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** Portuguese Version **

Cell Diferentiation
Research Program
Professor Radovan Borojevic

Impact and importance:

We are a group of professors that are interested in research, development and diffusion in cell biology, particularly in cell differentiation. We work in several areas of cell biology, including membrane microdomains in muscle cell differentiation, embryonic myogenesis, cellular dynamics in onthogenesis and dynamics of microglial cell in germinative brain layers, gap junctions in cell migration and proliferation in germinative cell layers in developing brain, ear structure and hematopoesis. Our research uses several animal models in embryonic and adult stages, including: mouse, rat, chicken and zebrafish. We also use primary cultures and cell line cultures grown in vitro. All these studies are concerned with approaching the biological phenomena in an integrative point of view, where both the structure and function related to the phenomena are analyzed. The methodologies we adopt are extremely important, and our group is particularly concerned with the quality of the complex techniques that yields a more complete picture of the phenomena studied. Optical and electron microscopy and cell culture are examples of the crucial methodologies for the development of research that pushes the knowledge boundaries. In this way, one of the technical goals of our program is to attain useful super resolution in optical microscopy.

Our group of researchers has published a high number of scientific papers in high impact international journals. We also have an important role in the Morphological Sciences Graduation Program (Pós-Graduação em Ciências Morfológicas – PCM – UFRJ), where we are involved in the supervision of several Master and Doctoral level graduate students. We offer annually several courses within the program related to cell biology, optical microscopy, image processing, developmental neurobiology, muscle differentiation and neuroanatomy, to name a few. We have raised over USD$ 300.000,00 in the last five years in different types of research grants from different national funding agencies (CNPq and FAPERJ), such as: Pensa-Rio, Sediadas, Cientista do Nosso Estado, APQ-1 and Universal. We are involved in many ongoing national and international collaborations, with important researchers such as: Michael Bennett, Cécile Gauthier, Clarissa Henry, Gillian Butler-Browne. Bechara Kachar, Jeffrey Macklis, John Murray, Maiken Nedergaard, David Spray and Patric Stanton. We act as reviewers of relevant international journals, such as: PLoS ONE, Cell & Tissue Research, Developmental Biology, Glia, Stroke, Brain Research, Neuroreport, J. Neuroscience Methods, Epilepsia, Epilepsia Research, J. Neuroscience Research, J. Neural Engineering, J. Neuroparasitology, J. Neurotrauma, Brazilian Journal Medical and Biological Research, J. Intensive Care Medicine, Frontiers of Neuroscience. We also participate as reviewers/referees (peer review) of national and international funding agencies, including: National Institutes of Health (NIH-EUA), Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-França), Program Blanc (Neurosciences), Association Française contre les Myopathies. Some of our work has met some impact in national and international news media (Reuters), and merited spots in news outlet (print and TV).



Our research program has arisen from prior collaboration experience between its participants. Professors Claudia Mermelstein, João Menezes and Manoel Luis Costa organized the project “Tridimensional studies using confocal disk microscopy”, in which we were able to install a Spinning Disk Confocal Microscope (Olympus) in our Institution (UFRJ), with support from the state-funding agency FAPERJ in 2011. Grounded in these previous works we sought to consolidate our successful experiences in a Research Program, that would allow us to joint efforts, while retaining independence of our own research aspirations.

We are especially concerned with state of the art imaging techniques in cell biology, such as optical and electron microscopy and cell culture, including confocal , video microscopy and live three-dimensional microscopy. We are experts in both optical and electron microscopy, and we organize annually a traditional microscopy course at national level. Our group has a tradition in teaching, and has participated in several courses, at both graduate and undergraduate levels. At the graduation level, we are responsible for regular disciplines, such as Muscle Differentiation and Optical Microscopy and Image Acquisition and Analysis. In this way, we (Manoel Luis Costa and João Menezes) organized several microscopy courses, with support from CNPq and FAPERJ, which could bring professors from abroad, to teach up to 100 students. The 2012 course (now in its 4th edition) brought Dr John Murray, Emeritus professor at University of Pennsylvania, Dr Clarissa Henry, professor from University of Maine, and Dr Ke Hu, professor from University of Indiana. In this course we had students from 5 states in Brazil, and we had a support from Brazilian Cell Biology Society, Graduate Program in Morphology (ICB-UFRJ) and Brazilian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society, besides Olympus and Nikon. In undergraduate level, Manoel Luis Costa is responsible teaching Cell Biology for Medicine majors, Claudia Mermelstein is responsible for teaching Cell Biology for Pharmacy students, João Menezes teaches Anatomy for Physical Education Activities students, and Renato Rozental is responsible for the Integrated Teaching Program of the Nervous System for Medicine majors. Claudia Mermelstein, João Menezes and Manoel Luis Costa are participating in the Committee for the Curricular revision of the Medical School. We are also involved in several initiatives for better class conditions: Manoel Luis Costa, together with prof Katia Arcanjo, were in charge of the renewal of the microscopy classroom, which include the substitution of all students microscopes and the installation of several benches with computers connected to video-microscopes. Furthermore, Claudia Mermelstein, João Menezes and Manoel Luis Costa received a grant from FAPERJ for teaching improvement.

