Adequation of laboratory infrastructure to optimize research at FCAVJ

• Grant number: 22/13214-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Technical Reserve for Institutional Research Infrastructure
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Sergio Ferraudo
• Grantee: Antonio Sergio Ferraudo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The microbiota is an abundant source of genes that express a great diversity of products with potential for industrial application. Microbial fermentation in medium-sized benchtop bioreactors can be used to produce larger amounts of enzymes for semi-pilot scale process studies; application of digestibility studies of forages and animal feeds; production of biomolecules for biological pest control for field studies; among other applications. In this sense, the creation of a "Mid-sized Microbiological Fermentation Center" (CFM2P), so that it works as an integrated laboratory for microbial fermentation, constitutes an opportunity to create an infrastructure hub to gather and share medium-sized equipment. and large components of the FCAVJ equipment park, such as those recently acquired through a thematic research project concession (2019/20825-0): refrigerated centrifuge, high torque and high capacity (4 liters); 10L hybrid bioreactor for microbial fermentation and biomass hydrolysis and high capacity autoclave (300L), as well as the acquisition of another 100L bioreactor. This initial infrastructure is already capable of serving several studies in progress on our campus, and considering its relevance to accelerate and encourage the creation of new studies, new projects will be able to fund the acquisition of other equipment that may be necessary for analyzes of interest to our scientific community. Therefore, the adequacy of a laboratory building of the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology (m2), including direct infrastructure for the installation of said equipment, such as: electrical adequacy (acquisition of Nobreak, adequacy of electrical switches); acquisition of an air compressor and oxygen cylinder for the bioreactor; inclusion/movement of benches and installation of air conditioning in the room destined for the bioreactor, it is necessary to enable broad access to these infrastructural resources for the entire institution, including researchers from other units in the state of São Paulo. Another extremely important point for the performance of quality scientific research, with reproducibility and universality is the maintenance and well-being of laboratory animals. In this context, the quality of these animals largely depends on the available facilities, in order to guarantee the necessary conditions for their well-being and safety, taking into account the ethical principles that govern the activity. The Rodent Animal Care Facility of the Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology of FCAV/UNESP was initially built in 1999 for the maintenance of rodents. However, due to the unavailability of space, for about 11 years it housed several animal models, including fish, amphibians, rabbits and rats. In 2013, the rectory authorized the construction of an animal care facility for non-mammalian vertebrates and, with funds from Prope, the Animal care facility for rodents underwent a renovation to adapt the environment to house only rodents. However, during the last 10 years, other departments began to benefit from the space and also projects involving research on pregnant rats and genetically modified mice began to be developed. The animals from the DMFA Rodent Animal care facility have also been used by other universities, such as FMRP-USP, EERP-USP, UFMG. With deterioration and tear and with a greater number of animals being sheltered at the DMFA Rodent Animal care facility, some improvements and reforms are necessary. In this way, with the growth of research with transgenic animals and pregnant rats and pups at different stages of development and the wear and tear and standards that are still not met, a better adaptation of the environments and improvement of the environments of the Rodent Vivarium of the DMFA is necessary. (AU)