PHYSICOCHEMICAL

Crystallography: structural determination of crystalline and amorphous solids

In this line of research, diffraction and X-ray absorption, spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques will be used to study the short- and long-range structure of crystalline and amorphous materials with electrical, catalytic and magnetic properties that present innovative and interesting properties. for technological applications. In this line, emphasis will also be given to the use of crystal engineering techniques to obtain suitable single crystals for crystallographic and spectroscopic studies, Supramolecular Chemistry and the study of polymorphism in molecular crystals.

Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis

This line of research involves different methodologies in the preparation of electrodes in order to study the electrochemical processes, charge transfer mechanisms, electrocatalysis and adsorption phenomena, which occur at the electrode / solution interface. The prepared electrodes are characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The interface processes are evaluated by different electrochemical techniques and by simulating equivalent circuits.

Physicochemistry of macromolecules

Physical chemistry of macromolecules, exemplifying balance of ligands, kinetics and biological thermodynamics, stability and conformational change in macromolecules; Kinetics and conformational stability of key enzymes in cellular processes and oxidative stress; Bonding balance and thermodynamic stability of proteins with natural products and semi-synthetic compounds; Conformational analysis of oligo and polysaccharides isolated from plant extracts, probiotics and prebiotics.

Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

The objective of this line is to carry out theoretical studies for the structural study of solids and liquids and to determine optical, electrical / electronic and magnetic properties of different materials, among them: semiconductor materials, polymers, drugs and nanostructured materials using techniques such as Molecular Dynamics ( in the Quantum Mechanics / Molecular Mechanics scheme), ab initio, semi-empirical quantum calculations, Monte Carlo, Simulated annealing and molecular docking. Along these lines, theoretical studies on prediction of polymorphism in molecular solids will also be carried out.

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Development and Application of Analytical Methods

The research line aims to develop and apply analytical techniques (spectroscopic, electrochemical, chromatographic, etc.) for the determination of species of environmental, pharmaceutical, food and clinical interest using different analytical strategies, such as pre-concentration, clean-up, calibration multivariate, etc., to obtain faster, more robust, economical, sustainable and / or efficient methodologies.

Bioanalytical

Development of analytical methods applied to samples of biological origin. Research activities range from the development of instrumentation for applications in Bioanalytics such as the elucidation and speciation of chemical composition in biological matrices, aimed at problems of proteomics and metabolomics. This line of research has interdisciplinary characteristics that will enable a broad knowledge of analytical techniques and their applications in different areas of science.

Sample Preparation

Evaluate and develop sample preparation systems of diverse interest, such as biological, pharmaceutical, food and environmental, in order to minimize time, errors and reagent consumption, as well as the risks involved in the process.

Separations

Evaluate and develop methodologies for the analysis of chemical substances using Gas Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography, Gel Electrophoresis (one-dimensional and two-dimensional) and Capillary Electrophoresis in samples of pharmaceutical, biological, environmental and food interest.

Spectrometry

Application of spectrometric techniques, such as Molecular Absorption in UV-Vis, Atomic Absorption, Middle and Near Infrared, Raman and Masses, for analysis (simultaneous and / or speciation) of species of chemical interest, in samples of clinical, biological, pharmaceutical origin and environmental.

Electroanalytical

This line of research comprises the preparation and application of electrodes in the development of electrochemical sensors for metallic species and organic compounds of samples of environmental, pharmaceutical, and food interest.

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Coordination chemistry

This line of research will involve the synthesis and characterization of new inorganic compounds with properties of interest to society, such as pharmacological and catalytic properties. In the characterization of these new inorganic chemical species, infrared and UV-Visible spectroscopic techniques will be used, as well as multinuclear NMR techniques, elementary analysis (C, H, N), thermal analysis, monocrystal X-ray diffraction and by the powder method.

Materials Chemistry

In this line of research, new amorphous and ceramic materials will be prepared that have innovative properties and are of interest for technological applications. Special attention will be given to the preparation and characterization of ferroelectric materials, glass and glass-ceramics and nanomaterials. The electrical and spectroscopic properties of lanthanides incorporated in materials will also be investigated.

Bioinorganic Chemistry

In this line of research, new inorganic compounds will be prepared that may present interesting biological activities for acting with a drug. The preparation methodologies will be planned to obtain the active compound, which will be characterized in terms of its chemical, physical, structural and biological properties.

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Chemistry of Natural Products

It aims at the chemical-biological study of natural products through purification, using chromatographic systems and structural identification using spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance, in the infrared, ultraviolet / visible, mass spectrometry, in addition to the evaluation of the biological activity of extracts, pure substances and semi-synthetic derivatives aimed at studying the structure-activity relationship and the optimization of leading substances.

Medicinal Chemistry

Research in Medicinal Chemistry focuses on the planning, synthesis and pharmacological and biochemical evaluation of new active compounds with non-opioid, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antimicrobial and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor properties, candidates for new prototype drug candidates potentially useful in treatment of pain, inflammation, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. For that, modern techniques of molecular design are used and improved, such as molecular hybridization, planning based on computational studies, the rational modification of known natural or synthetic active prototypes and optimization of new leading molecules, seeking new candidates for active, selective and that represent therapeutic innovation.

Biocatalysis and biotransformation

Use of microorganisms in the biotransformation of organic compounds to produce new derivatives of industrial interest (biolubricants, aromas and biosurfactants, automotive additives and biofuels). Enzyme stabilization by immobilization on solid supports. Separation and purification of bioproducts.

CHEMISTRY EDUCATION

The Chemistry Education area seeks to investigate the development of chemistry teaching and learning, including research on teaching concepts and knowledge, pedagogical practices, training policies, curriculum, construction of chemical knowledge, in addition to the development of didactic products.

Chemistry teacher training

Investigate the initial and continuing education of Chemistry teachers at different levels of education. This line includes research aimed at investigating conceptions, teaching knowledge, pedagogical practices, didactic resources, training policies, curriculum, among others;

Chemistry teaching and learning

Investigate the teaching and learning processes in Chemistry at different levels of education. This line of research focuses on teaching and learning processes that are related, from different theoretical perspectives, to the construction of knowledge and conceptual formation, in addition to the development of didactic products.