- New stereocontrolled synthetic methodologies applicable to total synthesis of carotenoids and related polyenes, based on cross coupling reactions catalyzed by transition metals.
- Study and modulation of protein-protein interactions, specially oriented to Nuclear Receptors interacting with other proteins that constitute the transcription factors.
- Drugability of these interactions and drug design and synthesis of novel compounds targeting protein-protein interactions.

Stereoselective synthesis of retinoids to study the biological mechanism of its receptors and total synthesis of Alotamide A (a novel neuropharmacological agent)and Incednine (modulator of Bcl-xL function)

I am interested in a large variety of aspects of Biocomputing and Structural Biology, such as biomolecular modeling, molecular recognition, protein-protein and protein-ligand docking, and structure-based drug design.

- Synthesis of agonist and antagonist of RAR subtypes.
- Total synthesis of Heronamide C, a 20-membered macrolactame produced by Streptomyces sp.
- Synthesis of 3-Deazaneplanocin and 7-Deazaneplanocin and related compounds for inhibotion of methyltransferase Histones.

Theoretical studies on the mechanism of cyclization reactions catalyzed by transition metals (like Au, or Pd) that lead to 5 or 6 membered rings, and how this metal can change the character of this cyclization, from pericyclic to ionic mechanism through radical, pseudopericyclic, or even (pseudo)coarctate possibilities.

Synthesis of analogs of MX-781, members of a new class of retinoids called Adamantyl Arotinoids (AdArs or RRM).
In collaboration with Dr. J.M. Aurrecoechea, study of the 1,4 addition of dialkylzinc to enones catalyzed by palladium.

Total synthesis of bisaprasin. A potent HDAC and DNMT inhibitor formed by dimerization of psammaplin, and analogs designed to clarify the dual mechanism of action.

Design of new epigenetic modulators. Synthesis of DNA methyltransferases inhibitors based on the diversity of peyssoenynes.

Design of Epigenetic Modulators. Synthesis of non-natural inhibitors of protein Arginine Methyltransferases (PRMTs) by amidation reactions (Buchwald-Hartwig reactions) and metal-catalyzed carbonylation reactions (Pd, Ni...). Carotenoids. Synthesis of carotenoids and apocarotenoids based on olefin metathesis protocol.

Total synthesis of chaetocin and related compounds. Chaetocin has been identified as the first specific inhibitor of the methyltransferase SU(VAR)3-9 both in vitro and in vivo and may therefore be used to study heterochromatin-mediated gene repression.

Preparation of trichostatin (TSA analogues) by introducing a thiirane group as a Zn quelate group. The aliphatic chain will be changed by a thiazole group and different aromatic groups in the cap group.

Total and stereocontrolled synthesis of new carotenoids, based on cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by transition metals and Ag and Au mediated cyclations with chirality transfer.

- Design and synthesis of new sirtuin inhibitors based on the kenpaullone skeleton, through Pd-catalyzed coupling.
- Synthesis, structural determination and biological evaluation of acremolide B as class I HDAC inhibitor.

In collaboration with Dr J. M. Aurrecoechea (UPV), we focus on the study of intramolecular cyclization-Heck reaction in route to synthesis of derivated benzofurans and indols. Synthesis of Cuevaene B and new sirtuin inhibitors based on the kenpaullone skeleton, through Pd-catalyzed coupling.
Total synthesis of Heronamide C, a 20-membered macrolactame produced by Streptomyces sp.

Total synthesis of alotamide A, a novel neuropharmacological agent. Alotamide A, a structurally intriguing cyclic depsipeptide, was isolated from the marine mat-forming cyanobacterium Lyngbya bouillonii.

Total synthesis of chaetocin A and (+)-Chaetomin, C(3)-N(1') homo and heterodimeric indolines with interesting biological activities

Group Admin. Contract.