Synthesis of therapeutically active small molecules

Research groups:

  • (MedChem) The group exploit many different skills, including computer aided drug  design, synthesis and biophysical characterization, for the development of novel bioactive compounds (organic and/or peptide) targeting biomolecules involved in the pathogenesis and in the progression of many diseases including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
  • (PharmChem)  Design and synthesis of new ligands of G coupled-protein receptors, membrane ion channels, membrane carriers and proteins involved in apoptosis processes.
  • (HSDD) The research activity is devoted to the design and synthesis of new heterocyclic compounds. The main fields of interest are the design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships study of serotonergic ligands, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antiprion agents and modulators of NCX. Moreover, the group's interest has been focused to the application of microwaves to chemical synthesis by identifying conditions and applications for promoting their dissemination in the field of medicinal chemistry and in particular to the synthesis of new libraries of pharmacologically active compounds.
  • (Laboratory of biomolecular design and synthesis) Design and synthesis of nucleosides analogues endowed with enhanced antiviral, anticancer or antimetabolite activity.
    (LiRiSyM) The LiRiSyM group (Ligands of Receptors involved in Metabolic Syndrome) is involved in the design and synthesis of steroidal bile acid derivatives as selective and/or dual modulators of bile acid receptors, FXR and GPBAR1 - Our research activity is focused towards the design and the synthesis of new leads as promising therapeutic strategy in metabolic syndrome. The research line focused on the synthesis of bile acid derivatives is part of a research agreement with BAR Pharmaceuticals. Recently, the research has also shifted towards the synthesis of steroidal and aromatic compounds with the aim of obtaining multi-target derivatives, such as for example dual agonists of GPBAR1 and GPR119 receptors. New ligands of these receptors can be used in the treatment of obesity and diabetes.
  • (SIDG) The research activity is aimed at the design and synthesis of new antimalarial lead compounds presenting as the pharmacophoric moieties kinonic structures inspired by bioactive natural compounds. This research utilizes the know-how in the field of organic and computational chemistry of two research units at the University of Naples Federico II (SIDG and NeaCADD). The SIDG research group is already actively involved in the field of malaria research, and since 2007 it represents the University of Naples Federico II in the "Centro Interuniversitario per la Ricerca sulla Malaria" (CIRM) within the Italian Malaria Network (IMN). In addition, this research is based on the collaboration of a Spanish research group led by Prof. Doménech-Carbò (University of Valencia, Spain) who, using an innovative voltammetric technique on solid phase microparticles, provides important information on the electrochemical response of quinones in order to evaluate the ability of these compounds to react with the eme and the reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Partecipants:

  • Anna Aiello
  • Jussara Amato
  • Nicola Borbone
  • Giuseppe Caliendo
  • Bruno Catalanotti
  • Barbara Cosimelli
  • Maria Valeria D’Auria
  • Simona De Marino
  • Carmen Festa
  • Ferdinando Fiorino
  • Concetta Giancola
  • Mariateresa Giustiniano
  • Isabel Maria Gomez Monterrey
  • Giovanni Greco
  • Concetta Imperatore
  • Valeria La Pietra
  • Vittorio Limongelli
  • Elisa Magli
  • Luciana Marinelli
  • Luciano Mayol
  • Marialuisa Menna
  • Ettore Novellino
  • Carmine Ostacolo
  • Bruno Pagano
  • Elisa Perissutti
  • Gennaro Piccialli
  • Antonio Randazzo
  • Vincenzo Santagada
  • Valentina Sepe
  • Mariano Stornaiuolo
  • Michela Varra
  • Angela Zampella