The Laboratory of Biologically Active Molecules -BioMol-Lab from the Federal University of Ceará – Brazil have been working in the purification, characterization, and molecular biology studies of biological active substances isolated from land plant and marine algae species, showing important biological properties. These active substances are mainly lectins, agglutinins, thionins and sulfated polysaccharides. The BioMol-Lab () is formed by two main different laboratories, named Laboratory of Plant Lectins-LecPlant-Lab and Marine Biochemistry Laboratory-BioMar-Lab, with several small research units and including Purification Unit, Biological Activities Unit, Genomic Unit, Proteomic Unit, Crystallization Unit and Bioinformatics Unit. The Purification Unit has the aim to survey, isolate and purify new biological active molecules from both, land plant and marine algae native from Brazil. The Biological Activities Unit develop studies upon the biological properties of lectins, agglutinins, thionins and sulfated polysaccharides, such as pro- and anti-inflammatory effects (in vitro and in vivo), anti-thrombotic and anti-hemorragic effects produced by sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae and animals and also from land plants. The Genomic Unit have been working into the Brazilian Genomic Project, the Structural Genome (EST genome) from the marine shrimp Litopenaues vannamei and Structural Genome (EST) from the cashew tree Anacardis occidentalis (at the initial steps). Structural studies about the properties from proteins and carbohydrates of biological interest have been carried out by the Proteomic Unit. The work developed by the Crystallization Unit has the main aim to grow and resolve the structure of crystals from new molecules isolated in our lab, mainly from native sources. The Bioinformatic Unit has been developing studies about data mining, homology modelling of biomolecules, building protein data banks, solving crystal structures of isolated and purified new molecules.
Professor Benildo Sousa Cavada. Agronomic Engineering (1976); M.Sc. Plant Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará (1980); PhD, University Paul Sabatier - Toulouse-France (1985); Pos-Doc, University of Durham – England (1991); Pos-Doc, Institut fur Reproduktionmedicinen Hannover – Germany (1997); Pos-Doc Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia – Spain (1999); Pos-Doc Université des Technologies de Lille – France (2000); Pos-Doc Universidad de la Republica –Montevideu/Uruguay (2001); Pos-Doc Université des Technologies de Lille – France (2003). Professor of Plant Biochemistry at the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department – Federal University of Ceará. Main subject: plant biochemistry, protein chemistry, lectins. Chairman of BioMol-Lab.
Professor Alexandre Holanda Sampaio; Fishing Engineering (1982); M.Sc. Plant Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará (1992); PhD; University of Portsmouth (England), 1997; Pos-Doc Université des Technologies de Lille – France (2002). Professor of Marine Biochemistry at Fishing Engineering Department – Federal University of Ceará. Main subject: Marine biochemistry, protein chemistry, algae, agglutinins. Vice- Chairman of BioMol-Lab.
Professor Benildo Sousa Cavada
Professor Alexandre Holanda Sampaio
Contact Information:
bscavada@ufc.br
Fone (85) 288 - 9818
Fax (85) 288 - 9818
UFCE
Departamento de Bioquimica
Laboratoio de Biologia Molecular
Campus do PICI – Caixa Postal 6033
60451-970 – Fortaleza - CE
