Led by Professor Ana Lúcia Fachin, a researcher at Unaerp's Biotechnology Unit, the research titled "Genetic Aspects of the Pathogenesis and Control Strategies of Recurrent Candidiasis and Dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum" is underway. Developed by researchers Mozart Marins and Renê Beleboni from the Biotechnology Unit, as well as professors Priscila Roncato and Nathalie de Almeida Sedassari from the Medicine Program, together with doctoral candidates and undergraduate researchers from Unaerp - the primary objective of this multifaceted project is to scrutinize the potential correlation between the recurrence of fungal infections and the genetic predisposition of the afflicted patients.
Originating from the doctoral thesis of the Medicine program professor, Priscila Roncato, the project is funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (Fapesp) and applies techniques of molecular biology, microbiology, and cell cultures to analyze blood samples and vaginal discharge from patients with complaints of recurrent candidiasis, treated at the Gynecology outpatient clinic of the Electro Bonini Hospital, coordinated by Professor Priscila.
Blood collection and samples of infected skin or nails from diabetic patients will be carried out by Professor Nathalie de Almeida Sedassari, responsible for the Endocrinology outpatient clinic, and Professor Tufik Magalhães Geleilete, responsible for the Nephrology outpatient clinic at the Electro Bonini Hospital (HEB). Samples will also be collected from diabetic patients at the Lund Nephrology Clinic in Ribeirão Preto.
In this regard, the University researchers plan not only to characterize and genotype clinical samples but also to develop treatments with natural substances and cytokines that have shown efficacy in vitro, contributing to the prevention of infection and preventing the development of more serious diseases.
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The research project is coordinated by Professor Ana Lúcia Fachin from the Biotechnology Unit
RECURRENT CANDIDIASIS - Professor Ana Lúcia emphasizes that some cases of recurrent candidiasis have occurred in seemingly healthy people due to changes in the patients' genes related to immunity against fungal infections. "There are people who have mutations in these genes of immune response, do not recognize the fungus, and end up having more serious lesions. We want to know if this recurrent candidiasis is related to genetic susceptibility because this is also interfering with treatment. If the person already has mutations in fungal response genes, it will not help to use the same drugs that are used," she explains.
The professor also highlights that the research project, based on knowledge production regarding the topic and the use of cutting-edge techniques, aims to provide improvements in women's health. For infection control, researchers intend to use natural products that are curcuminoids, in addition to cytokines, which improve the immune system. "We have already observed this effect in the laboratory, and articles have shown that patients who have these mutations, are more sensitive to fungal infections and have a decreased level of cytokine, so we will try to do an in vitro treatment with the substance."
SCIENTIFIC QUALITY - Coordinator of Unaerp Graduate Programs and the Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Professor Mozart de Azevedo Marins emphasizes that the support of research funding agencies such as Fapesp confirms the quality of scientific projects developed by Unaerp. "Funding also increases the visibility of the University and Postgraduate Programs with funding agencies, regulatory and evaluative agencies such as CAPES and MEC; besides drawing attention from the productive sector to establish technical-scientific partnerships with the Institution because they see the researchers' ability to develop research projects that attract investments from agencies with a selective support policy," he adds.
For Professor Mozart, the support from Fapesp highlights the quality of scientific production at Unaerp
