POPULATION GENOMICS OF THREE MAIN ACROCOMIA SPECIES USING WGS IN THE SEARCH FOR VARIATION IN GENES RELATED TO FATTY ACID BIOSYNTHESIS

• Grant number: 25/05755-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Maria Imaculada Zucchi
• Grantee: Laura Montipó Roncaglia
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Palm trees of the genus Acrocomia have a wide geographic distribution in Latin America and stand out for their high potential in the production of vegetable oil, with industrial applications in biofuels, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. However, the genetic diversity of these species and the molecular mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids are still poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the genomic diversity of three species of Acrocomia found in Brazil A. aculeata, A. totai and A. intumescens, through low-coverage whole genome sequencing (WGS). The approach will allow the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), providing insights into the genetic variability and evolutionary processes of these species. In addition, the construction of a pangenome will enable the identification of essential genes and structural variants associated with lipid biosynthesis, with potential application in genetic improvement. The research will help to understand the genetic factors involved in oil production and may help in the selection of individuals with desirable characteristics for industrial purposes. This way, the results obtained will be fundamental for the genetic conservation of these palm trees and for the biotechnological advancement of macauba cultivation, boosting its sustainable use in the production of renewable energy.