, in addition to several genetically modified strains and Syrian hamster.

Pirassununga Campus

Veterinary Toxicology Research Center – CEPTOX

Supervisor: Prof. Ph.D. Silvana Lima Gorniak

CEPTOX is an extension of the Department of Pathology, on the Administrative Campus of Pirassununga. This Research Center was created in 1988 with the intention of better training undergraduate and postgraduate students in ​​Veterinary Toxicology. CEPTOX comprises an area of ​​1138 m2 of built area, in which the well-equipped laboratories are inserted, and the rooms for postgraduate students and teachers, as well as rooms for the deposit of handling materials with animals, a cattle crush; bioterium of mice and rabbits; in addition, there are three distinct buildings where goats are raised and an experimental aviary. To accommodate postgraduate students and researchers who develop their research at the Pirassununga Campus better, this Research Center has a wide residency. Still, CEPTOX belongs to a pasture of approximately two bushels, where cattle are kept. For the handling of farm animals, CEPTOX even has a tractor with a cart, which allows independence in the treatment of animals that are there. This laboratory makes it possible to carry out research in toxicology (including immunotoxicology), pathology and pharmacology, in the following domestic animal species: cattle, goats, pigs and rabbits, as well as birds.

With the support of the Research Dean of our Institution, a major refurbishment is being carried out in the bioterium; in this sense, when finalized, CEPTOX will be the supplier of mice for experimentation, therefore, there will be no more breeding of these animals in São Paulo. This fact will provide a considerable improvement in the operationalization of rodents in this Department in São Paulo, since it will make available a large area (previously destined for breeding), for experimentation with animals, as well as the maintenance of these in a much more adequate way.

Also, it should be noted that CPTRAS facilities (infrastructure and equipment park) have been used by some postgraduate students of this Program, which in addition to carrying out their research projects have also been assisting in the reception and care of wild birds apprehended by the environmental and/or municipal police of Baixada Santista in addition to IBAMA/Santos.