"Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) from Two Bat Species (Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lilium): Establishing an In Vitro Model for Basic and Translational Research"

• Grant number: 24/21791-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Fabiana Fernandes Bressan
• Grantee: Rhaíssa Torres Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Stem cells are cells with a high potential for differentiation and generation are important in several functional categories, as they have the ability to divide and transform into other types of cells. Therefore, they may be useful for the development of specific functions. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) are essential for the progress of cellular reprogramming, cell therapy, cell research and much more. Bats (Order Chiroptera) are important in the balance of nature, as they are essential in controlling agricultural pests and insects in urban areas, they are also vital for pollination, assisting flowers and fruits in reproduction. These wild mammals, in addition to being extremely important for human well-being, have molecular adaptations that enable the potential for viral infection in their cells. As a result, this species has become the target of research to understand viral epidemiologies and analyzes of the immune system. Recent studies have shown ways in which bats tolerate viral infections and whether they genetically simulate the resources employed by the virus to evade the immune system, which provides a fertile environment for virus production. Several species of bats are distributed throughout the country, with Carollia perspicillata being the most abundant in Brazil and Sturnira lilium distributed in South America, which makes them important for virulence studies. The creation, then, of a bank of pluripotent cells generated by individuals of Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lilium represents a promising resource for studies of viral replication, as well as for studies of an immunological nature and related to aging.