| Summary: |
Extend the current knowledge on aquatic organisms, using descriptive and quantitative ultrastructural studies, particularly in bivalves, gastropods, fish and protozoan parasites. These studies will continue research lines that have been developed by this proposal team. Studies with gastropods focus mainly on salivary glands, gut and digestive gland. The results obtained with different species will make comparative analyzes and relate the morphological data with evolutionary aspects. Studies on bivalve seek better characterize the cytology of the nervous system, a fragile systems that have been found to be targets of environmental toxicants. Another line will be dedicated to quantitative changes of cell organelles in fish, especially peroxisomes induced by water pollutants. It will also continued the studies have started on the pharmaceutical potential of new products isolated from marine (eg, fungi, algae, etc.).. In these studies conducted with various tumor cell lines, it is proposed to insert an evaluation component in electron microscopy in order to better characterize the lines and cytotoxic vs protective effects. These studies, carried out in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) have a high innovation potential and valuation. In the case of parasitology, we intend to optimize the ultrastructural information acquired in greater quantity and better quality. The results will thus increase the scientific quality of work through better information leading to taxonomic characterization and recognition of developmental characters, associated with molecular data reveal the phylogeny of groups of parasites studied. The study of cellular parasites is also central to the establishment of prevention techniques and appropriate and that can be applied in the aquaculture environment prophylaxis. In all these aspects of the project, the ultrastructural studies will be complemented by biochemical or molecular analyzes. |