About the research:
The project proposes the development of a Patient-on-a-Chip platform to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms and evaluate new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative retinal diseases, with a focus on diabetic retinopathy. Cells obtained from patients will be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated into retinal neurons and endothelial cells, forming a three-dimensional system integrated with microfluidic channels that simulate hemodynamic conditions. The model will make it possible to investigate how metabolic factors, such as hyperglycemia, influence inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis when combined with the patient’s genetic background. The platform aims to increase the predictability of preclinical studies, elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms, and contribute to the development of personalized therapies in precision medicine.
Awards and honors:
🏆 2nd Place – Ernesto Mendes Research Incentive Award, Brazilian Congress of Allergy and Immunology (2025)
🏆 Lush Prize 2022 – Young Researcher Award, Lush Prize (2022)
🏆 ERA21 Poster Award, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (2021)
🏆 Honorable Mention: Oral Presentation at the 20th Brazilian Toxicology Congress (XX CBTOX), Brazilian Society of Toxicology (SBTox) (2017)
🏆 3rd Place – Category: Technological Development and Innovation – MCTIC Prize for Alternative Methods to Animal Experimentation, Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (2017)
Selected publications:
DA SILVA, ARTUR CHRISTIAN GARCIA; DE MENDONÇA, IZADORA CAROLINE FURTADO ; DE MORAIS CARVALHO-FILHO, SÉRGIO ; HAYASAKI, TATYANE GONÇALVES ; VALADARES, MARIZE CAMPOS . Development of a biologically-inspired airway epithelial model using a bronchial decellularized scaffold: Applicability for pulmonary preclinical studies. TISSUE & CELL, v. 96, p. 102943, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tice.2025.102943
DA SILVA, ARTUR CHRISTIAN GARCIA; DE MENDONÇA, IZADORA CAROLINE FURTADO ; VALADARES, MARIZE CAMPOS . Characterization and applicability of a novel physiologically relevant 3D-tetraculture bronchial model for in vitro assessment of respiratory sensitization. TOXICOLOGY, v. 503, p. 153756, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2024.153756
GARCIA DA SILVA, ARTUR CHRISTIAN; CARVALHO FILHO, SÉRGIO DE MORAIS ; FURTADO DE MENDONÇA, IZADORA CAROLINE ; VALADARES, MARIZE CAMPOS . Identification of toxicity-induced biomarkers in human non-immune airway cells exposed to respiratory sensitizers: A mechanistic approach. TOXICOLOGY, v. 503, p. 153750, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2024.153750
DA SILVA, ARTUR C.G.; VALADARES, MARIZE C. . The Application of New Approach Methodologies in Respiratory Disease Research: Their Role in Improving Translational Medicine from Bench to Bedside. ATLA-ALTERNATIVES TO LABORATORY ANIMALS, v. 51, p. 161-174, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/02611929231170392
DA SILVA, ARTUR C.G.; CHIALCHIA, ADRIENNY R. ; DE CASTRO, ELISANDRA G. ; E SILVA, MARLOS R.L. ; ARANTES, DIEGO A.C. ; BATISTA, ALINE C. ; KITTEN, GREGORY T. ; VALADARES, MARIZE C. . A new corneal epithelial biomimetic 3D model for in vitro eye toxicity assessment: Development, characterization and applicability. TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO, v. 62, p. 104666, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2019.104666
