Análise cienciométrica em estudos genéticos com o uso da citometria de fluxo: importância e tendências nos últimos 16 anos

Abstract

Flow cytometry evaluates cell properties, in so far as cells move in an isoelectrolitic solution, through a group of photomultiplying canals/philters (PMT s) of fluorescence. The applications of flow cytometry are wide, in both research laboratories and clinical laboratories. Therefore, it is important to approach, by means of quantitative analysis, the development of the applications and innovations of this technique, as well as evaluating its contribution in several fields of genetics. For this proposal, there are methodologies which permit to evaluate the scientific production in a particular field, as scientometric analyses. The objective of this work was to evaluate the trends and prospects of development in the field of genetics with the use of flow cytometry from 1991 to 2007, by means of scientometric analysis. For this proposal, a bibliographical survey was conducted in the site Thomson ISI , using the key-words flow* cytometr* and genetics* or genotype* , (the use of the asterisk permits the basis to search for words in the singular as well as in the plural) in the aforementioned years, due to the fact that they contain the summary of the articles. Different approaches of evaluation were conducted about the articles: type of research (experimental or review), countries which published about the issue, diversity and impact factor of journals, number of authors per articles, types of studied organisms and the temporal trend, study material chosen for the research through works and through organisms. As a result, it was noticed the growth in the number of publications in genetics with the use of flow cytometry, many of which developed in the USA, published in periodicals of international circulation and showing high rate of citation, diversity of journals and increase of partnerships between authors and research institutions. It was observed prominent interest in the study with humans, followed by rise in the number of works with plants, bacteria and viruses. Most of the research was conducted with the study of proteins, followed by desoxiribonucleic acid. However, in the articles published about humans, the majority was in the oncologic field, clearly showing the interest of researchers and research institutions in the development of new weapons against cancer and other diseases which devastate society.