EMU: Integrated and multifunctional biointerfaces platform for advanced characterization of cells, molecules, and their interactions

• Grant number: 23/17378-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Manuela Berto Pucca
• Grantee: Manuela Berto Pucca
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Marisa Fusco Almeida ; Carlos Rossa Junior ; Gislane Lelis Vilela de Oliveira ; Iracilda Zeppone Carlos ; João Aristeu da Rosa ; Marcel Montels Trevisani ; Maria José Soares Mendes Giannini ; Norival Alves Santos Filho ; Robson Luis Ferraz do Amaral ; Thiago Aparecido da Silva ; Valeria Valente

Abstract

The cellular and molecular biointerfaces platform proposed in this initiative offers a comprehensive approach that encompasses various cellular populations. It has a detection amplitude at the level of microvesicles, exploring the physicochemical fundamentals of interactions between target molecules, refining the absolute levels of transcripts of target genes. This proposed platform vertically integrates studies of molecular biology and biomolecular interaction, coupling with a cell sorter and nanosorting system. The underlying concept of this platform is to gather, in a single multi-user space, the capability to detail the molecular mechanisms involved in cellular biology and its microvesicles. The proposal for integrating cellular and molecular biointerfaces is made feasible by the complementarity between the equipment/technologies CytoFlex STR Benchtop Cell Sorter, Octet R2 System, and digital PCR (dPCR). Through the LabMulti-BIOCEM, these equipments form an integrated and unprecedented platform in the State of São Paulo, especially highlighting the CytoFlex STR Benchtop Cell Sorter and Octet R2 System, absent in all equipment parks of research institutions and universities in the State. This platform significantly expands the concept of cellular and molecular biointerfaces at LabMulti-BIOCEM, innovatively enhancing molecular-level mechanisms, from gene expression to intermolecular interactions, integrated into a sophisticated cellular level capable of characterizing microvesicles/nanoparticles. In a simplified manner, the CytoFlex STR Cell Sorter enables the phenotyping of various cell types, including microvesicles, with the coupled Cell Sorter and Nanosorting system; the Octet R2 System analyzes biomolecular interactions in real-time, frequently applied to protein-protein interactions, protein-carbohydrate interactions, drug action mechanisms, and molecular complexes in cellular signaling; and the digital PCR ensures absolute quantification of DNA and RNA, allowing correlation of gene expression with deciphered molecular mechanisms for a cellular subtype or specific population of microvesicles. The multifunctional and integrated platform demonstrates a notable initial impact across various research lines and biotechnological products, garnering support from several Associate Researchers and Biotechnological Companies interested in cellular and molecular biointerfaces. The innovative character presented by this proposal lies in the equipment with exclusive and unprecedented technologies in the State of São Paulo, positioning LabMulti-BIOCEM as a pioneer in understanding biological interactions at molecular and cellular levels, offering a unique platform in a multi-user space. (AU)