Our group has participated in organization of several animal facilities. Manoel Luis Costa established and maintains a zebrafish facility, with fundings from FUJB, CNPq and FAPERJ. This facility has been providing zebrafish embryos and adults for several research projects in our institution. Claudia Mermelstein and Renato Rozental participated in the renovation of two rodents facilities in our institution.



Our group has an important participation on the life of the Institute. Cláudia Mermelstein was vice-chair of the former Histology Department and was vice-chair of the Graduation Program in Morphological Sciences. Manoel Luis Costa is the head of the Cell and Developmental Biology Learning Programa. He is in charge of the computer network and internet for part of our institution building, and participated on the Committees for Career Evaluation. Both Manoel Luis Costa and João Menezes offered pivotal expert counseling for the acquisition of a full laser scanning confocal setup now installed in our Institute.

Other researchers also participate in our program, as secondary appointment. Professor Marcia Cury El-sheik collaborated intensively with prof Radovan Borojevic in hematopoesis. Professor Leonardo Andrade studies ear development and structure, and has arrived from a Post-doc with prof Bechara Kachar. Professor Morgana Lima studies immunology and cancer.

We also have a strong interaction with technology innovation trend through our partnership with the newly created biotechnology group Bioinovar, located at the Health Sciences Center of the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (Centro de Ciências da Saúde - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro).

An important characteristic of our group is our commitment with the creation of a nurturing environment for our research and teaching daily activities, in which we are able to think, create, innovate and educate.

We are developing this internet portal to discuss cell biology techniques and methodological protocols.

Finally, the name chosen for our Program pays homage for prof Radovan Borojevic, Emeritus professor of our University UFRJ. Professor Radovan Borojevic has an internationally recognized career in cell biology, having published more than 150 scientific papers. He advised more then 50 graduate students in the country. Professor Radovan Borojevic is unquestionably an example and a reference in the cell biology field for quality, ethics, scope, teaching and education, and he is certainly an inspiring example for our group.

Professors


• Cláudia dos Santos Mermelstein - head of the Lab Diferenciação Muscular e Citoesqueleto
  Website of the Lab Diferenciação Muscular e Citoesqueleto: http://www.histo.ufrj.br/LabMus/

  Associate Professor (level 4) at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro UFRJ, Researcher of the National Research Council - CNPq (level 1D), Researcher of the State Funding Agency - FAPERJ ("Cientista do Nosso Estado"), PhD by the Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1992), MSc by the Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro UFRJ (1988), Biology Major (Ecology and Genetics) by the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1984).
  Updated Curriculum Vitae from the National Research Council
  Group Listing at the National Research Council
  Researcher Id: C-1464-2010
  Email

  
  

• João Menezes - head of the Lab Laboratório de Neuroanatomia Celular - LNC
  Página do LNC: http://www.labneuroanatomiacelular.zoomshare.com

  Possui graduação em Medicina pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1987), mestrado em Ciências Biológicas (Biofísica) pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1991) e doutorado em Ciências Biológicas (Biofísica) pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1996). Pós-Doutoramento no Massachusetts General Hospital e Harvard Medical School (2003-05). Atualmente é prof. Adjunto da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Tem experiência na área de Morfologia, com ênfase em Citologia e Biologia Celular, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: neurogenese pós-natal, migração celular, gap junctions, desenvolvimento do córtex cerebral, neuroembriologia e neuroplasticidade.
  Curriculo Lattes do CNPq
  Email

  
  

