UFTM

Presentation

The Interdisciplinary graduate program in Applied Biosciences (PIBA in Portuguese) was approved in 2014 by CAPES (National Coordination for the Improvement of Higher level Personnel), and has 14 professors dedicated to basic disciplines such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and other applied disciplines such as Neurology and Pathology. The research group registered in CNPQ entitled “Interdisciplinary studies in Sciences, Technologies and Health” confirms the interaction and internal cooperation for a common goal.

The program was planned for health and technology professionals who are expected to develop projects in the interdisciplinary research lines which are addressed in this proposal.

Objective

The program aims at training professionals who are active in several segments and capable of i) developing technologies to monitor, remove and/or detect environmental pollutants from various aqueous, terrestrial and even aerial systems (such as pesticide, heavy metals, dyes and others); ii) exploring biomass of the cerrado environment, which is rich in medicinal substances; iii) developing new pharmaceuticals; iv) producing new materials or modifying the existing ones in a way that increases the potential of biocompatibility; v) conducting theoretical studies that simulates the interaction between compounds and incompatible surfaces.

Target Audience

Opportunity for graduates in different fields of knowledge, such as biologists, physicians, chemists, pharmacists, physicists, engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists and other professionals who will have the opportunity to develop interesting projects related to the current lines of research - which have a modern and interdisciplinary approach.

Concentration areas

Natural and Synthetic Bioactive products

This area embraces studies on the extraction and purification of substances originated from organisms (animals and plants), as well as the synthesis and/or chemical modification of new bioactive compounds, with potential application in bio-monitoring of water, air and soil contaminants and in the production of biomaterials. Other investigations include the characterization of the mechanism of action of these compounds, the verification of biocompatibility and of organic toxicity. The interdisciplinary application of concepts from different fields of knowledge (chemistry, physics-chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and medicine) also allows the training of professionals skilled to act in different economic sectors. 

Materials applied in Biosciences

This area consists in the study, development, modification and application of materials that may bring solution of various problems related to Biosciences, allowing students to develop strategies towards developing, modifying substances and/or diverse materials in a way that the new properties allow to reach goals that have been proposed, such as biocompatibility, sensors, etc. In this way, graduates will have a consistent foundation in concepts that cover several areas of knowledge, allowing them to be more versatile professionals, with good interdisciplinary training. We believe all this can foster their capacity to become future researchers and, also, to be able to produce technology in an area of great regional and national interest.

Lines of Research

Studies on the production, purification, structure, interaction and application of biomolecules

Studies that use purification and characterization methods for the investigation of actives in the various biosciences areas. Thus, it analyses the mechanisms and chemical, physical, physical-chemical, molecular, biochemical, biological and biotechnological processes related to the development of new diagnostic methods and prophylactic/therapeutic procedures. This interdisciplinary approach through experimental trials for the characterization of aspects related to the various physiological processes and biological validation of compounds and products is an important aspect for this research line. 

Interaction between materials and living tissues

The implantation of these materials in living beings aims to obtain a targeted biological response or to serve as a means to obtain information concerning biological environment. However, the way these materials interact with the various living tissues may cause different reactions depending on the recipient bed. Therefore, the study of materials biocompatibility seeks to evaluate how a living being reacts to the presence of these materials, taking into account the following aspects: the reaction may vary according to the implant location; the implanted material, depending on the application, should actively interact with the living tissue and in some applications the material should be degraded in situ and the degradation product should not cause an inappropriate response. Therefore, the biocompatibility of a material is related to its ability to induce an appropriate response at the receptor in a specific situation. 

Development of composites for application in Biosciences

This research line presents an interface between Technology and Biosciences for enabling the production of new materials, composites of biocompatible nature, with several applications. This line offers the possibility to develop new composites from biocompatible macromolecules and nanoparticles (magnetic and nonmagnetic). The interactions between composite components and several substances of interest (additives, drugs, substances with biological activities, etc) allow performance of in situ expected activities. With the use of composites production techniques, it will be possible to modify the composite shape, producing them in forms of micro and nano fibers (hollow and dense), spherical and/or particulate. These techniques will serve to produce different composites, for example: polymer membranes, gels, systems for controlled release of drugs and active biomolecules, aiming at technological applications in biosciences. 

Functionalization of surfaces and their interactions with biological systems

Selective modification of surfaces of different materials fostering chemical and physical interactions between biological substances and the modified/functionalized materials. The term functionalization refers to treatments on the surfaces of materials aiming the formation of new “chemical environments” in the last layers of the surface of materials, with formation of chemical bonds or new functional groups non existent in the “pristine” material. In this way, surface interaction occurs with enzymes, cells, proteins, etc. Materials have been functionalized by chemical processes (chemical treatments) or physical processes (vacuum-modified surfaces using cold plasmas) aiming studies and applications in areas such as biocompatible materials, sensors, bactericidal structure, etc. Thus, this research line involves basic research in the areas of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, with high potential for development of new techniques and products.

Requirements for admission

To hold a higher education degree in the following areas:

Biology or Biomedicine;

Exact sciences and earth sciences;

Engineering.

Coordination and secretariat

Coordination

Email: piba@uftm.edu.br

Phone: +55 (34) 3700-6487

Secretariat

Email : sec.piba@uftm.edu.br

Phone: +55 (34) 3700-6493

Address

Praça Manoel Terra, 330 – Campus I

Uberaba/MG – CEP 38025-015

Additional Information

Year of Approval/Authorization of the program: 2014

Conferred Title: Master of Sciences

Type of Education: Classroom attendance

Type of Admission: Selective Process

City: Uberaba