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< Back Biotechnology generates alternatives to climate change Using genetic engineering, a biotechnologist develops drought-tolerant soybean plants and receives awards. Climate change has proven to be one of the greatest threats to agricultural sustainability and productivity worldwide, and soybean cultivation is no exception. Increasing global average temperatures, occurrences of extreme weather events, and water stress have significantly affected this economically and nutritionally valuable crop. To mitigate the effects of water stress on soybean cultivation, efforts include the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, particularly the use of biotechnology to generate genetic variability and offer more resilient plants to these effects. And it is in this context that biotechnologist Luanna Pinheiro de Albuquerque Freitas Bezerra - a Ph.D. student in the Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology at the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB) - has been developing her thesis under the guidance of Dr. Maria Fátima Grossi-de-Sá at Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology / CENARGEN. According to Luanna, "the study provides innovative strategies and a biotechnological solution for the development of superior soybean cultivars, thus mitigating the negative effects on productivity generated by drought stress." Using precision genetic engineering, Luanna aims to suppress the death of soybean plant cells when they are in a drought situation. The project has two strategies. In the first strategy, a system was developed for the overexpression of the GmBiP gene via dCas9-VP64. The second strategy involves a non-transgenic alternative for the development of drought-tolerant soybean. For this purpose, the GmNAC030 gene was knocked out via CRISPR/Cas9. And the results obtained by Luanna have already earned her two awards. In 2022, the project came in second place at the XXVI Student Talent Meeting of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Post-graduate level. In 2023, presenting the results of your thesis, Luanna received an honorable mention at the VIII Brazilian Symposium on Molecular Genetics of Plants. The poster titled: "Precision genetic engineering for drought tolerance in soybeans and its effects on the programmed cell death pathway of the endoplasmic reticulum" was among the best among all the posters at the Symposium.

< Back Dr. Marcio Alves-Ferreira talked about his latest paper in Plant Biology 2022 Conference From Plant Biology 2022: Plants vs Insects Session Recap At Plant Biology 2022, a varied group of speakers presented the latest advances from one of the oldest wars that takes place in our world: Plants versus insects, during the “Plants Versus Insects” concurrent symposium on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Attendees heard news from multiple front lines: cotton, cowpea, and Arabidopsis, and I served as a correspondent to share the details of this gathering with the global plant science community. Let’s go! Cotton vs Cotton Boll Weevil During the first talk, Chair Dr. Marcio Alves-Ferreira , from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, talked about his latest paper in Current Plant Biology . They aimed to identify molecular players mediating the defense response of cotton ( Gossypium spp) to the Cotton Boll Weevil (CBW, Anthonomus grandis ), an insect pest that attacks reproductive structures causing severe loss in cotton fiber production. Plants identify herbivores through Herbivore-Associated Molecular Patterns (HAMPs), such as molecules present in insect oral secretions (a combination of regurgitated material from the gut and saliva). HAMPs are recognized by membrane receptors that can activate Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAKPs), that participate in the transduction of the signal leading to the establishment of the defense response (see Snoeck et al., 2022 ). The series of events that take place from the recognition of patterns to the set-up of the inducible defenses is collectively known as Pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). PTI has been deeply studied in the interaction between plants and pathogens (for more information and the newest research on the topic, see more from Plant Biology 2022 via Plant Biology EXTENDED, coming soon!). Dr. Alves-Ferreira and collaborators found that different CBW extracts, such as oral secretions or egg extracts, were able to activate MAPKs in cotton and in Arabidopsis. Interestingly, the activation of MAPKs was independent of previously characterized receptors required for the defense against bacteria or fungus. Together, their results showed that HAMPs from CBW activate PTI, although the receptors involved remain unknown ( de Moura et al., 2022 ). Dr. Alves-Ferreira also mentioned that they are working on the analysis of a RNAseq data from cotton leaves infested with CBW in order to keep dinging in the molecular pathways behind the cotton-CBW battle. Stay alert for news! Know Your Weapons: Not All Jasmonates are the Same! The next talk was about one of my favorite topics: