Characterization of hepatopancreas cells in Sesarma rectum Randall 1840 (Decapoda, Brachyura) and primary cultured tests in vitro

• Grant number: 06/04880-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2006
• End date: June 30, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Physiology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Márcio Reis Custódio
• Grantee: Evelyn Zanini Christino
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Crustaceans are a highly diversified group, including a variety of sizes and forms, and occupying different environments. In recent years, due to its commercial value and utility as a model in several areas of basic and applied research, the interest in the establishment of in vitro cell cultures is increasing. However, as for other invertebrates, little progress was obtained. Contamination is common, sometimes mistaken by the own organism's cells, and results in cell maintenance are limited. Part of this problem is due to the poor knowledge regarding the morphological alterations suffered by the cells during the passage from the organic context to in vitro culture systems. Another factor could be caused by the common utilization of media and approaches defined for vertebrates. Basically, by the way the cells are put in culture. Therefore, the objectives of this project are the characterization of hepatopancreatic cells of Sesarma rectum and the testing of initial protocols for culture, assaying the morphological alterations and cell viability on different treatments. The results obtained, besides allowing a better control of the cells in culture, can indicate new approaches to be utilized on the establishment of primary cultures of these organisms.