National Institute of Blood Technology and Science

Abstract

The aim of the present project is to create the National Institute of Blood Technology and Science - Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia dos Sangue. The mission of the institute will be to carry out and promote cutting edge research, at a level that is comparable to the best international standards in the field of Blood and Blood Disorders and Blood and Blood Products. The centers research will be a reference of national excellence, contributing effectively to the development of the country in this strategic field, i.e. the populations health. The investigations comprise basic aspects with great potential for the development of important discoveries in therapies or applied science; to promote the education of scientists of at a level of international insertion, in addition to specialists and technicians for all levels of this field, and specialized technicians who will act as regional references, strengthening the research and production network related to Blood for the entire country; to act in a consistent manner to diffuse scientific knowledge in the field of Blood, with a focus on secondary education and scientific education of the general population; to act in synergy with the sector of private enterprise production and with the government in order for ideas with a productive potential to complete their development cycle up to the manufacture of commercial products or to the stage of government initiatives translated into effective benefits for society. With this aim, the following objectives should be fulfilled: 1) Characterize the role of new genes and their products in the pathophysiology of hematological disorders. These have been identified through previous studies that have screened for mutations, the Brazilian genome projects, SAGE and microarray techniques. The studies will be carried out in vitro cell lines, patient samples and in animal models. 2) Characterize cell alterations, mainly those related to cell adhesion and the metabolism of nitric oxide in patients with acquired and hereditary hemolytic anemia and in animal models. In addition, study the mechanism of gamma globin gene silencing after birth using an animal model with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin produced in our laboratory. 3) Characterize the role of angiogenesis, fibrinolysis, and coagulation factors in the systemic response of sepsis and in the context of hemorrhagic fevers endemic in Brazil; characterize the role of new elements (new risk factors) in the pathophysiogenesis of venous thromboembolism, evaluating the possible significance of their proqnosis; characterize from the epidemiological point of view and from the molecular point of view the risk factors for developing inhibitors by patients with hemophilia in Brazil. 4) Establish a platform of local production of lentivirus viral vectors to be used in functional studies and gene therapy studies. 5) Establish a colony of Hemophilia A dogs in Brazil to be used by the institution and in partnership with the academic and private enterprise sector, essential for conventional and gene therapy studies. 6) Detection of molecular and cell abnormalities in benign and malignant hemopathies aiming to improve and perfect diagnosis techniques and detect prognostic markers. 7) Elaborate new protocols for the treatment of hematological disorders and implant gene therapy using viral vectors and therapeutic protocols using dendritc cell vaccines. 8) Create a support therapy center for onco-hematological patients, making more aggressive chemotherapy possible. 9) Implement new protocols of physiotherapy and dentistal treatment for all hematological patients 10) Investigate polymorphisms in blood groups, platelets, and cytokines and relate them to clinical symptoms in transfusional reactions, alloimmunization and infectious diseases, such as dengue and macular fever. 11) Evaluate the alterations of cell hemocomponents during periods of storage and evaluate the behavior of different conservation media. 12) Develop new forms of transplantation of mesenchymal cells, cord blood, and bone marrow stem cells, including haploidentical transplantation. 13) Contribute actively and relevantly to the formulation of public policies in the field of Blood and blood products and of blood and blood disorders. (AU)