Laboratories

Laboratories belonging to the Children’s Clinic Department of FORP/USP

1. HISTOLOGY LABORATORY

This laboratory is equipped (2 microtomes, bain-marie, oven, etc.) for the histotechnical processing of material from research carried out in mice (“knockout” and wild), rats, dogs, mini-pigs and humans for the performing staining and immunohistochemical techniques. This laboratory assists post-graduate students in the Pediatric Dentistry area, as well as assists with projects from other Programs, including those from other USP Units and other Institutions in Brazil and abroad, as a collaboration. It permanently has a Laboratory Specialist, with a university degree, with knowledge of the English language and with 2 years of internship in the Departments of Pathology, Histology and Immunology of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP, and a Laboratory Specialist, with a title of Doctor. It also has a Laboratory Assistant. Ongoing research projects are being developed with the participation of researchers from Brazil (Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto – USP, and Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto – USP) , from the USA (University of Minnessota, Mineapolis/USA; University of Washington – Dental School, Department of Dental School – Albert Einstein Medical Center – Philadelphia/Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburg), from Spain (Universitat de Barcelona and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos – Madrid) and Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México – UNAM). The operation of this laboratory is financed mainly with funds from FAPESP, CAPES (PROEX) and CNPq.

 

2. MICROSCOPY LABORATORY

This laboratory is equipped to carry out histopathological analyzes and to obtain photographic material for publication of studies in cell cultures and in vivo, in addition to microleakage analyzes of “in vitro” studies. It has a Zeiss optical microscope with attached camera, magnifying glass and measuring microscope and a microscope equipped for bright field and fluorescence, with an AxioCam HRc color digital camera and software for capturing and analyzing images (measurements and cell counts, among other functions). ). It has a laboratory Specialist, with a Doctor’s degree, to help carry out the analyzes and capture the images. Ongoing research projects are being developed with the participation of international researchers. The operation of this laboratory is financed mainly with funds from FAPESP, CAPES (PROEX) and CNPq.

 

3. LABORATORY FOR THE STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF DENTAL SUBSTRATES AND DENTAL MATERIALS

In this laboratory, “in vitro” work is carried out on the mechanical properties of materials (tensile, microtensile, microhardness, surface roughness, marginal microleakage, profilometry, shear strength and microshear, among others), under different experimental conditions, with or without the use of laser , using bovine and human teeth (deciduous and permanent). This laboratory has been maintained with funding from CAPES (PROEX).

 

4. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND CELL CULTURE LABORATORY

This laboratory has equipment for carrying out molecular biology and cell culture techniques, including real-time PCR (RT-PCR), western blotting, spectrophotometry and microscopy, among others. Different dental materials, as well as material obtained from animals (“wild type” and transgenics) and humans, are analyzed in relation to gene expression, detection/quantification of proteins and detection/identification of microorganisms to increase knowledge about the aspects molecular factors involved in the most prevalent oral diseases, in addition to evaluating the different treatments for these diseases. Studies in genetic epidemiology (polymorphisms) have also been carried out in human populations, aiming to evaluate the phenotypic and genotypic aspects of oral factors and dentofacial alterations. This laboratory has a computer with EPIInfo 7 software.

Ongoing research projects have the participation of researchers from the USA (University of Colorado, Denver/USA; University of Washington – Dental School; Department of Dental School – Albert Einstein Medical Center – Philadelphia/Pennsylvania; Department of Oral Biology – School of Dental Medicine – University of Pittsburgh), Istanbul-Turkey (Yeditepe University, Department of Pediatric Dentistry), Germany (University of Regensburg, Department of Orthodontics), Spain (Universitat de Barcelona and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos – Madrid), from Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México – UNAM) and from Brazil (Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto – USP and Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto – USP).

The operation of this laboratory is being financed with funds from FAPESP, CNPq and CAPES (Pro-Equipment) and has the permanent support of a Laboratory Technician and a Laboratory Specialist, both with higher education, trained in Molecular Biology techniques (PCR).

 

5. CLINICAL SUPPORT LABORATORY – ORTHODONTICS

It is a laboratory designed to meet the needs of Undergraduate and Graduate Students during the development of clinical research activities and in vitro studies in the field of Orthodontics. It has the necessary infrastructure and equipment for research in the area of ​​Orthodontics and its interface with Pediatric Dentistry. In this area, multidisciplinary studies have been carried out jointly with the disciplines of Otorhinolaryngology and Radiology and with the courses in Medical Physics and Speech Therapy at the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP, University of Guarulhos and disciplines of Anatomy and Physiology at FORP/USP. Projects are also developed in collaboration with the University of Aarhus – Denmark, with the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill, USA and with the University of Alberta, Canada. This laboratory has been maintained with funding from FAPESP and CAPES (PROEX).

