Synthesis of Pyrrol-based Bioconjugates: Perspectives and Applications

In recent years, the use of bioconjugation as strategy for development of more specific and directed drugs has been widely researched. Tetrapyrrolic macrocycles are one of the most common families of organic compounds applied in medicinal chemistry, specifically for diagnosis and therapy. For optimization of their efficiency as therapeutic molecules, it is relevant to promote their linking to biomolecules capable of targeting altered cells. This work brings a new dimension to the literature by combining structural modification of biomolecules and polymers with pyrrole-based compounds. It will be of great interest to academicians, industrialists, and undergraduate and graduate students of chemistry, biosciences, and pharmacy since, as apart from the theoretical aspects, it discusses experimental components.

Features:

• Discusses methods for protein modification
• Useful for academicians, industrialists and undergraduate and graduated students of chemistry, biosciences, and pharmacy
• Explains the synthesis of pyrrole-based molecules

Mariette M. Pereira is currently a Full Professor in Organic Chemistry at University of Coimbra (Portugal). She obtained her PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1992 at University of Coimbra and worked as Fellow Assistant at Universities of Liverpool in 1993 and Autónoma de Barcelona in 1998. She was Director of the Chemistry Research Laboratory of pharmaceutical spin-off Luzitin SA, until 2015. Her research interests are focused on the synthesis of phosphorous based chiral ligands and metal complexes for development of catalysts for carbonylation tandem reactions. She is also strongly engaged on the synthesis of tetrapyrrolic macrocycle-based photosensitizers for applications on photodynamic therapy of cancer and photoinactivation of microorganisms. She published ca. 200 peer-reviewed papers, 20 books/book chapters and she is inventor of 6 WO patents. She win the Prix Tremplin Mariano Gago, 2022, from Portugal and Paris Academy of Science, and Hungary Academy of Science Distinguished Guest Scientist fellowship, 2023.

Sara M.A. Pinto is currently Auxiliary Researcher at University of Coimbra (Portugal). She obtained her PhD in Macromolecular Chemistry in 2012 at University of Coimbra and began a Post-Doctorate at University of Coimbra, with the subject of design and development of new multimodal contrast agents for medical imaging. Her current research interests are the design of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles for medical imaging applications, with particular emphasis on theranostics for new contrast agents for MRI/FI or MRI/PET. She published 35 peer-reviewed papers, is co-inventor of two provisional patents and author of more than 50 communications (oral and poster) in national/international congresses.

Lucas D. Dias received his Pharmacy diploma from the State University of Goiás (Brazil) and his Ph.D. in Chemistry (Catalysis and Sustainability - CATSUS) at the University of Coimbra supervised by Prof. Mariette Pereira. Then, from 2019-2022, he performed as a postdoctoral research internship at the University of São Paulo (USP) – Brazil supervised by Prof. Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato. Currently, he has been an assistant professor at the Universidade Evangélica de Goiás (Brazil) and a researcher at the Coimbra Chemistry Centre (CQC) (University of Coimbra – Portugal). His current research interests are the design and synthesis of photocatalysts, homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysts based on tetrapyrrolic macrocycles for the activation of small molecules (O2, CO, and CO2), mechanisms in photodynamic Therapy, and synthesis of photosensitizers for light-based reactions applications. He has published 50 peer-reviewed papers in national/international journals, is the author of more than 50 communications (oral and posters) in national/international scientific meetings, and is the inventor of 3 patents.