ComputOrgChem Unisa

Prof. Giuseppe Bifulco, Ph.D.

Prof. Giuseppe Bifulco, Ph.D.

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1788-5170

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56962753900

Current position:

Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Pharmaceutical Science of the University of Salerno.

Background:

PhD in Organic Chemistry at University of Naples “Federico II”.

Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies at the University of Naples “Federico II”.

Research and awards:

  • Principal Investigator (PI) of a Grant funded by Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca Sul Cancro (AIRC – IG 21397) (2019 – 2023)
  • Principal Investigator (PI) of a Grant funded by Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca Sul Cancro (AIRC – IG 17440) (2015 – 2018)
  • Principal Investigator (PI) of a Grant funded by Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca Sul Cancro (AIRC – IG 12777) (2012 – 2015)
  • “Giacomo Ciamician Medal” (2004) received from the Italian Chemical Society for contribution and innovation in organic chemistry.

The research activity of Prof. Bifulco is focused on three main themes: the first focuses on the chemical study of marine invertebrates, the second on molecular recognition, in particular on the study of the mechanism of action of bioactive molecules with antitumor and anti-inflammatory activity, and the third concerns the development of new methodologies in the structural analysis of natural molecules using quantum mechanical calculations and advanced nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The first research topic was addressed by the candidate since his first steps as a researcher, within leading groups in research on natural marine substances: first with the group of Prof. Minale in Naples and then with the group of Prof. Riccio in Salerno. Prof. Bifulco’s experience abroad during the course of his doctorate in the group of Prof. W.J. Chazin allowed him to develop specific skills in the field of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance on biopolymers and began to tackle, in collaboration with the group directed by Prof. K.C. Nicolaou, of the structural studies concerning drug-DNA recognition through the combination of NMR techniques and molecular dynamics. Prof. Bifulco has also developed several original methodologies for the structural elucidation and determination of the relative stereochemistry of natural organic substances through conformational analysis and calculation of NMR parameters at quantum mechanical level.
Recently, as regards the design and synthesis of compounds with potential anti- inflammatory and antitumor activity, new inhibitors of mPGES-1, a new and interesting
target involved in the development of tumors and inflammation, Bcl-Xl, also an important target involved in the mechanisms of apoptosis, of the Hsp90 protein, and of the
bromodomain BRD9 have been designed and synthesized. As part of the study of problems related to molecular recognition, Prof. Bifulco has recently developed the “Inverse Virtual Screening”; methodology. In this methodology, a panel of antitumor target structures has been proposed, on which it is possible to test compounds with potential antitumor activity from a computational point of view and to be able to identify the biological target.