The Madeira Chemistry Research Centre (CQM) announces its 12^th Annual Meeting to be held at the University of Madeira, Senate Conference Room, from 25 to 26 of July of 2025. The meeting will join the CQM's researchers who will present their work developed during the last year within the areas of Analytical Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Health, Materials, Molecular Modeling, Nanochemistry and Phytochemistry.

More information here. 

It is open an international selection tender procedure for a position in the scientific researcher career, in the category of assistant researcher, employment contract in public functions for an indefinite period of time, for the scientific field of Food Chemistry, at the Madeira Chemistry Research Centre, University of Madeira (announced at Diário da República, Serie II, nº 97, 21/05/2025, Aviso nº 12945/2025/2).

Announcement:
- English
- Português

Application deadline 07th July 2025.

Full information here.

We are pleased to announce the upcoming seminar titled "A critical evaluation of the approaches to targeted protein degradation for drug discovery and development: PROTAC versus Molecular glue degraders" presented by Serge Mignani, PhD, from CQM and the Centre d’Études et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie & Argobio Studio, Paris (France). This seminar will take place on the 09^th and 11^th of June 2025 at the conference room 0.57, Campus of Penteada, University of Madeira, starting at 15:00 on both days.
Space is limited, so please be sure to complete your registration as soon as possible.

Abstract:
Protein degradation is the process by which proteins are broken down into smaller peptides or amino acids. Protein degraders are molecules that facilitate or enhance this process. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) was discovered twenty years ago through PROTAC technology and is now developing rapidly, thanks to the involvement of scientists from industry and academia. PROTAC chimeras are heterobifunctional molecules that can simultaneously link a protein to degradation and an E3 ubiquitin ligase. It has been demonstrated that PROTACs can degrade proteins that were previously considered "undruggable". Two PROTACs are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of breast (ARV471) and prostate (ARV110) cancers. Proteasome-induced protein degradation is also induced by other types of molecules, such as molecular glues. A molecular glue is a proximity-inducible small molecule that can exert precise temporal control over various biological processes, including signal transduction, transcription, chromatin regulation, and the folding, localization, and degradation of proteins. As a chemical inducer of proximity, molecular glue can promote the dimerization or colocalization of two proteins through the formation of ternary complexes, leading to distinct biological and pharmacological functions.
Molecular glue degraders offer advantages in terms of drug-like properties and potential for central nervous system (CNS) indications, while PROTACs allow for rational design and broad targeting potential. Overcoming the challenges associated with each approach, such as the serendipitous discovery of molecular glue degraders and the drug-like properties of PROTACs, will be crucial for their successful clinical application.
As the field of TPD continues to evolve, we can expect to see the development of even more effective approaches.
Molecular glue and PROTAC strategies offer new avenues for drug development in the field of targeted protein degradation. Both molecular glue degraders and PROTACs show great promise as drugs.
In this presentation, we will analyze the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each type of degrading molecule. We will also discuss the significant interest in identifying new drug targets that are difficult to access. Designing degraders, PROTAC is challenging because slight alterations to their structure can affect the formation of the ternary complex and subsequent degradation. We will also discuss this important aspect.

	Registration until 08th June 2025.
	Registration form [Closed!] Limited seats available

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to a conference titled "Polymer Brushes as Biomimetic Materials" by Oleg V. Borisov, from the Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l’Environnement et les Matériaux, France. The event will take place on 29^th May 2025, at 15:00, in Conference Room 0.57 at the University of Madeira, Campus of Penteada.

Abstract: Polymer brushes (arrays of macromolecules anchored at solid-liquid interfaces) resemble supramolecular structures that are widespread in living nature. Comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies of well-defined model systems can provide important information underlying bio-lubrication, molecular recognition and cell adhesion, selective transport of molecules across biological membranes etc. Here we aim to overview results of theoretical and computational modelling of (i) structural and tribological properties of surfaces modified with macromolecules architecturally mimicking proteoglycan aggrecan; (ii) interaction of polyelectrolyte brushes with amphiphilic protein-like nanocolloids; (iii) selective transport of nanocolloidal particles through mesopores filled with polymer brush mimicking nucleopore complex . Ultimately, these theoretical insights may have important implication for development of high-performance biomimetic functional polymer materials.

Short bio of Oleg Borisov:
Oleg Borisov graduated from the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute and obtained his PhD in 1986 at the Institute of Macromolecular Compounds of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. He is currently the Research Director (DR1 CNRS) at the Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l’Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM) UMR 5254 CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, France.
Area of Expertise: Theoretical physical chemistry of polymers and colloids: polymers in solutions and at interfaces, adsorption, polymer brushes, branched polymers, polyelectrolytes, polymer-colloid and polymer-protein interactions, self-assembly."

Space is limited, so please be sure to complete your registration as soon as possible.

	Registration until 28th May 2025.
	Registration form [Closed!] Limited seats available