Catecholamines comprise a distinct class of biomolecules, of which, the tyrosine derivatives dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline and DOPA are the most familiar. Catecholamines, under certain conditions, can be oxidized to form reactive intermediates, quinones (and semiquinones) which represent a class of toxicological intermediates responsible for a variety of hazardous effects in vivo, including acute cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenesis.For establishing a unifying mechanism that could be at the origin of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, it is proposed the synthesis of DNA adducts of catecholamines, their structural elucidation and ultimately the clinical utilization of these adducts as biomarkers.

Contact:
Paula Branco / Luísa Ferreira
REQUIMTE, DQ, FCT-UNL, Caparica
psb@dq.fct.unl.pt
lpf@dq.fct.unl.pt

Curriculum vitae and a letter of reference is required.