Apresentation
PPGTox multidisciplinary perspective is inserted in biological questions related to concepts of poisons and toxins from different species, and their action towards cellular receptors or effector molecules associated with pharmacological or pathophysiological processes. The general concepts of complexity, variability and specificity of toxins are also considered, aiming for a better understanding of the organisms that produce toxins.
In this context, the crosscutting studies include animal biology up to molecular aspects of the toxins studied. In addition, the program includes the application of knowledge generated through the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of human poisonings, aiming at immediate improvements in the therapy of accidents and the use of toxins as biotechnological tools or template molecules for pharmaceutical innovation. The program's lines of research are: integrated biology applied to Toxinology, microbial toxins, structural toxinology, toxins and biological systems, poisoning and therapeutic and bioprospecting and development.
Another feature of PPGTox is its proposal for institutional training and internationalization, favoring exchanges with different educational institutions, research and technological development in Brazil and abroad.
The PPGTox started its activities in 2010 and was approved by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes) in 2009, with grade 5. Researchers at the Butantan Institute compose the permanent faculty of the Program and have outstanding training and scientific productivity measured in different areas of expertise required for the study of toxins: Animal Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology and Immunology.