Brown algae is not a plant. And what is it?

• Grant number: 24/01007-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Priscila Barreto de Jesus
• Grantee: Larissa Mota de Araujo
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03234-1 - Evolution and diversification of Phaeophyceae: exploring genomic data to understand the taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of brown algae, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

Despite being present in our daily lives, the evolutionary, ecological, and economic importance of algae is still little known in society. Many people may be surprised to learn that they consume products made from algae and their derivatives daily, in addition to being used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biofuel and biomaterials industries. It is also worth highlighting the great diversity of organisms that fall under this umbrella term "ALGAE", which ranges from microscopic individuals to those over 50 meters in length. Among the latter are brown algae, multicellular organisms, mostly marine, and with great ecological and economic importance. Their complex structure makes algae more like land plants in terms of organization. However, these macroalgae do not belong to the Plantae kingdom, which can generate strangeness and curiosity at the same time. In this context, the proposal presented here aims to produce at least three videos (reels) with themes linked to brown algae, which will be published on the @algasporelas profile on the Instagram social network. In this way, citizens who are well informed and aware of the importance of algae in their lives will be able to act as agents who spread scientific knowledge, in addition to helping to protect this important group of organisms and their natural environment. The project aims to reach different audiences, enabling the inclusion of people from different social groups in the topic addressed, making the proposal more effective concerning its social reach. (AU)