LABORATORY
for EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX BIOCHEMISTRY
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Head: Luiz Eduardo de Macedo Cardoso, M.D., Ph.D.
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The Laboratory for Extracellular Matrix Biochemistry of the Urogenital Research Unit studies the role of connective tissue macromolecules, especially proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and collagen, in the normal and pathologic cell metabolism. The research projects aim at analyzing the composition and structure of these macromolecules in the normal adult and fetal urogenital system, as well as their modifications during development and in various pathologic processes. In addition to various biochemical techniques, morphological methods are also used, such as immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. These studies employ: a) - human tissue samples from surgery, biopsy, and necropsy; b) - body fluids, such as blood and urine; and c) - experimental models in animals.
Pediatric surgeon postgraduate student performing spectrophotometry
The physical facilities of the laboratory include: a) - Bench space for up to five graduate and undergraduate students simultaneously, b) - Basic equipment such as spectrophotometer (visible/UV), analytical balance, pHmeter, conductivity meter, shakers, water baths, dry baths, low and high speed refrigerated centrifuges, hood, vacuum pumps, refrigerators and freezers, automatic pipettes, and assorted glassware, c) - Analytical reagents for chemical and enzymatic assays of carbohydrates and proteins, with an emphasis on proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and collagen, d) - Equipment for gel electrophoresis of proteins and polysaccharides, both standard and FACE, such as power supply, dedicated chambers, and appropriate standards and reagents, e) - Equipment for gel-filtration, ion-exchange, and affinity liquid chromatography, such as columns, fraction collectors, peristaltic pumps, gradient mixers, as well as different materials for the stationary phases, f) - All the necessary hardware and software computer resources, including a scanner for digitizing gel slabs.
PhD and undergraduate students processing tissue for biochemical analyses
Urologist (left) and gynecologist (right) PhD students setting up a colummn for ion-exchange chromatography
Undergraduated medicine student working in a high-speed refrigerated centrifuge
Overview of hood and electrophoresis sections of the Laboratory of Biochemistry
Undergraduate medicine student working in a bench of analytical equipment for biochemistry
Research Lines and Projects Currently in Progress
Glycosaminoglicans Analysis in Prostate Pathology
- Biochemical Composition of the Extracellular Matrix in the Transition Zone of the Normal Prostate and in the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
- Ultrastructural Analysis of Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans in the Periacinar Region of Hyperplastic Human Prostates and in the Transitional Zone of the Normal Gland.
- Immunohistochemistry of Proteoglycans in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.
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| Medicine
undergraduate student, urologist and gynecologists postgraduate
students working in chemical assays for glycosaminoglycans |
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Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix of the Corpus Cavernosum and Tunica Albuginea from the Human Penis and from Animal Models
- Ontogenetic Study of Corpus Cavernosum Extracellular Matrix in Human Fetuses.
- Comparative Biochemical Study of Extracellular Matrix of the Corpus Cavernosum in Normal Adults and in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction.
- Alterations in the Trabeculae and Endothelial Layer of the Corpus Cavernosum in the Penis of the Aged Rat.
Study of the Glycosaminoglycans and Collagen Composition in the Bladder
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Comparative Study of the Urothelial Glycosaminoglycans in the Bladder
of Adults
(men and women). -
Study of the Bladder Glycosaminoglycans in Patients with Infravesical
Obstruction. -
Modification of the Glycosaminoglycans Content and Composition in
the Human
Fetal Bladder. -
Analysis of Glycosaminoglycans in the Bladder of Normal and Ooforectomized
Female Rats. -
Effects of Neonatal Estrogenization and Surgical Outlet Obstruction
on Vesical
Extracellular Matrix in Male Rats.
Analysis of Glycosaminoglycans Urinary Excretion
- Urinary Excretion of Glycosaminoglycans During the Menstrual Cycle in Young Women.
- Study of Urinary Excretion of Glycosaminoglycans in Postmenopausal Patients, with and without Hormonal Replacement Therapy.
- Urinary Excretion of Glycosaminoglycans During Normal Pregnancy in Young Women.
Biochemical Analysis of the Gubernaculum Extracellular Matrix and Its Role in Testicular Migration in Humans
- Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in the Human Gubernaculum During Fetal Testicular Descent and in Cryptorchidic Children.
- Analysis of Glycosaminoglycans Concentration in the Gubernaculum Testis in Human Fetuses and in Patients with Cryptorchidism Treated and Untreated with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.
Dr. Cardoso and Dr. Sampaio working in a manuscript revision