 

6. LABORATORY TO SUPPORT TEACHING AND RESEARCH IN ORTHODONTICS

This laboratory is equipped with plaster cutters, polishers, vacuum includers, plaster vibrators, light-curing devices, individual benches with motors for undergraduate and graduate students to make orthodontic appliances. It also has a didactic space for oral presentation of teachers and treatment simulators. This laboratory is equipped to assist in carrying out research involving the area of ​​Orthodontics. In 2012, the Orthodontics discipline acquired the Dolphin Software, for registration (database), storage, treatment and analysis of images and performance of computerized cephalometric tracings. This laboratory has been maintained with funding from FAPESP and CAPES (PROEX).

 

7. CEPHALOMETRY LABORATORY

This laboratory is structured in the format of a room for cephalometric studies equipped with 12 negatoscopes for performing cephalometric tracings, a multimedia projector and computers. This laboratory is used to present seminars and study clinical cases treated in Undergraduate/Postgraduate courses and to carry out cephalometric analyzes of Research projects developed in the Department. In 2020, it had two postdoctoral students.

 

8. LABORATORY OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH SERVICES – COHORT STUDIES

The main objective of this laboratory is to meet the demands in quantitative methods. The laboratory collaborates with the Department of Child Care and Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP, together with the Center for Studies on Child and Adolescent Health (NESCA). Studies are being carried out with the cohort of Born Alive in Ribeirão Preto in 1994, involving research in the area of ​​perception of oral health, access and use of dental health services, in partnership with São Luís/MA. This laboratory has financial support from FAPESP (Thematic Project coordinated by the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP). In this laboratory, statistical analyzes of projects under development in the Program are carried out.

 

9. CLINICAL SUPPORT LABORATORY – PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

It is a laboratory aimed at the needs of Undergraduate and Graduate Students during the development of clinical research activities and in vitro studies in the area of ​​Pediatric Dentistry and related areas such as Dentistry for Special Patients, Dental Traumatology and Complementary Therapies. In 2020, it had two postdoctoral fellows with CNPq and CAPES scholarships.

 

Partner Laboratories

1. LABORATORIES OF THE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY SUBJECT OF THE FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

In these laboratories, analyzes of the physicochemical properties of different dental materials are carried out, in atomic absorption spectrophotometry, infrared spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy and profilometry, in addition to solubility and flow tests. This laboratory has financial support from FAPESP.

 

2. LABORATORIES OF THE SUBJECTS OF MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

In these laboratories, work is carried out in the area of ​​Prevention, using microbial culture techniques with standard strains (ATCC) and field strains, analyzing bacterial contamination of dental materials, toothbrushes, pacifiers, elastomeric ligatures, mini-implants and fixed orthodontic appliances and removable. In addition, projects are developed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of materials and biofilm formation, using the technique of microbial culture and scanning electronic microscopy (in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP and the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinarians of Jaboticabal – UNESP), analyzing the effectiveness of different preventive and therapeutic procedures. Studies on extracellular polysaccharides and quantification of Bisphenol-A are also performed.

The prevalence of microorganisms and the mechanisms of formation of periapical lesions and apical biofilm in deciduous and permanent teeth, in addition to the effectiveness of different endodontic treatment techniques, have been evaluated using the microbial culture technique, indirect immunofluorescence and histomicrobiology. The work carried out in this laboratory also includes the participation of researchers from Sweden (Institute of Odontology – The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University), Argentina (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán) and the USA (University of Washington – Dental School). This laboratory has financial support from CAPES, FAPESP and CNPq.

 

3. LABORATORY OF INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNOLOGY OF PARASITOSIS OF THE FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

Studies are carried out evaluating the cellular mechanisms that occur during inflammatory processes induced by different pulp pathologies, as well as by substances, medicines and techniques used in Dentistry (root canal obturator cements, pastes for long-term dressing, dentin adhesives, composites, irrigating solutions, laser , etc.). Studies are also carried out in cell culture (primary and strains), in addition to quantification of bacterial endotoxin (LPS), plasma proteins, nitric oxide, lipid mediators and cytokines. This laboratory has financial support from FAPESP and CNPq.

 

4. MOUTH BREATHING CENTER

Aims at interdisciplinary care for mouth breathing children, involving specialties such as Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Otorhinolaryngology, Speech Therapy, Pediatric Immunology and Physiotherapy, together with the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP (Medicine and Speech Therapy courses), in the same physical space , enabling multidisciplinary clinical research to be carried out.

