Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms
In vitro antiparasitic tests of natural compounds/extracts against promastigote forms of Leishmania spp. and asexual forms of Plasmodium falciparum W2. Cytotoxicity testing is also offered with cells of the J774 lineage (murine macrophages) and HepG2 (derived from a human hepatoma). All of these techniques are based on the use of fluorescence or absorbance detectors in plates of 96 or more wells, allowing the acquisition, automated analysis and determination of growth inhibition for 50% of the parasite population (IC50) and determination of the cytotoxic concentration for 50 % of cells (CC50), after treatment of each concentration of tested compounds.

This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Rondônia.

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms.

The Bioassays for screening anti-tuberculosis drugs platform performs microbiological tests to detect activity of natural and synthetic compounds against the M. tuberculosis complex, non-tuberculosis mycobacteria and others bacterias, using the broth microdilution method with oxidation indicator (MTT), colony count (UFC), BACTEC MGIT 960 and early bactericidal activity. This platform also perform tests with resistent strains. In addition, cytotoxicity assays using the MTT method and bactericidal activity in macrophage are offered when a compound shows activity against the mycobacteria tested.

This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Rio de Janeiro (INI).

Head of Platform: Maria Cristina da Silva Lourenco;
Technical Manager: Leonardo Bruno Paz Ferreira Barreto

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms
Antitumoral screening facility offer cell-based assays for determination of antitumoral activity of small molecules, biologicals, natural products, and nanostructured products. Using human tumoral cell lines derived from several organs and tissues provide support for compound isolation- and synthesis-guided by bioactivity, selectivity determination, IC50 and assays for apoptosis and caspase 3/7 activation. Cytotoxicity assays are based on MTT method, and annexin V/PI and caspase 3/7 activity performed by flow cytometry. Assays using 3D spheroid method are available on demand.

This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Rio de Janeiro (FAR).

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms

The platform has high-performance equipment that allows to carry out screening automatically on a large number of samples. It has the potential to support projects for the development of vaccines, medicines, bioinsecticides and diagnostic supplies. Furthermore, it requires human resources with excellent technical training to operate them and serve institutional and external users. The following equipment is available: ImageXpress Micro Confocal, automated microscope in microplate format for high-content analysis in bright-field, wide-field and confocal fluorescence; Microplates readers with integrated pipettor for readings of absorbance (UV/Vis), fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence and luminescence (FlexStation III, Molecular Devices and Varioskan FL, Thermo), ITC200 / GE Health Care Isothermal Titration Calorimetry for thermodynamic characterization of biomolecular interactions; Monolith NT.115 (Nanotemper) MST system for KD determination; Liquid pipetting station (Starlet / Hamilton). It also has other equipment, such as a biological safety cabinet, greenhouses, centrifuge, micropipettes, etc.

This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Rio de Janeiro (IOC).

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms.
The services offered by the ELISPOT platform were designed to meet the specific needs of researchers conducting ELISPOT technique and/or analyses. The platform uses a CTL ImmunoSpot S6 ultra reader and provides a wide range of essential services for the effective and accurate execution of the user research. There are four available services: 1) Image and Data Acquisition with Operator Assistance: For those who require direct assistance in obtaining images and data from their ELISPOT plates, we provide image and data acquisition services with an experienced operator present. This ensures that images are captured with high quality, and data is accurately recorded; 2) Image and Data Acquisition without an Operator: For experienced and trained users, we offer the option to independently acquire images and data from ELISPOT plates without the need for an operator on-site; 3) Experimental Planning Consultancy: personalized consultancy for experimental planning. Based on the user specific research and objectives, we assist in defining the best analysis strategies, including gating settings, to ensure that your results are reliable and relevant; 4) ELISPOT Technique Training and Results Analysis: Training in the ELISPOT technique, providing both fundamental knowledge and practical skills so the user can proficiently conduct his own experiment.

This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Rio de Janeiro (IOC).

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms

The platform performs cytotoxicity bioassays to determine IC50 values and predict LD50 values. It also offers the contact cytotoxicity assay that allows a direct toxicity assessment of the test item on the test system (cells). The colorimetric assays (neutral red dye uptake and MTT assay) use the multi-user equipment Synergy H1M2F microplate reader, also available for autonomous use and training (exclusive for internal users) or use with the platform staff. In addition, other medium and small equipment is also used, such as class IIB2 biological safety booths, monochannel and multichannel micropipettes, analytical balance, CO2 incubators, inverted microscope with photographic system.

This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Paraná.

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms
The platform provides extract preparation and deposit services, from which samples will be prepared or plated for screening, confirmation of activity and determination of IC50 in in vitro and in vivo biological assays made available through collaborations signed with partner research groups. To perform these services, this platform uses the following set of equipment: Exhaust hood, Analytical balance, Rotaevaporator, Vacuum Pump, Vortex Shaker, Plate shaker, Ultrasound Bath, Single and multichannel manual pipettor, Multichannel electronic pipettor, SpeedVac evaporator and TLS labeler. Additionally, this platform provides Training and Plate Reading services on the multi-user SpectraMax M5 Reader equipment.
This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Minas Gerais.

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms
The PlaBio Tc is equipped to carry out in vitro and in vivo tests to screen compounds (natural and synthetic) with activity against T. cruzi. a) Automated test to evaluate the in vitro activity of the action of natural compounds/extracts against amastigote and trypomastigote forms from Tulahuen T. cruzi strain, transfected with the Beta-galactosidase enzyme. Screening and determination of the dose that inhibits parasitic growth by 50% (IC50) b) Automated test, using the vital dye Alamar Blue, to evaluate the toxicity of compounds with anti-T. cruzi activity on mammalian cells (L929). Determination of the dose that inhibits cell growth by 50% (CC50) c) Determination of selectivity index (SI) (CC50/IC50) for selection of compounds that will be tested in in vivo assays, with SI cutoff ≥ 50; d) In vivo test, acute phase, using mice infected with T. cruzi Y (medium resistance) and Colombian (high resistance to Benznidazole) strains.
This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Minas Gerais.

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms
The RPT11H sets-up bacterial assays against various strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria considered Multidrug-resistant organisms. The bacterial tests include preliminary assays such as antibiogram, minimum inhibitory concentration, and bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity. The platform also performs viability and cytotoxicity assays against non-cancerous and cancerous cells of human and animal origin, as well as antimalarial assays against the Plasmodium falciparum strain. All assays are standardized for screening all types of substances, whether they are extracts, fractions, isolates, oils, nanoparticles, nanofibers, peptides, etc. This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Amazonas.

Fiocruz’s Network Technological Platforms
Equipment: Micromodulyo SAVANT freeze dryer for lyophilizing extracts, especially aqueous ones; Refrigerated Sheiker incubator, for the extraction process; Exhaust Hood – pre-evaporation of extracts; and Rotaevaporator, for concentration of extracts. This platform is located in FIOCRUZ – Amazonas.