Natural biomolecules as sources of inspiration for new therapeutic strategies

Natural compounds derived from animals, plants, fungi, bacteria and other organisms show an extraordinary structural diversity as well as a broad range of biological functions. Their intrinsic “biocompatibility” enables them to specifically target a wide number of biological structures and interfere with physiological and pathological processes. In fact, most of the pharmaceuticals in use today are derived from biomolecules that still represent one of the major sources of inspiration for the development of new therapeutic agents and important diagnostic tools. In this colloquium, my research work on natural molecules and derivatives of biomedical interest will be presented and their anti amyloidogenic activities against neurodegenerative diseases as well as their photosensitizing properties exploited in the antimicrobial PhotoDynamic Therapy (aPDT) will be discussed.