The NPMC (Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry) group is dedicated to the research of Natural Products and their utilization as leads for the development of novel bioactive molecules or drugs with potential use as nutraceuticals, cosmetics or agrochemicals.
NPMC was established at 1994 and it is based on the constructive collaboration of the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry and the Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry of the Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
A great advantage for NPMC is that Greece is among the top 25 worldwide biodiversity hotspots. A collection of more than 1200 identified plant species and hundreds of fungi and marine organisms are used for the discovery of new bioactive natural products.
NPMC through H2020-MSCA-RISE (“Medihealth”, “Olive-Net”), INFRASTRUCTURE projects (“PLANT UP”) and RESEARCH and INNOVATION projects (VIT VIN, CANABISmed, HOLEA, ANTIOX PLUS, OLIVEHEART, COSMAGE, CANNABIS AUTISM, DDIOL, VEGNO) has obtained state-of-the-art equipment, that complement the existing high-tech and powerful instrumentation of the lab (NMR 600MHz facility with microprobe, hybrid LS-Ms/Ms LTQ-Orbitrap, HPLC-DAD etc.).
NPMC has numerous participations in national and European research programs and currently is coordinating 18 projects. It also has extensive collaborations with international industrial partners, as well as with international renowned research centers.
Overall the reinforcement of scientific and technological potential has led to:
the establishment of a state-of-the-art research center in the field of Natural Products in Europe and the production of significant knowledge and new high added value applications of natural compounds in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and agricultural sectors.