Laboratories

The Radiology and Stomatology Laboratory is equipped with digital radiologic devices: one iCat tomographic device, 2 intraoral VistaScans scanners, 1 panoramic and lateral radiographic digital device, 1 Accuitomo 170 tomographic device. The Laboratory of Digital Image Interpretation has 3 workstations and 2 monitors for medical images, and specific software for volumetric image analyses.

The Pathology Laboratory has: 2 Axioskop photomicroscopes 2 Plus (Zeiss) with an Axiocam high resolution digital camera (Zeiss) coupled to Pentium IV Intel microcomputers, which contain an Axiovision 4.9 software (Zeiss) for image acquisition and analysis, used for teaching and research; 1 Pentium Microcomputer with a software for filing anatomo-pathological reports; 5 Olympus optical binocular microscopes; 1 Leica optical Microscope with a central component for multi visualization, with right and left side outputs for 4 observers, used by graduate students and professors, for general and oral pathology teaching and research; 1 AXIOSTAR HBO Plus 50/AC plus fluorescence microscope, with a high resolution digital camera (Zeiss); 1 Automatic plate washing machine (Synergy); 2 Leica microtomes, models rm 2165 and km 2045; 1 Leica tp 1010 histotechnical device; 1 paraffin inserter mc 2702a; 2 Ancap water baths, used for paraffin inclusion and to obtain histological sections in histopathological and immunohistochemistry routines. In 2013, 50 Primo Star biologic microscopes equipped with clear field and LED lighting, with 4X, 10X, 40X and 100X magnifying lenses, oil immersion and eyepieces (Zeiss, Germany), were acquired for the pathology and histology laboratory for the undergraduate and post-graduate students. In addition, an optical microscope (Zeiss), connected to a video camera and a multimedia projector are also installed in this laboratory.

The Integrated Center of Research I (ICR I) is a multidisciplinary center that offers laboratorial and equipment infrastructure for researchers and postgraduates from all Departments of Bauru Dental School – University of São Paulo (FOB-USP). External researchers may use it, upon request. There are 3 employees supervised by a Faculty member and its substitute member. Currently, the total area of the ICR I is 223m2, with its own power generator. The ICR I has sectors/services divided into 5 main laboratories: 1) Cell Culture Laboratory; 2) Materials and Solutions Preparation Laboratory; 3) Mechanical Tests Laboratory; 4) Dental Materials Laboratory; 5) Microscopy Laboratory. All laboratories are equipped to allow adequate working conditions for the students (Scientific Initiation – SI, M.Sc., Ph.D, and Postdoctoral) and researchers/professors. The 3 technicians and the Faculty member provide guidance service to users, such as technical support and discussion of methodologies, when necessary. In 2016, approximately 80 users were registered in the ICR, among SI, M.Sc., Ph.D, and postdoctoral students.

Besides, the ICR began an expansion (ICR II) and its installed area will increase to more than 500m2, with more than 20 laboratory and support rooms. This expansion is estimated to be ready in October 2017.

More details about the ICR I, its regulations, available equipment, service request, and forms, among others, can be found in the following link: http://web.fob.usp.br/cip/

The Biochemistry Laboratory has all the necessary research equipment in the area of Cariology, including fluoride analyses with the electrode in normal position (direct method, after diffusion facilitated by hexamethyldisiloxane) and in the inverted position, microhardness, profilometry, transverse microradiography (TMR) and artificial mouth, to simulate cariogenic and erosive situations. The laboratory was also equipped to allow researches in the area of protein identification and characterization by means of proteomic tools (nLC-ESI-MS/MS mass spectrometer), western blot and zymography. It also has basic equipment for cell culture.

The Anatomy Laboratory has equipment and instruments that allow experimental surgery, histoenzimology and gross anatomy investigations. Additionally, it has modern equipment to perform histological morphometry, which are important in the field of morphology. The digital table ANATOMAGE (2015/2016), was recently acquired for anatomical studies. (http://www.anatomage.com/table/).

The Pharmacology, Physiology and Genetics Laboratories have a complete dental office with a mini surgical center. In addition, they have molecular biology equipment such as the VIIA 7 (PCR in real time) which have blocks for 96 and 384 well plates and also filters for all fluorophores (VIC, FAM, TAMRA, NED and ROX), DNA sequencer (3130xl platform, Applied Biosystems) which has 16 capillaries, which provides efficiency to obtain results, a high performance liquid chromatograph that allows the identification and quantification of drugs and peptides in several types of samples, and the automated platform to extract nucleic acids. In addition, it also has a thermosensory analyzer, vonfrey microfilaments, pressure algometer to evaluate the somatosensorial profile and the descending inhibitory system of pain in patients with chronic orofacial pain.

