The Program has six laboratories of collective use, of multiuser character, and others of specific use, destined to the diverse specialties. All are in full operation and are available for use by students of the Graduate Program in Systematics, Animal Taxonomy, and Biodiversity.
Molecular Systematics Laboratory
The laboratory consists of an excellent space designed specifically for molecular biology work. Thermocyclers are available to perform PCR (polymerase chain reaction) reactions, besides all the necessary infrastructure for sample preparation and analysis (pipettors, centrifuges, electrophoresis tanks, electronic band visualization system, scales, autoclave, water purification system, among others). The laboratory has a senior technician who helps in the application of molecular techniques in the research projects of program’s professors and students, as well as in the training of students who do not yet have experience in molecular biology bench work.
High Performance Computer Processing Laboratory
The laboratory consists of an air-conditioned room specifically designed to house two computer clusters for intense analysis. The system is capable of executing the main applications for phylogenetic reconstruction necessary for the studies developed by the participants of our Program and is also used by professors and students of other Programs.
Histology Laboratory
The laboratory consists of a room specifically designated for histological preparations, equipped with a chapel for handling volatile toxic substances, microscopes and stereomicroscopes, infrastructure for preparing histological sections’ blocks, microtomes to perform the sections, and equipment to perform the coloring of such sections. It has a technician who oversees the laboratory use and helps in the preparation of histological sections of research projects carried out by the Program’s professors and students.
Taxidermy Laboratory
The laboratory consists of a set of four rooms where services related to the preparation of skeletons, skins, and taxidermized animal parts for MZUSP are provided. The laboratory has two technicians who are responsible for carrying out all stages of the preparation process of biological material that will be incorporated into the collections or exhibitions of MZUSP, directly meeting the demands of students and professors of MZUSP in the development of their teaching and research activities.
Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory
The laboratory consists of the following equipment, operated by a senior technician: LEO 440 ZEISS scanning electron microscope, sputtering metallization equipment, critical point dryer, and binocular stereoscopic microscope. These equipments are installed in an area of the Museu de Zoologia of USP duly prepared to condition them, with acclimatization system, 220 V electrical network, 3 KVA power and nobreak to correct any energy oscillation that may compromise the equipments. The services provided by the Electron Microscopy Laboratory aim to contribute primarily with the research developed by students and professores of the Graduate Program in Systematics, Animal Taxonomy, and Biodiversity, but also serves different groups of users, researchers and their direct employees from other units of the Universidade de São Paulo, other public and private institutions, domestic and foreign. The services are provided according to demand, respecting the priority order of scheduling.
Computerized Microtomography Laboratory
High resolution computerized microtomography of X-rays is a non-invasive and non-destructive approach applied to the quantification and visualization of two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) images of structures of living or preserved material, with high spatial resolution. The resulting images and data provide information on the different properties of materials through the density variation presented by their parts. The laboratory is equipped with a Phoenix v|tome|x m microfocus microtomograph from General Electric (GE). It consists of one of the most versatile scanners on the market, covering a wide range of resolutions up to 0.5 micrometers. Its versatility is also seen in the variety of sample sizes that can be analyzed: its analysis area allows samples up to 800 mm in size and a maximum of 50 kg. A computer and GE’s own software are also available, which allows high precision volume measurements. The laboratory has a senior technician who oversees the use of the equipment and assists in obtaining and preparing the images.
