Acquisition of automated DNA sequencer for the molecular diagnosis and epidemiology of major pathogens in animal and public health

• Grant number: 09/54029-4
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Start date: October 01, 2010
• End date: September 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo José Richtzenhain
• Grantee: Leonardo José Richtzenhain
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• EMU web page: Página do Equipamento Multiusuário não informada
• Type of equipment: Tipo de Equipamento Multiusuário não informado
• Manufacturer: Fabricante não informado
• Model: Modelo não informado

Abstract

The FMVZ Laboratory of Applied Molecular Biology and Serology (Labmas) was created in the mid-1990s, under the leadership of Professor Leonardo Richtzenhain. Such a laboratory was needed because of the growing scientific demand for the application of molecular biology techniques in studies related to the diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of diseases of interest in animal and public health. The development of the Labmas was quite rapid, incorporating ever more sophisticated techniques, making it a point of reference in this field of research within the FMVZ, for the University of São Paulo, for other universities in Brazil, and, more recently, for Latin America as a whole. Since 2001, studies employing the DNA sequencing technique have been conducted at the Labmas, effectively transforming it into a “facility”, where researchers from various institutions in Brazil and abroad find the appropriate infrastructure and human resources to conduct studies in molecular diagnostics and molecular epidemiology. The only automated sequencer currently available to support all of this research activity at the Labmas has fallen victim to the phenomenon of “technological obsolescence”, parts, and consequently maintenance, no longer being available. In view of this, we are submitting the present request for the acquisition of a new automated DNA sequencer, so that this extremely important institutional facility can continue to offer researchers the opportunity to conduct scientific research in molecular diagnostics and molecular epidemiology of the major pathogens in animal and public health, at the national and international level. (AU)