Teaching and Research

Already by the end of the 19th century, the first centres of teaching and research were becoming established in São Paulo, forming the basis of a state system of science and technology. These centres now consist of three internationally acknowledged state universities - the University of São Paulo (USP), the State University of Campinas (Unicamp) and the São Paulo State University (Unesp). In addition there are several research centres as well as primary and secondary education, universities, advanced education establishments and research institutes linked to private companies and government bodies. These institutions function closely with or in conjunction with the universities, forming important centres of technology, enabling São Paulo to retain most of Brazil's scientific output as the most advanced industrial centre in Latin America and a high-tech sector which is fast becoming the state's largest potential occupation.

Established in 1944 as a teaching hospital for the Medical Faculty of the University of São Paulo, the Hospital das Clínicas is an example of state achievement in this sector. Similarly, the Butantã Institute, founded in 1901 to produce immuno-serums for the treatment of snake-bites, occupies a front-line position in teaching and research carried out in São Paulo.

Hospital das Clínicas

Founded in 1944 as the teaching hospital for the Medical Faculty of the University of São Paulo, the Hospital das Clínicas has established itself as a yardstick and centre of excellence and is now the largest medical facility in Brazil, making a notable contribution to technological development. The hospital handles around 1.4 million cases each year, providing preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic treatment. Its premises comprise more than 300.000 square metres, consisting of buildings such as the Central Institute, the Cardiac Institute, the Paediatric Institute, the Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, and the Institutes of Psychiatry and Radiology where all known types of diagnostic imaging are carried out, as well as the Central Laboratory which is equipped to carry out routine examinations and scientific experiments. Its Accident and Emergency Department is one of the most advanced in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo for treatment of the most complex cases. Its out-patient services cover all branches of medicine and are used by patients from all over Brazil and even abroad. The hospital plays an active part in the training of health professionals as well as providing treatment free of charge and carrying out major research projects.

Butantã Institute

Situated on an estate which once was at the outskirts of São Paulo and is nowadays close to the University City, the Butantã Institute was founded in 1901 to produce immuno-serums for treating snake-bites. In parallel, the institute examined and identified poisonous animals and served as an information centre for the rest of Brazil whilst treating patients who had been victims of snake bites. With the passing of time, the Butantã Institute extended its field of operations and became known as the source of a variety of immuno-biological products, including vaccines and hyper-immune serums. Human anti-lymphocyte serum for use in transplant surgery is one of its current products.

In 1985, the Butantã Institute founded the Biotechnological Laboratory, later to become the Biotechnological Centre, with the purpose of establishing a blood bank able to supply Brazil with blood products, such as human albumen, immuno-globulins and factor 6, as well as the setting up of the Placenta Project for the production of immuno-globins and placental hormones. The Butantã Institute publishes its own magazine and in conjunction with the University of São Paulo, offers a master's degree course in biotechnology. It has a museum where it is possible to watch the removal of venom from poisonous snakes.