The Leonidas and Maria Din Institute (ILMD / Fiocruz Amazônia) received a visit from the Consul General of Japan, in Manaus, Masahiro Ogino, together with the First Secretary and Medical Attaché of the Embassy of Japan, in Brasilia, Takaharu Shimazaki, to strengthen relations and discussion, on the basis of activities, especially health research projects, Developed by Fiocruz Amazonia. The delegation was welcomed by the Director of Fiocruz Amazônia, Adele Schwartz Benzaken, and the Deputy Director for Research and Innovation, Stephanie Lopez, accompanied by Portuguese biologist and researcher Henrique Silveira, Professor of Elementary Zoology at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in Lisbon. and collaborator with ILMD/Fiocruz Amazônia on research on malaria. Visited last day 2/12. After the meeting, the group toured the headquarters facilities in Fiocruz Amazonia.
During the meeting, the ILMD Director highlighted the importance of the Government of Japan in promoting research in the fields of science and technology in the world, including a project coordinated in Brazil by Fiocruz Amazonia, in partnership with the University of Kanazawa, and the Foundation Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine, to conduct research Preclinical manufacturing of an active malaria vaccine. “It is with great pleasure that we will be able to count on this support and, in the future, the advocacy of the Consulate General of Japan for other projects that we have developed and intend to present to the Soframa Committee for Research and Development Activities in Amazon (CAPDA), where the presence of Japanese industries and companies is very important,” As Adele Benzachine pointed out, recalling that this sector already contributes with local institutions. “The idea is to get the support of Japanese industries from the industrial pole in Manaus for our projects,” he explained.
Deputy Director of Research and Innovation Stephanie Lopez, who is responsible for coordinating pre-clinical studies to produce a vigorous malaria vaccine, noted that the work was coordinated by researcher Shigeto Yoshida of Kanazawa University. Hokayo Universities, Kyoto and Toyama Universities, Jichi Medical University in Japan, and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom are also participating in the project. The scientist commented, “We have a platform aimed at testing materials as well as new vaccine formulations for malaria, and encouraging research is of fundamental importance not only for Brazil but also for other countries where the disease occurs.” According to her, Manaus has become a promising testing center due to the high incidence of malaria patients and the proven infrastructure to develop these tests.
Another point highlighted during the visit was the genetic sequencing work done by Fiocruz in Network. “Today we have remarkable work in Brazil within the genome network, with important discoveries such as the recent sequencing of the first Micron variant, and a large number of sequenced samples,” said Adele Benzaken, adding that the Núcleo de Vigilância de Virus Emergentes, Reemerging or Neglected by Fiocruz Amazonia was visited from Before representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as a result of a dialogue with the Fiocruz Genomic Network, present in nine states and currently expanding due to the pandemic. Stephanie Lopez noted that “JICA visited four states in order to learn how the network worked, from where the sample originated to its sequencing,” and commented that executives had shown interest in the Amazonas’ sequencing capability.
The Consul of Japan, Masahiro Ogino, thanked the reception and considered the communication with the Board of Directors of ILMD/Fiocruz Amazônia fruitful. “Today, we are supporting projects with the contribution of Japanese companies from the Industrial Park, through the Bioeconomy Priority Program (PPBio), in several areas, and we are aware of the importance of Fiocruz Amazonia and its activities, especially after this rewarding visit,” said Masahiro Ogino.
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