Jasmonates. For those who haven’t had the chance to talk to me (maybe the lucky ones, he!), jasmonates are a group of lipid-derived compounds that regulate the balance between growth and defense ( Wasternack and Feussner, 2018 ). Ariel Sorg, a PhD student from the Gilroy lab (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA), found that specific jasmonates are required for different responses, i.e., some jasmonates trigger defenses against herbivores, while others are required for growth repression. By the way, I must mention that they have designed a robot that regularly touches plants to induce stress responses. Besides being super cool, the robot could mimic signals derived from flying insects casually touching leaves. Cowpea vs Lepidoptera (with some help from Nicotiana benthamiana and Manduca sexta ) Inceptin, a HAMP present in Lepidoptera oral secretions ( Schmelz et al., 2006 ; Schmelz et al., 2007 ), enhance the expression of defense genes in cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ), such as Kunitz trypsin inhibitors (KTI). KTI are anti-insect proteins that affect the digestion of leaf tissues in the larvae guts, and therefore, are detrimental for growing. KTIs contain a variable number of cysteines that form disulfide bonds required for protein structure and stability ( Blow et al., 1974 ). PhD student Natalia Guayazan Palacios presented her work with the Steinbrenner lab (University of Washington, USA) where they designed a heterologous system to study whether the number of cysteines can also impact KTI anti-herbivore function. They expressed different versions of KTIs in N. benthamiana and performed bioassays with M. sexta . After letting the caterpillars feed on the leaves, the researchers recorded the growth of the caterpillars, and then extracted proteins from different sections of the digestive system of the insects. They followed the presence of KTIs and, as control, peroxidases (inceptin-induced defense proteins with a different activity) by western blot. Only KTIs were found in the guts, which is consistent with their anti-digestive function. Therefore, the N. benthamiana-M. sexta system can be a powerful tool to test protease inhibitors as potential direct defenses. And, with respect to the role of the cysteines in KTI activity, I think we may have interesting news soon! Plants vs Aphids vs Ladybugs To keep in line with the multiple advantages of using N. benthamiana as tool, I will continue with the talk of Dr. Georg Jander from the Boyce Thompson Institute, USA. RNA interference (RNAi) technologies are emerging as a powerful tool to control pests. They rely on engineering a plant to express a RNAi that targets insect genes needed for growth or development. However, if the RNAi is not species-specific, it may damage beneficial insects. Dr. Jander and collaborators used N. bentamiana plants expressing a RNAi against green peach aphids ( Myzus persicae ), and evaluate if the RNAi was transmitted to, and could negatively affect ladybugs ( Coccinella septempunctata ) that prey on the aphids. For those like me who love ladybugs: don’t worry! Even if RNAi was found in the ladybugs, it can be designed in a way that is only detrimental to aphids. Phew! Arabidopsis vs Aphids Finally, also belonging to the aphid world, there was the presentation of Dr. Keyan Zhu-Salzman (Texas A&M University, USA), where she explained a recent paper from her lab about how plants coordinate defenses with their daily rhythm. Circadian clock-regulated defenses allow plants to anticipate pest attacks and allocate resources at the most beneficial time of the day, thus minimizing metabolic cost. A previous report found that CIRCADIAN CLOCK-ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1), a well-known central circadian clock regulator, link daily cycles with defenses against Trichoplusia ni caterpillars ( Goodspeed et al., 2012 ). Dr. Zhu-Salzman and her team found that although a functional circadian clock confer resistance to green peach aphids, CCA1 over expression lines, that lack circadian rhythm, were more resistant to aphid feeding. To solve the mystery behind this apparent contradiction, they performed in-depth data mining using published transcriptomic data sets and found that CCA1 regulates indolic glucosinolates (iGS) biosynthesis. Their results showed that CCA1 has a role in both circadian dependent and independent defenses ( Lei et al., 2019 ). Source: ASPN

