Infrastructure and associated laboratories
Infrastructure and associated laboratories
The Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation is located at the Institute of Biological Sciences/UFJF and covers, in addition to its own administrative structure, several Multi-User Laboratories and Associated Laboratories in specific areas of the Program.
AUDITORIUMS: The Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation has 2 auditoriums equipped with didactic and audiovisual resources for workshops, seminars, lectures, qualifications and presentations, in addition to classrooms.
LIBRARY: The Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation has a “thematic library” with more than 600 books, the vast majority imported, specially selected in order to support theoretical and conceptual investigations. The titles were systematically organized by themes – such as Ecology and Environment, Animal Ecology and General Biology – and diverse topics – such as physics and religious sciences. It is also worth mentioning, within this policy, the connection established with UFJF, which provides its vast bibliographic collection and free virtual access to the CAPES portal of scientific journals. The library also has computers with free internet access for students.
ASSOCIATED LABORATORIES:
1) LABORATORY OF AQUATIC ECOLOGY (LEA/UFJF): The UFJF Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology is one of the most respected laboratories in limnological studies in the country. Equipped with some of the most modern equipment for greenhouse gas flux studies, it has several GPSs, a boat with 50 HP engine, a boat with 5 HP engine, gas chromatograph, infrared gas analyzer, carbon and nitrogen analyzer, spectrophotometer, optical microscopes, stereoscopic microscopes, inverted microscopes, epifluorescence microscope, greenhouse, muffle, germination chamber, freezers, mass spectrometer, autoclave, radiometers, multiparametric probes, laminar flow hoods, high precision scale, chlorofilter and photosynthetic activity analyzer, scintillator, microbiological experimentation room with temperature control, chemical analysis room with air conditioning and fans, and study room.
Professors in charge: Fábio Roland, Nathan Barros, André Megali, Simone Jaqueline Cardoso and Raquel Mendonça.
2) ADVANCED LABORATORY OF ZOOLOGY PROF. ERIK DAEMON (LAZ/UFJF): The Advanced Zoology Laboratory Prof. Erik Daemon was founded in 2007 and completely renovated with FINEP resources in 2016. It is currently a two-story building in which the Myrmecology, Protozoology, Parasitic Arthropods, Insect Behavioral Ecology, Biocides and Capture and Image Analysis Laboratories are installed. The laboratories have the potential to implement a multi-user Photonic Microscopy Platform with wide access by professors from different areas of knowledge and studies in different thematic lines: pathogen control, action of substances of natural origin on parasites and pests, bioactive compound test at population and ecosystem level, and identification and characterization of organisms with biotechnological potential. At these laboratories, studies on Taxonomy, Systematics, Molecular Evolution, Behavioral Ecology and Biological Control are developed. The LAZ has several tools, among them: Fitotron EL011 Eletrolab, High Resolution Stereoscopic Microscope, Photonic microscope with differential interferential contrast and Precision Digital Multimeter.
Professors in charge: Ralph Maturano, Juliane Lopes, Mariana Rossi and Roberto Júnio Pedroso Dias.
3) LABORATORY OF PARASITIC ANTHROPODS (LAP/UFJF): At the UFJF Laboratory of Parasitic Anthropods, studies are carried out regarding the biology, behavior, control and ecology of parasitic arthropods and the agents transmitted by them. The laboratory has several incubator greenhouses for the maintenance of study objects, analytical scales, conventional stereoscopic microscopes, stereoscopic microscope and sterilization and drying greenhouses. There is also a set of 10 covered bays with thermoacoustic insulation, designed to house small and medium-sized animals used in experiments and maintenance of tick colonies.
Professor in charge: Ralph Maturano.
4) LABORATORY OF PROTOZOOLOGY (LabProto/UFJF): At the UFJF Laboratory of Protozoology, projects are developed in the following areas of research: (a) Parasitology and Parasitic Animal Protozoology, with emphasis on biology, taxonomy and parasite-host relationships of domestic and wild animals; (b) morphology, taxonomy and factors that influence the rumen ciliate communities of domestic ruminants; (c) Free-living protozoa: taxonomy, morphology, physiology and behavior of ciliated protozoa free from continental waters and their potential use as indicators of water quality; (4) Macroevolution. The laboratory is divided into a screening and culture room for microorganisms, an environment for microscopy and a study room for molecular biology. It has microscopes, stereomicroscopes, laminar flow, water bath, centrifuge for Falcon tubes and microtubes, digital autoclave, thermocycler, gel photo-documentation system with image capture, transilluminators, electrophoresis sources, electrophoresis vats, analog stove, vortex, refrigerators and freezer.
