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INTRODUCTION

The Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting (PPGBBio for its spelling in Portuguese) started its activities in 2011 at the master's level with a CAPES grade of 3, featuring two research lines: Bioassays and Toxicology. At the end of 2014, CAPES approved the program's expansion to the Doctoral level and the first class was admitted in 2015. With the beginning of the doctoral program, a new line of research called Bioactive Substances was established. Within this context, the objective of PPGBBio is to train qualified human resources who are updated and equipped to face the challenge of actively participating in the teaching-learning process and the construction of evidence-based knowledge. The importance of developing these lines of research at UFPel is highlighted considering that they include relevant aspects such as the valorization of natural sources of raw materials, the development of new drugs and materials, the development of analysis methods, and the characterization of substances, among others, that can be studied in experimental models in vitro and/or in vivo. In this way, the program's research lines are interconnected, characterizing its interdisciplinarity. The program's permanent faculty consists of professors trained in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Nutrition, Dentistry, and Chemistry. Most of these professors completed their training in highly regarded, consolidated graduate programs at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and UFPel itself. PPGBBio aims at the qualified academic education of masters and doctors with an integrated and multidisciplinary vision. It seeks to train professionals capable of producing and disseminating knowledge, conducting research of scientific and/or technological interest, elaborating and executing projects, in addition to training for teamwork management and encouraging entrepreneurship. The program allows for training undergraduate and graduate students from UFPel programs and other educational institutions addressing research, technological development, and innovation in Biological Sciences II.

GRADUATES’ PROFILE

The Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting (PPGBBio) has as its mission the qualified academic training of masters and doctors with an integrated and multidisciplinary vision. The PPGBBio's mission and objectives are to train professionals capable of producing and disseminating knowledge, conducting research of scientific and/or technological interest, elaborating and executing projects, and preparing them to manage teamwork and encourage entrepreneurship. The program allows for educating undergraduate and graduate students from UFPel programs and other educational institutions addressing research, technological development, and innovation in Biological Sciences II. Specifically, graduates from Line 1 – Bioassays will learn to perform biochemical tests involving the biological action of synthetic and/or natural origin products. Graduates from Line 2 - Toxicology will have knowledge in toxicology in the sense of evaluating natural and/or synthetic substances in their technological aspect and determining the environmental impact of substances. Graduates from Line 3 - Bioactive Substances will know about planning and obtaining chemical substances with potential biochemical, biological, and pharmacological action by developing products for application in the health, food, or pharmaceutical sector. Thus, one can highlight the following: Masters graduating from the different PPGBBio research lines will be able to enter a doctoral program, as well as to work in teaching, research, extension, and technological innovation in their area of knowledge. In addition, they will be able to contribute by meeting the demands of society and the scientific community. PhD graduates from the different PPGBBio research lines will be able to coordinate teaching, research, technological innovation, and extension activities in Brazil and abroad as well as produce and disseminate knowledge in biochemistry and bioprospecting. Furthermore, graduates will be able to work in the industry and/or in teaching and research institutions, transmitting the knowledge acquired to society and the scientific community in general.