Infrastructure

Laboratories

Nine infrastructure research laboratories support the scientific activities of the faculty and undergraduate and postgraduate students, five of the laboratories are located in the Immunology service (SIM) in the University Hospital complex Prof. Edgard Santos (COM-HUPES), two laboratories are located in the research center Gonçalo Moniz-Fiocruz where there is also a Neuroscience Lab and a Hepatology Lab. In the last 2 years, research infrastructure has been installed in rural areas, where research projects are carried out, along with extension activities in the community (at Posto de Saúde de Corte de Pedra).

Updated information about the infrastructure of the Immunology service (SIM) and the Corte de Pedra clinic.

The infrastructure of the Immunology Service (SIM) located in COM-HUPES:

The SIM occupies an area of 600 m2 on the 5th floor of the COM-HUPES, and is made up of 5 research laboratories called Immunoregulation, Immunoassay, Immunodiagnostics and flow cytometry, Molecular Biology, Immunogenetics and the HTLV-1 laboratory. In these laboratories the following equipment is available:

5 laminar flow chambers; 2 chilled centrifugal tables; 3 CO2 greenhouses; 4 optical microscopes; 3 inverted microscopes; 2 analytical scales; 1 precision scale; 2 ELISA readers; 1 flow cytometer; 2 bath-maries; 1 sonicator; 2 pH meters; 3 magnetic stirrers; 1 citocentrifuge; 1 water purifier; 1 protein separator; 2 microcentrifuges and 2 PCR machines.

Also, as part of the Immunology Service, there is a common use equipment room where there are: 2 freezers to -70 degrees Centigrade (acquired in 1998), 1 speed vacuum (acquired in 1999), 1 high speed centrifuge and 1 ultra-centrifuge in addition to the -20 degrees ones.

Infrastructure for conducting experiments at Corte de Pedra

As the strongest lines of SIM research relate to tegumentary leishmaniasis, 2 years ago we decided to build a laboratory, located 280 km from Salvador. This laboratory has 2 greenhouses (CO2/B.O.D.); 1 laminar flow; 1 flow cytometer; 3 microcentrifuges; 2 chilled centrifugal tables; 3 optical microscopes; 1 magnifying glass; 3 freezers; 1 fridge and a Nitrogen container. With the creation of this infrastructure we have increased our ability to conduct studies in the area of Immunology, molecular biology and genetics. While blood and tissue were previously taken to Salvador for processing, using this infrastructure at Corte de Pedra, we are now able to carry out cell culture, analysis by FACS, culture of parasites and diagnosis by PCR. 

The infrastructure at Immunology Service and at the Corte de Pedra clinic for clinical trials.

Clinical trials in the endemic area of Corte de Pedra are instrumental in providing assistance to patients with tegumentary leishmaniasis. Additionally, the development of new strategies and drugs for its treatment are of high relevance to improve control of this neglected disease and that represents a therapeutic challenge. The SIM has been developing therapeutic trial activities with new drugs or medicinal associations since the 90s, despite the difficulties inherent in this type of complex research in an endemic area located in the countryside. The SIM has a multidisciplinary team that has training and experience in clinical trials, consisting of researchers, doctors, clinicians, nurses, biostatisticians and auxiliaries. However only during the last 4 years have we expanded the physical area at Corte de Pedra which is now equipped with 6 offices, 3 rooms for procedures and collecting biological material, 2 offices, 2 laboratories and a pharmacy. The offices are equipped with shelves for storing documents and CRFs, in addition to computers for building databases. The pharmacy is designed for the storage of medicines with shelving and air-conditioning. Most clinical trials are conducted in endemic region, supported by the accredited clinical analysis laboratory.

In case of needing hospitalization for drug testing for hospital use or little-known toxic potential, we count upon the core infrastructure of the Nucleus of Clinical Trials in Bahia (NECBA), located at the University Hospital Prof. Edgar Santos in Salvador. The NECBA has hospital beds and skilled professionals capable of supporting the different stages of clinical trials, made up of a team of doctors, nurses, a laboratory and a pharmacy. The NECBA is co-ordinated by a permanent faculty member of the PPgCS.

Infrastructure in the Gonçalo Moniz Research Centre

In the Gonçalo Moniz Research Centre (FIOCRUZ), the two research labs are headed up by professors of the Faculty of Medicine in Bahia and permanent faculty members of this program from the laboratory of immunoparasitology (LIP) and the laboratory of Immuno-regulation and Microbiology (LIMI). Each of these laboratories has an area of 180m2 containing spin dryers, refrigerators and -20 and -70°C freezers, laminar flows, PCR machines, ELISA reader, optical and inverted microscopes, scales, BOD incubators, nitrogen tanks, CO2 greenhouses. We also use multi-user platforms established within the CPqGM-FIOCRUZ like flow cytometry, sequencing, real-time PCR, histotechnology, transmission and scanning electron microscopes and mass spectrometry. The CPqGM also has an animal biologist, who is able to provide and maintain isogenic animals (mice, rats and hamsters) and some strains of genetically modified animals.

Libraries

The Faculty of Medicine in Bahia has a library with books and periodicals relating to health in an area of 53,903m2 with 25,823m2 for collection, 9,506m2 intended for collective use and 19m2 intended for individual use. This library holds 5153 copies of 1473 different titles; current journals: 204 national titles, 91 foreign titles; non-current journals: 443 national and 945 foreign; 27 CD ROMs and 647 videos, with access to the CAPES journal portal. In addition to the library, the Professor Edgard Santos University Hospital Complex (COM-HUPES) and the central UFBA library are also available for use by undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The three libraries hold, together, all the titles needed by teachers and students of the proposed program. The Unified Health Library (BUS) is also fully equipped with all the most current resources for bibliographic research. Teachers and students at UFBA have a VPN network that allows the individual to connect with the UFBA network and thus access the UFBA CAPES journal portal remotely without having to be inside the premises of UFBA. This resource is highly advantageous because it enables access to the CAPES journal portal at any time.

Computer resources

In the computer room, there are 18 computers for students, in addition to the teacher’s computer which is connected to datashow, where the statistical software is installed. In the classroom, there are also computers connected to datashow. All the computers are connected to the World Wide Web and have access to the CAPES journal portal. All counsellors have, within their sectors of operation, a room with computers connected to the World Wide Web, statistical programs and reference insertion. This is in addition to the access to the CAPES journal portal which enables continuous updates to be made.

Other information

The Health Sciences (PPgCS) post-graduate program is located in the Faculty of Medicine in Bahia, Largo do Terreiro de Jesus, along with other post-graduate programs of the same faculty. The PPgCS offers a unique physical space, containing various rooms intended for specific functions: Secretary (1,346 m 2), coordination (1,738 m 2), meeting room [Collegiate] (1,369m2), classroom (5,443m2), computer room (4,480) and Warehouse (1,320 m 2). There are also four rooms for working in small groups specifically for guidance (teacher-student rooms). The centre for Bioethics with computer and its specialized library is located in the room adjacent to the space, integrating the infrastructure of PPgCS. All computers are connected to the World Wide Web and also have access to the CAPES journal portal for use by students.