Ricardo R. Brentani M.D. Ph.D. Retires as São Paulo Branch Director
Dr. Brentani, the founding Director of the São Paulo Branch, retired at the end of 2005 after 22 years of distinguished service with LICR.
An early career analyzing RNA structure and activity, then a new field on the cutting edge of science, led Dr. Brentani to an interest in cell membrane proteins, such as collagens, laminin, fibronectin and integrins. This interest generated a seminal Science paper in 1985 (1) showing that laminin receptors were present in the membranes of pathogenic (invasive), but not non-pathogenic, Staphylococcus. These findings indicated that prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells utilized similar mechanisms for invasion, and identified new means of identifying pathogenic organisms and also new strategies for the development of antimicrobial and (anti-metastatic) chemotherapeutic drugs. Dr. Brentani with his Branch research teams continued research into cell surface and membrane proteins for many years and when the opportunity arose extended studies to include gene changes in various neoplastic disorders with findings of prognostic and diagnostic value.
In 1997, the publication of a Nature paper in November (2) followed by a Nature Medicine paper in December (3), heralded the start of a new, long-lasting era in the Brentani laboratory; the study of normal cellular prion protein, PrPc. At the time, there was fierce debate that mutated forms of the PrPc were the etiological agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, such as variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob’s Disease (CJD) or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, aka “mad cow’s disease”). The study from Dr. Brentani and his team, linking a particular prion mutation to a familial spongiform encephalopathy with neuropsychiatric features(2), was part of a growing body of evidence that tipped the argument in favor of the prion protein’s pathogenesis. That mutated prions are responsible for sporadic, familial and transmissible encephalopathies is now accepted as dogma. Work on PrPc continued, with the team analyzing characteristics as diverse as the trafficking, structure and aggregation of the protein to its effect on seizures, neurological function and aging in prion knock-out mouse models.
Dr. Brentani was also actively involved in the Brazilian and international research communities. Apart from his role as LICR Branch Director, Dr. Brentani has been a full Professor of Oncology at the University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Medicine since 1980, Chairman of the Radiological Institute Council at the Hospital das Clínicas (FMUSP) since 1984, and President of the Hospital do Cancer (the Branch’s host institution) since 1990. Dr. Brentani will continue in these positions and also as President of the ‘Brazilian Philanthropic Association of Institutions Against Cancer’ and President of the Board of Directors of FAPESP (the funding agency of the State of São Paulo). Dr. Brentani also sits on the Board of Directors of the ‘World Alliance of Cancer Research Organizations’ and the ‘National Cancer Institute (Brazil)’, and the Editorial Boards of Tumor Biology, and Cancer Epidemiology Detection and Prevention.
Dr. Brentani’s LICR friends thank him for his many contributions to the Institute and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
“One of Dr. Brentani’s most important and lasting accomplishments has been the generation of a cadre of young scientists and clinical researchers whose activities will ensure the future of clinical oncology in Brazil. This has been achieved through his reorganisation of the associated Hospital do Cancer putting it on a modern footing. Young staff were given the opportunity of training outside of Brazil mainly in the USA. Their return to the various departments with experience and enthusiasm has resulted in the development of first class activities that have furthered quality oncology service and research. Finally Dr. Brentani has contributed to the International Union Against Cancer and other international and national bodies for many years - representing Brazil and LICR - in the arenas of oncology research, policy, treatment and education. Taken together, these achievements represent the legacy of Dr. Brentani’s directorship.”
Professor A. Munro Neville, former LICR Associate-Director
References
- Lopes J.D., dos R.M., and Brentani R.R. Presence of laminin receptors in Staphylococcus aureus. Science (1985) 229(4710):275-277.
- Samaia H.B., Mari J.J., Vallada H.P., Moura R.P., Simpson A.J., and Brentani R.R. A prion-linked psychiatric disorder. Nature (1997) 390(6657):241.
- Martins V.R., Graner E., Garcia-Abreu J., De Souza S.J., Mercadante A.F., Veiga S.S., Zanata S.M., Neto V.M., and Brentani R.R. Complementary hydropathy identifies a cellular prion protein receptor. Nature Medicine (1997) 3(12):1376-1382.