| Grant number: | 15/05283-6 |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct) |
| Start date: | July 01, 2015 |
| End date: | June 30, 2019 |
| Field of knowledge: | Interdisciplinary Subjects |
| Principal Investigator: | Fabio de Lima Leite |
| Grantee: | Ariana de Souza Moraes dos Santos |
| Host Institution: | Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias para a Sustentabilidade (CCTS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil |
Abstract The Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a disease triggered through recognition of the Aquaporin 4 [Homo sapiens] (AQP4), water channels protein expressed in astrocyte foot process, by the anti-Aquaporin 4 antibody (anti-AQP4). The NMO has clinical picture of optic nerve lesions (neuritis) and transverse myelitis and needs of meticulous studies due its severity. A misdiagnosis of the NMO may result in an elusive diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and to lead the patients to death. Since 2004, anti-AQP4 biomarker is used for differential diagnosis between NMO and MS, through of the Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) assay and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). In this context, this study aims the Immunonanosensor development made with Atomic Force Microscopy tips for NMO biomarker survey and detection. The immunonanosensor will be developed by the chemical modification of the AFM tips and mica muscovite (substrate) nanosurfaces. These nanosurfaces will be functionalized with specifics biomolecules: the AQP4 peptide will be immobilized in the AFM tip and the anti-AQP4 antibody from serological samples of the NMO patients will be immobilized on mica. The interaction between AQP4 peptides versus anti-AQP4 antibodies will be measured by the Atomic Force Spectroscopy (AFS) technique. This research project is innovative due to the development of a novel detection method of the NMO biomarker, using NMO patients, MS patients and healthy patients' serological sample. This study will differentiate serological samples by the presence of anti-AQP4 antibody, besides allowing greater understanding of the NMO mechanism of action. (AU) | |
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