Photosensitizers
Endogenous Photosensitizers in Human Skin
Chem. Rev., 123: 9720 (2023)
The Bastos Research Group creates bio-based chemicals for technological innovation.
We are based at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Fundamental
Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 748, Lab. 477. 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil | +55(11)3091-9133, elbastos@usp.br
Betalains are our preferred starting materials.
They are water-soluble natural pigments that have been consumed in food for centuries.
We use a multidisciplinary approach to study betalains and derivatives thereof.
Physical organic chemistry and photochemistry of bio-based compounds.
Here are some selected publications and news.
Click here for the complete list of publications.
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Betaxanthins
Amino Acid Betaxanthins: Absorption, Fluorescence, And Stability
J. Nat. Prod., 88: 2301 (2025)
OxiBeet
A bioinspired nitrone precursor to a stabilized nitroxide radical
Free Rad Biol Med, 168: 110 (2021)
1,2-Dioxetanedione
Cyclic peroxidic carbon dioxide dimer fuels peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence
J Org Chem, 86: 11434 (2021)
BeetBeads
Recoverable and reusable polymer microbead-supported metal nanocatalysts for redox chemical transformations
ACS Appl Nano Mat, 3: 1722 (2020)
BeetBlue
A metal-free blue chromophore derived from plant pigments
Sci Adv 6: eaaz0421 (2020)
We emphasize problem solving, ethics, writing, critical thinking, and hands-on experience.
Students pursuing a master's or doctoral degree may join the group either through the postgraduate program in chemistry at IQ-USP or in science and technology/chemistry at UFABC.
Principal investigator
Prof. Erick Leite Bastos
Associate Professor, IQ-USP | elbastos@usp.br
(He, Him, His)
UFABC (2006-2011), USP (2011-present)
Brazilian Chemical Society: Director of the Photochemistry Division (2010-2012; 2018-2020)
IUPAC: Member of the Subcommittee on Photochemistry (2021-present)
ORCID | LATTES | RESEARCH GATE
Current group members
Postdoctoral fellows
- Dr. Lucca Blois Guimarães
Doctoral candidates
- Fábio Nery de Assis
- Ihasmyn Farias Martins
- Alexandre Barros Barbosa
- Marcos Vinicius dos Santos Sales
- Nicaely Maria de Oliveira Pereira
- Francisco Gobbi Barbosa
- Carine de Arruda
Selected alumni
Doctorate
- Dr. Amanda Capistrano Pinheiro
- Dr. Ana Clara Beltran Rodrigues
- Dr. Ana Paula Eskildsen Pagano
- Dr. Arthur Bonfá Fernandes
- Dr. Barbara Coelho de Freitas
- Dr. Larissa Cerrato Esteves
- Dr. Letícia Christina Pires Gonçalves
- Dr. Nathana Barbosa Lopes
- Dr. Renan Moraes Pioli
Master's
- Dr. Karina Kinuyo Nakashima
- M.Sc. Marco Aurélio de Souza Trassi
- Dr. Monica Teixeira dos Santos
- M.Sc. Rayani Almeida de Lima
- Dr. Renan Rodini Mattioli
We enjoy collaborating with other groups to share expertise, ideas, and have great time together.
Brazil
- Dr. Amanda C. Pinheiro, IQ-USP
- Dr. Carlos Hotta, IQ-USP
- Dr. Cassius Stevani, IQ-USP
- Dr. Daniela Truzzi, IQ-USP
- Dr. Douglas Mendel, IQ-USP
- Dr. Douglas Soares, FCF-UNESP
- Dr. Ernani Pinto, CENA-USP
- Dr. Eudes Fileti, UNIFESP
- Dr. Fabiano Rodembusch, UFRGS
- Dr. Frank Quina, IQ-USP
- Dr. Galo A. C. Le Roux, EP-USP
- Dr. Josef W. Baader, IQ-USP
- Dr. José G. C. Gomez, ICB-USP
- Dr. Josué Caldas Santos, UFAL
- Dr. Luiziana F. da Silva, ICB-USP
- Dr. Maurício Baptista, IQ-USP
- Dr. Omar El Seoud, IQ-USP
- Dr. Pedro Vidinha, IQ-USP
- Dr. Renata Tonelli, UNIFESP
- Dr. Romulo Ando, IQ-USP
- Dr. Thiago Correra, IQ-USP
USA
- Dr. Alexander Greer, CUNY
- Dr. Douglas Brash, Yale University
- Dr. Jonathan Lindsey, NC State
- Dr. Masahiko Taniguchi, NC State
- Dr. Sandra Maria da Silva, NIST
- Dr. Valentine Vullev, UC Riverside
Canada
- Dr. Cornelia Bohne, U. of Victoria
- Dr. Gonzalo Cosa, McGill University
Argentina
- Dr. Carolina Lorente, UN La Plata
Portugal
- Dr. Ermelinda Maçoas, IST-Lisbon
- Dr. José M. Gaspar Martinho, IST-Lisbon
Germany
- Dr. Ana Clara B. Rodrigues, EMBL
- Dr. Dieter Weiss, FSU-Jena
- Dr. Stefan Schramm, UAS Dresden
- Dr. Timo Zimmermann, EMBL
- Dr. Willibald Schliemann, IPB-Halle
Sweden
- Dr. Cristina Paun, Uppsala University
- Dr. Jacinto Sá, Uppsala University
Poland
- Dr. Artur Biela, SOLARIS
- Dr. Michał Rawski, Uniwersytet Jagielloński
Italy
- Dr. Mario Allegra, U. of Palermo
France
- Dr. Letícia Gonçalves, Roca Therapeutics
Japan
- Dr. Marcos Neves, U. of Tsukuba
The imagination is the limit.
The lab is well equipped to support research and nurture curiosity.
spectrophotometry · spectroelectrochemistry · spectrofluorimetry · automated chromatography · high-performance liquid chromatography · mass spectrometry · fluorescence microscopy · cell culture · biosafety cabinet · 3D printing · time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (ns to ps) · monomode microwave source · conventional synthesis equipment and fume hoods · student room
USP · UFABC · FAPESP · CNPq · CAPES · NATURA