Characterization of the proteomic profile of different fish and dragonfly species found in the Tapajós River basin, far from urban centers in the Amazon.

• Grant number: 25/09188-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Social and Preventive Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Grantee: Mariana Liessa Rovis Sanches
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 25/01082-8 - EcoTaxOmics: Expeditions to explore biodiversity in the Amazon using genomics and proteomics in molecular taxonomic characterization and biomonitoring of mercurial contamination, AP.R

Abstract

Molecular studies have been increasingly incorporated into traditional taxonomy methods with the aim of providing more robust data, aiding in the process of species delimitation, characterization, and identification. In addition, when combined with other tools such as oxidative biochemical responses, they can serve as biomarkers of environmental damage caused by toxicants such as mercury.Therefore, the goal of this proposal is to generate primary data on biodiversity by mapping the proteome of endemic groups from the Brazilian Amazon, specifically insects of the order Odonata (dragonflies or damselflies) and fish, thereby improving the molecular taxonomic characterization and identifying potential biomarkers to understand the effects of mercury exposure. These biomarkers could be used in the biomonitoring of environmental damage in remote regions of the Amazon.To achieve this, eight communities in the Tapajós region-an area impacted by illegal gold mining-will be investigated. One dragonfly community will be sampled, as well as fish species commonly consumed by local residents and important to the local economy. Five communities from a reference area in the Acará River will also be studied.Part of the collected samples will be immediately frozen and shipped FOB for proteomic analysis. At the end of the study, we aim to contribute to the molecular characterization of species using integrative taxonomy techniques and support the development of a biomonitoring panel to guide environmental monitoring efforts.