Biological screening, design and synthesis of new chemical entities for chemotherapy.

• Grant number: 23/09022-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Defini Andricopulo
• Grantee: Hugo dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07600-3 - CIBFar - Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Chagas disease and visceral leishmaniasis are diseases caused by protozoa of the Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum species, respectively. They are considered neglected diseases, since they affect vulnerable populations, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, and the lack of effective and safe treatments are aggravating. The work proposal for this postdoctoral research position aims to prepare a series of structurally diverse molecules that has shown high antiparasitic activity against T. cruzi and L. infantum, as well as high levels of selectivity. The synthetic routes proposed for the preparation of these substances involve robust transformations and are mostly reported in the literature. Once synthesized, the compounds will be sent for biological and pharmacological assays to evaluate an adequate profile for the prevention and treatment of Chagas disease and visceral leishmaniasis. Based on these and other studies involving drug design, new analogues can be planned and synthesized to continue the search for pharmacological innovations for the treatment of neglected diseases.