The main initiative is participation in the project “Iwasa’i: Advanced Center for Biotechnology Research and Innovation in the Eastern Amazon” to support research by scientists in the North region
The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), a Social Organization supervised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), reinforces its role in promoting science and innovation in Brazil’s North region through its participation in the project “Iwasa’i: Advanced Center for Biotechnology Research and Innovation in the Eastern Amazon”. The initiative aims to transform the Amazon’s biodiversity into sustainable development opportunities, generating knowledge, training specialized human resources, and encouraging local scientific entrepreneurship.
The project’s inaugural ceremony took place in March, at the Guamá Science and Technology Park (PCT Guamá), in Belém (PA), bringing together researchers, authorities, and representatives of partner institutions. The project, approved in the CNPq/MCTI/FNDCT Pró-Amazônia call for proposals, is coordinated by Professor Artur Luiz da Costa da Silva, from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), and is named “Iwasa’i” in honor of the indigenous legend that explains the origin of açaí, one of the most emblematic fruits of the region.
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Expeditions by CNPEM team to streams and mangrove regions in the Amazon, to collect soil samples. CNPEM outreach
“CNPEM is a multidisciplinary research and innovation center that works in biotechnology, health, renewable energy, and agriculture. We want to connect the richness of Amazonian biodiversity to our technological platforms, to develop new medicines, biofertilizers, and other high-added-value products, in close collaboration with teams in the Amazon region”, highlights Daniela Trivella, leader of the Drug Discovery Division at CNPEM.
The partnership with UFPA and other institutions in the North region began in 2020, focusing on the exchange of knowledge and training of researchers from the institutions involved, and on structuring strategies to transform the biotechnological potential of the Amazon into products and technologies with global relevance. Since then, courses, training, and exchanges between CNPEM laboratories in Campinas (SP) and institutions in Pará have been carried out.
The first concrete outcome of this collaboration was the discovery of Amazonian soil bacteria with the potential for the development of new antibiotics and antitumor agents, a promising approach that could result in patent filings and new products, especially for human health.
Another line of research under development is that of bacteria in flooded regions on Marajó Island. This is a large area that is still little explored and has a unique ecosystem. The objective is, based on this research, to enable the discovery of drugs and benefits for other areas of knowledge, such as agriculture.
In addition to providing equipment, infrastructure, and expertise in advanced research, CNPEM also contributes with its national molecule bank, which connects researchers who discover bioactive compounds with those seeking to apply them in biotechnological solutions. The model guarantees traceability, fair benefit sharing, and respect for the traditional knowledge of local communities and the different research groups involved.
Science with regional autonomy
According to Professor Artur da Silva, the main objective of the Iwasa’i project is to guarantee scientific and technological autonomy for the North region. “We want cutting-edge science to be developed here, with a direct impact on the quality of life of local populations, income generation, and environmental preservation. The Amazon needs to be a hub for science, not just a supplier of raw materials for laboratories in the Southeast or other countries”, he says.
The expectation is that the project will gain international dimension after COP30, scheduled to take place in Belém in 2025. “We want to transform the initiative into a pan-Amazonian center, involving the eight countries that make up the Amazon region. We have common challenges and opportunities, such as biodiversity, water resources, quality of life, and sustainable development”, completes the teacher.
In addition to scientific research, the Iwasa’i project also seeks to foster entrepreneurship in the Eastern Amazon by encouraging the creation of biotechnology-based startups. The combination of local scientific knowledge, regional biodiversity, and access to cutting-edge infrastructure, such as that of the CNPEM, paves the way for new companies and technologies focused on the bioeconomy, health, and sustainable agriculture.
Results
In 2024, the number of researchers from the North region using CNPEM facilities broke a historic record, and continued growth is expected in the coming years. Collaboration with the Iwasa’i project and the strengthening of programs such as CNPEM Ambassadors mark a new chapter in the integration of the Amazon into major national and international scientific agendas.
“From the forest floor to the Sirius beamlines, we are connecting Amazonian science with the most advanced infrastructure and knowledge in Brazil”, concludes Daniela Trivella.
CNPEM Ambassadors
Another strategic initiative by CNPEM to bring cutting-edge science closer to the North and Northeast regions is the CNPEM Ambassadors Program, which selects representatives from educational and research institutions in these regions to act as multipliers of information about the resources available at the Center.
In March, the program brought together the first ambassadors at the CNPEM campus in Campinas, who were able to visit the laboratory facilities, including Sirius – one of the most advanced synchrotron light sources in the world – and discuss ways to expand access for researchers and students in their regions to the opportunities offered.
“The goal is to spread knowledge about ways to access our facilities free of charge and available assistance, such as travel, accommodation, and meals, while carrying out experiments at CNPEM”, explains Rosana Tamagawa, Manager of the CNPEM Users Office.
About CNPEM
The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) is home to a state-of-the-art, multi-user and multidisciplinary scientific environment and works on different fronts within the Brazilian National System for Science, Technology and Innovation. A social organization overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), CNPEM is driven by research that impacts the areas of health, energy, renewable materials, and sustainability. It is responsible for Sirius, the largest assembly of scientific equipment constructed in the country, and is currently constructing Project Orion, a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research. Highly specialized science and engineering teams, sophisticated infrastructure open to the scientific community, strategic lines of investigation, innovative projects involving the productive sector, and training for researchers and students are the pillars of this institution that is unique in Brazil and able to serve as a bridge between knowledge and innovation. CNPEM’s research and development activities are carried out through its four National Laboratories: Synchrotron Light (LNLS), Biosciences (LNBio), Nanotechnology (LNNano), Biorenewables (LNBR), as well as its Technology Unit (DAT) and the Ilum School of Science — an undergraduate program in Science and Technology supported by the Ministry of Education (MEC).
