Colorimetric tests for the detection of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis fungus

• Grant number: 15/10156-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2015
• End date: September 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Leandro José Raniero
• Grantee: Marcela Aparecida Cândido
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermo-dimorphic fungus that causes Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). A great challenge currently faced in the diagnosis of this mycosis are the cross reactions with another diseases. Nanotechnology has been one of many tools applied in biomedical researches, due to its large applicability and versatility. Gold nanoparticles attract great studies focus because it has chemicals and optical characteristics dependents on its size and shape. In terms of DNA detection, two methodologies can be followed, the first method correspond of functionalization of nanoparticles (non-cross-linking) and the other do not occur the functionalization (Free-Label method). In this work, will be studied the methodologies non-cross-linking and free-label in amplified DNA fragment detection specific of P. brasiliensis, as well the gold nanoparticle stability and the influence of salt solutions in the change of colorimetric assays color. (AU)