Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: STEPHANIE CAROLINE BIVAR MATIAS

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : STEPHANIE CAROLINE BIVAR MATIAS
DATE: 16/12/2025
TIME: 14:30
LOCAL: Via Google Meet
TITLE:

Evaluation of strategies for inducing, disrupting, and purifying the multi-antigenic chimeric protein TgAGS/BsT of Toxoplasma gondii expressed in E. coli BL21

KEY WORDS:

E. coli BL21 Star; induction; chimeric protein; toxoplasmosis

PAGES: 57
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia Química
SUBÁREA: Processos Industriais de Engenharia Química
SPECIALTY: Processos Bioquímicos
SUMMARY:

Toxoplasma gondii is the most efficient obligate intracellular parasite in existence, capable of infecting almost all types of warm-blooded animals, including humans. It is estimated that about 30% of the world's population is infected with T. gondii, and that, depending on climatic conditions that favor or hinder the survival of oocysts, and on human and socioeconomic factors, this percentage may vary between countries. In Brazil, seroepidemiological studies conducted in different population groups have shown that the prevalence of infection can reach rates of up to 80%.

In general, toxoplasmosis does not present any clinical symptoms in immunocompetent patients, which leads to it being neglected in terms of treatment and prevention. However, immunosuppressed patients (HIV carriers, cancer patients, transplant recipients) and pregnant women may develop severe symptoms, which can lead to death. Because it is neglected by public bodies, there is no dissemination of ways to prevent this disease, which is still done through prophylactic measures such as: avoiding the ingestion of contaminated water and food, in addition to maintaining socio-environmental conditions that prevent the proliferation of the parasite.

Due to the great diversity of antigens presented by Toxoplasma gondii, studies seeking a vaccine and diagnostic kit containing multiple antigens become quite promising. In this context, a study carried out by Moura (2018) demonstrated that the chimeric protein TgAGS/BsT, a protein with a molecular mass of approximately 18.6 kDa, has potential as a diagnostic marker when recognized by antibodies contained in the serum of patients positive for Toxoplasmosis, as well as potential for future studies in mice as vaccines, by activating lymphocytes and inducing the production of cytokines important for host protection.

In this context, the present study aims to evaluate how different types of induction, inducer concentration, type of disruption, and purification method influence the production of the multiantigenic chimeric protein TgAGS/BsT, in addition to evaluating the stability of the pET-TgAGS plasmid and the expression of the protein of interest using E. coli BL21 Star.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1346198 - EVERALDO SILVINO DOS SANTOS
Interno - ***.656.434-** - CARLOS EDUARDO DE ARAÚJO PADILHA - UFRN
Externo ao Programa - 3652554 - FRANCISCO CANINDE DE SOUSA JUNIOR - UFRN