Marco Aurélio Ramirez Vinolo

The aim of our research is to identify the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota contributes to health. In this context, we are particularly interested in bacterial metabolites called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, acetate, propionate and butyrate). These molecules are generated by the fermentation of dietary fibers and play an important role in regulating host metabolism and immunity, being recognized as one of the microbiota-host interaction links.

Patricia Jacqueline Thyssen

Biology, ecology and taxonomy of Diptera and Coleoptera of forensic importance. Larval therapy. Insect vectors and pests.

Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon Quitete

The Laboratory of Reproductive Biology has studied the prostatic microenvironmental changes such as proliferative lesions associated or not with the aging process. The prostatic stroma dynamics as well as the stroma-epithelium interaction have also been the focus of our research, due to the main roles of these glandular compartments in the development and progression of the prostatic lesions associated with inflammation; angiogenesis; and oxidative stress. These studies have used different therapies, including those with natural compounds such as Brazilian berries, and a transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (Tramp) model. In addition to this, biological techniques for instance, immunohistochemistry; western blotting; microdissection; morphology; stereology and PCR have been used. Others studies using human prostatic cells (in vitro) focusing on prostatic cancer; hormonal imbalance; and biological processes (angiogenesis; inflammation; and oxidative stress) have also been developed.