Abstract
The present proposal establishes the continuity and expansion of the activities of the National Institute of Science and Technology in Stem Cells and Cell Therapy, one of the National Institutes of Science and Technology created by CNPq/FAPESP in 2008. In that opportunity, we proposed the development of an extensive program of basic and clinical research to understand, isolate, culture and therapeutically use somatic and pluripotent stem cells, both in animal and human models, which also predicted the study on neoplastic stem cells, especially the ones associated with leukemias and Iymphomas. Considering the evolution of scientific knowledge of neoplastic stem cells that culminated in the proposal of a new oncogenesis model where there are multiple subpopulations of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) that exhibit higher or lower dominance in tumor mass throughout the evolution of the disease, we decided in this proposal to isolate, culture, characterize single tumor cells (single cell analysis), and study tumor microenvironment with the aim of understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisrns that lead to cancer genesis. Additionally, we intend to make a great effort to develop innovative therapies against cancer, including immunotherapy and nanomedicine, which might originate pre-clinical and clinical studies in several neoplasias. To carry out this ambitious research plan, we have assembled experts and institutions with acknowledged scientific experience in the areas involved: Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Hematology, Oncology, Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Protein Chemistry, Chemical and Material Engineering, and Veterinary. The participation of principal investigators and collaborators will be fostered in an integrated and complementary way, fruit of the understanding that cancer is a complex issue that could only be effectively approached in a multidisciplinary way. The scientific production of these investigators on the subject? cell therapy?, during the period of development of the project (2009-2014), accounts for more than 470 articles published in refereed journals, representing an increase of more than 50% when compared to the period of five years before INCTC, 7 books and 11 book chapters published and 5 patents deposited. Sixty-six master dissertations, 72 doctorate and 34 post-doctoral theses have been completed. Using the project resources, 28 junior post-doctoral fellowships and 59 Technological and Industrial Development scholarships (DTI), 19 technical support and 20 scientific initiation scholarships have been granted. The scholarships granted throughout the project were essential for the success of the proposal. This proposal gathers 15 Pls from 7 institutions, with expressive academic production, highlighting the publication of 1,358 articles in refereed journals and 14,084 citations and index h equals to 56. 11 has constituted one of the best groups of research on stem cells, therapy and cancer in the country, brought together in an integrated way to address a challenging issue, such as cancer, will enable, great scientific advance which will be able to put the country in a prominent position in the international scene. In general, the set of studies on the area of basic research involves the isolation and characterization of tumor cells and cancer stem cells which will be studied in a detailed level by tools: transcriptome, genomics, epigenomics, cytomics and proteomics that allow the integration of large scale biology and approach to biological systems. The scientific proposal covers three main areas: 1) basic studies for understanding the biology of cancer; 2) development of new therapeutic approaches with emphasis on immunotherapy; and 3) pre-clinical and clinical trials. Educational activities for basic education will be coordinated by the House of Science and will be widely divulged mainly on their educational portal that allows interactive access by teachers, students and post-graduate students involved in the project. Activities will also be conducted at the Museum and Laboratory for Science Teaching, located in the campus of USP-RP. These activities rely on the support of Hemocentro TV, a center for media production, composed of a television studio and an editing suite. The area of education and science dissemination keeps many training and scientific initiation programs designed to teachers and students of elementary and high schools, such as the program “Adopt a Scientist” where postgraduate students are tutors of small groups of students of elementary and high schools with the aim of discussing and studying biology subjects corresponding to the themes of the research carried out by the Institute. Stricto sensu postgraduate education has also been developed as part of the program of knowledge dissemination and specialized professional training. In 2010, two postgraduate courses were organized; they are linked to the Department of Medical Practice, but administered by INCTC investigators. The academic master and doctorate course “Clinical Oncology, Stem Cells and Cell Therapy” and the professional master course “Professional Master in Hemotherapy and Biotechnology” The innovation activities will also be amplified with the support of the USP Innovation Agency and SUPERA - Innovation and Technology Park of Ribeirão Preto. Since 2005, 15 companies have been incubated in the unit Incubator located in the Blood Center. Recently, both units of the SUPERA have been incorporated to the Technological Park that gathers all incubated companies. Additionally, new actions will be developed aiming at the technological development and its transfer to the production sector. Finally, the internationalization activities, jointly with the program of research, science dissemination and diffusion and technology transfer, form the INCTC foundation. This proposal relies on international collaborators, committed to the team. (AU)
| Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant: |
| More itemsLess items |
| TITULO |
| Articles published in other media outlets ( ): |
| More itemsLess items |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |