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OVERVIEW
COLLECTION TRIPS
Based in Caribbean, our biggest inspiration for research is the ocean. Puerto Rico's coastlines offer dynamic and diverse ecosystems than are rich in biology and chemistry. We routinely explore different ocean environments in search for organism that provide a starting point for the drug discovery process.
EXTRACTION/ISOLATION OF MARINE NATURAL PRODUCTS
With a variety of marine organisms at hand, we extract the biomass and analyze the chemical composition via analytical chemistry techniques. Using a variety of chromatographic conditions and instruments, we are able to isolate single-chemical-entities that we can further characterize chemically.
BIOLOGICAL SCREENING
We collaborate with experts in the biological sciences to screen extracts, fractionated samples and pure compounds for biological activity. This guides our isolation process and provide insight into the pharmaceutical properties of our chemical samples.
SYNTHETIC AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
Chemical synthesis continues to be essential in the drug discovery process to provide access to SCE of interest as well as a method to diversify nature's pharmacopoeia via the synthesis of natural product analogs.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
BIO- AND CHEMODIVERSITY OF MARINE ALGAE FROM PUERTO RICO
Funded by ASP Starter Grant
DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANXIOLYTIC AGENTS FROM TROPICAL MARINE MACROALAGE
PI: Chiesa, Co-PI: Caro
Funded by Puerto Rico Science and Technology Trust
MARINE ALGAE NATURAL PRODUCTS AS ANTIVIRAL AGENTS FOR SARS-COV-2
Collaboration with Wistar Institute
Funded by UPR COVID-19 Emergency Research Projects Programs
CYANOBACTERIAL PSEUDO-NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR ANTICANCER DRUG DISCOVERY
funded by NIH-NIGMS SCORE Program