In this research field we are exploiting the biodiversity of small molecules by isolation of novel compounds from natural sources, such as higher plants, marine sponges and marine fungi.

Relevant publications:

Secondary metabolites from vegetal origin: a potential source of antithrombotic drugs
Chaves DSA, Almeida AP, Assafim M, Frattani F, Zingali RB, Costa SS
Química Nova (in press). 2009

The Natural Prenylated Flavone Artelastin is an Inhibitor of ROS and NO Production
F Cerqueira, H Cidade, L van Ufford, C Beukelman, A Kijjoa, MSJ Nascimento
International Immunopharmacology, 8, 597-602. 2008

Cytotoxicity of Prenylated Xanthones and Other Constituents from the Wood of Garcinia merguensis
Kijjoa A, Gonzalez MJ, Pinto M, MSJ Nascimento, N Campos, I Mondranondra, AMS Silva, G Eaton, W Herz
Planta Medica, 8, 864-866. 2008

Constituents of Polyalthia jacunda and their Cytotoxic effect on Human Cancer Cell Lines
Suedee A, Mondranondra IO, Kijjoa A, Pinto M, Nazareth N, Nascimento MSJ, Silva AMS, Herz W
Pharmaceutical Biology, 45(7), 575-579 (DOI: 10.1080/13880200701501300). 2007

Merodrimanes and Other Constituents from Talaromyces thailandiasis
Dethoup T, Manoch L, Kijjoa A, Pinto M, Gales L, Damas AM, Silva AMS, Eaton G, Herz W
J. Nat. Prod., 70, 1200-1202 (DOI: 10.1021/np0680578). 2007

Projects:

Fungal Secondary Metabolites as potencial growth inhibitory agents in cancer cell lines
Multidisciplinary Project, University of Porto, in collaboration with undergraduate students, 15 mounths, 2009

Produtos com potencial actividade biológica extraídos de algas do mar dos Açores (AzoAlg)
PTDC/MAR/100482/2008

BIOFLUOR - Biological Production of Fluororganic Compounds with commercial relevance
Project I&D em todos os Domínios Científicos - 2006 PTDC/BIO/67306/2006, funded by Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT), 4 years, 2006

Secondary metabolites from Euphorbiaceae with potential antitumor activity
Multidisciplinary Project, University of Porto, in collaboration with undergraduate students, (2007-2008)

Biological production of commercially relevant fluorinated organic compounds
Project financed by FCT (PTDC/BIO/67306/2006 - Engenharia Bioquímica e Biotecnologia), 2007

Characterization and Antitumor Activity Evaluation of the Bioactive Compounds from the Marine Sponges
POCI/MAR/58114/2004), funded by FCT, (2004-2007)

Herbicidas, Fungicidas e Bactericidas de Fungos Fitopatogénicos
International Project in the framework of scientífic collaboration between Portugal and Chile, funded by ICCTI-CONICYT, (2000-2001)