BV-FAPESP: research projects supported in this Center
CIBFar in the Media: news about the Center
The Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery (CIBFar) has the main goal of performing basic and applied science, as well as technological development in all the areas of biodiversity and drugs discovery on the basis of research that uses the state of the art of chemistry of natural products, synthetic organic chemistry, molecular and structural biology, biochemist, medicinal chemistry, drug design and pharmacological assays.
The specific objectives are the bioprospecting of Brazilian flora to identify the components with an ample specter of biological activities (e.g., antiparasitic, antibacterial, anticancer); selection of promising bioactive compounds for organic synthesis, and studies of the relations between the structure and activity (SAR, QSAR); use of strategies of drug design based in the structure of the receiver (SBDD) and the binder (LBDD); use approaches for optimizing compounds-leaders; preclinical efficacy studies, toxicology and pharmacokinetics in vitro and in vivo for the evaluation and optimizing of properties of new drug candidates.
The ultimate goal is the development of new chemical entities (NCEs) with the raised potential of innovation for clinical development. Therefore, the CIBFar is not only based on the abilities and solid scientific knowledge in all the interest areas, but also in an organized structure for the integration of modern approaches in biodiversity and drugs discovery.
CIBfar main characteristic is the well-established infrastructure in terms of skills for technical, financial, technological education, and executive management. Maximum integration with the productive sector will be held to identify opportunities and the definition of goals. In the educational aspect, the Center counts on the significant experience acquired throughout one decade in education and dissemination of the knowledge carried through in the CEPID-FAPESP.
CIBFar is a joint initiative resulting from collaborative research projects, including the: (i) Medicinal and Computational Chemistry Laboratory (LQMC) and Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics – São Carlos Institute of Physics at the University of São Paulo – IFSC/USP; (ii) Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NUBBE) – Institute of Chemistry at the State University of São Paulo IQ/UNESP; (iii) Organic Synthesis Laboratories – Institute of Chemistry at the State University of Campinas – IQ/UNICAMP; (iv) Laboratories of Natural Products and Organic Synthesis – Department of Chemistry at the Federal University of São Carlos – DQ/UFSCar; and (v) Natural Products Laboratory – School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto at the University of São Paulo – FCFRP/USP.
2022-07-06
Advanced drug discovery methods have led to advances in the search for treatments for some neglected tropical diseases, including leishmaniasis and Chagas, but research on schistosomiasis and other diseases caused by worms remains at an early stage, according to an article in Drug Discovery Today by Brazilian researchers.
2021-12-01
The point was stressed by participants in the 6th FAPESP 60 Years Conference, featuring experts from Brazil, the UK and the US who discussed the search for drugs to treat diseases that affect some 2 billion people worldwide.
2021-09-22
Participants in a webinar held by FAPESP pointed to disorganization of the research ecosystem, lack of government planning and underinvestment as obstacles to drug development in Brazil.
2020-11-04
Sirius’s protein crystallography beamline analyzed more than 200 protein crystals from the novel coronavirus as they were exposed to tiny fragments of widely used drugs. If a compound fits perfectly into a target protein, its action can be blocked in the virus.
2020-04-29
Selected projects aim to repurpose existing drugs for treatment of COVID-19, find novel compounds with therapeutic potential and develop alternative diagnostic methods. The call remains open until June 22.
