Saltar para o conteúdo principal

FCCNFCT Digital Services

Access the national information on scientific and technological funding in Portugal

Activity Funded

Chemistry Research Unit of University of Porto

Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto

Reference
UIDB/00081/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Base

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes CIQUP is a R&D center dedicated to basic and applied research in emerging areas of Chemistry, with strong international recognition and aligned with current societal demands and international guidelines in science and technology. The plan of activities of CIQUP is based on five crucial pillars: 1 - Promotion of the advancement of knowledge and excellence in science 2 - Intensification of internationalization through collaborative networks and funded projects 3 - Advanced training of young researchers 4 -Proactive engagement in transfer of knowledge activities 5 - Dissemination and promotion of scientific culture. CIQUP comprises five groups whose activities converge into two thematic lines: - MATERIALS CHEMISTRY& NANOSCIENCE - PHYSICAL, BIOPHYSICAL & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY. The MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY group, constituted by a cross-functional team working at the chemistry/biology interface, will direct its activities towards drug discovery and analysis. The research will focus on the discovery of new therapeutic solutions for liver and oxidative stress-related diseases (namely Alzheimer and Parkinson) and in the development of smart delivery systems to enhance selectivity, permeability and chemical/metabolicstability of drug candidates. The MOLECULAR AND SUPRAMOLECULAR THERMODYNAMICS group will use thermochemical and thermophysical approaches to study selected organic compounds (bioactive, pesticides, fragrances and semiconductors), aiming the characterization of their stability/reactivity and of thermodynamic properties related to environmental mobility and distribution. The NANOSTRUCTURES AND SELF-ORGANIZATION will focus on the molecular understanding of systems and processes at the nano and micro-scale, supported by a thermodynamic-structural approach. Studies will be directed to the study of: ionic liquids and their mixtures with molecular solvents, thin films, semiconductor materials, peptide/model-membrane interactions, amphiphilic assemblies for biomolecular delivery and hierarchic nanocomposites involving carbon materials. The PHYSICAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY& ELECTROCHEMISTRY group will focus on experimental and computational studies: at interfaces and their functionalization; ionic liquids in nanoconfined systems; electrodeposition of metals; innovative (micro and nano) analytical methods for sensing and separation; understanding complex molecular processes in fields such as the environmental or biomedical (chemiluminescesce for phototherapy). CIQUP also integrates a group on EDUCATION, SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY, who will be dedicated totransversal activities related to research on educational sciences, and dissemination of science& culture in society. The activities plan of CIQUP will be implemented based on a plural and coherent scientific vision, through the creation of strong internal and external synergies. 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation The strategic program of CIQUP for 2018-2022 intends to keep the international recognition for the excellence and innovative character of its research and to remain a leading Chemistry research unit in Portugal. The Unit will capitalize on strong internal collaborations between its groups, so as to jointly focus on projects where translational science is applied to current societal demands. To this end, the Unit comprises five groups whose work will converge into two thematic lines: - MATERIALS CHEMISTRY& NANOSCIENCE; - PHYSICAL, BIOPHYSICAL AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY. The main goals of the five research groups are: RG1. The MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY group is constituted by a cross-functional team that works at the chemistry–biology interface, namely in drug discovery and analysis. The research involves the discovery of new chemical entities for liver and oxidative stress-related diseases and the development of smart delivery systems to address selectivity, permeability and chemical/metabolic stability issues. Grounded on the team´s experience, a project on the discovery of new antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents has been started. The chemical scaffolds encircle bioinspired privileged structures. The practices include hit-to-lead optimization through tailored structural modifications, by means of (bio)isosteric surrogates and guided by structure-activity, structure-property-activity or structure-toxicity relationships. The synthesis of concise and diverse chemical libraries for target- and phenotypic cell-based screenings encompasses the development of new green and sustainable synthetic processes. The projects also enfold the development of new (bio)analytical methodologies to address questions related to biomedical sciences, as well as the evaluation of relevant physicochemical parameters. RG2. The MOLECULAR AND SUPRAMOLECULAR THERMODYNAMICS research involves a thermodynamic approach to the study of organic compounds (bioactive, pesticides, fragrances and semiconductors) aiming the characterization of their stability/reactivity and the study of thermodynamic properties as they relate to their environment mobility. The standard enthalpy and Gibbs energy of formation in the condensed and gaseous phases and of the transition between them will be experimentally determined. Some of these properties will also be derived using quantum chemical calculations. The standard Gibbs energy of formation in aqueous solution - a key property to predict the reactivity of compounds - will be achieved by combining some of the referred to above properties with aqueous solubility that will also be experimentally determined. Significant correlations between energetic and structural parameters and accurate predictive methods of thermodynamic properties are expected to be developed. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding energies and binding constants of some compounds with DNA will be evaluated. Photoluminescence efficiency of organic materials with potential use in OLED devices will be studied. RG3. The NANOSTRUCTURES AND SELF-ORGANIZATION group is focused on the study of the structuration and self-organization of chemical systems at the nano- and micro-scales. From among these systems we highlight those consisting of ionic fluids, thin films, surfactants, lipids, macromolecules, soft and hybrid nanomaterials. The core of RG3 group is the molecular understanding of systems and processes, supported by a thermodynamic and structural based approach, applied to model compounds, mixtures and materials. The group has performed consolidating work in the different areas that will be pursued and updated, namely: nanostructuration study of multicomponent ionic fluids; characterization and fabrication of thin films for semiconductor materials; interaction of peptides with model membranes; characterization of polymer/surfactant mixtures; characterization of novel surfactant systems; dispersions and hierarchic composites of carbon nanomaterials; stimuli-responsive nanostructures for molecular delivery; study of protic ionic liquids for biomass processing; new advanced physical-chemistry methodologies. RG4. The PHYSICAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AND ELECTROCHEMISTRY group is focused on analytical methodologies, sensing and environmental monitoring, ionic fluids, nanomaterials and luminescence systems. In particular, the group will address: studies of interfaces and their functionalization, aiming analytical applications and energy storage, the latter using ionic fluids in nanoconfined environments; design and preparation of polymers and composites; preparation and control of nanostructured films; studies of chemiluminescence systems towards the development of self-excited photodynamic cancer therapies; computational simulations of ionic liquids at interfaces and theoretical studies on environmental monitoring and photochemistry. The group will also develop R&D in metal, alloy and nanowire deposition from ionic liquids, new solutions for thermal and electrical conductivity of thermoplastic nanocomposites for the shoe industry and functional wood and cork coatings. RG5. The EDUCATION, SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY group focuses on theories and practices through which the ecologies of science education and science communication are structured. Our research will approach the science made at the CIQUP to the science taught in schools; bridging scholars and educators through a network that support and challenge teachers to build cutting-edge scientific content into their practices. Likewise, we will contribute to a knowledge-driven society, creating opportunities to educate students, parents and lay public, improving the awareness, understanding and engagement with science.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Química (CIQUP)
  • Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências (FCUP)

Funding 1.001.000,00 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

1.001.000,00 €