Chemistry and Biotechnology of Natural Products
Chemistry and Biotechnology of Natural Products
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tHe VeNEnO tEaM studies the secondary metabolites ¨better known as natural products¨ produced by venomous animals and their symbiotic microorganisms. Among our routine tasks are field trips to collect venom samples, incubate microorganisms, determine the chemical profile, purify natural compounds, elucidate their chemical structure and evaluate them against cancer, and human´s and plant´s pathogens. Our goals are: (1) finding hits (bioactive compounds) that could serve as templates for the development of plant-pathogen controls and drugs, and (2) understanding the ecological role of natural products for living organisms.
What are secondary metabolites?
In addition to the primary metabolites (biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins) which are essential for any living organism, some organisms are able to produce specific metabolites that carry out/are related to important roles such as defense, reproduction, feeding or attack.
Why do we study secondary metabolites from venomous animals?
Venomous animals produce complex mixtures that represent rich cocktails of bioactive substances and microorganisms. These mixtures contain secondary metabolites with high chemical diversity and very potent bioactivies that can be employed for humans to combat diseases and enviromental problems.
Candelario Rodriguez 🇵🇦
Candelario Rodriguez 🇵🇦
Estación Científica Coiba
National Researcher (Level 1)
Mail address: crodriguez@coiba.org.pa
Academic achievements
Posdoctoral position in Bioprospection and Biotechnology (Estación Científica Coiba, Panamá, currently); Ph.D. in Biotechnology (Acharya Nagarjuna University, Republic of India); Specialization in Higher Education (Universidad de Panamá, Panamá); Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Universidad de Panamá, Panamá).
Thesis
Chemistry and biomedical potential of the Panamanian poisonous toads Rhinela spp.(Ph.D). Menthorship: Dr. Marcelino Gutierrez/Dr. Armando Durant/Dr. Roberto Ibáñez. http://hdl.handle.net/10603/527738
Caracterización de los compuestos volátiles responsables del aroma en frutas de Solanum betaceum y Pouteria sapota cultivados en Panamá. (undergraduate). Menthorship: Dr. Armando Durant.
Internship
Petru Poni Institute-Iasi, Rumania. Analysis by Pyrolisis and SPME coupled to GCMS of extracellular vesicles. Menthorship: Dr. Mihai Brebu.
Contact us
Estación Científica Coiba-Asociación de Interés Público (Coiba-AIP)
Address: Ciudad de Panamá, Avenida Omar Torrijos Herrera, Ciudad del Saber, Calle. Gustavo Lara, Oficina 145B
Telephone (office): (507) 517-0187
Research (Selected papers)
2025-Components and biological activities of venom from lionfishes (Scorpaenidae: Pterois). Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/md23020055
2024-Antifungal activities of menisporopsin A against relevant plant pathogens. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10060381
2023-Anti-trypanosomal bufadienolides from the oocytes of the toad Rhinella alata (Anura, Bufonidae). Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010196
2021-Bufadienolides from the skin secretions of the neotropical toad Rhinella alata (Anura: Bufonidae), antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144217
2020-Antimicrobial secretions of toads (Anura: Bufonidae): bioactive extracts and isolated compounds against human pathogens. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9120843
2020-19-Hydroxybufalin, a major bufadienolide isolated from the parotoid gland secretions of the Panamanian endemic toad Rhinella centralis, inhibits the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.02.009
2017-Toxins and pharmacologically active compounds from species of the family Bufonidae (Amphibia, Anura). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.021
Menthorships
Current lab members-project
Batista Nazareth-Identification of toxins from puffer fishes in Coiba´s Archipelago.
Buitrago Sebastian-Encapsulation of steroids for anticancer evaluation. (Co-advisor)
Castillo Andrea-Evaluation of toad´s steroids against the amphibians pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
Smith Sussan-Purification of peptides from the spine venom of Pterois volitans.
Former lab members-project
Marrone Maravi-Isolation and characterization of a bufadienolide with anticancer activity from the skin secretion of the toad Rhinella alata. (Co-advisor)
Research assistant/Stay/Internship-Project
Carrasco Jafeth-Caracterización Química y Potencial Farmacológico del Veneno de un Invasor: Una Alternativa para el Manejo de la Invasión Marina más Grande de la Historia.
Teaching
3er Curso de Biología de Campo (2025)-Introducción a los ecosistemas marinos y terrestres-Centro de capacitación en biodiversidad y ciencias del mar-Estación Científica Coiba. Coordinator.
Picture gallery (field trips)
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