LACAR: Science in Action
The Laboratory for Environmental Characterization (LACAR) is part of the Center for Research, Innovation and Development (CPID), the newest research center in the brazilian state of Espírito Santo. Its main mission is to provide qualified human resources and facilities for the research, development, and innovation in air and water quality, microbial quality of agricultural products, and biofuel. Among LACAR's major goals, we highlight the following:
1. Establish programs for the training of qualified human resources, in partnership with Universities and Post-Graduate Programs in the shape of Scientific Initiation, Master's and Doctorate degrees, as well as Post-Doctorate scholarships.
2. Provide suitable facilities for the technological development of academic and business projects.
3. Encourage Scientific Events that promote society's awareness of the latest technological advances within LACAR's professional fields.
4. Cultivate a thriving ecosystem of startups and entrepreneurial ventures to drive social development and technological advancement in the state of Espírito Santo.
FACILITIES
Currently, LACAR CPID has the following infrastructure of equipment and processes:
GC MS Shimadzu
Assessment of volatile pollutants, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and organic acids
Ion Chromatograph (IC) Metrhom
Analysis of water quality: major cations and anions in water samples
Elemental Analyzer (CHNS)
Characterization of constituent elements from different biomass kinds (microbial, plant, animal, and food)
qPCR BIORAD
Quantitative genomic analysis of environmental and pathogenic microorganisms in diverse sample kinds (sewage, water, food, biomass)
BIOTEK Microplate Reader
Analysis of 96-well microplates for spectrophotometric detection of reactions
TOT Analyzer
Air Quality Analysis with PM fractions
Methanogenic Potential Analyzer BMP
Analysis of the Methanogenic Potential in Organic Waste (AMPTSII)
RESEARCH & BUSINESS
NANOTECHNOLOGY (Novel) Materials and Processes
Synthesis, characterization and application of nanomaterials in recovery, detection and delivery techniques for biomolecules.
BIOFUEL Biogas & Biodiesel
Production and quantification of biofuels (biogas, biodiesel and biohydrogen) from different biomasses (effluents, organic waste, microalgae).
MICROBIAL QUALITY OF FARM PRODUCTS
Identification and quantification of pathogens in different cultivars
TEAM
Head Director
Área de atuação:
Applied Microbiology and Biofuels
Deputy Director
Área de atuação:
Biotecnologia and Nanotecnologia
PhD in Plant Biodiversity and Environment
Área de atuação:
Taxonomy of fungi and molecular analysis. Prospection of fungi with cellulolytic, pectinolytic and lipolytic enzymatic activity.
PhD in Environmental Engineering
Área de atuação:
Environmental analytical chemistry and microbiology applied in sanitation
PhD student in Environmental Engineering
Área de atuação:
Synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials. Production of biofuels from microalgae.
PhD student in Environmental Engineering
Área de atuação:
Production of bio-hydrogen (BIOH2) from different wastes. Cultivation and processing of microalgae biomass.
PhD student in Environmental Engineering
Área de atuação:
Microbiological analysis of food. Detection and isolation of Salmonella in low water activity foods and environmental samples.
PhD student in Biotechnology
Área de atuação:
Synthesis, characterization and application of metallic gold and iron nanoparticles. Development of biosensors for the detection of pesticides and mycotoxins.
Masters student in Biochemistry
Área de atuação:
Coffee contaminant removal systems.
Biology Undergraduate
Área de atuação:
Effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on growth, biochemistry and fitness in unialgal cultures.
Biologist
Área de atuação:
Bioinformatics analyses. Microsatellite marker screening, metagenomics, molecular modeling and docking.
Industrial Chemistry Undergraduate
Área de atuação:
Synthesis and application of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles bioconjugated with cellulase in the extraction of macronutrients from microalgae.
Biology Undergraduate
Área de atuação:
Synthesis of nanoliposomes from different matrices.
PARTNERSHIPS