PROJECTS

2018 - Current

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF NATURAL OIL-BASED NANOFORMULATIONS IN WOUND HEALING AND TISSUE REGENERATION

Many of the oils derived from fruits from Brazilian biodiversity are recognized by traditional popular knowledge as important agents in wound healing; however, some of these oils have not yet been scientifically evaluated. The general objective of the present project is to investigate possible healing and tissue regeneration effects of oils derived from fruits from Brazilian biodiversity when free or nanostructured, aiming at the development of therapeutic formulations that can be used in related biomedical applications.

2016 - Current

COMBINATORY THERAPY BASED ON NATURAL ANTITUMOR AGENTS AND CONVENTIONAL CHEMOTHERAPY: RESEARCH OF ADJUNCTIVE THERAPEUTIC STRATEGY IN THE TREATMENT OF MELANOMA AND NON-MELANOMA SKIN CANCER

Given the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer, it is unlikely that the treatment of this disease will be effective using a single drug. Alternatively, treatments aimed at targeting more than one tumor target/characteristic simultaneously may represent a more effective therapeutic intervention. Bioactive compounds that induce the blocking or destruction of tumor cells by different mechanisms of action can be used in combination, showing synergistic and/or additive effects with greater chances of increasing tumor destruction.

2015 - Current

RESEARCH OF THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVES FOR CANCER: EFFECTS OF COMBINATORY INTERACTIONS BETWEEN NATURAL, FREE OR NANOSTRUCTURED ANTITUMOR AGENTS, IN THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER CELLS

In the present project, the team proposes to study the effects of the combination of anacardic acid and acai oil in order to reduce the viability of breast cancer cells. The project also includes analyzes of aspects related to the characterization of the transdermal penetration profile of antitumor agents associated with nanostructured drug delivery systems, aiming to optimize and make possible the use of this route of application to administer treatment in the future. The results obtained will certainly serve as a basis for expanding and directing future studies in the field of oncology and nanotechnology, opening new paths for the scientific, technological and innovation development of the Federal District and the country within the scope of the study of therapeutic alternatives for cancer of the mom.

2014 - Current

RESEARCH OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTI-PARSITARY POTENTIAL OF OILS DERIVED FROM FREE AND NANOSTRUCTURED CERRADO FRUITS

The diversity of bioactive components present in oils derived from Cerrado fruits makes them promising candidates for presenting antimicrobial activities. The general objective of the present project is to investigate potential effects of free and nanostructured oils on the proliferation and viability of parasites (Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi) and pathogenic bacteria/fungi, aiming at the investigation of their mechanisms of action as well as the development of related therapeutic formulations. .

2014 - Current

PROSPECTION AND RESEARCH OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF FREE AND NANOSTRUCTURED CERRADO OILS

Many of the oils derived from Cerrado fruits are recognized by traditional popular knowledge as important agents in the treatment of various types of inflammation; however, the anti-inflammatory effects of some of these oils have not yet been scientifically evaluated. The general objective of the present project is to investigate possible anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effects of oils derived from Cerrado fruits when free or nanostructured, aiming at the development of therapeutic formulations that can be used in related biomedical applications.

2014 - Current

SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF COMBINATIONS BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL CHEMOTHERAPY WITH NATURAL, FREE OR ENCAPSULATED ANTITUMOR AGENTS IN NANOSTRUCTURES, IN CANCER CELLS

Bioactive compounds that induce the blocking or destruction of tumor cells by different mechanisms of action can be considered as different "therapeutic filters" and be used in combination, thus reaching different targets simultaneously and increasing the chances of tumor destruction. In the present project, the team proposes the combination of antitumor bioactive compounds (chemotherapeutics, compounds extracted from plants or animals) with different molecular masses and tumor targets in order to reduce the viability and invasive potential of tumor cells. Additionally, the team proposes to evaluate the penetration through the skin and the antitumor effect corresponding to the combination of these bioactive compounds when encapsulated in different nanostructures in order to direct future studies related to the administration and application of this new therapy in animal models.

