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.

Gomphrena globosa

Globe Amaranth

Bougainvillea glabra

Lesser Bougainvillea

Portulaca grandiflora

Eleven o'clock

Mirabilis jalapa

Marvel of Peru

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.

OxiBeet

A Bioinspired nitrone precursor to a stabilized nitroxide radical

Free Rad Biol Med, 168: 110 (2021)

DOI

1,2-Dioxetanedione

Cyclic peroxidic carbon dioxide dimer fuels peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence

J Org Chem, 86: 11434 (2021)

DOI

BeetBeads

Recoverable and reusable polymer microbead-supported metal nanocatalysts for redox chemical transformations

ACS Appl Nano Mat, 3: 1722 (2020)

DOI

BeetBlue

A metal-free blue chromophore derived from plant pigments

Sci Adv 6: eaaz0421 (2020)

DOI

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

BASTOS_EL-768x1024

Prof. Erick Leite Bastos

Associate Professor, IQ-USP | elbastos@usp.br

Pronouns: (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).

CV: ORCIDLATTESRESEARCH GATE

Current group members

Postdoctoral researchers

Dr. Andrea Boaro

Dr. Álvaro Javier Patiño-Agudelo

Doctoral candidates

Fábio Nery de Assis

Ihasmyn Farias Martins

Lucas Fernando Silva Hess

MSc. Juan Camilo Barona-Castaño

MSc. Victor Fernandes Cavalcante

MSc. Larissa Cerrato Esteves

Caroline de Oliveira Machado

Amanda Capistrano Pinheiro

Master's candidates

Lavínia de Oliveira Paula

Undergraduate research

Larissa Melo Marinho

Arthur Alexandre Falkembach Andreis

Alumni

Doctorate

Dr. Arthur Bonfá Fernandes

Dr. Ana Clara Beltran Rodrigues

Dr. Ana Paula Eskildsen Pagano

Dr. Barbara Coelho de Freitas

Dr. Letícia Christina Pires Gonçalves

Dr. Nathana Barbosa Lopes

Dr. Renan Moraes Pioli

Master's

Dr. Ana Clara Beltran Rodrigues

Dr. Hector Aguilar Vitorino

Dr. Karina Kinuyo Nakashima

MSc. Larissa Cerrato Esteves

MSc. Marco Aurélio de Souza Trassi

MSc. Monica Teixeira dos Santos

MSc. Rayani Almeida de Lima

MSc. Renan Rodini Mattioli

Click here for the complete list

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 • automated chromatography • 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

We enjoy collaborating with other groups to share expertise, ideas, and have great time together.

🇧🇷 Brazil

Prof. Cassius Stevani, IQ-USP

Prof. Carlos Hotta, IQ-USP

Dr. Douglas Mendel, IQ-USP

Prof. Eudes Fileti, UNIFESP-SJC

Prof. Fabiano Rodembusch, UFRGS

Prof. Frank Quina, IQ-USP

Prof. Josué Caldas Santos, UFAL

Prof. Maurício Baptista, IQ-USP

Prof. Omar El Seoud, IQ-USP

Prof. Pedro Vidinha, IQ-USP

Prof. Renata Tonelli, UNIFESP-Diadema

Prof. Romulo Ando, IQ-USP

Prof. Thiago Correra, IQ-USP

Prof. Wilhelm J. Baader, IQ-USP

🇵🇹 Portugal

Dr. Ana Clara Rodrigues, University of Coimbra

Prof. Ermelinda Maçoas, IST-Lisbon

Prof. José Manuel Gaspar Martinho, IST- Lisbon

🇸🇪 Sweden

Prof. Jacinto Sá, Uppsala University

Dr. Cristina Paun, Peafowl Solar Power

🇯🇵 Japan

Prof. Marcos Neves, Tsukuba University

🇺🇸 USA

Prof. Douglas Brash, Yale University

Dr. Sandra Maria da Silva, NIST

🇩🇪 Germany

Dr. Dieter Weiss, FSU-Jena

Dr. Willibald Schliemann,  IPB-Halle (Saale)

🇮🇹 Italy

Prof. Mario Allegra, University of Palermo

🇫🇷 France

Dr. Letícia Gonçalves, Roca Therapeutics

©BRG 2022 All rights reserved.