When scientific knowledge meets the experience of rural communities, research becomes an opportunity for territorial development. Under this premise, researchers from the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) and the National University of Colombia (UNAL), Bogotá campus, presented the results of the project “Harnessing Biodiversity in Agraz and Potato for the Development of Promising Crops in the Department of Santander,” an initiative that strengthened knowledge about these Andean species and their potential for the country.
The project was funded through resources from the General Royalties System (SGR), which made it possible to strengthen scientific capacities, train human talent, and consolidate collaborative work between universities.
According to Luz Nayibe Garzón Gutiérrez, professor at the UIS School of Biology and Director of Research and Extension at the Faculty of Sciences, the initiative made progress in studying species with great potential for agricultural development and biodiversity conservation.
“The interaction with the community was a fundamental component. This reminds us of the importance of approaching the territories where these species grow, engaging in dialogue with those who know them, and recognizing that scientific knowledge is strengthened when it connects with local knowledge,” the professor highlighted.
During the research, scientific teams conducted field visits to different municipalities in Santander to identify natural populations of agraz and collect samples for genetic studies. These trips also enabled direct dialogue with rural communities, who shared their knowledge about the areas where the species grows.
Among the most significant scientific results is the publication of an article in the international journal Genes, which analyzed populations of agraz (Vaccinium meridionale), a native Andean species known for its antioxidant-rich fruits and increasingly valued for its nutritional and economic potential.
The study was carried out within the framework of the Master’s thesis in Biological Sciences by Jhon Sepúlveda, a biologist from UIS, who investigated the genetic diversity of this species in order to better understand its variability and provide key information for its conservation and potential agricultural use.
For the analysis, the genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technique was used, allowing researchers to identify more than 12,000 genetic markers and reveal the existence of different genetic groups within the species, as well as gene flow between populations. This information is essential for guiding conservation strategies, management, and the possible improvement of this promising crop.
The project also included an important component focused on training human talent. One example is the work of María Andrea Caviedes, a Biology student at UIS, who is conducting a study aimed at improving methods to obtain DNA from agraz, an advancement that will facilitate future research on this species.
Researchers emphasize that although the project mainly focused on basic research and strengthening scientific capacities, the results obtained open new opportunities to continue studying these species and move forward with their sustainable use.
During the closing event, Marianny Yajaira Combariza Montañez, professor at the UIS School of Chemistry, highlighted the importance of promoting the use of biomass from the Colombian countryside to generate added value from natural resources. Drawing on her research experience, she explained how agricultural residues and by-products can be transformed through scientific processes into new materials and higher-value products for the productive sector.
