Bioactive and Theranostic Compounds Study Group
Professor in Charge:
Arthur Eugen Kummerle (e-mail: akummerle@hotmail.com)
The Bioactive and Theranostic Compounds Study Group aims to use Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds that are drug candidates, using microwave synthesis and cross-coupling reactions with metals as tools. Its work has repercussions mainly in the search for treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and pain, as well as for anti-inflammatory and antitumor compounds. The group is also dedicated to obtaining fluorescent compounds with pharmacological properties with the aim of obtaining theranostic compounds. Within this context, several bioactive and theranostic compounds have been identified by the group and in national and international partnerships, mainly using the coumarin and 1,2,4-triazole classes.
Center for Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis
Professors in Charge:
Aurea Echevarria Aznar Neves Lima (e-mail: echevarr@ufrrj.br)
Claudio Eduardo Rodrigues dos Santos (e-mail: claudioers@ufrrj.br)
The Research Group stands out for its projects involving the synthesis of organic compounds of pharmacological interest and the synthesis and evaluation of the anticorrosive and antifouling activity of organic compounds. The Group’s work has been recognized for its excellence in training human resources and through its publications in specialized journals, which have resulted in national and international invitations to publish its results.
Modeling of Bioactive Compounds
Professor in Charge:
Carlos Mauricio Rabello de Sant’Anna (e-mail: santanna@ufrrj.br)
Approximately 11 million tons of national agricultural production, or 13% of the total, are lost every year due to pests. In this context, weeds must also be included, which cause great losses in agricultural production, either by simple competition with crops or by direct damage caused by parasitic weeds to cultivated plants. Rural populations are subject to diseases with specific characteristics of this area, especially parasitic diseases. These diseases are considered neglected, and urgent research is needed to develop more efficient drugs for their treatment than the few currently available. In both cases, molecular modeling methods can be explored to interpret the specific interactions established between bioactive molecules (pesticides or drugs) and biomacromolecules (enzymes and receptors) and thus minimize efforts to identify and optimize ligands.
Bioactive molecules, both of natural and synthetic origin, act by modulating different processes in biological systems. Their action is generally due to interactions with biomacromolecules present in these systems, such as enzymes and receptors, for example.
These interactions depend on the molecular structure. Thus, both the understanding of their modes of action and the discovery of these compounds can benefit from detailed knowledge of the molecular structure.
The Research Group on Modeling of Bioactive Compounds develops projects in research lines that explore molecular modeling tools to obtain this knowledge and thereby contribute to the development of bioactive compounds, with potential applications in the areas of human health, especially for neglected diseases, and agriculture.
CHEMICAL KINETICS RESEARCH GROUP
Professor in Charge:
Glauco Favilla Bauerfeldt (e-mail: bauerfeldt@ufrrj.br)
The Chemical Kinetics Research Group at UFRRJ focuses on the construction of kinetic models and the prediction of the rate coefficient of chemical reactions. Therefore, the proposal of kinetic models is the main objective of this Laboratory, which has been contributing to several areas such as Atmospheric Chemistry, Combustion Chemistry, Astrochemistry and, more recently, Surface Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Thermodynamics of Solids.
The result of this work of this research group, and of the national and international collaborations established, can be seen in publications in scientific journals and several presentations at national and international conferences, with significant participation of graduate and undergraduate students.
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL PRODUCTS GROUP
Professor in Charge:
Marco Edilson Freire de Lima (e-mail: marcoedilson@gmail.com)
The work being developed by the research group “MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL PRODUCTS” at UFRRJ has generated, in recent years, 15 master’s dissertations and 4 doctoral theses, in addition to several publications in specialized journals and numerous participations in scientific events. Another relevant fact concerns the involvement, over the last few years, of several undergraduate students in projects linked to the group, whether as interns, scientific initiation students or students carrying out course completion projects. Currently, ongoing work involves collaborations with research groups from other areas, based at the Rural University (Veterinary Institute-UFRRJ) and also at other institutions (IBCCF-UFRJ; IMPG-UFRJ; FIOCRUZ-Rio, etc.), characterizing the interdisciplinarity of our work. We also have collaborations with researchers abroad (Purdue University-IN-USA; and University of Arizona-AZ-USA).
