Proceedings of Oncobiology Symposiums
Proceedings of XIV Oncobiology Symposium

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cancer is a serious public health problem worldwide, especially the breast cancer that is the most common among women and present high mortality rates. Current treatments have adverse effects, making it necessary to search for new strategies to reduce these effects and improve patient survival. Recently, our group described the protective effect of açaí (Euterpe oleracea) extract on the development of breast carcinoma in an experimental model, besides to significantly reducing the mortality caused by the tumor. Açaí is a fruit native to the Brazilian Amazon region, consisting of polyphenols, substances that have an antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, the interaction between science and the community about the knowledge of the açaí constituents and its potential role in cancer prevention can contribute for the health and well-being of the population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study performed Interactive Workshops Rio de Janeiro public schools for disseminate the knowledge of açaí properties. For a better understanding of the theme by the student population, visualization of the genetic material of a fruit was essential. This visualization was performed from the extraction of the DNA of the strawberry, because like the açaí, it has polyphenols and is polyploid (it has more than two homologous chromosomes) facilitating the visualization. The materials used were strawberry, detergent, salt, alcohol and water. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It is an extension project of the Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências Farmacêuticas of UEZO aims to spread the science and technology to society, favoring the intellectual development and arousing the interest of children and young people in the topic. Part of the results of the executed project were organized in a video and is available through the link https://lapesfuezo.wixsite.com/website/post/projeto-atividades-cient%C3%.... The realization of DNA extraction aroused the curiosity of the public, who had the opportunity to view the genetic material and learn, about the importance of DNA, which "carries" all the information of individuals, animals and plants / fruits. The interaction of UEZO students and teachers with the community was enriching, awakening scientific knowledge in the public. The interactive workshop promoted the construction of knowledge regarding the health and well-being of the population, through the use of food as sustainable therapies in cancer prevention. In addition to allowing the visualization of the genetic material that is fundamental for all living beings. Moreover, interestingly, the northern and northeastern Brazilian regions are the regions with lowest incidence and number cases of breast cancer, are exactly the regions with the highest consumption of açaí, showing a possible correlation between fruit consumption containing polyphenols and the lowest number of breast cancer cases.