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Postgraduate Program in Genetics


The Program

Research

Admission

Grant

Contact


 

The Program

Presentation

To train quality human resources with solid training in Genetics, prioritizing
the production of scientific knowledge by students, generating knowledge
appropriate to meet regional and national demands in the health,
agribusiness, environment and biotechnology sectors, generating basic and applied
scientific knowledge, innovations and educational technologies

 

Objectives

 

– To produce innovative scientific knowledge, aiming to meet national
demands for science and technology, capable of sustaining the social and economic
development of the country;

 – To train and qualify teachers and researchers, capable of promoting scientific
development, filling jobs in Universities and educational centers, and
leading the creation of new research centers at regional and national levels;

 – To generate quality products and services for the community, allowing
integration between the academic environment and its surroundings, generating
specialized educational tools and technologies that can be transferred to the
production chain and/or health services.

 

Graduates-profile

 

The expected profile of PPG-GEN graduates is professionals qualified to
work in undergraduate and graduate education, in academic and industrial
scientific research, meeting social demands in other sectors of society, such as
agribusiness, environmental preservation and human health. By vocation,
PPG-GEN has worked directly in the training of teachers for the basic education
network and for this reason, many of the graduates have worked in this segment
of education.

 

The program has continuously monitored its graduates and has an institutional tool
(Graduate Portal), a platform created using UFPR’s own technology.
Through this, updated and auditable indicators collect data from public
databases, such as the Ministry of Labor and Economy, CAPES and CNPq, which has allowed
the tracking of the jobs held by PPG-GEN graduates.

 

These indicators demonstrate the program’s leading role in establishing
centers of excellence in research and teaching in the area of Genetics throughout
the country, especially in the southern region of Brazil. Most graduates of
the Program have pursued academic careers in public and private
institutions, in all segments of education (from basic to higher education). Others have
entered large companies, working in the areas of research and development
(R&D) or in sales and technical support. In the short term, we have observed a
good portion of graduates undertaking post-doctoral internships in
prestigious national and international institutions.

 

Research

Research Lines

The program focuses on Genetics and has five research lines:

 

Normal and pathological genetic diversity

 

Structural and functional study of genomic variants associated with complex
phenotypes, rare genetic conditions or therapeutic responses, capable of providing
a better understanding of pathological conditions and treatment strategies. The
aim is to recognize alterations in biomolecules that are potential biomarkers
for new diagnostic strategies, disease classification and/or therapy.

 

Subjects:
Association of genetic polymorphisms with complex phenotypes;
identification of rare genetic variants; mitochondrial variants; genetic epidemiology;
monogenic (Mendelian) phenotypes; multifactorial (complex) phenotypes;
immunogenetics; oncogenetics; biomarkers.

 

Genetics and functional genomics

 

Combines molecular biology tools, functional assays and “omics” approaches with
the aim of identifying, understanding and validating genes and biological
pathways involved in the regulation of gene expression and their implications
for the metabolism of organisms. Its results allow us to recognize the
contribution of genetic and epigenetic variations related to the functioning of genomes
and their cellular responses.

 

Subjects:
Transcriptome and proteome analyses, regulation of gene expression in
eukaryotes and prokaryotes, extracellular RNAs, non-coding RNAs,
epigenetics; interspecific interaction genes; systems biology.

 

Genomic evolution and population genetics

 

Using traditional and “omics” approaches, this study studies the evolutionary
processes and adaptive strategies of different organisms in search of a
better understanding of biological diversity in time and space. The results
contribute to the description of neotropical biodiversity, the design of
strategies for species conservation, the understanding of human evolution and the
development of forensic technologies that contribute to national sovereignty.

 

Topics:
Evolution of genes and genomes, comparative genomics, comparative
cytogenetics and chromosome evolution, repetitive DNAs, phylogenetic systematics,
phylogeography, macro and microevolutionary processes, population
genetics; conservation genetics; forensic genetics.

 

Environmental biotechnology and bioprospecting

Studies biological diversity with a focus on identifying genetic resources with
potential for prospecting bioactive compounds for use in agriculture,
industry, renewable energy sources and in solving environmental problems. Apply
bioassays using animals and microorganisms as bioindicators in environmental
monitoring. Conducts studies to identify the hazard and determine the risk of
chemical substances. This line of research also includes the development of new
alternative testing technologies to animal testing, which can be
applied in the product development process and thus contribute to product
sustainability.

 

Topics:
Bioprospecting; identification of genetic resources with
biotechnological potential; environmental (eco)toxicology; assessment of genotoxicity
and DNA damage; environmental monitoring and risk assessment of substances and
products; identification of molecular markers for (eco)toxicity responses;
development of new methodologies as alternatives to the use of animal
experimentation.

 

Scientific education

It seeks to promote the diagnosis of teaching difficulties, development and
evaluation of educational resources (didactic, computational and dissemination
strategies) that are capable of making Science more interesting and related to
society. Its results aim to awaken society’s curiosity and interest in the natural
phenomena that surround us and in the technological products and services that
derive from scientific development.

 

Topics:
Scientific method and popularization of science; teaching resources for
teaching Genetics and biotechnology; new teaching strategies; teaching
methodologies

 

Admission

Students interested in joining the Genetics Program of UFPR should apply on
either Master or PhD student selection processes.

 

There is no tuition in the Genetics Program and students can receive a financial
support through scholarships provided by Brazilian agencies such as CNPq and
CAPES.

 

Grant

Research projects are currently supported by different sources, such as CNPq,
CAPES and FUNDAÇÃO ARAUCARIA.

Master, Ph.D and Pos-Doc students can be supported by scholarships

 

Contact

Secretary: Guilherme Negrão

Contact e-mail: ppg-gen@ufpr.br

Phone: + 55 41 3361-1684

Opening hours: From 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Address:
Post Office Box 19071 | Zip Code 81531-980 | Polytechnic Center |
Jardim das Américas | Curitiba | PR | Brazil

 

 

Universidade Federal do Paraná
Programa da Pós Graduação em Genética

Avenida Coronel Francisco H. dos Santos, 100
81531-980 | Curitiba |
ppg-gen@ufpr.br
3361-1587
Universidade Federal do Paraná
Programa da Pós Graduação em Genética

Avenida Coronel Francisco H. dos Santos, 100
81531-980 | Curitiba |
ppg-gen@ufpr.br
3361-1587

UFPR nas Redes Sociais


UFPR nas Redes Sociais