The Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs (LaBECFar) of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz) has been active since 2015 in research, teaching, technological development and innovation, aiming at prospecting, optimizing and characterizing the mechanism of action of candidate molecules for drugs against health problems for the Brazilian population. 

The Laboratory performs interdisciplinary studies on the action of bioactive molecules and their targets, using experimental and computational approaches in biochemistry in an integrated way for drug discovery and optimization.  

The projects developed by the Laboratory address different problems for human health, including: schistosomiasis, Chagas disease, cancer and diabetes. In addition to national funding agencies, these projects are also funded by international organizations, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

LaBECFar develops studies in six lines of research:  

1. Structural Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling Applied to the Study of Structure and Function of Proteins of Importance to Human Health (EFP); 

2. Identification of new bioactive molecules from HCS/HTS (HTS) high flow assays; 

3. Acceleration of the DMTA cycle in drug discovery by Deep Learning and On-Chip Synthesis (DLS); 

4. Characterization of new molecular targets for the development of drugs against schistosomiasis (AFE);  

5. Exploration of carbohydrate-active enzymes as targets for drug development (EAC); 

6. Identification and elucidation of the mechanism of action of cytotoxic agents with anticancer action (CAN). 

Head of the Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs 
Floriano Paes Silva Junior (Curriculum lattes) 

Deputy Head of the Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs 
Rafael Ferreira Dantas (Curriculum lattes)