Marcelo Bertolini

Bio: Marcelo Bertolini is an academic researcher from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. The author has contributed to research in topics: Reproductive technology & Embryo. The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 100 publications receiving 1405 citations. Previous affiliations of Marcelo Bertolini include University of California, Davis & Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina.

Growth, development, and gene expression by in vivo- and in vitro-produced day 7 and 16 bovine embryos.

Abstract: The effects of the embryo production system on growth and transcription rate of day 7 and 16 bovine embryos were investigated. In vivo- (controls) and in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos were transferred to female recipients on day 7 of development, and were allowed to develop in a synchronous uterine environment to day 16. Embryonic transcripts for insulin-like growth factors-1 and -2 (IGF-1 and -2), their receptors (IGF-1r and -2r), facilitative glucose transporters-1 and -3 (Glut-1 and -3), and interferon-τ (IFN-τ) were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (TaqMan®); gender diagnosis was performed on day 16 concepti only. On day 7, IVP embryos presented lower mRNA levels than controls (P < 0.05), but these differences were generally reduced on day 16. No IGF-1 transcripts were detected on day 7, but a low IGF-1 mRNA level was observed in day 16 embryos. In the IVP group, IFN-τ mRNA levels were lower on day 7 (P < 0.05), but higher than controls on day 16 (P < 0.05). Control embryos showed a temporal decrease in the relative transcription from day 7 to 16 (P < 0.05), except IGF-1 mRNA. On day 16, IVP concepti were shorter and displayed smaller embryonic discs (P < 0.05). Female concepti were generally smaller than males, and IGF-2r mRNA and growth were negatively correlated. The in vitro production of bovine embryos negatively affected the amount of gene expression on day 7 and the rate of development on day 16. Physical traits and transcriptional activity on day 16 were associated with one another, which appeared to be significant for growth and development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 63: 318–328, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The transgenic animal platform for biopharmaceutical production.

Abstract: The recombinant production of therapeutic proteins for human diseases is currently the largest source of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. The market growth has been the driving force on efforts for the development of new therapeutic proteins, in which transgenesis emerges as key component. The use of the transgenic animal platform offers attractive possibilities, residing on the low production costs allied to high productivity and quality of the recombinant proteins. Although many strategies have evolved over the past decades for the generation of transgenic founders, transgenesis in livestock animals generally faces some challenges, mainly due to random transgene integration and control over transgene copy number. But new developments in gene editing with CRISPR/Cas system promises to revolutionize the field for its simplicity and high efficiency. In addition, for the final approval of any given recombinant protein for animal or human use, the production and characterization of bioreactor founders and expression patterns and functionality of the proteins are technical part of the process, which also requires regulatory and administrative decisions, with a large emphasis on biosafety. The approval of two mammary gland-derived recombinant proteins for commercial and clinical use has boosted the interest for more efficient, safer and economic ways to generate transgenic founders to meet the increasing demand for biomedical proteins worldwide.

Influence of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and Its Interaction with Gonadotropins, Estradiol, and Fetal Calf Serum on In Vitro Maturation and Parthenogenic Development in Equine Oocytes

Abstract: The effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its interaction with gonadotropins, estradiol, and fetal calf serum (FCS) on in vitro maturation (IVM) of equine oocytes were investigated in this study. We also examined the role of IGF-I in the presence or absence of gonadotropins, estradiol, and FCS in parthenogenic cleavage after oocyte activation with calcium ionophore combined with 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), using cleavage rate as a measure of cytoplasmic maturation. Only equine cumulus-oocyte complexes with compact cumulus and homogenous ooplasm (n 5 817) were used. In experiment 1, oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with BSA, antibiotics, and IGF-I at 0 (control), 50, 100, 200 ng/ml, at 398C in air with 5% CO2, 95% humidity for 36 or 48 h. In experiment 2, oocytes were cultured with FSH, LH, estradiol, and FCS with IGF-I at the concentration that promoted the highest nuclear maturation rate in experiment 1. In experiment 3, oocytes from the three experimental groups (IGF-I; hormones; and IGF-I 1 hormones) were chemically activated by exposure to calcium ionophore followed by culture in 6-DMAP. In experiment 1, IGFI stimulated equine oocyte maturation in a dose-dependent manner with the highest nuclear maturation rate at a concentration of 200 ng/ml. No significant effect of IGF-I on nuclear maturation was observed in experiment 2. In experiment 3, a significant difference in cleavage rate was observed between the hormone 1 IGF-I group (15 of 33; 45.4%) compared with IGF-I (10 of 36; 27.8%) and hormone (4 of 31; 12.9%) alone (P , 0.05). These results demonstrated that IGF-I has a positive effect on nuclear maturation rate of equine oocytes in vitro. The addition of IGF-I to an IVM medium containing hormones and FCS did not increase nuclear maturation, but resulted in a positive 1This project was supported in part by Club Hipico La Silla, Monterey, Mexico, and by Center for Equine Health with funds provided by the Oak Tree Racing Association, the State of California parimutuel fund, and contributions by private donors. G.C. is a research fellow recipient of CAPES/ MEC, Brazil. Part of this work was presented as a poster at the International Embryo Transfer Society Meeting (IETS), Omaha, NE, 13‐16 January 2001.

Biopharmaceutical benchmarks 2018.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) continue to reign supreme, although cellular and gene therapies are slowly starting to gather momentum. Burgeoning growth in biosimilars may threaten future brand monopolies for mAbs and other biologics.

Dissection ofthemethyl-CpG binding domainfromthe chromosomal protein MeCP2

Abstract: MeCP2isachromosomal protein whichbinds toDNA that ismethylated atCpG.Insitu immunofluorescence inmouse cells hasshownthattheprotein ismost concentrated inpericentromeric heterochromatin, suggesting that MeCP2mayplay arole intheformation ofInert chromatin. Herewe haveIsolated a minimal methyl-CpG binding domaln (MBD) fromMeCP2.MBD Is85aminoacids Inlength, andbindsexclusively to DNA thatcontains one or more symmetrically methylated CpGs.MBD hasnegligable non-specific affinity forDNA,confirming thatnon-specific and methyl-CpG specific binding domainsofMeCP2are distinct. Invitrofootprlnting Indicates thatMBDbinding can protect a 12nucleotide regionsurrounding a methyl-CpG pair, withan approximate dissociation constant of10-9M.

Regulation of DNA double strand break repair pathways

Abstract: Trabajo presentado en el Genomic Instability and DNA Repair, Keystone Symposia, celebrado en Banff, Alberta (Canada) del 3 al 8 de marzo de 2013

Oocyte and embryo quality: effect of origin, culture conditions and gene expression patterns.

Abstract: In general, the majority of immature bovine oocytes fail to develop to the blastocyst stage following maturation, fertilization and culture in vitro. The evidence suggests that while culture conditions during in vitro embryo production can impact on the developmental potential of the early embryo, the intrinsic quality of the oocyte is the key factor determining the proportion of oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage. In addition, evidence suggests that the period of post-fertilization embryo culture is the most critical in determining blastocyst quality. This paper reviews the current literature, with emphasis on the bovine model, demonstrating evidence for an effect of oocyte origin and/or in vitro maturation conditions on the developmental capacity and gene expression patterns in the oocyte. Furthermore, the well-documented effects of post-fertilization culture environment on embryo gene expression and quality are highlighted.