Comparative Physiology and Eco-physiology
The Comparative Physiology research area of the PIPGCF is one of the most comprehensive in the country. We operate at the intersection of major fields in biology and health, including physiology, zoology, evolution, and ecology. The collaboration among our research groups provides access to various experimental models, techniques, and resources for developing both basic and applied knowledge in investigating functional mechanisms of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, adaptations, ecological aspects, impacts of toxic agents, as well as the development of tools for human health and pathophysiological mechanisms. Our research groups work on two main fronts:
We focus on developing new experimental models to enable targeted investigations that surpass the limitations of current traditional models. In this way, we have made significant advances in studying physiological and eco-physiological processes with an evolutionary approach in vertebrates. With its immense biodiversity, Brazil holds enormous potential for developing innovative experimental models with significant potential for application in human and veterinary clinics, agriculture, animal production, and management. Using various animal groups, we provide innovative studies on cardiovascular and respiratory function, autonomic and neuro-humoral regulations, thermal and hydro-saline regulations, and models for investigating cardiovascular and respiratory pathologies, Parkinson's disease, obesity, and others.
We engage in broad-scale initiatives involving ecotoxicological investigations to study the mechanisms of action and effects of a wide range of pollutants. This includes tools for environmental monitoring, development of biomarkers at different levels of biological organization, identification of hidden damages caused by sublethal levels of contaminants, and impacts on human health. These aspects enable us to deeply engage in creating environmental monitoring standards aimed at altering/revising legal monitoring parameters and establishing pollutant limits for human health.
Faculty
- Cléo Alcantara Costa Leite
- Diana Amaral Monteiro
- Kênia Cardoso Bícego
- Luciane Helena Gargaglioni Batalhão
- Luiz Henrique Florindo
- Marisa Narciso Fernandes