Category: Biological Sciences

After 115 years, a revisit to tropical diseases

Image from the special edition of Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

More than 100 years on, diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and vector control continue to be major challenges for developing countries, reflecting the continuing relevance of these tropical medicine topics to world science Read More →

Stem cell-derived secretome reduces dermonecrosis caused by spider venom

The image shows two live Loxosceles intermedia spiders from the Ezequiel Dias Foundation (FUNED) in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. On the left side (A), we see a male specimen, which is smaller and has a slimmer abdomen. On the right side (B), there is a female specimen, which is larger and has a more rounded and voluminous abdomen. Both spiders have a brown coloration, long and thin legs, and bodies with characteristics typical of the species.

By investigating the protective effects of secretome-derived mesenchymal stromal cells on dermonecrosis caused by Loxosceles intermedia venom in rabbits, it was observed that treated groups showed milder local effects and swelling compared to controls, which highlights the potential of stem cell-derived secretome for treating dermonecrotic lesions. Read More →

115 years of Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, reflections on the current model and the future of scientific journals

Logo for the 115-year anniversary of "Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz" featuring stylized text and background handwriting.

Reflections on the current scenario of large publishers, the emergence of “money-hungry” publishers and qualified journals that do not charge for publication and that try to survive in the face of a scientific model that values metrics in a vicious cycle for researchers, institutions, journals and funding agencies alike. Read More →

Heterologous Fibrin Biopolymer is an innovative and entirely Brazilian product with potential for aiding neuromuscular junction regeneration

Diagram illustrating the repair of nerve injury using HFB therapy, with a depiction of a nerve, rats, a syringe, and text explaining benefits.

Nerve injuries lead to the disruption of neuromuscular junctions impairing motor function. Currently, satisfactory recovery after injuries remains a medical challenge. The heterologous fibrin biopolymer, a Brazilian product created from rattlesnake venom and buffalo blood, has demonstrated its ability to create a protective microenvironment enhancing regeneration in these treatments. Read More →

Viral clockworks: How do coronaviruses spill over?

Composition in rectangular format. Deep yellow background, an orange virus occupies half of the picture. The virus has white hands and feet and stands on a black clock with white details.

Coronaviruses are widespread in mammals and birds and sometimes they jump species, as SARS-CoV-2 from bats to humans. This investigation describes the genomic events during Avian coronavirus passages from hamster cells to primate cells in order to understand the mechanisms of coronavirus adaptation to a new host. Read More →

CEVAP: ready for the 21st century

CEVAP has been working diligently since its founding in translational research with animal venoms. During this 30-year journey, a scientific journal was launched, two biopharmaceuticals were developed and numerous professionals, academic or not, were trained. Now, CEVAP is heading towards its future looking towards the creation of a factory aiming at scientific research. Read More →

Memorial text in honor of Dr. Ángela Restrepo Moreno

An example of competence, researchers education, ability to work in group, and also love to her profession, her team and her country, Dr. Ángela Restrepo Moreno will be forever missed. The present text aims honor the memory and accomplishments of this extraordinary researcher, whose contribution to science is immortalized. Read More →

Research Group on Paracoccidioidomycosis of Botucatu Medical School

The Research Group on Paracoccidioidomycosis of Botucatu Medical School united researchers with different specialties from UNESP and later on from other institutions in Brazil and from other countries. The activities of the group brought lessons such as updating the new languages of the biological knowledge and the integration of specialists from different fields. Read More →

Bioprospecting animal toxins as powerful ligands for ion channels and G-protein coupled receptors as therapeutic targets

The Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology holds the expertise to perform experiments involving the interaction of toxins with different ion channels and G-protein coupled receptors. The purification and identification of novel compounds can also be carried out, which makes the research center a reference worldwide in the Toxinology field and state-of-the-art target-based drug discovery. Read More →

Biopharmaceutical products born in a Brazilian public university

Since 2010, two biological products have been developed by the CEVAP/UNESP, the fibrin sealant and the apilic antivenom. In 2022, UNESP has begun the construction of a Factory for the Production of Pilot Batches for Clinical Research. This pioneering initiative will contribute to the establishment of biopharma innovation ecosystems and creation of wealth in the country. Read More →