Research Lines
Morphofunctional Changes in Inflammatory Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Responsible Professors: Gerly Brito, Pedro Soares, Reinaldo Oriá, Antoniella Gomes, Emmanuel Prata, and Gilberto Cerqueira
This ongoing research line is particularly focused on studying the effect of modulating cellular signaling pathways that regulate the immune-inflammatory response, including growth factors, cytokines, and inflammatory mediators, as well as pathways that influence the homeostasis of intestinal crypt stem cells and the epithelial barrier in animal models of diseases induced by bacterial toxins, malnutrition, anticancer drugs, and antiretrovirals associated with diarrheal diseases. It also studies the repercussions of inflammatory intestinal injuries on the enteric nervous system and smooth muscle contractility. Additionally, this area utilizes human intestinal cell lines (CaCo2, T84) and rat (IEC-6) to investigate the mechanisms involved in morphological and functional changes of the epithelial intestinal barrier in vitro, such as imaging studies of changes in the epithelial unit complex, using the aggressive agents involved in the aforementioned diarrheal diseases. Moreover, this area includes a new theme concerning pancreatic disorders, in both acute and chronic forms, focusing on the development of innovative protocols as well as elucidating the mechanisms involved. This research line also aims to seek innovation in developing new products from natural sources.
Reproductive Biology
Responsible Professors: Ana Beatriz Graça Duarte, Ana Paula Rodrigues, and Rebeca Magalhães
This research line aims to promote the development of the biotechnological technique of Manipulation of Oocytes Included in Pre-Antral Follicles (MOIFOPA), also known as “Artificial Ovary.” It intends to study, through in vitro models, the effects of different substances on pre-antral follicles, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of early folliculogenesis, which is currently poorly understood. It also involves the formation of genetic banks (germplasm) through the cryopreservation of oocytes included in pre-antral follicles from animals of zootechnical interest or those endangered; and assisted reproduction. It evaluates and studies the effects of antimicrobial substances in transgenic goat milk expressing these products and assesses their impact on the intestinal epithelial barrier and the immune response in animal models of malnutrition.
Tumor Biology, Molecular Pathology, and Toxicity of Oncological Treatment
Responsible Professors: Karuza Maria Alves Pereira, Mariana Lima Vale, Renata Ferreira de Carvalho Leitão, Caroline Aquino Moreiro
This research line aims to investigate the molecular interactions between parenchymal cells and the underlying stroma, as well as the resulting morphological changes in various pathologies, with an emphasis on neoplastic diseases, through in vitro and in vivo studies. Various tools such as viability analyses, cell cycle assessments, tumor cell growth, cell death, and expression of cellular and tissue markers will be used to investigate the processes involved in cancer establishment and progression, seeking mechanisms capable of delaying and/or inhibiting carcinogenesis. Additionally, this research line also aims to study the toxicities associated with anticancer therapies, seeking morphological alterations, molecular and cellular markers, mechanisms involved, and preventive and/or specific therapeutic methods.
Morphofunctional Disorders Associated with the Nervous System
Responsible Professors: Antoniella Gomes, Francisca Cléa, Francisco de Assis Gondim, Glauce Viana, Mariana Vale, and Reinaldo Oriá
This ongoing research line uses models of global or focal cerebral ischemia in animals to evaluate morphofunctional changes in the hippocampus using markers for apoptosis, neurogenesis, and neuronal viability. It also investigates morphofunctional aspects related to the use of psychoactive substances such as cocaine, ethanol, ketamine, nicotine, anti-obesity drugs, and other drugs, as well as morphofunctional changes related to Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, depression, seizures, psychoses, and schizophrenia. It assesses the effects of natural and synthetic products on the central nervous system and the mechanisms involved in the adverse reactions at central levels of these substances, using cellular and tissue biology techniques and imaging. In this direction, it includes the study of dysautonomia induced by chemotherapeutics or after spinal cord injury (SCI) in animal models through studies of morphological changes and neurotransmitters in enteric nervous system cells. Clinically, it investigates neurocysticercosis (NCC) through neuroimaging (CT scans of the skull and nuclear magnetic resonance) and correlation with histopathological findings in autopsy examinations of patients with this pathology. Finally, it studies morphofunctional aspects involved in hereditary neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases existing in the state of Ceará through clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluation and biopsies with assessment of molecular and cellular alterations.
Teaching and Dissemination of Morphological Sciences
Responsible Professors: Virgínia Girão, Emmanuel Prata, Gilberto Cerqueira, Camila Roncari, Renata Alves, João Erivan Façanha Barreto
This concentration area aims to utilize new languages and media for both face-to-face and distance education. It will develop active methodologies using interactive models and software to train teachers for teaching morphological sciences in the face of new educational challenges, disseminating knowledge to public school systems. This area does not initially aim to train postgraduates (although it will contribute to that), but to develop products and processes within the theme, favoring the training of qualified personnel for scientific production in this area. Furthermore, it aims to develop processes and products to promote the dissemination of science to society in general. This concentration area will be divided into three service and extension units in collaboration with the Seara da Ciência project: 1) Continuing education for high school teachers; 2) Distance education and new media; 3) New methodological teaching strategies.
Morphofunctional Studies of Skin Alterations
Responsible Professors: Roberta Jeane Bezerra Jorge, Renata Ferreira de Carvalho Leitão, Virgínia Claudia Carneiro Girão-Carmona
This research line aims to investigate the inflammatory/immunological mechanisms involved in skin lesions (in response to stimuli and diseases) using experimental models and research in humans. It also includes the development and/or application of biomaterials for skin healing or for producing skin substitutes.
Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic Morphophysiology
Responsible Professors: Camila Ferreira Roncari, Marisa Jadna Frederico, Renata de Sousa Alves, Ricardo de Freitas Lima, Richard Boarato David, Roberta Jeane Bezerra Jorge, Thyago Moreira de Queiroz.
This research line aims to study the morphophysiological mechanisms involved in cardiovascular and renal diseases, as well as the elucidation of new therapies for the treatment of these dysfunctions. Through in vivo and in vitro studies (functional, molecular, and cellular), techniques used in our laboratories will be employed, such as measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and autonomic function in non-anesthetized animals; evaluation of vasorelaxant activity of mesenteric artery and isolated aorta from normotensive and hypertensive rats; central microinjections and evaluation of blood pressure control by the central and peripheral nervous systems. It will also include studies of ion channels related to cardiac excitability. In the renal context, both in situ (isolated kidney perfusion system) and in vivo (through metabolic cages), we aim to study the morphological and functional alterations involved in renal toxicity or protection.
Bone, Joint, and Muscle Morphophysiology
Responsible Professors: Renata Leitão, Virginia Girão, Paula Goes, Delane Gondim, Karuza Alves, and Ricardo Borges Viana
This line studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the inflammatory and degenerative processes occurring in animal models of arthritis and periodontal and endodontic disease, resulting in joint pain and deformity in arthritis and bone resorption, frequently leading to tooth loss in periodontitis, aiming to establish more effective therapeutic strategies. This line also includes the evaluation of biocompatibility and biofunctionality of new complex biomimetic substrates, such as membranes and collagen sponges infiltrated with drugs, developed by the Federal University of Ceará and UNICAMP, for application in Guided Tissue (and Bone) Regeneration in experimental periodontal disease and arthritis. It also studies acute and chronic morphofunctional changes in bone and skeletal striated muscle tissue due to physical exercise in humans.
