THE INTRACELLULAR LABILE IRONOME AND LIPOFUSCINOGENISIS AS PREDICTORS OF SKIN PHOTOAGING: A POWERFUL APPROACH TOWARDS PERSONALISED SUN PROTECTION

• Grant number: 24/09867-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Radiology and Photobiology
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Mauricio da Silva Baptista
• Grantee: Mauricio da Silva Baptista
• Principal researcher abroad: Charareh Pourzand
• Institution abroad: University of Bath, England
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07937-8 - Redoxome - Redox Processes in Biomedicine, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Both groups (UK, whose PI is prof Pourzand and BR, whose PI is prof Baptista) study damage and protection of sun-exposed skin cells, aiming to develop better concepts and strategies for sun protection. The UK group is actively working in the role of iron and of photoaging and photoprotection in sun-exposed skin cells and the Brazilian group is doing similar efforts, but working mainly in the identification of the endogenous photosensitizers, with emphasis in triplet excited species, singlet oxygen and lipofuscin. The project will allow that both groups develop joint projects (proposal below), using methods and techniques dominated by each other's. The important aspects are that labile iron and endogenous photosensitizers both contribute synergistically to the photodamage experienced by sun-exposed skin cells, but they are hardly ever considered together in research. In general terms, we propose to develop a joint research project in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, including the competences of both laboratories. We will couple the working mission of both PIs to the participation in congresses happening in the UK and in Brazil, to use the international trip also as an opportunity to get to know the community of scientists working in each country. Besides the usual outcomes from research collaborations, i.e., joint publications and people training, we will also prepare a submission of a full grant within the UKRI-FAPESP call. We aim to provide the conceptual framework for the development of sun care strategies. (AU)