Brazil: UFSCar opens new nanotechnology, biotechnology laboratories

 

The Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) inaugurated two new research development buildings, the Chemistry Department Nanotechnology and Biotechnology Laboratories (NANOBIO/ DQ/UFSCar) and the Tropical Biodiversity Integrated Research Unit (BIOTROP/CCBS/UFSCar).

 

The buildings were inaugurated in December at the university’s campus in São Carlos, Sao Paulo.

 

Due to a lack of resources, work on both buildings were stopped for several years but resumed in 2017 after a long process of public assessments, which required UFSCar to prove the feasibility of carrying out the work and justifying the need for new resources. “With a lot of effort, we obtained the funds which needed to finish several buildings. By 2020, at least ten postponed projects will be completed,” said Ronaldo Censi Faria (PROINFRA/Finep's Deputy Rector of Research and General Coordinator of the PROINFRA/Finep Agreements).

 

Chemistry Department Nanotechnology and Biotechnology Laboratories (NANOBIO/ DQ/ UFSCar): The new location will house laboratories covering various areas of chemistry, including organic chemistry, physicochemical, analytical chemistry and inorganic chemistry. The building has four floors and a total area of 2,123-square meters. R$5,384,876.36 was invested.

 

“It is a achievement for UFSCar and a recognition of FINEP that provided funds to complete the work. This investment is important to advancing our research. The university has grown a lot and its academic community is considerable. We need adequate space for research and knowledge production,” said Wanda Hoffmann (Dean of UFSCar) during the inauguration.

 

"This building has a modern design and has a power grid appropriate for its current needs. It also has the equipment that are crucial to our development and research," said Pedro Fadini (Head of the Department of Chemistry).

 

In addition, the building will help ensure the safety of those working in it. “It has a differentiated safety infrastructure with toxic gas exhaust hoods, as well as a suitable infrastructure for teachers and students within the labs. It prioritizes safety and quality of work,” Fadini added.

 

Tropical Biodiversity Integrated Research Unit (BIOTROP/ CCBS/ UFSCar): BIOTROP is a multidisciplinary unit with multi-user equipment, furniture and organized biological materials for researching and exhibiting scientific collections. The two-floor building has an area of 1,673.83-square meters. The total cost of construction was R$3,780,067.92. The first stage of the work began in January 2013.

 

“Brazil is a country that has incredible biodiversity but yet has a lot to study. In this sense, the building is very important because it will leverage local research, provide a support structure and contribute to the multiplication and impact of this research,” said Maria da Graça Melon (Director of the Center for Biological and Health Sciences, CCBS).

 

Professor Victor Saito of the Department of Environmental Sciences will conduct research at BIOTROP. “The biggest obstacle to our research is the lack of adequate space. The completion of this building will give us complete freedom to carry out research often approved by the FAPESP. The university now offers more satisfactory conditions for the advancement of student work,” he said.