DNA Bank of Brown Algae (Phaeophyceae) from HUFABC as a Repository of Brazilian Biodiversity: A Tool for Systematic and Conservation Studies

• Grant number: 25/23251-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Priscila Barreto de Jesus
• Grantee: Stela Tupinambá Bezerra
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 25/14018-6 - DNA Bank of Brown Algae (Phaeophyceae) from HUFABC as a Repository of Brazilian Biodiversity: A Tool for Systematic and Conservation Studies, AP.R

Abstract

Brazil is a megadiverse country, and taxonomic knowledge of this biodiversity is an essential step in establishing future preservation policies (Marques et al. 2006), especially given that human activity is devastating the biota. The country also has great biotechnological potential, but further studies are needed to provide significant financial, cultural, and scientific returns to society (Peixoto & Morim 2003). In this context, botanical collections are essential tools for biodiversity studies, sustainable management of natural resources, environmental recovery programs, ecotourism, and more (Peixoto et al. 2009). Despite considerable advances in knowledge of Brazilian flora in recent decades, there is still a relatively small number of specimens stored in herbaria (Gasper et al. 2020). Regarding algae, Menezes et al. (2005) also emphasize the scarcity of taxonomists capable of describing the diversity of Brazilian phytoflora. The creation of DNA sample banks of representatives of biodiversity aims to facilitate genetic studies for a wide range of purposes. These studies deal with biodiversity in its most fundamental aspect, which occurs at the molecular level or genetic diversity (Santos et al. 2002). Genomic knowledge of species within our biodiversity can be used in various evolutionary studies and comparative genomics projects, with potential for bioprospecting genes of biotechnological, medical, or pharmaceutical interest (O'Brien et al. 1999, Rubin et al. 2000, Van Den Berg 2005). (AU)