< Back CAPES Thesis Award 2021 Tese premiada pela Capes valida sistema de melhoramento por edição de genoma e apresenta novo protocolo para transformação da soja O interesse pela genética de plantas sempre conduziu a vida acadêmica do bioquímico Bruno Paes de Melo, que se dedicou a ela na graduação na UFV, como bolsista de iniciação científica, no mestrado e no doutorado, esses realizados no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica Aplicada . Foi em sua última experiência como estudante da UFV que Bruno desenvolveu a tese Transcriptional modulation and characterization of plant-specific transacting factors , defendida em 2020. O trabalho rendeu a ele destaque na 16ª edição do Prêmio Capes de Tese, cujo resultado foi divulgado no dia 3 de setembro. Orientada pela professora Elizabeth Pacheco Batista Fontes – sua orientadora desde a iniciação científica -, a tese ficou entre as 49 selecionadas das 1.376 avaliadas de todo o país. Na pesquisa premiada pela Capes na área de Ciências Agrárias I, Bruno explorou a funcionalidade de alguns fatores de transcrição (reguladores centrais da expressão gênica nas células) em plantas submetidas a diferentes situações de estresse. Sua exploração acabou revelando à comunidade científica novos alvos e, consequentemente, novas metodologias para o melhoramento genético moderno ou biotecnológico. Com seu estudo, o pesquisador apresentou maneiras inovadoras de se fazer plantas com performances melhores diante de diferentes desafios. A tese tem quatro capítulos que Bruno define como “diferentes entre si, mas com dois focos”: a validação de um sistema de melhoramento biotecnológico por edição de genoma e a otimização de um protocolo para transformação genética da soja e a caracterização de novos genes-alvo para esse fim. No que diz respeito à validação do sistema de melhoramento, a proposta do Bruno foi explorar a funcionalidade de AREB-1, um fator de transcrição, da planta do gênero Arabidopsis , que descende de um ancestral comum de algumas hortaliças, como a couve e a mostarda. A opção em explorar a Arabidopsis se deu pelo fato de que, no universo das plantas, ela é considerada modelo, já que tem todo um genoma muito bem descrito e as vias metabólicas e de sinalização celular bem elucidadas. “É uma planta em que a transformação genética é muito fácil”, explica Bruno. Segundo ele, quando se faz um trabalho em Arabidopsis , sabe-se o que esperar. “Como eu precisava testar uma nova estratégia, isso precisaria ser feito num sistema que eu conhecesse a resposta, para saber se havia ou não dado certo”. Bruno descreveu uma nova estratégia de modulação da transcrição de AREB-1 por CRISPR/dCas9 em Arabidopsis para tolerância à seca. O AREB-1 é extensivamente caracterizado nas adaptações fisiológicas ao estresse hídrico. Ou seja, a função desse gene é conferir à planta maior tolerância ao estresse hídrico. Assim, plantas que têm a expressão deste gene aumentada são mais tolerantes à seca. Em sua pesquisa, Bruno aumentou a transcrição deste gene utilizando CRISPR/dCas9, uma estratégia de modulação transcricional baseada em edição de genoma que ainda é muito nova, tendo despontado na biotecnologia há menos de 10 anos. Ele fez isso a partir de uma alteração na cromatina (complexo de DNA e proteínas que se encontra dentro do núcleo celular) de modo a facilitar o acesso da maquinaria de transcrição ao local onde o gene AREB-1 se encontra. Essa abordagem usada para modular a expressão de um gene foi inovadora. O pesquisador explica que, geralmente, quando se quer fazer a modulação de um gene ou se coloca um promotor de vírus, que fica expressando todo o tempo na planta, ou se faz um silenciamento para inibir aquele gene. “O que fiz foi uma alteração do genoma em nível estrutural. Eu alterei a forma do genoma e isso fez com que a expressão desse gene aumentasse”, conta o pesquisador. Por isso, justifica, “escolhi a Arabidopsis , porque se a expressão do gene aumentasse, eu já sabia tudo o que iria acontecer com a planta”. Segundo Bruno, a superexpressão do gene AREB-1 mediada por CRISPR promoveu uma melhora no desempenho fisiológico das plantas transgênicas em 30 dias de privação de água. Os resultados revelam, portanto, uma estratégia molecular que permite a ativação racional de genes endógenos em plantas por meio de modulação da atividade da cromatina direcionada a um interesse agronômico. “Com essa edição do genoma, eu consegui obter plantas que, mesmo em déficit severo de água, tiveram boa performance, ou seja, não morreram e permaneceram verdes e produtivas. Eu validei uma estratégia que pode ser aplicada em grandes e quaisquer culturas, como a soja. A estratégia é universal”. Funções da família NAC na soja Durante o doutorado, Bruno também aprofundou seus estudos em fatores de transcrição NAC, genes que ele pesquisa desde 2013, que foi, inclusive, objeto de sua dissertação de mestrado. NAC é uma superfamília com 180 membros de genes, número atualizado em sua pesquisa de mestrado. Até então, apenas 132 genes eram descritos como pertencentes à família NAC na soja. Na pesquisa premiada pela Capes, o objetivo foi explorar as funções de dois genes NAC no controle de respostas a estresses e à senescência na soja. A proposta era elencar possíveis alvos para o melhoramento molecular, pois a partir do momento em que se conhece o gene e a função dele, se sabe como manipulá-lo dentro da planta com as características que se deseja. Bruno conta que os fatores de transcrição da família NAC têm o que se chama de plasticidade funcional: “alguns deles conferem tolerância a estresses múltiplos”. Tal característica permitiu que o pesquisador explorasse genes que tinham papéis contrastantes: um deles conferia resistência ou tolerância a vários tipos de estresse e atenuava a senescência e outro fazia justamente o contrário, aumentava a suscetibilidade da planta a estes mesmos estresses e acelerava a senescência. Bruno fez a transformação de Arabidopsis com