Chemist Luiz Carlos Dias will discuss the role of interdisciplinary research at ENESIN22

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Essential themes for the world in times of pandemic, such as innovation in the pharmochemical area and the expansion of collaborations in scientific research, will be the focus of the debates at the second assembly of the Interdisciplinary Student Meeting 2022 (ENESIN22), which takes place on Friday (22 ), at 19pm. Special guest at the event, Luiz Carlos Dias, professor at the Institute of Chemistry (IQ) at Unicamp, will give a presentation on the importance of interdisciplinary research and his collaboration with scientists from different areas in the development of medicines to combat neglected diseases, such as malaria.

Initiatives such as ENESIN are fundamental in the search for transversal solutions to health and socioeconomic problems, by bringing together people with expertises different, says Dias. Full professor at IQ and full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC), the professor is part of the Unicamp Task Force to combat Covid-19, a disease that required an approach involving researchers from different areas.

“I think it is necessary to establish partnerships, have stronger interaction between areas, since science has no borders, and speak the various languages ​​in science. We have to be able to talk to colleagues from various fields and subfields at the borders of our areas of expertise.”

Working in the area of ​​chemistry, Dias advocates interaction with pairs of disciplines such as medicine, infectious diseases, biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, parasitology, virology and immunology. According to him, collaborative work gains even greater relevance when it comes to areas that have a concrete impact on the living conditions of neglected populations, employing science for those who need it most. “I believe that nothing can be more innovative than contributing to saving lives.”

One of the projects in which it works, which involves the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN) and several non-profit institutions, aims to eradicate malaria by 2040, reducing cases by around 90 % by the next decade.

Luiz Carlos Dias coordinates the consortium Molecules Initiative for Neglected Diseases (MINDI), whose objective is to discover new drug candidates for the treatment of malaria, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. MINDI is the result of an agreement of the Research Support Program in Partnership for Technological Innovation (PITE), of the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Fapesp), signed between Unicamp, the University of São Paulo (USP) , The Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and the Medicines for Neglected Diseases (DNDi) initiative.

“This collaborative work has already had a positive impact on the development of new capabilities in Brazil, helping to broaden our horizons and establish new technologies for this complex and challenging pipeline of drug development. Still, it was just the beginning of this journey.” The project, which should serve as an inspiration for students who participate in interdisciplinary initiatives such as ENESIN, hopes to have, in the coming years, the right tools to achieve its objectives and take new steps.

Assembly

Open to the participation of the entire community, the second ENESIN virtual meeting will also allow you to learn about the projects already registered, organize the formation of groups and clarify students' doubts. Groups already structured will be invited to give five-minute presentations to monitor the activities and interdisciplinary training of the teams. More information and the ENESIN22 registration form can be found at event website.

ENESIN 22 is a partnership between the Institute of Advanced Studies (IdEA) and the Executive Secretariat for Communication (SEC) at Unicamp. Registration opened on 15/9 on the IdEA website. Among the themes already proposed, there are public governance projects, urban interventions, public health, assistance to the homeless population, basic sanitation, education, economy and empowerment of minorities. Students will have one year to conceive, discuss and develop projects, in teams of three to six members, preferably from different disciplines.

2nd monthly assembly of ENESIN22

Date: October 22

Time: 19h

Zoom room access.

Stream access on YouTube

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Luiz Carlos Dias, IQ professor at Unicamp will be at the second assembly of the Meeting, which will take place on 22/10, at 19pm

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