A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor Carlos Alberto Manssour Fraga: Medicinal Chemistry’s Efforts to Discover Novel Bioactive Molecules for Complex Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to Professor Carlos Alberto Manssour Fraga for his invaluable contribution to the field of medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences. Professor Carlos Alberto Manssour Fraga was working as an Editorial Board Member of Pharmaceuticals before he passed away in May 2024.

A graduate of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), where he also served as a full professor at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Professor Fraga was known for his impactful research at the Laboratory of Evaluation and Synthesis of Bioactive Substances (LASSBio^®). His work has resulted in over 230 international journal articles and 26 patents, significantly advancing drug discovery and development.

Professor Fraga's academic career was distinguished by his dedication to teaching and research. He shaped the minds of countless students and left an imprint on the next generation of scientists. Recognized as one of the most influential researchers worldwide, Professor Fraga received a prestigious Level 1A productivity scholarship from CNPq and was honored as a "Scientist of Our State" by FAPERJ.

This Special Issue, titled "A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor Carlos Alberto Manssour Fraga: Medicinal Chemistry’s Efforts to Discover Novel Bioactive Molecules for Complex Diseases" will be published in Pharmaceuticals.

Complex diseases arise from multifaceted interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. They are challenging to treat due to their heterogeneous nature and often unclear molecular underpinnings. These diseases, which include conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease), place an immense burden on global health systems. The intricate pathophysiology of complex diseases means that traditional therapeutic approaches may fall short, underscoring the need for novel bioactive molecules designed with a deep understanding of their disease mechanisms.

This Special Issue seeks to spotlight recent advances in medicinal chemistry that drive the discovery and development of bioactive molecules aimed at combating these challenging conditions. We invite contributions in the following areas:

• The Identification of Novel Drug Targets and Mechanistic Insights: Discovering new molecular targets and understanding the specific pathways to combating complex diseases, including multi-target approaches where relevant;
• Synthetic Approaches to Bioactive Molecules: Developing innovative synthetic methods to create molecules with enhanced activity, stability, and selectivity, tailored for the unique demands of complex disease treatment;
• Lead Optimization and Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR) Studies: Refining lead compounds to improve pharmacological profiles, therapeutic efficacy, and safety through SAR analyses;
• Advanced Screening Technologies: Leveraging high-throughput screening, computational methods, and systems biology approaches to accelerate the discovery of effective bioactive compounds;
• Preclinical and Early Clinical Evaluations: Assessing pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy in preclinical and early clinical studies to validate the therapeutic potential of newly discovered compounds.

Dr. Luzineide Tinoco
Dr. Pedro De Sena Murteira Pinheiro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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