Fetal programming: consolidation of international and interinstitutional partnership within UNESP/Botucatu

Abstract

AbstractIn the last decades, it has been observed an increase in the incidence of diseases related to alterations in the metabolism, that affect both children and adults. Among the most prevalent are obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and even some types of cancer. Epidemiological evidence shows that chronic diseases can originate from insults sustained during intrauterine development, a condition known as Fetal Programming (PF). Despite this, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process are poorly understood. Considering the extensive experience of Dr. Elena Zambrano on this subject, we believe that her stay for a period of 2 months will bring a great gain for all teachers and students involved in FP studies. In a first contact, held in 2017, Dr. Elena Zambrano participated in a course on the subject offered jointly by 3 Post-Graduate Programs of UNESP and the results were highly useful. It was during this period that Dr. Zambrano made herself available to collaborate in research projects with our group. In this new opportunity, given the characteristics of the proposal of visiting professor (longer period of stay), in addition to postgraduate courses, Dr. Elena will participate in weekly meetings with various research groups, discussion of results and preparation of manuscripts and new proposals. Efforts are being made to have Dr. Zambrano accredited as a permanent member of the graduate programs, a fact that will certainly favor the exchange and co-orientation between the students of UNESP and the National Institute of Medical and Nutrition Sciences Salvador Zubirán. We are also joining efforts so that, in the near future, we can prepare a Thematic Project with the participation of professors / researchers from UNESP, as well as other national and foreign institutions. In this context, the participation of Dr. Zambrano, who is a researcher at the National Institute of Medical Sciences of Mexico and internationally recognized for her contribution in the area, will be of fundamental importance. Considering the number of teachers and students (both postgraduate and scientific initiation) involved in projects related to the socioeconomic importance of studies that seek to elucidate the role of the intrauterine / perinatal environment on progeny health, Zambrano will make an enormous contribution, not only for his experiences in understanding the effects of different forms of Fetal Programming, but also will leverage the impact and visibility and projects and publications on Fetal Programming. (AU)