Professors in charge: Marta D´Agosto, Mariana Rossi and Roberto Júnio Pedroso Dias.
5) MULTI-USER LABORATORY FOR IMAGE CAPTURE AND ANALYSIS (UFJF): The UFJF Multi-user Laboratory for Image Capture and Analysis is equipped with Olympus BX51 Microscope, containing differential interferential contrast (DIC), image capture system, image analysis software ImagePro-Plus 5.0 integrated with image capture (quantitative, morphometric and image editing and improvement studies) and High Resolution Stereoscopic Microscopes (Zeiss and Olympus) image capture system, analysis and image processing software, as well as reconstruction of focus plans (Discovery V20/Zeiss).
6) LABORATORY OF BIOCLIMATOLOGY (UFJF): The UFJF Laboratory of Bioclimatology consists of two Fitotrons with temperature and relative humidity controls, photoperiod and CO2 for Animal Biology and Ecotoxicology studies.
7) LABORATORY OF BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY OF SOCIAL INSECTS (UFJF): At the UFJF Laboratory of Behavioral Ecology of Social Insects, research activities related to Behavioral Ecology of Social Insects, Ethology, Applied Ethology and Conservation are developed. The laboratory has a stereoscopic microscope and tools for experiments with ants and wasps, such as digital cameras, thermohygrometers, digital thermometers and tools for field studies.
Professor in charge: Fábio Prezoto.
8) LABORATORY OF BIOCIDES (UFJF): At the UFJF Laboratory of Biocides, experiments with different natural biocides are developed. The laboratory has a bright field microscope, an oven for sterilization and drying, a hot plate, manual microtome, histological bath, clevenger apparatus, rotavapor apparatus and hood.
People in charge: Coordination of PPG Biodiversity.
9) LABORATORY OF HERPETOLOGY (UFJF): Research activities in the areas of systematic diversity, ecology (diet, reproduction and morphometry) and observations of the behavior of lizards, turtles, sea turtles and snakes are carried out at the UFJF Laboratory of Herpetology. The laboratory has a stereoscopic microscope, cameras, thermohygrometer, fast-reading digital thermometer, stopwatches, flashlights, digital scales, pesola scales (100, 500 and 1000gr), manual and digital calipers, measuring tape, specimen storage glasses, field tools, sampling equipment, such as funnels, buckets, drivers, GPS and bibliographic material. The laboratory also has a 36m2 fenced area for maintenance and observations of the behavior of freshwater turtles and lizards. Located in the LAZ (Advanced Laboratory of Zoology), the area of the surroundings are covered with tile and vegetation, in addition to a tap that allows constant water renewal, providing animals in observation with shaded and sunny areas and allowing them to be naturally regulated.
Professor in charge: Bernadete Maria de Sousa.
10) LABORATORY OF BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND BIOACOUSTICS (LABEC/UFJF): Research activities at Behavioral Ecology of Social Insects, Ethology, Applied Ethology and Conservation are carried out in the Laboratory of Behavioral Ecology and Bioacoustics of UFJF. The laboratory has several GPSs, stereoscopes, digital precision scales, photographic cameras, including infrared, recorders, drag microphones to capture underwater sounds, wind temperature/humidity/light/speed sensors, microbiological experimentation and study rooms.
Professors in charges: Artur Andriolo and Fábio Prezoto.
11) LABORATORY OF MALACOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (UFJF): At the UFJF Laboratory of Malacological Diversity, research activities are developed, such as: diversity, systematics, integrative taxonomy, and behavior of terrestrial and freshwater molluscs. The laboratory is equipped with a stereoscopic microscope, refrigerator, freezer, greenhouses, precision scale, vortex, water bath, dry bath, manual microtome, histological bath, histology staining system, in addition to kits for DNA extraction and bibliographic material.