GROUP OF FUNCTIONAL NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS FOR (BIO)TECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS (Nano&UFRRJ)
Professor in Charge:
Joao Victor Nicolini (e-mail: jvnicolini@ufrrj.br )
The Research Group on Functional Nanostructured Materials for (Bio)Technological Applications at UFRRJ develops studies in the area of Nanotechnology and Interface Phenomena, in partnership with professors from UFRRJ and professors from outside UFRJ. The studies are aimed at developing nanostructured materials for application in research in areas such as medicine, food, oil, cosmetics and the environment.
LABORATORY OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN MICROORGANISMS
Professor in Charge:
Cristiano Jorge Riger (e-mail: cjriger@yahoo.com.br)
The Laboratory of Oxidative Stress in Microorganisms (LEOM) has expertise in the biological evaluation of natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic substances; analyzing both the toxicity of these substances and their antioxidant potential. The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells as a eukaryotic model for the study used in these analyses makes the results more important from the point of view of higher organisms, especially with the use of mutant strains deficient in antioxidant systems, such as the enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and the tripeptide glutathione.
Research Group Redox Biochemistry Laboratory – LAB-RedOx
Professor in Charge:
Daniela Cosentino Gomes (e-mail: cosentino@ufrrj.br)
We recently showed that the iron reductase enzyme (LFR1) from Leishmania amazonensis can also act as a Nox when activated by heme (Rocco-Machado et al., 2019). This is a bifunctional enzyme, never before described in any other organism, which constitutes a new source of ROS generation in Leishmania. In addition, we observed that this enzyme is important for the differentiation of parasites into amostygote forms, thus constituting a potential therapeutic target to block the Leishmania life cycle. This work received several awards, including the Zigman Brenner Award- Best scientific panel in the area of protozoan biology and its vectors, Brazilian Society of Protozoology (2015), and was also selected for presentation at the Young Scientist symposium (Conesul), SBBq (2017) and for the Travel Award for SfRBM 2018, Society for Redox Biology and Medicine (USA).
NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY RESEARCH LABORATORY
Professor in Charge:
Marcia Cristina Campos de Oliveira (e-mail: mccdeo@gmail.com)
The Natural Products Chemistry Research Laboratory – LQPN/S-55 – is a restricted-use research laboratory with its main research line being the chemistry of natural products in its broadest sense. Since its inception, research projects have been developed around the chemistry of natural products, with emphasis on: phytochemistry, natural products and biological activity, qualitative and quantitative determination of natural products, polymers associated with natural products, quality control of medicines and cosmetics, forensic and environmental analysis. Following these characteristics, laboratory 55 has housed, in an interdisciplinary space, several related research groups, in which professors from the Chemistry Institute and other higher education and research institutions participate, as well as researchers in training, distributed between Scientific Initiation and Postgraduate students and also in projects that aim to prepare Course Conclusion Works.
The teachers who are currently responsible for Laboratory 55 have been working hard to maintain the laboratory’s work logistics, which includes operational infrastructure, since the scientific activities carried out there require resources and technologies aimed at obtaining results. In addition to the aforementioned activities, Laboratory 55, which will be referred to as LQPN, has promoted academic events open to high school communities through extension projects presented during the SNCTs.
Research Projects:
1. Phytochemical evaluation and biological activity of non-conventional food plants and seaweed
2. Synthesis of acrylic polymers associated with natural products
3. Chemical studies of plant species from brazilian biodiversity
4. Applied analytical chemistry with a focus on quality control and forensic and environmental monitoring
LABORATORY OF AROMATIC AND MEDICINAL PLANTS (LABPAN)
Professor in charge:
Marco Andre Alves de Souza (e-mail: decoerej@yahoo.com.br)
LabPAM was created with the purpose of serving the development of academic activities, mainly basic and applied research involving aromatic and medicinal plants. The focus of the research involves the prospecting of plant species in search of natural products, mainly essential oils, and the development of biotechnological applications useful to the agricultural sector. The laboratory has its own structure and support from research groups in different areas of knowledge, such as agronomy, biology, chemistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.
Research Projects
1) Aromatic plants & essential oils
2) Metabolism
Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Bioactives – LQBioN
Professor in Charge:
Douglas Siqueira de Almeida Chaves (e-mail: chavesdsa@ufrrj.br)
LQBioN has been developing studies in the area of Chemistry of Natural Products (plant and animal species) and biological activity, developing scientific research related to the following projects: a) study of essential oils and their applications in veterinary medicine (insect and mite control); b) essential oils and applications in the agronomic field; c) studies of natural products of animal origin; d) Natural products from native mushrooms. It maintains national and international partnerships, contributing to the training of highly qualified human resources, at undergraduate and graduate levels.
