Diagnostic by functionalized gold nanoparticles with gp27 fragment gene of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

• Grant number: 11/17280-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Leandro José Raniero
• Grantee: Maiara Lima Castilho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) is a thermo-dimorphic fungus that causes paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). This disease primarily affects the lungs and can be spread by the hematogenous route. The difficulty of treating this disorder is the diagnosis of this disease, because of the wide variety of fungi and the similarity of symptoms with other diseases, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis. In fact, the correct identification of a particular type of fungus is still expensive and difficult, even with the technology of new equipment. In this context, nanotechnology provides new forms of analysis, with more rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms through a specific genetic sequence combined with metallic nanoparticles. This is the most current technology for diagnosing diseases. This method identifies the presence of gene fragment with precision and a minimal amount of sample. For this reason the project aims to identify gene sequences of Pb through the use of nanoprobes. Thus, this project takes a step into the future diagnosis of the disease with this technique. (AU)