2014 - Current

ADDING VALUE TO BRAZILIAN BIODIVERSITY PRODUCTS THROUGH NANOTECHNOLOGY: EFFECTS OF NANOEMULSIONS BASED ON COMPOUNDS EXTRACTED FROM CASHEW ( ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE ) AND AÇAÍ ( EUTERPE OLERACEA ) IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SKIN CANCER

Skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma) is the most common type of cancer in the world. It corresponds to 25% of all malignant tumors registered in the country and has incidence rates that tend to increase rapidly each year. The main treatments currently used include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy; however, little progress has been observed in recent years in terms of cure or increase in patients' life expectancy. Disconnections and compensation mechanisms present in intracellular survival pathways allow tumor cells to develop resistance strategies and more easily adapt to therapies. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer, it is very unlikely that this disease will be treated using only a single drug. As an alternative, treatments that aim to employ different antitumor agents simultaneously may represent a more effective therapeutic intervention, since this combination can lead to synergistic and/or additive effects between such compounds, increasing the chances of tumor destruction. Many phytochemical compounds with antitumor activities already described in the literature are found in abundance in Brazilian plant biodiversity, with emphasis on anacardic acid derived from cashew apple ( Anacardium occidentale ) and molecules present in açaí oil ( Euterpe oleracea ). Despite this, the synergism effects arising from their combination have not yet been explored. In the present project, the team proposes to study the effects of the combination of anacardic acid and acai oil in order to reduce the viability and invasive potential of skin cancer cells. The project also includes analyzes of aspects related to the characterization of the transdermal penetration profile of the phytochemical compounds associated in the same nanostructured drug delivery system, aiming at optimizing the simultaneous administration of these fat-soluble compounds and making it possible to use the topical application route to administer the drug. treatment in the future. It is important to emphasize that the project also presents the proposal of associating nanotechnology with adding value to national natural resources and with the concept of sustainability, by using anacardic acid and chitosan polymers, by-products of the cashew and fishing industries, respectively, as components of nanostructured systems. The results obtained will serve as a basis for expanding and directing future studies in the field of oncology and nanotechnology, opening new paths for the scientific and technological development of the country within the scope of the study of therapeutic alternatives for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

2013 - Current

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF OILS DERIVED FROM FRUITS OF THE CERRADO, FREE AND NANOSTRUCTURED, ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

The general objective of this project is to investigate the effects of exposure of free and nanostructured oils derived from Cerrado fruits to human mesenchymal stem cells, aiming to evaluate their biocompatibility in the stages of cell proliferation and differentiation in in vitro models.

2013 - Current

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOSTRUCTURED PLATFORMS FOR PERMEATION AND CUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF ANTITUMOR COMPOUNDS OF INTEREST

General objective: To develop nanostructured platforms for permeation and cutaneous administration of antitumor compounds of interest. Specific objectives: (1) Develop different types of nanostructured platforms for the delivery of antitumor molecules of interest: (a) Bowman-Birk family protease inhibitor; (b) Aluminum-Chloro-Phthalocyanine photosensitizer; (c) melittin membranoactive peptide. (2) Characterize the obtained nanostructured platforms in terms of hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity, surface charge and stability. (3) To determine and compare the penetration profile of free or nanostructured antitumor agents through the skin in vitro .

2013 - Current

EFFECTS OF OILS FROM THE CERRADO, FREE OR NANOSTRUCTURED, IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SKIN AND BREAST CANCER

