The program aims to train qualified human resources (Masters and Doctors) in an area at the forefront of innovation, Plant Biotechnology. The professionals will acquire knowledge in the characterization of biodiversity, with an emphasis on the prospecting of genes, proteins and secondary metabolites; as well as a detailed investigation of biological processes, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics techniques. They will also receive training in technologies such as micropropagation, genetic engineering and synthetic biology, which will result in the generation of products relevant to agriculture, industry, medicine and the environment.

Graduates of the program will have a differential training in the areas of Entrepreneurship and Management of Biotechnological Projects which, together with the area of Technological Innovation and Intellectual Property, will provide them with competence for the development of biotechnological products and processes, and their insertion in the market.

For the Master's degree, the public includes graduates in Biological Sciences, Agronomy, Forestry Engineering and related areas. For the Doctorate, our audience includes Masters graduates from stricto sensu postgraduate programs recommended by CAPES, whose profile is suitable for the program.

Institutional exchange is one of the strengths of the program. In addition to the association between UENF and UVV, the teachers maintain collaborations with different researchers from national and international institutions, such as: UNICAMP, EMBRAPA, UFRJ, USP, UFV, UFSC, University of Tokyo (Japan); The James Hutton Institute (Scotland); Texas A&M University (USA); University of Missouri (USA).

It studies biological processes in a detailed and integrative way, correlating genetic, biochemical, metabolic and physiological parameters in plants and associated microorganisms. The generation of data on a large scale through genomic, proteomic and metabolomic approaches, and its integration through Bioinformatics allows, in addition to the effective characterization of biodiversity, the prospecting of new genes, peptides and secondary metabolites of biotechnological interest.

It encompasses the study and characterization of plant biodiversity, including analysis of genetic diversity, taxonomy, morphoanatomical characterization, phytochemistry and bioprospecting for new molecules. These methodologies aim to identify, select, develop and standardize products derived from plant biodiversity with potential for industrial or pharmaceutical use.

It focuses on the application of biotechnology as a tool to increase agricultural productivity with minimal environmental impact and produce valuable products and services for society and the productive sector. The main methodologies include tissue culture and in vitro micropropagation, the development and use of molecular markers for the construction of genetic maps and the selection of progenitors for plant genetic improvement programs, as well as marker-assisted selection (MAS).