O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma metodologia para identificação de regiões promotoras funcionais a partir de segmentos de um genoma qualquer. O genoma da cana-de-açúcar foi escolhido para o desenvolvimento desta estratégia na qual envolve a obtenção de fragmentos de DNA os quais foram clonados em vetores de expressão. A triagem destes fragmentos foi realizada através de biobalística e resultou no isolamento de quatro clones. Um ensaio de transformação permanente em arroz com três clones gerou 12 plantas. Foi detectada expressão do marcador GUS em calos, folhas e raízes, comprovando sua funcionalidade. Desta maneira, o presente trabalho permitiu estabelecer uma metodologia de recuperação de sequências regulatórias funcionais com ampla possibilidade de serem explorados biotecnologicamente. / The aim of this work is develop a strategy to identify functional promoter regions from any genome. The modern sugarcane genome was chosen as a model for the development of this strategy that involves the generation of fragments of DNA and cloning them into expression vectors. These fragments were then screened by a transient expression assay using biolistic particle delivery resulting in the isolation of four clones. Three clones were permanently transformed in rice, and 12 plants were obtained. GUS expression was detected in the callus, leaves and roots of the rice plants thus confirming the functionality of sequences in these clones. The present work has established a strategy to identify and extract functional regulatory sequences containing functional regulatory regions which show great potential of being useful in both the biotechnology field and in the field of basic science.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma metodologia para identificação de regiões promotoras funcionais a partir de segmentos de um genoma qualquer. O genoma da cana-de-açúcar foi escolhido para o desenvolvimento desta estratégia na qual envolve a obtenção de fragmentos de DNA os quais foram clonados em vetores de expressão. A triagem destes fragmentos foi realizada através de biobalística e resultou no isolamento de quatro clones. Um ensaio de transformação permanente em arroz com três clones gerou 12 plantas. Foi detectada expressão do marcador GUS em calos, folhas e raízes, comprovando sua funcionalidade. Desta maneira, o presente trabalho permitiu estabelecer uma metodologia de recuperação de sequências regulatórias funcionais com ampla possibilidade de serem explorados biotecnologicamente. / The aim of this work is develop a strategy to identify functional promoter regions from any genome. The modern sugarcane genome was chosen as a model for the development of this strategy that involves the generation of fragments of DNA and cloning them into expression vectors. These fragments were then screened by a transient expression assay using biolistic particle delivery resulting in the isolation of four clones. Three clones were permanently transformed in rice, and 12 plants were obtained. GUS expression was detected in the callus, leaves and roots of the rice plants thus confirming the functionality of sequences in these clones. The present work has established a strategy to identify and extract functional regulatory sequences containing functional regulatory regions which show great potential of being useful in both the biotechnology field and in the field of basic science.

Even though some Dracaena species are used as medicine, their utilization as food is rather unusual. In northern Angola, however, leaves and underground tubers of Dracaena camerooniana Baker are frequently consumed. In particular, the leaves are of increasing economic value in the region. But the anatomy and nutritional aspects of the plant have not been studied so far. Therefore, a detailed anatomic description of the plant was conducted. In a second step the nutritional value of the defined material was analysed, providing a basis for the discussion of a more intensive utilisation of this rainforest shrub.