Fabio Papes

Prof. Dr. Fabio Papes\\\\\\\' laboratory has two main lines of investigation:
(a) Molecular Studies of the Olfactory System:
In this project, the laboratory intends to understand the molecular bases of the most primitive sensory system found in animals, the Olfactory System, using mice as model animals and Molecular Biology tools. Through genetic manipulation experiments (animal transgenics, optogenetics, chemogenetics and neuronal tracing), the laboratory seeks to understand how odors are detected by the two olfactory sensory organs (main olfactory epithelium and vomeronasal organ), how olfactory information is transferred to the olfactory regions in the brain, and how behavioral responses are generated toward chemical stimuli. In particular, the group studies maternal and paternal behavior, in addition to defensive and sexual behavior. The team has published numerous scientific articles in high-impact journals and has several research collaborations with institutions in Brazil and abroad.
(b) Neurobiological studies of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders:
Prof. Fabio Papes studies autistic spectrum disorders, seeking to understand their underlying pathophysiology, genetic bases and molecular mechanisms, with the goal of developing pharmacological and genetic therapeutic strategies. Through the use of in vitro cellular models, particularly those derived from patients, the group employs Molecular Biology tools to study autism and its cellular processes.

Prof. Fabio Papes is one of the PIs at the Laboratory of Genomics and Bioenergy (LGE) and at the Center for Medicinal Chemistry (CQMED) at UNICAMP.

Renato Vicentini dos Santos

Several molecular mechanisms responsible for the cross talk between different regulatory elements and signaling pathways, and their diversification in plants, still need to be elucidated to better understand plant growth patterns and biomass production. Our laboratory applies genetic and computational approaches to integrate molecular and systems biology to improve the knowledge about several biological mechanisms in plants. Recently we are elaborating ways to analyze regulatory network and dynamic metabolic models in sugarcane related with sucrose biosynthesis, and define the diversification of different signals programs among angiosperms.

Sílvio Roberto Consonni

The main purpose of our lab is to recognize the effects of multiparity and ageing in cells and extracellular matrix during postpartum recovery at birth canal (pubic symphysis, uterine cervix and vagina) in mice. We pay particular interest to understand how birth and ageing have a significant effect in tissue homeostasis, which could help us to understand the pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence and preterm. We focus on the connective tissue - an important site of cellular, molecular and hormonal signaling - and ask how this tissue responds (or not) to changes during and after first and multiple pregnancies. Using morphological, biochemical and molecular assays, we identified that recovery processes are regulated by cells and molecules in the birth canal and multiparity and ageing led them to not recover in the reproductive matrix mice.