Professor in charge: Sthefane D´ávila de Oliveira e Paula
12) LABORATORY OF MYRMECOLOGY (MyrmecoLab/UFJF): At the UFJF Laboratory of Myrmecology, projects are developed in different aspects of study with ants, with the main target being research with leaf-cutting ants, belonging to the Atta and Acromyrmex genera, which include research and characterization of the collective and individual foraging system. The laboratory has GPS, flow respirometry system, analytical scales, stereomicroscopes, one of them with an image capture system, BOD, greenhouse, CO2 probe, laser surface thermometers, laser measuring tape, anemometer hygrometer thermometer and light meter, high resolution analog cameras, camcorder and microcamera.
Professor in charge: Juliane Floriano Lopes Santos.
13) LABORATORY OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE (LIB/UFJF): At the UFJF Laboratory of Benthic Invertebrate, taxonomic screening, slide assembly and identification of insects and freshwater oligochaetes, analysis of organic matter and particle size are carried out. The laboratory is equipped with optical microscopes, stereoscopic microscopes, greenhouses, muffles, mechanical stirrers, sieves for granulometric analysis, dredgers and fauna collection networks.
Professor in charge: Roberto da Gama Alves.
14) LABORATORY OF BRYOPHYTES (UFJF): The UFJF Laboratory of Bryophytes was renovated in 2019 and has an exhaust hood, centrifuge, water bath, heating plate, light microscopes – one of them with a clear camera attached for illustration and stereoscopic microscopes – one with a camera that can be shared with a microscope.
Professor in charge: Andrea Luizi Ponzo.
15) LABORATORY OF VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY (LFV/UFJF): The UFJF Laboratory of Vegetable Physiology was implemented in 2002 and initially the developed research was focused on plant propagation, more specifically on tissue culture and micropropagation. Later, the research expanded to the areas of plant biochemistry and plant ecophysiology, which was only possible after the acquisition of equipment of higher cost and complexity. The laboratory has an Infrared Gas Analyzer (Li-Cor LI-6400-XT), pressure pump type Schölander 1505-D (PMS), SPAD 502 Chlorophyll Meter (Konica-Minolta), UV/VIS spectrophotometer (Shimadzu), Vertical Electrophoresis System Mini-Protean Tetracell + source (Bio-Rad), Refrigerated centrifuges (Eppendorf and Thermo), Hansatec HandyPea fluorometer, PSI spectroradiometer, TECNAL temporary immersion bioreactors, Electronic analytical balance (Mettler-Toledo AB-204- S), GPS (Garmin), Communication radios (Motorola), Liquid nitrogen storage canister (MVE), Liquid nitrogen canister discharge device (MVE), Stereoscopic microscope (Micronal), Ice machine (Springer), Washer glassware (Brastemp), split refrigerated air systems, water deionizers, water distiller, growth room, Veco horizontal laminar flow chamber, Fabbe-Primar autoclaves, Jouan water bath, pH meters, Muffle Jung, Tecnal germinators, Vegetation House with Automated Nebulization System, concrete mixer and electric sieve (both for preparing substrates). Currently, an important project linked to Chamada Fapemig – Technologies for the recovery of the Rio Doce basin, which was impacted by the rupture of the Fundão Dam, is under development at UFJF LFV.
Professor in charge: Paulo Peixoto
16) LABORATORY OF PLANT ECOLOGY (UFJF): The UFJF Laboratory of Plant Ecology has a personal collection of the Coordinator with approximately 200 books available for on-site consultation, on-site structure for classes and lectures, in addition to equipment for analyzing ecological data, for use in field work, courses and scientific events: refrigerator, freezer, high pruning shears, various GPSs, photographic cameras, sphero-densiometer, soil sampling augers, dendrometric auger, dendrometric suture, electronic clinometer, portable scanner, electronic greenhouse, electric greenhouse, semi-analytical balance and “gap analyzer” set of hemispheric photographs.
Professor in charge: Fabrício Alvim Carvalho.
- Access the Laboratory of Plant Ecology Facebook page here (in Portuguese)
- Access Laboratory of Plant Ecology’s Instagram here (in Portuguese)
- Access the YouTube channel of the Laboratory of Plant Ecology here (in Portuguese)
17) LABORATORY OF PLANT REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY (UFJF): Research at the UFJF Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Biology is carried out in the field of Taxonomy, Systematics and Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms, especially in studies on the Bromeliaceae family. The laboratory has a GPS, a stereomicroscope attached with a digital camera and software for measuring images, a digital camera with zoom, pocket refractometer and a library and study room.
