Natural Bioactive Compounds

Not applicable.

The curricular unit is taught in theoretical classes and theoretical-practical classes.

The teaching methodology comprises theoretical exposition, participation of invited specialists, analysis of studies, individual research and development and presentation of a work on a theme to be defined within the Curricular Unit syllabus. The presentation of the theoretical program allows an adequate explanation of the aforementioned contents. The theoretical-practical component of the teaching methodology allows, in addition to the structured exposure of the contents, the exemplification of research and applicability to particular situations. The development and presentation of the works enhance the development of skills to carry out autonomous work and acquisition of individual knowledge, providing moments of reflection and interaction that fosters the critical rationale.

The main goals of this curricular unit is to promote the updating of scientific knowledge and reflection and critical skills of the student fostering the acquisition of the skills necessary for the evolution and management of innovation activities, in a business or academic environment, within the scope of the development, production and use of new pharmacotherapeutic and nutraceutical strategies.

At the end of the Curricular Unit, the student must be able to:

 – Acquire knowledge integrating optimization strategies for new drugs development based on natural chemotypes;

– Recognize molecular (“omics”) approaches applied to bioproducts of marine origin and their applications as pharmaceuticals;

– Characterize key determinants for the development of new food supplements, nutraceuticals and functional foods;

– Identify the legal and regulatory framework for herbal medicinal and food products for human use;

– Train for the development of innovative proactive attitudes in the area of ​​herbal medicinal and food products for human use.

Module I – Innovative potential and chemical determinants of natural products. The research process for bioactive natural chemical entities discovery (bioNCEs). Biochemical strategies for the discovery and optimization of new drugs based on natural chemotypes. High-throughput screening associated with natural bioactive compounds and the subsequent process of developing innovative pharmacotherapeutic practices.

 Module II – Marine molecules and their applications as drugs. Methods of bioprospecting marine organisms and biosynthetic origin of bioproducts of marine origin. Molecular (“omics”) approaches applied to bioproducts of marine origin and their applications as drugs. Regulatory framework.

 Module III – Nutraceutical products not subject to medical prescription and functional foods (isolated nutrients, dietary supplements, foods produced by genetic engineering, herbal products). Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics. Determinants of pre-clinical and clinical research. Current regulations. Regulatory framework.

NAO

– Research articles from reputed scientific databases devoted to the themes highlighted at the syllabus; 

– Fattorusso, E; Gerwick, W.; Taglialatela-Scafati, O (Eds.). Handbook of Marine Natural Products (2012). Volumes 1 and 2. Springer, New York, NY, USA. 1452 pp. ISBN: 978-9048138333;

– La Barre, S; Kornprobst J-M. Outstanding Marine Molecules. (2014) Wiley-Blackwell, Wenheim, Germany. 536 pp. ISBN: 978-3527334650;

– COSTA, A. F., FARMACOGNOSIA, Vol. I, 5.ª edição, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2002;

– COSTA, A. F., FARMACOGNOSIA, Vol. II 5.ª edição, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2002;

– COSTA, A. F., FARMACOGNOSIA, Vol. III, 5.ª edição, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2002;

 – Portuguese Pharmacopeia;

 – Legislative framework.