Immunopharmacological salivary modulators from hematophagous arthropods

• Grant number: 13/09434-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Duration: November 06, 2013 - February 05, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Fernando de Queiroz Cunha
• Grantee: Fernando de Queiroz Cunha
• Visiting researcher: José Marcos Chaves Ribeiro
• Visiting researcher institution: National Institutes of Health, Rockville (NIH), United States
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/19670-0 - Mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis, pain and sepsis, AP.TEM

Abstract

Our research group has been developing studies on the physiopathology of inflammatory processes, generating a vast literature on the subject in the last few decades. We are currently supported by a grant from FAPESP under a Thematic Project entitled "Mechanisms involved in the physiopathology of rheumatoid arthritis, pain and sepsis" (Process 2011/19670-0). Our goal is to develop a translational investigation in this area, and one of our targets is the potential immunopharmacological effects of saliva from hematophagous vectors and their biochemical characterization. In this context, we are submitting the present application for a Visiting Research fellowship in order to receive Dr. José Marcos Ribeiro in our laboratory for a 3-month period. Dr. Ribeiro is the head of Section of Vector Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID/NIH) with recognized leadership in Medical Entomology, mostly in studies on the biological properties of saliva from arthropod vectors. His group has published over 250 papers and developed a bioinformatics platform that, associated to the bioassays carried out in our laboratory, might generate an interesting database about the activities of salivary components. During his visit, Dr. Ribeiro will participate of the establishment of a research network involving Brazilian groups and those from NIAID/NIH, whose official protocol is already signed. In addition, he will support the development of a rational platform to purify and characterized salivary molecules, assist technicians, graduate students and researchers in uncommon technologies and methodologies, and also give lectures to a Graduate course. We strongly believe that having Dr. Ribeiro in our group will contribute with the internationalization efforts of University of Sao Paulo, in addition to increase the visibility of our group and Institution. (AU)