Histology Laboratories: the Histology Discipline has its research activities structured in interrelated laboratories: (1) Histological Processing – equipped for conventional histological optical microscopy processing and for preprocessing for electron microscopy; (2) Morphometry Laboratory – equipped with systems for traditional and digital morphometric and stereological analysis; (3) Immunohistochemistry Laboratory – to perform immunolabeling by immunohistochemical or immuno-fluorescence methods; (4) Laboratory of Molecular Biology  – equipped for processing of samples (Precellys, GentleMacs, Bioanalyzer), extraction of nucleic acids (Qiacube) and development of molecular biological techniques such as genotyping and gene expression (RealTimePCR) and traditional protein analysis (Western blot) and multiple analyses (Luminex); (5) Flow Cytometry Laboratory – equipped with Countess automatic cell counter and Flow Cytometer BD FACSAria™ Fusion, which has 4 lasers (488ηm Blue, 640ηm Red, 405ηm Violet and UV 375ηm Near) (5B/2R/3NUV) with capacity for simultaneous analyses of up to 12 parameters (10 colors, FSC and SSC) and separation of up to 4 cellular populations (Multiuser Equipment. FAPESP Proc. #2015/1289-1).

The Immunology and Microbiology Laboratory (IML) is fully equipped to carry out microbiological analyzes. It has a microorganism bank with human pathogens related to infectious diseases that have manifestations in the oral cavity. The IML has also the necessary equipment to isolate blood and lesion leukocytes, for cell culture, to perform ELISA cytokines dosage, immunostaining and flow cytometry, enabling development of several research lines in the area of Immunology and Microbiology. It has also the necessary resources for histological processing and for image capture and analysis.

 

PROSTHODONTIC LABORATORIES

The Prosthodontic Department laboratories contain:

> An electronic SENSEBOX Quantitative Sensorial Testing System (QSTS), from SOMEDIC, including algometry and digital Von Frey;

> An electric linear extensometry measurement system (strain gauges – National Instruments);

> A Mitutoyo, SURFTEST SJ-301 MM P/120 rugosimeter. Description: Dust-proof portable rugosimeter with touch-screen operation and integrated printer. A large LCD screen facilitates reading and graphical analyses; the thermal printer prints with high definition and speed. Designed to enhance functionality – large keys are used for measurement operations, while the touch-screen LCD panel (special pen included) is used to adjust the measuring conditions. Five different measuring conditions can be stored in the SJ-301. Measurement data can be transferred to a computer or stored and then analyzed and/or printed. It follows the international DIN, ISO, ANSI and JIS standards. An optional memory card is available for storing up to 20 sets of measurement conditions and statistical measurement data;

> A Mitutoyo, P/SJ-201-301 Table with column: Description: Combined with the magnetic base adapter, it reduces the set up for roughness evaluation in complex pieces, facilitating access to the surfaces to be checked;

> A Mitutoyo, SJ-201/SJ-301 Magnetic Base Adapter;

> A Woltest Shore A Digital GDS-709 Durometer. Description: Performs hardness tests on rubbers. The test range is between 0-100 Shore, with ± 1% of tolerance, following the Shore system, according to DIN 53505 and ASTM D2240/75 standards.

> A Woltest SD 400 Shore stand, with timer. Description: The SD 400 Stand with timer is ideal for serial measurements, which guarantees perfect testing uniformity. It is developed to adapt all types of Shore, of all brands.

> A PSEM/Express Electronic Scanning Microscope

> A Micromet 6030 Digital Microdurometer

> A System for Transverse Microradiography (TMR)

> An Applied Biosystems Viia 7 real-time polymerase chain reactor (PCR)

> A Xevo® G2 Q-TOF, MicroCT Mass Spectrometer

> An Instron Electropuls E3000 linear torsion system

> A TheraLase, DMC, São Carlos, Brazil, Low intensity laser

> A XT Therapy, DMC, São Carlos Brazil, Low intensity laser

The Orthodontic Clinic has 24 complete equipment for patient clinical care and research development. Laboratory: contains a thermal tank with immersion capacity for 10 typodonts; Three plaster trimmers; 50 benchtop equipment for high and low speed, with triple syringe, two bench lathes, a vacuum plasticizer, two polymerization pans, a laboratory stove, 25 negatoscopes, a multimedia projector, a projection screen and two writing boards. Computer room: this room has two computers; two 3-Shape Ortho Analyzer model scanners; a digitizing tablet; and Dolphin Imaging, Nemotec Dental Studio, and Dentofacial planner softwares. Record file: the file has the records of over 4000 treated orthodontic patients, which are used in several clinical investigations. The file also stores the longitudinal records of subjects longitudinally followed from 3 to 18 years of age (Bauru Growth Study), who are used as historical control groups in investigations on the effects of orthodontic appliances.

Baby and Pediatric Clinics: The Baby Clinic has 5 baby dental chairs (macris), 5 mobile equipment, 1 teeth brushing room and 1 x-ray machine. This clinic offers specialized dental care for the community such as preventive and educational care for mothers and babies, and treatment for babies with caries, which is mostly sought by the population, due to the lack of this type of care in the public and private sector. In addition to the Baby Clinic, the Discipline of Pediatric Dentistry offers, in the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, preventive and restorative dental care for children above 36 months of age, performing approximately 1,500 appointments each year. The most complex clinical cases are documented for didactic interest and later published in high impact factor journals. Since 2014, ultrasound dentistry (CVDentus), caries diagnostic equipment (Evince), surgical microscope and low intensity laser devices (acquired through FAPESP Projects) have been used in the clinics. The clinical activities include undergraduate and graduate students, always under Faculty member supervision.