Category: Biological Sciences

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 →

Isolation and characterization of new compounds derived from animal poisons and venoms: challenges and perspectives

The Laboratory of Animal Toxins is equipped to perform the isolation, biochemical, structural and functional characterization of toxins from animal venoms, as well as the heterologous expression of molecules with potential biotechnological application. PEGylation of peptides and proteins is also carried out to increase their potential use as a drug. Read More →

New standard operating procedure for apitoxin collection aiming at research and production of the apilic antivenom

A new apilic antivenom was developed to reduce the mortality of patients envenomed by Africanized honeybees. This species has an intensely defensive behavior and promotes several fatal accidents. In the process of collecting apitoxin it is essential to guarantee the safety of the handler, the welfare of bee colonies and the quality of biomolecules. Read More →

Laser therapy together with a fibrin biopolymer improves nerve and bone tissue regeneration

The heterologous fibrin sealant produced by CEVAP has been employed as “nerve glue” and wound healing substance for venous ulcers. Currently it is called fibrin biopolymer due to its multiple uses. In association with adjuvant scaffolds, it constitutes active biocomplexes that contribute to the morphophysiological and functional recovery of bone defects. Read More →

Building an electronic scientific journal: evolution and challenges

Twenty-eight years ago, the Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases was launched with ambitious goals: to be an e-journal even before internet was accessible to the general public and to establish itself as an international publication born in Brazil. Since then, many obstacles and challenges have been and continue to be overcome. Read More →