• Renato Rozental - head of the Laboratório de Neuroproteção e Estratégias Regenerativas
  http://www.nymc.edu/People/Renato.Rozental/index.htm

  possui graduação em Medicina pela Universidade Gama Filho (1982), mestrado em Ciências Biológicas (Farmacologia e Terap. Experimental) pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1985) e doutorado em Ciências Biológicas (Biofísica) pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1990). Foi Professor Adjunto e Chefe de laboratorio de pesquisa no Albert Einstein Coll Medicine, Bronx, NY e no New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, EUA. Atualmente é Professor Adjunto na Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - PCM, ICB e Professor Titular (Full Professor)(convidado) de Neurocirurgia no Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, EUA. Tem experiência na área de Fisiologia e Fisiopatologia, com ênfase em Neurofisiologia, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: gap junctions, células tronco, desenvolvimento do sistema nervoso, bloqueio de canal, hipóxia, isquemia, trauma, hipotermia terapêutica e depressão alastrante.
  Updated Curriculum Vitae from the National Research Council
  Researcher Id: D-5302-2012
  Email

  
  

• Manoel Luis Costa - head of the Lab Diferenciação Muscular e Citoesqueleto
  Website of the Lab Diferenciação Muscular e Citoesqueleto: http://www.histo.ufrj.br/LabMus/

  I graduated in Biology - Genetics at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1982), I obtained my MSC in Byophysics at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1986) with Prof. C. Chagas Filho e Vivaldo Moura Neto; I obtained my Ph.D., suma cum lauda, in Byophysics at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1991) with Profs. C. Chagas Filho e H. Holtzer (University of Pennsylvania). I have experience in Morphology, focusing on Cytology and Celular Biology, acting on the following subjects: cytoskeleton, muscle differentiation, zebrafish and desmin. I am now an Associate Professor level 4 at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, and accredited advisor of the Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Morfológicas of the UFRJ. I do a lot of lecturing and training, both at under-graduate and graduate levels. I have a particular interest in Biological Imaging and Optical Microscopy, and after I attended the Optical Microscopy Course in Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratories (1993), I organized several Optical Microscopy Courses, with attendance of students from all over Brazil. My results were cover of the journals Mechanisms of Development e Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton. My several papers have an average citation of 16 and an h-index of 12.
  Updated Curriculum Vitae from the National Research Council
  Group Listing at the National Research Council
  Researcher Id: B-5009-2010
  Email
   
   

  
  
• Marcia Cury El-Sheik - chefe do Lab Miogênese e Citoesqueleto

  Possui graduação em Farmácia e Bioquímica pela Universidade Federal de Goiás (1978). Mestrado (1985) e Doutorado (1990), em Imunologia pela Universidade de São Paulo. Atualmente é Prof Associado 3 da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Tem experiência na área de Imunologia, com ênfase em Imunologia Celular, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: b-lymphocyte, galectina-3, Inflamação crônica granulomatosa e em esquistossomose experimental murina. Membro do Programa de Pos-Graduação em Ciências Morfológicas, no ICB da UFRJ. membro do Programa Interinstitucional de ensino, pesquisa e extensão em Bioloiga do Câncer ( Programa de Oncobiologia).
  Updated Curriculum Vitae from the National Research Council
  Email
   
   

  
  
• Leonardo Andrade

  graduate at Ciências Biológicas from Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (1996), master's at Morphology from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1998) and Ph.D. at Morphology from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (2002). Has experience in Morphology, focusing on Cytology and Celular Biology, acting on the following subjects: electron microscopy, analytical electron microscopy, padina gymnospora, cell wall polyssacharides and heavy metals.
  Updated Curriculum Vitae from the National Research Council
  Researcher Id: C-9554-2011
  Email
   
   

• Morgana Teixeira Lima Castelo Branco
  Scholarship in Produtividade em Pesquisa do CNPq - Nível 2 Graduate at Biological Sciences from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1987) and Ph.D. at Byophysics (Immunology) from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1994). Has experience in Immunology, focusing on Cellular Immunology, Tumoral Immunology and Immunoparasitology acting on the following subjects: Gastric Lymphoma, Lung Cancer, Multiple Drug Resistance, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cytokines, Chagas Disease, Phytotherapy, and Helicobacter pylori.
  Updated Curriculum Vitae from the National Research Council

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Selected Papers

1 – Pontes Soares et al. 2D and 3D-Organized Cardiac Cells Shows Differences in Cellular Morphology, Adhesion Junctions, Presence of Myofibrils and Protein Expression. PLoS ONE 7: e381472, 2012.

2 – Yu et al. Reentrant spiral waves of spreading depression cause macular degeneration in hypoglycemic chicken retina. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 109: 2585-9, 2012.

3 – Costa et al. Cell adhesion in zebrafish myogenesis: Distribution of intermediate filaments, microfilaments, intracellular adhesion structures and extracellular matrix. Cell Motility Cytoskeleton 65: 801-815, 2008 (cover).

4 – Molyneaux et al. Neuronal subtype specification in the cerebral cortex. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 8: 427-437, 2007.