estes genes para conferir se o efeito sobre a planta era o que se desejava para uma característica agronômica, visando transformar a soja. “Como a transformação da soja é difícil, o que se constitui num aspecto limitante para o seu melhoramento, eu desenvolvi um protocolo para facilitar a transformação desta planta e melhorar a eficiência deste processo”, conta o pesquisador. Para isso, ele combinou duas técnicas na metodologia para a transformação genética da soja: a biolística (transferência direta de DNA em uma célula para criação de organismos transgênicos) e a transformação mediada por Agrobacterium tumefaciens (bactéria do solo bastante utilizada na geração de plantas transgênicas). Na prática, Bruno fez microferidas em células do eixo embrionário da soja aumentando a infectividade da bactéria, que é capaz de transferir um DNA exógeno para a planta. Em geral, os protocolos atuais que empregam a Agrobacterium tumefaciens ou a biolística exibem baixa eficiência e exigem etapas sucessivas de cultivo e regeneração de plantas in vitro , com extensas perdas por contaminação e escurecimento do tecido. No protocolo desenvolvido por Bruno, a soja é transformada e regenerada in vitro em um único passo, reduzindo, assim, o tempo de geração das plantas transgênicas. De acordo com o pesquisador, num melhoramento convencional, este tempo pode chegar a até 12 meses. Com o seu protocolo, o processo de regeneração da soja é finalizado em até seis semanas. Além disso, a alta capacidade regenerativa do eixo embrionário permite alongamento do caule, desenvolvimento radicular e regeneração da planta. Durante a sua investigação, Bruno também identificou 32 novos genes NAC putativos, ou seja, genes que, apesar de terem as mesmas características dos NAC já descritos, não podem ser assim considerados plenamente pelo fato de que nem todos foram validados. Com essa descoberta, o pesquisador atualizou a superfamília no genoma da soja que já tinha 180 membros. “Já era uma família bem descrita, com muitos membros já caracterizados. Com a descoberta de 32 novos genes-alvo, abrem-se mais possibilidades para o melhoramento biotecnológico explorar suas diferentes funções na resistência a estresses específicos”. Importância O pesquisador que atua numa multinacional do mercado de sementes lembra que, atualmente, grande parte das cultivares produzidas no Brasil é transgênica. Em sua opinião, os transgênicos vieram para, dentre outras possibilidades, melhorar a produção, a resistência à praga e o desempenho das plantas, especialmente em momentos como o que estamos vivendo de grandes mudanças climáticas. Por essa razão, considera que seu trabalho traz uma importante contribuição à agricultura. “Estou mostrando novos métodos de se fazer transgênicos e um melhoramento muito mais associado à biotecnologia do que ao melhoramento clássico”. Nesse último, de acordo com Bruno, se cruza, por exemplo, uma planta resistente com uma outra que produz muito para se obter uma planta resistente e produtiva. “Agora, com o melhoramento biotecnológico, se consegue colocar as duas características ao mesmo tempo na planta”. A pesquisa de Bruno teve o apoio da Capes e foi realizada no Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Plantas do Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária (Bioagro) da UFV. Esse laboratório é associado ao Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT) em Interações Planta-Praga, coordenado pela professora Elizabeth Fontes. O estudo gerou a publicação de artigos em periódicos importantes, dentre eles a Frontiers in Plant Science, referência na área de biologia molecular de plantas, e a Scientific Reports, que integra o grupo Nature. Além disso, virou capítulo de livros e recebeu menção honrosa no International Symposium on Plant Molecular Genetics, promovido pela Sociedade Brasileira de Genética. Source: UFV and CAPES

< Back INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Participation in the International Congress of Nematology (ICN) in Antibes Juan-Les-Pins, France Professor Robert Miller (UnB), a member of the INCT PlantStress Biotech , participated in the 7th International Congress of Nematology (ICN) in Antibes Juan-Les-Pins, France, between the 1st and 6th of May 2022. As an invited speaker in the omics session, he delivered a lecture entitled “Analysis of the banana root transcriptome in response to root-knot nematode infection and water deficit” with focus on results generated in the INCT project. Drought and nematodes are constraints to global agriculture that can occur simultaneously. Banana ( Musa spp.), whilst among the world’s most widely consumed fruits, is susceptible to both drought stress as well as infection by the endoparasitic root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita . Data from a transcriptome analysis of the responses to RKN, drought and combined stresses in a drought resistant Musa acuminata genotype from the Embrapa breeding program was presented. The ICN conference provided a forum for presentation and discussion on the state of the art of nematology, with the participation of scientists from more than 55 countries worldwide - https://www.alphavisa.com/icn/2020/index.php .

