Received: August 10, 2007.

Accepted: August 15, 2007.

Abstract published online: August 27, 2007.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2007

PROFESSOR JOSÉ ROBERTO GIGLIO AND TOXINOLOGY IN BRAZIL: 48 YEARS IN RESEARCH

SOARES A. M. (1), OLIVEIRA C. Z. (1), SANT’ANA C. D. (1), MENALDO D. L. (1), SILVEIRA L. B. (1), TEIXEIRA S. S. (1), RUEDA A. Q. (1), MARCUSSI S. (1,2)

(1) Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences-FCFRP, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine-FMRP, USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: This work succinctly describes the professional and scientific life of Dr. José R. Giglio, one of the most outstanding Brazilian researchers in the field of Toxinology. During his long and successful career, he has made major contributions, especially in elucidating the function, structure, and mechanisms of action of animal venom proteins (from snakes, scorpions and spiders) as well as the characterization of antibodies and several inhibitors of venoms and toxins. We present here a brief history of Dr. Giglio’s personal and professional life, also reporting some of his numerous published scientific articles on venoms from snakes (Bothrops, Crotalus, and other genera), scorpions (Tityus sp), spiders (Phoneutria sp), their isolated toxins and natural inhibitors. Thus, this work is a tribute to Dr. Giglio in his 73rd birthday, having devoted 48 years of his life studying animal venoms, an effort that has continued even after his formal retirement from university duties.

KEY WORDS: Toxinology, animal venoms, toxins, inhibitors, homage, Giglio JR.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

ANDREIMAR MARTINS SOARES, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Av. do Café s/n, Campus Universitário da USP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. Phone: +55 16 3602-4714; Fax: +55 16 3602-4725. Email: andreims@fcfrp.usp.br.