Human Health and Well-being
The ICB-HEALTH research activity includes multidisciplinary projects in the pharmaceutical field for pathologies with a high social impact or for the development of compounds, generally small molecules, of strategic interest for the life sciences. In this context, the Institute conducts research on synthetic and natural methods and products for therapeutic, diagnostic and theranostic applications, as well as for the delivery of bioactive compounds, formulation of vaccines, novel food and effects of nutrition on the microbiota, and also products for nutraceutical and cosmetic sector. In particular, the Institute supports drug discovery, drug delivery and preclinical development studies of lipids, natural products, peptides and biomarkers for oncology, immunology and neuroscience. The main targets are therapeutic agents for chemo- and immuno-therapy, chemo-prevention of cancer, chronic and degenerative diseases, inflammation, metabolic diseases, dysfunctions of the immune system and immunoregulation.
The activities are carried out through interactions, at a national and international level, which involve other research structures internal and external to the CNR, universities, consortia, IRCCS (Scientific Hospitalization and Care Institutes), regions, healthcare companies and University Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies or industries that operate in the health and human well-being field.
ICB-HEALTH is located at the interface between chemistry and life sciences, with the aim of pursuing objectives in the pharmaceutical, pharmacological, nutraceutical, cosmetic and food fields using, when possible, a translational approach. The activities are based on a long and recognized tradition in Organic Chemistry, Chemistry of Natural Substances, Biochemistry, Structural Chemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Spectroscopic and Spectrometric Methods. Thanks to the collaboration with national and international industries and institutions, the Institute boasts technological platforms in the identification and synthesis of drug candidates; biological and chemical characterization of active principles and physiological mediators; integrated diagnostic platforms, including MS- and NMR-based omics techniques; development of cellular, biological and in silico models, cellular and receptor tests (reverse pharmacology).
The main technological areas of interest fall into:
