Marcelo Alves da Silva Mori

The main purpose of our lab is to identify and characterize molecular mechanisms involved in the aging process and in response to dietary interventions. We pay particular interest to understand how metabolism contributes to the genesis of age-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. We focus on the fat tissue - an important site of metabolic integration in multicellular organisms - and ask ourselves how this tissue responds to changes in energy balance and signals to other tissues to inform them about these changes. If not adjusted, this mechanism leads to several chronic diseases, especially in middle aged and elderly individuals. We identified that this control is at least in part exerted by changes in microRNA biogenesis in adipose tissue. When regulated, this process affects animal susceptibility to oxidative stress and influences lifespan.

Flávio César Thadeo de Lima

Ichthyology, systematics, biogeography

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.