Overview

The Plant Physiology and Biochemistry post-graduate course was started in 1988 and has since been training professionals in the area. The goal is to create highly qualified human resources for research and teaching, with emphasis on the physiological, biochemical and molecular processes involved in plant development. Research lines: a) Plant anatomy and development; b) Biochemistry and plant molecular biology; and c) Plant physiology.

Scope

Offer a theoretical-practical educational environment of excellence for the formation of human resources skilled to produce and promote information that is innovative and with a high scientific, social and economic impact in the area of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry to the practice of Sustainable Agriculture.

Main goals

• To train human resources, both for research and for teaching in the areas of Physiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy and Plant Development and Molecular Biology;
• increase qualitatively and quantitatively the critical mass in the areas of concentration;
• To propose and develop high-level research in lines Program research.

The research projects seek to fulfill the reported directions of the Prospect Program, of the Ministry of Science and Technology whose report in 2003 pointed to Brazil in the coming decades, the following guidelines, among others, contemplated by the research projects of the Program:

• Elucidation of biochemical and biological processes that allow the reduction of the use of chemicals with increased efficiency in the control of pests and diseases in plant production;
• Development of C3 plants with photosynthetic systems modified by gene expression manipulation techniques that promote changes in CO2 fixation processes and biomass production;
• Development of advanced technologies for post-harvest preservation and packaging of "in natura" and processed agricultural products; and iv) Development of plants more adapted to the harsh conditions of fertility and toxicity of tropical soils using molecular biology techniques, aiming to increase productivity and greater environmental sustainability. Currently, in addition to studies elucidating the physiological processes, biochemical and molecular, the program seeks to awaken in the academic community concern for the environment, the increase of productivity and, above all, an attention to the calls of society.

Degrees granted

Master and Doctor in Sciences, major in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 

Accreditation

The graduate program in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry is accredited by CAPES, a governmental organization which is responsible for assessing and accrediting higher education institutions in Brazil, with a grading scale ranging 1-7, where 7 is the maximum score. In the most recent triennial assessment (2010-2012), the Plant Physiology and Biochemistry program scored 5.

Digital library of theses and dissertations

Theses and dissertations defended at the University of São Paulo starting in 2001 have been made available for online research and download. The project is associated with the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD), sponsored by UNESCO and provides the option of browsing the Plant Physiology and Biochemistry program catalog by thesis, dissertation, author or college.