Use of Biomage Analysis in the Evaluation of Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoids and Chalcones in In Vitro Models of Endometriosis

• Grant number: 24/17835-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: May 25, 2025
• End date: February 24, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Giselle Cerchiaro
• Grantee: Kaio de Souza Gomes
• Supervisor: Beth Cimini
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Broad Institute, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/11448-4 - Evaluation of the Effects of Natural Products and Semisynthetic Derivatives in the Attenuation and Understanding of the Mechanisms of Action in In Vitro Models of Endometriosis, BP.PD

Abstract

Endometriosis is a disease that affects the endometrial tissue diagnosed in 15% of females of reproductive age and is originated with inflammatory disorders associated with oxidative stress. Current treatments are based on laparoscopy, which even effective has high recurrence rates, and in hormonal therapies, which possess several side effects, such as alopecia and inhibition of oestrogen production, besides adjuvant treatments to attenuation of symptoms. Brazilian flora is one of the most biodiverse in the world and it makes an endless source of molecular prototypes that can exhibit biological potential, especially regarding antioxidant potential, among the natural products classes with this potential, it is possible to highlight the flavonoids and chalcones. In drug discovery, target-based approaches (TBDD) and phenotype-based approaches (PBDD) are employed. PBDD benefits from advances in automated microscopy and image analysis, allowing for high-content screening (HCS) and morphological profiling to detect phenotypic changes. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) further enhances the ability to analyse these changes, facilitating drug development.This proposal aims to explore the effects of selected natural products during the development of the FAPESP 2023/11448-4 process on cellular organelles, combining cellular imaging and artificial intelligence to develop new therapeutic options for endometriosis, in collaboration with Dr. Beth A. Cimini from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.