The Cell Ultrastructure Laboratory (LUC) of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz) has been active since 1991 in research, teaching and training of human resources in the area of ​​neglected tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids and anaerobic eukaryotes. 

LUC's lines of research seek to clarify biological events and biomolecular interactions involved in the entry of trypanosoma cruzi in its target cell, mainly cardiomyocytes.  

Efforts are invested in the understanding of structural alterations and modulation of signaling pathways involved in the entry of T. cruzi, regulation of fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy.  

Considering that therapy against these neglected diseases is quite limited, the LUC also has as a line of research the identification of therapeutic targets and the search for active compounds against these infectious agents with potential application in the therapy of these conditions. 

Another line of research concerns the study of the interaction of anaerobic eukaryotes, including Trichomonas vaginalis e giardia intestinalis, with the target cell, contributing to the identification of essential biological events for the survival of the parasite. 

In this context, advanced ultrastructural analysis, such as double-beam electron microscopy and electronic tomography followed by three-dimensional reconstruction, as well as high-resolution optical and electronic microscopies, are applied to understand the parasite-host relationship.  

Head of the Cell Ultrastructure Laboratory 
Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira (Curriculum lattes) 

Deputy head of the Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory 
Claudia Magalhães Calvet Alvarez (Curriculum lattes)