Infrastructure for research capacity strenghtening in the University Hospital, USP focused on laboratory and bio library support

• Grant number: 24/12960-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Technical Reserve for Institutional Research Infrastructure
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Itamar de Souza Santos
• Grantee: Itamar de Souza Santos
• Host Institution: Hospital Universitário (HU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Due to its focus on clinical research and basic areas applied to health, the University Hospital has a robust structure of laboratories and biorepositories. The laboratory is responsible for developing protocols, transporting samples, conducting laboratory tests, and storing biological samples for one of the largest epidemiological studies in Latin America. This laboratory was established from 2007 onwards to support research conducted at the University Hospital of USP (HU USP) in the processing and storage of biological samples. Currently, the facility includes 7 ultra-freezers (-70°C to -80°C) with a storage capacity of approximately 160,000 samples, and 12 liquid nitrogen tanks with an approximate capacity of 840,000 samples. Due to wear and tear over time, several pieces of equipment require maintenance or replacement, not only to sustain current research activities but also to plan for their expansion in the coming years. For this reason, in the current year, the decision has been made to invest the majority of the institutional technical reserve funds from FAPESP designated for research infrastructure into laboratory activities (AU)