The National Institute of Science and Technology for the Conservation and Exploration of Biological Resources in Networked Collections (INCT-CERBC), based at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), has established an important institutional partnership with the Federal University of Acre (UFAC). The partnership was solidified through the approval of a research project of great relevance to the sustainable development of the Amazon region, funded by the CNPq/MCTI’s Pró-Amazônia program.
The project, titled “Research Centers for Agricultural Sustainability and Biodiversity Preservation in the Amazon: Disease Diagnosis, Bio-inputs, and Microorganism Genomics,” is coordinated by Professor Leila Priscila Peters of UFAC. The initiative was one of 48 proposals selected from a highly competitive pool, within a program that doubled its investment to R$ 300 million, aiming to strengthen science and technology in the Legal Amazon.
The growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices in the Amazon, coupled with the need to protect biodiversity, underscores the importance of integrating science and innovation into the management of essential crops such as cocoa and cupuaçu. The production of these fruits faces serious challenges due to the incidence of diseases, and the project seeks to develop alternatives to the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, focusing on accessible and sustainable technologies for the effective control of pathogenic microorganisms.
Professor Vania Aparecida Vicente, a researcher at INCT-CERBC and UFPR, will serve as a collaborator on the project, leading the research efforts in the areas of the microbiome and metagenomics. The expertise of the INCT-CERBC team will be essential for the genomic analysis of microorganisms, contributing to the development of more efficient and safer bio-inputs and biological control strategies for the Amazonian ecosystem.
This interregional collaboration between Paraná and Acre exemplifies the networked research model advocated by INCT-CERBC, leveraging existing knowledge and promoting innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainable development in Brazil. The partnership not only strengthens ties between the institutions but also drives the training of human resources and the generation of cutting-edge knowledge in areas of strategic importance to the country.