
Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry
research Group
Medicinial Inorganic Chemistry Research Group: developement of potential inorganic drugs
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Inorganic Chemistry Area, Estrella Campos Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República
Montevideo, Uruguay
Prof. Dinorah Gambino
Research Group Leader

Description:
​Our aim is the rational design of prospective metal-based drugs against neglected parasitic diseases, tuberculosis and cancer. Our work includes the application of inorganic chemistry tools to the synthesis and full characterization in solid state and in solution of new biologically active metal-based compounds, the study of physicochemical properties of particular biological interest such as lipophilicity, stability in biological media and electrochemical behavior, the determination of biological activity and cellular effects and the elucidation of the probable molecular targets and mechanism of action (production of free radicals, inhibition of specific enzymes, interaction with biomolecules, particularly DNA and proteins, among others). Metallomics studies including subcellular uptake and distribution are also currently under progress.
We are presently working on the following topics:
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Prospective therapeutic agents against high regional incidence parasitic diseases (Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis), based on metal compounds with bioactive ligands.
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Bioactive metal compounds against African Trypanosomiasis, cancer and tuberculosis.
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Metallomics studies including cellular uptake and subcellular distribution in Trypanosoma cruzi of bioactive compounds.
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