< Back Coordinator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech participated in the RNAi Discussion Forum during the Brazilian Congress of Entomology The researcher and coordinator of INCT PlantStress Biotech, Maria Fatima Grossi de Sa, participated in the RNAi Discussion Forum held on September 24, 2024, during the XXIX Brazilian Congress of Entomology in Uberlândia. At the event, she presented a talk titled 'RNAi Approach for Insect Pest Control: Advances, Applications, and Challenges.' Professors Diogo Manzano Galdeano from UFV and José Dijair Antonino from UFRPE also participated in the forum. The discussions addressed various aspects of using RNAi technology for controlling insect pests, combating insect vectors of phytopathogens, and the potential application of biocontrol and RNAi technologies in insect pest management.

< Back Highlight of the INCT PlantStress Biotech at the International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society – Genetica 2025 The INCT PlantStress Biotech is a pioneering initiative at the forefront of biotechnology, committed to developing groundbreaking solutions that significantly enhance crop resilience to environmental stresses, including drought, salinity, pests, and extreme temperatures. By harnessing the vast biodiversity of Brazil, the project isolates innovative biotechnological assets to generate biotech products that combat pests (via in planta and topical applications), improve drought tolerance, reducing dependence on chemical inputs, and driving sustainable and high-impact practices in Brazilian agriculture. Supporting Brazil’s vital role as a leading global food exporter, the actions of the INCT foster innovation in genetically modified and gene-edited crops, diversifies the agricultural biotech market, and bolster the country’s scientific and technological leadership. Ultimately, INCT is transforming Brazilian agriculture, safeguarding food security, conserving resources, and cementing Brazil’s position as a global leader in cutting-edge agricultural technology. At the International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society – Genetica 2025, held in Belém, Pará, from August 13 to 16, 2025, the INCT PlantStress Biotech team led a dynamic session titled “Strategies for Mitigating Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Agriculture.” This influential session showcased three pioneering studies: 1- "Unraveling the molecular and physiological memory responses of the Setaria viridis root system to climate changes," by researcher Marcio Alves Ferreira (UFRJ-RJ); 2- "Molecular and physiological responses to water stress in rice: searching for a resilient crop," by researcher Antonio Costa de Oliveira (UFPEL-RS); and 3- "Innovations in nanoformulations for enhanced RNAi-based insect pest control: overcoming challenges and improving efficacy," by researcher Maria Fátima Grossi de Sa (Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília-DF). Through innovative biotechnology and collaborative efforts, INCT PlantStress Biotech is paving the way for a sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive future for Brazilian agriculture.

< Back INCT PlantStress Biotech Coordinator Receives World’s Top Entomology Award The coordinator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa, was awarded the prestigious researcher Certificate of Distinction by the Council of the International Congress of Entomology on August 25 in Kyoto, Japan. The esteemed accolade is recognized as the highest honor in entomology worldwide and was presented during the XXVII International Congress of Entomology (ICE 2024). This distinguished award is bestowed every four years to researchers or research groups that have made remarkable contributions to advancing the understanding of entomology. Dr. Grossi-de-Sa’s recognition highlights her profound impact on the field, showcasing her innovative research and unwavering commitment to overcoming critical challenges in biotechnology pest control. As a leader in research, Dr. Grossi-de-Sa utilizes advanced genetic engineering technologies, including RNA interference (RNAi) and genome editing, to develop plants resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Her research focuses on creating transgenic cotton plants that withstand the cotton boll weevil, significantly benefiting the Brazilian cotton industry. Additionally, she is developing genetically modified soybean and cotton crops resistant to caterpillars, root-knot nematodes ( Meloidogyne spp), and tolerant to drought.