Approximately a quarter of all medicines manufactured and consumed today contain plant-derived substances. Plants have been described as one of the main sources of new bioactive molecules. The Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil, with climatic conditions similar to savannas, it is distinguished by the remarkable diversity of plant species. The fruits of native species of the Cerrado are particularly attractive because, in addition to having a peculiar flavor and high nutritional value, they contain biomolecules with pharmacological potential. Compounds of this nature have a wide spectrum of applications ranging from treatments to delaying skin aging, reducing inflammatory processes and cancer prevention/treatment. Despite the therapeutic potential of these compounds, studies investigating their effects on cancer prevention and treatment are still scarce. Given the above, the scope of this project proposes a broad investigative approach aimed at the development and characterization of nanostructured systems, combining the advantages of using nanoemulsions and natural and/or synthetic polymers, to optimize/intensify the effects of bioactive molecules present in oils derivatives of native fruits of the Cerrado in anticarcinogenic treatments. The biological effects of the oils, in the free or nanostructured form, will be determined by means of a cell viability assay in several skin and breast cancer tumor cell lines in vitro; and also by flow cytometry assays in order to elucidate the cytotoxic action mechanisms triggered in tumor cells regarding metabolism, proliferation, cell cycle, DNA fragmentation and membrane integrity after exposure to oils.

2013 - Current

COMPATIBILITY AND CYTOTOXICITY OF MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

The use of magnetic nanoparticles for therapeutic treatments presents favorable and unfavorable points. The advantages are high internalization by cells, possible reduction of doses needed to achieve the therapeutic action and the ability to reach only target cells, without affecting normal cells. Some disadvantages are possible alterations in the gene profile, alteration of iron homeostasis, oxidative stress and altered cellular responses that generate toxicological aspects. Given the above, the present project aims to evaluate the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of magnetic nanoparticles in normal cells of the biological system, and, with that, analyze and test the effectiveness of the use of biopolymers associated with magnetic nanoparticles.

2013 - Current

CENTRAL-WEST NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY NETWORK (CON-NANO NETWORK)

Complement the laboratory infrastructure of the Research Group on Nanobiotechnology Applied to Health, together with the University of Brasília, Federal University of Goiás and Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in accordance with international standards and references such as ISO/TR 11360:2010 and ISO/AWI TR 13014, which concern the classification of nanomaterials and their physicochemical characteristics in relation to toxicity studies. - The project will contribute to the training of human resources in postgraduate courses in Nanobiotechnology, Animal Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy and Biotechnology, mainly focusing on Nanobiotechnology, continuing the process of training and improving the scientific quality of the region. - To promote academically, scientifically and technically the participating institutions of the network that meet; - Expand the scientific and technological production of the entire technical team participating in the project; - Develop nanostructured platforms and validate methodology for the production of nanomaterials with extracts of mutamba and gabiroba, as systems for vectoring and controlled drug release on a large scale of production, which will have the potential to be incorporated into a variety of therapeutic protocols against cancer. - To develop nanostructured matrices of mesoporous silica containing the bioactive substances (+)-dicentrin, butanolide, cytosporone B, AMS049 and AMS35AA adsorbed and covalently anchored to pores for controlled release studies, through hydrolysis, aiming at therapeutic application in the treatment of breast cancer and melanoma in experimental models.

2012 - Current

DEVELOPMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURED SYSTEMS FOR ENZYME IMMOBILIZATION AND SUSTAINED RELEASE OF ACTIVE PRINCIPLES

Nanobiotechnology is a branch of science focused on the elucidation and rational use of biological systems found in nature for technological applications. The models of nanostructural organization of living beings consist of molecular arrangements and associations that have unique chemical, physical and biological properties, which have aroused increasing interest as prototypes of new materials. The present proposal will involve the investigation of the nanoscale properties of biological materials obtained from by-products of the animal and plant production chains, followed by their reorganization in the form of nanodevices in a strategy linked by subprojects that include: i) evaluation of the physical properties -chemical-biological of agricultural by-products; ii) development and characterization of nanostructured surfaces for applications in enzyme immobilization for nanocatalysts; iii) development and characterization of systems for the controlled release of drugs, hormones, vaccines, nutrients and pesticides. The evaluation of the properties of the materials investigated in the proposed activities will provide necessary subsidies for the development of new nanostructured products and processes. Such studies will also allow the strengthening of this line of research at the institution and the continuation of the training and qualification of human resources of excellence in the proposed areas through interaction with various postgraduate programs. The results obtained from these studies will be disseminated through the publication of scientific articles, presentation of studies at congresses in the area and/or development of processes/products.