Professor in charge: Ana Paula Gelli de Faria
18) LABORATORY OF RUMEN MICROBIOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS (EMBRAPA DAIRY CATTLE): The Laboratory of Rumen Microbiology and Environmental Analysis is located at Embrapa’s headquarters in Juiz de Fora and also has a support base in the Experimental Field of Embrapa, in Coronel Pacheco – MG. This laboratory is equipped with GPS, Hanna multi-parameter probe, photocolorimeter, heating plates, water baths, BOD greenhouses, DBO-track incubator, optical microscopes, greenhouse, laminar flow hoods, high precision scale, analytical balance, bioreactor with temperature, gas and agitation control, coupled to a pump for feeding pulses, anaerobic chamber, refrigerated centrifuge and Kjeldahl device.
Professor in charge: Marcelo Henrique Otenio
19) LABORATORY OF NATIONAL REFERENCE ON VECTORS OF RICKETTSIOSIS (FIOCRUZ/RJ): At the Laboratory of National Reference on Vectors of Rickettsiosis, located at FIOCRUZ/RJ, activities for extension, research and diagnosis of vectors of the Reference Service, in addition to the maintenance of the Collection of Apterous Arthropod Vectors of Community Health Importance, are developed. This Collection is institutional, and brings together more than 18 thousand Brazilian and exotic specimens in a collection divided into the sections Ixodology (ticks), Acarology (mites), Siphonaptera (fleas) and Phthiraptera (lice). This number grows continuously as a result of research activities and the vector diagnosis activity of the Reference Service. The laboratory is equipped with an Olympus SZH 10 stereomicroscope (magnifying glass), AP 56 tube shaker, Bl 320 m precision balance (shimadzu), Intec water bath, Veco laminar flow, Veco laminar flow design 240, Hygroterm vertical laminar flow, hood extender for Bio-rad electrophoresis chamber, 1 541r-eppendorf centrifuge, Minisplinplus centrifuge (eppendorf), Loccus electrophoresis tank, Phmetro, Barnstead/thermolyne-17600-dri-bath hotplate, thermal cycler, Uvtransluminator Bio-rad 2000, Gel scanner, slide drying oven Red flap, fume hood, microprocessor incubator for Quimis Q316M bacteriological culture, Quimis tube centrifuge, AHMC Sercon autoclave, R. Baião sealing machine, MSM 831 climate chamber, breeding set, folding tent and plate warming.
Professor in charge: Gilberto Salles Gazêta
20) LABORATORY OF ENTOMOLOGY (EMBRAPA Dairy Cattle): Embrapa Dairy Cattle’s Laboratory of Entomology develops methods for controlling insect pests of forages, extension activities and training human resources. The laboratory is equipped with a BOD-type air-conditioned chambers, Fitotron-type air-conditioned chambers, digital cameras, stereoscopic microscope, greenhouse with temperature, humidity and photoperiod control, spectrophotometer and freezers.
Professor in charge: Alexander Auad.
21) LABORATORY OF CELL BIOLOGY (LBC): The UFJF Laboratory of Cell Biology, established in 1995 by Professor Rossana Melo, develops mainly basic research on cellular mechanisms involved in different forms of inflammation. The objective of this research is to understand how the cells of the immune system, including macrophages, eosinophils and neutrophils, respond to inflammation situations, such as in the defense of the host against infectious diseases (such as Chagas’ disease and tuberculosis) or during allergic diseases (such as asthma), through the study of the functional activity and structural organization of these cells. Several cellular processes and pathways have been investigated: vesicular transport and mechanisms of secretion of immune response mediators, signaling pathways associated with inflammation including those of lipid metabolism, formation of lipid bodies and pathological processes. Another area of interest of the Laboratory involves research on the interface between Cell Biology and Ecology, with emphasis on the ultrastructure of aquatic microorganisms, processes of death of aquatic bacteria, virus-bacteria interactions and pathogen-host-environment relations.
Professor in charge: Rossana Correa Netto de Melo