< Back Innovative research developed by INCT PlantStress Biotech was showcased during the IX Brazilian Symposium on Molecular Plant Genetics (IX SBGMP). Valdeir Moreira, a postdoctoral fellow under the supervision of Dr. Fatima Grossi, presented his research entitled “ GmGLP10 -overexpressing transgenic plants trigger defense responses in Meloidogyne incognita -induced giant cells by upregulation of H2O2-sensitive genes.” On this occasion, Valdeir Moreira provided more detailed insights into recent advances regarding the role of the Germin-like protein 10 ( GmGLP10 ) gene in plant resistance to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita . In addition to the antinematode activity already validated in planta and forming the basis of an upcoming scientific article, he also presented preliminary evidence suggesting the involvement of a repressive cis -regulatory element in the promoter region of GmGLP10 in the commercial soybean cultivar BRS 133. The research team suspects that this regulatory element may inhibit gene expression in susceptible genotypes. As a future perspective, they propose using the CRISPR-Cas9 system to delete this repressive motif, potentially enhancing GmGLP10 expression and resistance in elite cultivars. The IX SBGMP also enabled Valdeir to initiate a new international collaboration with Dr. Martin Crespi, from the Institute of Plant Sciences in Paris, France, with the aim of further validating this hypothesis through functional assays.

< Back O Tomate Roxo GM - rico em antocioninas A conferência sobre Genoma de Plantas e Animais (PAG) é um evento anual que reúne especialistas para discutir os avanços e as perspectivas futuras de projetos genômicos. A edição PAG 32 destacou-se com 7 palestras plenárias, mais de 220 workshops, 100 expositores e cerca de 3.200 participantes. A conferência é considerada o maior evento dedicado aos estudos genômicos. Uma das palestras notáveis da Sessão Plenária foi conduzida pela pesquisadora Cathie Martin, da Norfolk Plant Sciences- Reino Unido, intitulada “Healthy Plants; Healthy People - Fortifying Vitamins and Phytonutrients in Tomato” (Plantas Saudáveis; Pessoas Saudáveis - Fortalecendo Vitaminas e Fitonutrientes no Tomate). Cathie Martin investiga a relação entre dieta e saúde, explorando maneiras de enriquecer culturas para ajudar no combate a doenças crônicas. Sua pesquisa promove a colaboração entre clínicos, epidemiologistas e melhoristas de plantas para entender como a dieta influencia a saúde e o envelhecimento saudável. Focando no tomate, ela desenvolveu variedades nutritivas, incluindo os tomates roxos ricos em antocianinas, que receberam a aprovação do USDA e notificação da FDA para consumo em 2022. A Norfolk começou a lançar mercados de teste limitados em 2023, e, atualmente, o tomate roxo está disponível para os consumidores e para o plantio nos EUA. O tomate roxo geneticamente modificado representa um avanço significativo na melhoria nutricional das plantas e na saúde pública. Com uma concentração superior de antocianinas e antioxidantes em relação aos tomates vermelhos, estes se destacam pela capacidade de neutralizar radicais livres e reduzir a inflamação. Além disso, são fontes ricas de vitaminas C e K, potássio e folato, contribuindo para a prevenção de doenças crônicas, como doenças cardíacas, câncer e derrames, e promovendo saúde pulmonar e neurológica. Adicionalmente, possuem uma vida útil mais longa, garantindo frescor e nutrição por muito mais tempo. Maiores detalhes em https://www.norfolkhealthyproduce.com/.

< Back INCT PlantStress Biotech: Disseminating Knowledge in Educational Institutions Dr. Ana Cristina Miranda Brasileiro from Embrapa – Cenargen, a member of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, has transfered and disseminated knowledge and technological innovations generated by INCT PlantStress Biotech to society through her participation in science education programs for elementary and high school students from public and private schools in the Distrito Federal (DF) and by welcoming these students for visits to Embrapa. Some of these actions include lectures on the topic “Biotechnology and Transgenics in our daily lives” in the following public schools in the DF: Centro de Ensino Médio Elefante Branco (Cemeb); Centro de Ensino Fundamental No. 01 do Cruzeiro and Centro de Ensino Fundamental 04 – Planaltina, and also Colégio Pódium, a private high school. Other actions included her participation in lectures and visits to Embrapa-Cenargen by students from Escola Polivalente, a public high school within Embrapa’s “Programa Portas Abertas”. These knowledge-transference actions to society are an important component of the INCT PlantStress Biotech and aim to bring science and biotechnology to the general public, mainly elementary and high school students and teachers. The ultimate goal is to integrate science and technology into the everyday lives of the citizens, contributing to the formation through enhanced perception, awareness, and the demystification of scientific subjects.

