The Graduate Program in Biology of Host-Pathogen Interactions at the Department of Parasitology of ICB (Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas / Institute of Biomedical Sciences) of USP (Universidade de São Paulo / University of São Paulo) has been considered a center of excellence by CAPES since 2001. It aims at offering an extensive education/training in three wide lines of research (LPs): LP1: Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology of Pathogens and their Vectors; LP2: Epidemiology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases; LP3: Immunology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.
This program focuses on studies of contemporary aspects of the parasite-vertebrate host and vector interaction, aiming at educating and training Master and PhD professionals, qualified to perform teaching and research activities in Brazil and abroad, going beyond traditional borders of classical courses such as Parasitology, Microbiology, Immunology and Public Health. It offers a flexible Curriculum grid, which allows students to take courses in several programs of excellence at the main USP campus, in São Paulo, as well as in other campuses of USP and of other Brazilian universities. In addition, all permanent program advisors offer courses in their fields on a regular basis. Consequently, our approximately 100 students (divided in equal numbers of master and PhD students) have access to a wide range of theoretical and practical courses at the largest research university in the country. Students also have full access to ICB-USP laboratories, including specialized laboratories with large equipment for common use, as well as animal facilities for breeding and testing animals, and insectaries. We also have an important biological collection of human and domestic/wild animal trypanosomatids, the largest in the world. This program attracts a great number of students from all over Brazil and from several Latin American countries. Virtually, all graduate students receive a scholarship and perform their activities on a full time basis. Another unique feature of our program is that students have several opportunities to carry out field studies. The Department of Parasitology keeps advanced laboratories in the states of Rondônia and Acre, dedicated to studies on malaria, leishmaniasis and many other endemic parasitic diseases of medical and veterinary interest. Program advisors and students also carry out studies on domestic and wild animal trypanosomiasis and gestational malaria in Brazil and in African countries, offering students an extensive training in Parasitology, Microbiology and Public Health.