 

5. LABORATORIES OF THE DISCIPLINE OF IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY OF THE FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

Studies are carried out evaluating the cellular mechanisms that occur during infectious and inflammatory processes, induced by pulpal and periodontal pathologies. The works focus on the cellular mechanisms that lead to bone resorption. Studies evaluating the effect of activation of pattern recognition receptors on cell differentiation and activation, obtained in culture of osteoclasts, osteoblasts and odontoblasts (“in vitro”) are also carried out. This laboratory has the support of a Specialized Technician (Mayara Santos Gomes) and financial support from FAPESP.

 

6. CYTOGENETICS AND MUTAGENESIS LABORATORY OF THE SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY, SCIENCES AND LETTERS OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

It is a laboratory designed to meet the needs of graduate students in the area of ​​cytogenetics and mutagenesis, with the necessary infrastructure and equipment for research in this area. Studies are carried out on gene polymorphisms (GST and CYP), analysis of chromosomal aberrations (including FISH), micronucleus evaluation and comet assay. This laboratory has already provided scientific advice to the Ministry of Health and IBAMA. Currently, he advises several entities that promote research, such as CNPq, CAPES, FINEP and FAPESP, among others.

 

7. CHROMATOGRAPHY LABORATORY OF THE CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT OF THE FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY, SCIENCES AND LETTERS OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

The Chromatography Laboratory at the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto – USP has a Xevo™ TQD quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to the ACQUITY H-Class UPLC system. This mass spectrometer has defined a new level in analytical detectability in the field of mass spectrometry, thus allowing quantitative UPLC-MS/MS applications with high sensitivity, enabling the quantification of substances at trace levels. In addition, the Xevo TQD has a T-Wave™ collision camera that offers new possibilities in the acquisition of mass spectra in MRM (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) mode. The Xevo™ TQD also features electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) sources. A diode array detector – PDA, is coupled to the Xevo TDQ in order to complement the data obtained. It has financial support from FAPESP.

 

8. PROF. RESEARCH LABORATORY DR. HEITOR PANZERI OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DENTAL MATERIALS OF THE FACULTY OF DENTISTRY OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

This laboratory is used for handling, manufacturing and testing different types of specimens of different types of dental materials. It has a Specialized Technician.

 

9. ORAL HISTOPATHOLOGY LABORATORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STOMATOLOGY, COLLECTIVE HEALTH AND LEGAL DENTISTRY OF THE FACULTY OF DENTISTRY OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

This laboratory is used in the development of routine diagnostic oral histopathological exams for SUS patients coming from the Unit and other public services. He also develops research in Oral Pathology.

 

10. ORAL IMMUNOPATHOLOGY AND GENETIC ANALYSIS LABORATORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STOMATOLOGY, COLLECTIVE HEALTH AND LEGAL DENTISTRY OF THE FACULTY OF DENTISTRY OF RIBEIRÃO PRETO – USP

This laboratory is used in the development of immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization, in several research projects in Oral Pathology.

 

11. CENTER FOR BIODIVERSITY DOCUMENTATION

This Center, belonging to the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters (FFCLRP/USP), is a multi-user space for the generation, editing and printing of images of organisms for research, extension and teaching purposes. In this location, there is one of the few Nano/Micro CT-Scan computed tomography equipment in the state of São Paulo that accurately records images on a nanometric scale.

12. LASER RESEARCH LABORATORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESTORATORY DENTISTRY AT FORP/USP

This laboratory has a complete dental office, equipped with various high and low power laser equipment, such as the Er:YAG laser, Er Laser, Cr:YSGG, Nd:YAG laser, CO2 laser, diode laser and Diagnodent. It also has an automatic machine for laser scanning and power meters. In this laboratory, works are carried out whose preparation and treatment of different dental substrates are carried out with laser, in addition to clinical work that uses the laser. This laboratory has financial support from CNPq and FAPESP.

 

13. RESEARCH LABORATORY IN ENDODONTICS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY OF FORP/USP

This laboratory has equipment for studies in microtomography (Skyscan Microtomograph), Instron Test Machine, Spectrophotometer, Microdurometer, Cutting Machine and Operative Microscope. This laboratory has photographic and filming equipment, which facilitates the creation of didactic material, and has the support of a Specialized Technician and financial assistance from FAPESP and CNPq.

 

14. DENTISTRY RESEARCH LABORATORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY OF FORP/USP

The laboratory has metallographic cutters and polishers, optical microscope, confocal microscope, stereomicroscope, microdurometers, rugosimeter, thermal and mechanical cycling machines, brushing machine, pH meter and agitators, among others, both for sample preparation and analysis. In this laboratory, which has a specialist technician with a Doctor’s degree, research projects are carried out by Graduate Students who develop dissertations and theses in this area or related areas. This laboratory has financial support from CNPq and FAPESP.