Assoc Prof Dr. Francisco Prosdocimi - Origin of life - Elite Academic Visionary Award

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Professional Profile

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Early Academic Pursuits

Francisco Prosdocimi's academic journey began with a solid foundation in genetics at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil, where he completed his Bachelor's degree in Genetics in 2001. His early research focused on bioinformatics analyses of Schistosoma mansoni transcripts under the guidance of Glória Regina Franco. He further specialized in bioinformatics with a post-graduate diploma from the Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Brazil, where he worked on identifying and analyzing new transcripts related to Alzheimer's disease on human chromosome 10. Francisco pursued a Master's degree in Genetics at UFMG, completing it in 2003 with a thesis on the transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni using bioinformatics tools. He continued his education with a Doctorate in Bioinformatics at UFMG, graduating in 2006 with a dissertation on the utilization of the PHRED algorithm for DNA sequence analysis.

Professional Endeavors

Following his doctorate, Francisco Prosdocimi expanded his research horizons internationally. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the UK, focusing on the genome analysis of Schistosoma mansoni. He held subsequent postdoctoral positions at the Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire in France, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, and UFMG, Brazil. Francisco is currently a researcher and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, where he teaches various subjects, including Ecology and Environmentalism, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Evolutionary and Molecular Biology, and the Philosophy of Science and ArtScience.

Contributions and Research Focus

Francisco's research interests are broad and interdisciplinary, encompassing genome research, bioinformatics, and the philosophy of science. He has made significant contributions to understanding the origins of life and the emergence of biological systems. Francisco's work includes developing new theoretical concepts such as "Life as macrocodes," the idea of a First Universal Common Ancestor (FUCA), chemical symbiosis, Origin of life and the concept of LUCA as a progenote. He is also involved in unraveling the genome of the sacred plants used to prepare ayahuasca, a traditional entheogen tea of Amerindians.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his career, Francisco Prosdocimi has received numerous scholarships and research grants from prestigious institutions such as CAPES, CNPq, and the Agence Nationale Recherche. His international experience includes collaborative research and visiting positions at Origin of life esteemed institutions such as the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center in the USA, the New Mexico State University, and the Cawthron Institute in New Zealand. Francisco has been an invited speaker at conferences worldwide, sharing his insights on theoretical biology, the origins of life, and bioinformatics.

Impact and Influence

Francisco's research has significantly impacted the fields of genetics, microbiology, and bioinformatics. His theoretical advancements and practical research contributions have provided new perspectives on the origins of life and the molecular underpinnings of biological systems. Origin of life Francisco's interdisciplinary approach has bridged gaps between bioinformatics, molecular biology, and the philosophy of science, fostering a deeper understanding of life's complexities.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Francisco Prosdocimi aims to continue his pioneering research in bioinformatics and theoretical biology. His future contributions are expected to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of life and advance the public understanding of science. Francisco's work will likely inspire future generations of researchers and scholars, cementing his legacy as a significant contributor to the scientific community.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

Assoc Prof Dr. Francisco Prosdocimi – Origin of life – Elite Academic Visionary Award