LABORATORY for CELLULAR and MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

• Head: Bianca Martins Gregório, Ph.D. Associate-Professor and Researcher Urogenital Research Unit E-mail: bm.gregorio@gmail.com

• Head: Diogo Benchimol de Souza, Ph.D. Associate-Professor and Researcher Urogenital Research Unit E-mail: diogobenchimol@gmail.com

 

The Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Urogenital Research Unit develops its work by means of basic molecular biology techniques, aiming at evaluating hormonal content and hormonal receptors in target organs, such as testicle, epididymis and prostate, in experimental models of maternal malnutrition, in the serum of normal patients and patients with urologic pathology, as well as in experimental models, normal and with malnutrition. In the experimental models, it is specially investigated the testicle functions, their alterations and the influence of maternal malnutrition in the reproductive function and androgen receptors. The projects in progress employ: a) - human tissue samples from surgery, biopsy, and necropsy, and b) - experimental models in animals.

The laboratory is notably expanding and, at present its physical facilities include: a)- Bench space for up to six graduate and undergraduate students simultaneously; b)- Basic equipment such as double boiler, pHmeter, refrigerator, freezer, bench centrifuge, Potter homogenizer, Kline shakers, assorted glassware and various reagents, automatic pipettes of various capacities, analytical balance, microwave oven, vortex, pipette washer, etc.; c)- Complete set for Western and Northern blotting analysis, including electrophoresis source, electrophoresis trough, transference trough, transiluminator, hybridization oven, cryostorage system, etc.; d)- Kitchen for preparing special rations, with various protein and calorific contents, for obtaining malnourished animals; e)- Microcentrifuge; f)- Refrigerated microcentrifuge; g)- System of water purification Millipore; h)-Thermal cycler Eppendorf; i)- PCR workstation.

Research Lines and Projects Currently in Progress

Effects on Genital System of the Protein and Energy Malnutrition during Lactation

• Effects on the Testicle, Epididymis and Prostate Extracellular Matrix in Rats.
• Effects of Protein Malnutrition on the Testicular Function of Rats.
• Effects of Protein Malnutrition on Sexual Behavior of Adult Rats.
• Effects of Maternal Malnutrition during Lactation in the Hypothalamus - Hypophysis - Testis Axis of Pups.
• Effects of Maternal Malnutrition during Lactation in the Uterus and Ovaries at Puberty.
• Analysis of Maternal Malnutrition Effects during Lactation in Estrogen Receptors, Hormonal Concentration and Uterine Morphology in Rat at 40 and 90 Days.

 

Study of the Hormonal Variation in patients with Prostatic Pathology

• Correlation between the Serum Levels of Testosterone and the Androgen Receptors in the Prostate of Patients with BPH and in Andropause.
• Correlation between the Serum Levels of Testosterone and the Androgen Receptors in the Prostate of Patients with Localized and Advanced Carcinoma.

 

Experimental Soya Nutrition and Sexual Hormones

• Hormonal Receptors and Hormonal Serum Concentrations in Animals Treated with Transgenic and Organic Soya at Three Generations (In collaboration with the Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

 

Gene Expression in Prostate Pathology

• Diverse Gene Expression Profiles of Primary Prostatic Stromal Cells from Different Histological Origins (In collaboration with Stanford University, USA).

   

  Androgen Receptors and Aromatase Enzyme in Prostate Pathology

• Expression of Androgen Receptor, Alpha and Beta Estrogen Receptors and Aromatase Enzyme in Animals whose Dams were Malnourished during Lactation (In collaboration with the University of Caen - Basse, Normandie, France).
• Expression of Androgen Receptor, Alpha and Beta Estrogen Receptors and Aromatase Enzyme in Prostate Cancer with Different Gleason Scores (In collaboration with the University of Caen - Basse, Normandie, France).
• Expression of Androgen Receptor, Alpha and Beta Estrogen Receptors and Aromatase Enzyme in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (In collaboration with the University of Caen - Basse, Normandie, France).