The woman behind the structure of the ‘love hormone’ – 03/08/2023 – Science

Her white hair and 91 years old can fool anyone who doesn’t know Yvonne Primerano Mascarenhas, considered one of the pioneers of science in Brazil by the CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development).

Internationally awarded for her impactful achievements in chemistry —including the determination of the structure of oxytocin, published in an article in Science magazine in 1986—, the mother of crystallography in the country maintains participation in projects and is a staunch defender of the teaching and dissemination of science .

But this was not the way Yvonne imagined. “Chance has more importance in our lives than what we plan. You plan in one direction and suddenly deviate”, she teaches.

Yvonne left with her parents and sisters from Pederneiras, in the interior of São Paulo, in 1932. After a few years in São Paulo, she went with her family to Rio de Janeiro and, in classes at Colégio Mello e Souza, she fell in love with the area of exact and abandoned the idea of ​​studying classical letters. She took the entrance exam for chemistry and, in 1949, entered the University of Brazil, currently UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). Shortly after, she also started the physics course.

For her, it was a very beautiful time for physics in the country. César Lattes had participated in the discovery of the pi meson [partícula formada a partir de reações no núcleo do átomo] and founded the CBPF (Brazilian Center for Physical Research). Physics, mathematics and chemistry courses were also being created with foreign teachers persecuted for being Jewish or for political inclinations.

There was a lot of curiosity about the atomic bomb, leading young scientists into the field of nuclear physics, but Yvonne preferred another area. She went into applied physics to study materials and saw the unexpected invitation for her and her ex-husband, researcher Sérgio Mascarenhas, to work at the new unit at USP (University of São Paulo) as a way of being able to dedicate herself to research.

In 1956, three months pregnant and with her eldest son in her arms, she traveled by train to take her new job in São Carlos, in the interior of São Paulo, the city where she still lives today.

Yvonne is a pioneer of crystallography, a method in which researchers use X-ray diffraction to investigate the three-dimensional structure of molecules. The technique is widely used in several areas and allowed the scientist to work with several groups, working to identify both the crystalline structure, related to the physical properties of matter, and the molecular structure, which defines the chemical and biochemical properties.

“There was never a lack of projects,” he says. She mentions the research that led to the determination of the structure of oxytocin, better known as the “hormone of love”. The molecule is related to the formation of couples, intensifies contractions during childbirth, allows the release of breast milk and stimulates parental care.

“It was intense work, but it is a very interesting study because it is a very active molecule, which works in the entire body and is even more important in women”, he assesses.

She also highlights her work with Otto Gottlieb, a pioneer in the study of natural products. “I collaborated in the study of proteins and my biochemical collaborators were delighted when they saw the results. Every time a problem was solved, people were very happy, so I can’t say which was the most important work of my career. I think I spread joy”, says with laughter.

As a result of her studies, Yvonne was offered work abroad. She did postdoctoral work at Harvard University and worked in partnership with international institutions, but she never wanted to move. “I thought I had a good job here and that I could get a scholarship to study abroad so I could do a better job when I got back,” she says.

On each trip, she recalls taking the children and reorganizing her routine. It was like that for almost two years in Pittsburgh and then in Princeton, in the United States. “She would arrive at the place and look for a school. She would choose one close to home and stay in the laboratory until it was time to pick up the children.”

Back home, in São Carlos, he had the support of a trusted employee and his mother, who, despite living in Rio de Janeiro, helped whenever necessary. “It never crossed my mind that I couldn’t do both, being a mother and a researcher. I paid a lot of attention to my children, but I divided my time. I prepared classes when they were sleeping and studied a lot at home.”

As for the path of women in the academic career, Yvonne still sees discrepancies. “I was not prejudiced for being a woman. Even for administrative positions, such as the direction of the IFSC [Instituto de Física de São Carlos], I was wanted and asked if I would like to take over. But it’s not like that for everyone. A woman who wants to be head of department may have more difficulties than a man”, she says.

“The more responsibility a person has, the more availability they need to travel, work outside of hours, and the woman has a second family life. and family members. Many are not confident in nominating a woman for positions that require greater dedication because they believe that they are very dependent on that other part of life”, he adds.

Even officially retired, the scientist is dedicated to science dissemination projects. “It’s work that helps arouse the children’s curiosity, makes them have a little more vision of what science is. I hope that this pays off in their future”, she comments with a twinkle in her eyes. “They shine because I like it.”