< Back Agricultural Technology Revolutionizes Sustainable Production Young scientists associated with the INCT PlantStress Biotech bring Embrapa's innovations to the university. In recent times, Biotechnology has accelerated the genetic advancement of plants. The techniques employed in biotechnology have enabled the development of crops through gene incorporation. These genes not only enhance productivity but also provide resistance to drought, pests, diseases, and herbicides. Until the early 2000s, over 8,000 improved varieties were created for the 11 main globally cultivated plants. The adoption of these genetically enhanced plants resulted in a 21% increase in production in all developing countries between 1961 and 1980. In the period from 1981 to 2000, this growth reached an astonishing 50%. Genetic editing and the challenge of climate change Genetic editing allows for the creation of crops resistant to pests and diseases, reducing dependence on environmentally harmful pesticides. Additionally, it is feasible to develop plants that thrive in adverse conditions, such as acidic soils or water scarcity, making agriculture more adaptable to climate changes. In this way, for each plant species, there is a wide variety of cultivars, each with characteristics that favor their productivity in specific regions. This is why we can cultivate grapes, for example, in different regions of Brazil, such as the South, Southeast, and Northeast. Genetic editing is already generating new varieties better adapted to current climate conditions and will continue to enhance agriculture's productivity and climate resilience in the coming decades. The benefits of this approach go beyond adapting to climate change. New cultivars developed with CRISPR technology, for example, also play a fundamental role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing the use of agricultural inputs, and preventing food waste, factors that support environmentally friendly agriculture. Sharing ideas and disseminating knowledge The integration of advanced technologies into agricultural sciences has become a topic of increasing relevance, offering significant opportunities to improve the production of natural resources, such as food, fibers, and renewable energy, while striving to protect and preserve these crucial resources for present and future generations. To promote the discussion of these topics and disseminate knowledge among students and future agribusiness professionals, the XVIII Agricultural Sciences Week, IX Research and Graduate Studies Conference in Plant Production, and VII Plant Genetics and Cytogenetics Conference had the theme "The Challenges of Incorporating Technological Tools: Production and Preservation of Natural Resources." The event, held at the South Campus of the State University of Goiás (UEG) from October 2nd to 6th, 2023, brought together professors, students, and technicians from the Ipameri Unit and other UEG units, as well as representatives from local and regional commercial institutions. During the event, Dr. Thuanne Pires Ribeiro, MSc. Luanna Pinheiro de Albuquerque Freitas Bezerra, and MSc. Valdeir Junio Vaz Moreira conducted the course "Genome Editing for Bioproduct Production," in which they taught university students the most advanced techniques for genetic transformation and editing in cultivated plants. Covering everything from fundamental principles of biology to the development of protocols for obtaining transgenic plants, these young researchers shared their knowledge and inspired students in the fields of Agronomy and Forestry Engineering at the institution.

< Back INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Participation in the Crop Genomics for Global Food Security Workshop at PAG 2024 Professor Robert Miller (UnB), a member of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, participated in the 31st Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG ) in San Diego, California, USA between 12-17 January 2024 . As an invited speaker at the Crop Genomics for Global Food Security Workshop, he delivered a lecture entitled “Functional Genomics Approaches to Promote Stress Resilience in Musa” with focus on results generated in the INCT project. The fungal pathogen Pseudocercospora musae is responsible for Sigatoka leaf spot disease, which results in considerable economic losses in bananas, especially in the important Cavendish subgroup. A transcriptome analysis of the early-stage immune responses to P. musae was investigated in resistant Musa acuminata Calcutta 4 leaf material. Data on the characterization of the microRNAs in the early-stage immune response was also presented. The PAG conference provides a forum for presentation and discussion on recent developments and future applications for plant and animal genome projects worldwide. The conference is typically attended by scientists from more than 65 countries worldwide.