Bioprospecting microorganisms to characterize their biotechnological potential in impacted environments and implications for sustainability in the Caeté River estuary, Bragança, Pará
Monitoring microbial diversity and biotechnological potential in the Caeté River estuary through DNA sequencing, physicochemical analyses, georeferencing, and computer vision to assess human impacts and support sustainability.
About the project
Northern Brazil has low levels of basic sanitation and limited public policies supporting water quality. Its water bodies therefore continually experience the effects of urban pollution and economic activities such as mining, agriculture, and livestock farming, whose waste ultimately reaches rivers. Rivers nevertheless provide livelihoods for riverside and traditional populations and serve as recreational areas, exposing these communities to unsuitable water and potential public health problems.Microbial communities in these impacted environments may also contain biotechnological mechanisms that enable microorganisms to survive stressful conditions. Estuarine areas around Bragança, Pará, are affected by inadequate sanitation, while fishing and crustacean harvesting are part of everyday life. Human impacts on these habitats may compromise community livelihoods. The biotechnological potential of local microorganisms and their adaptability to environmental impacts remain poorly explored.This project aims to monitor the estuarine region of Bragança through georeferencing, DNA sequencing of water and sediment samples to assess diversity, physicochemical analyses, and evaluation of the biotechnological potential of microorganisms and possible relationships with human impacts associated with waste pollution. These data will be evaluated using computer vision alongside images of sampling areas to assess the effects of human activity in an Amazonian mangrove region. The goal is to identify and monitor factors contributing to these effects and support government decision-making. CNPq/MMA/CONFAP/FAPs Call No. 15/2025 — SinBiose.
Project information
- Period: 2025 — Present
- Status: Ongoing
- Nature: Research
Student participation
Undergraduate: (0) / Specialization: (0) / Academic master’s: (0) / Professional master’s: (0) / Doctoral: (11).
Funding
National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) — Financial support.
Team
Marcus de Barros Braga- Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo
- Edian Franklin Franco de Los Santos
- Diego Cardoso Estumano
- Mateus Matiuzzi da Costa
- Paulo Rógenes Monteiro Pontes
- Aristoteles Goes-Neto
- Alexandre S. Rosado
- Carlos Renato Lisboa Frances
- Juliana Araripe Gomes da Silva