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Special Issue in Honor of Professor Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani
Journal of Natural Products ( IF 5.1 ) Pub Date : 2024-03-22 , DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c00195 Helena Mannochio-Russo , Cristiano Soleo de Funari , Leticia V. Costa-Lotufo
Journal of Natural Products ( IF 5.1 ) Pub Date : 2024-03-22 , DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c00195 Helena Mannochio-Russo , Cristiano Soleo de Funari , Leticia V. Costa-Lotufo
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This article is part of the Special Issue in Honor of Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani special issue. 
It is our great pleasure to introduce this special issue dedicated to the inspiring scientific career of our friend and colleague Professor Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani of the Institute of Chemistry in Araraquara, São Paulo State University (IQ/UNESP), Brazil. Vanderlan has dedicated herself for more than 40 years to developing research in the chemistry of natural products with a significant contribution to uncovering the invisible Brazilian biodiversity. We thank her former students, collaborators, and colleagues, who wanted to pay her this well-deserved tribute, recognizing her enormous importance for the Chemistry of Natural Products. This effort resulted in an amazing collection of articles, and we sincerely hope that you enjoy it as much as we did. Vanderlan, born in a fishing village on the coast of Paraíba state, Brazil, was enchanted by nature from an early age. Her curiosity about the natural world blossomed rapidly, becoming a passion in a time and place where educational and career opportunities for girls were limited. As the eldest of six children, Vanderlan faced these challenges head-on, never letting herself be intimidated by obstacles and difficulties in her path. Her academic journey began in the Medical School at the Federal University of Paraíba. However, Vanderlan soon realized her greater interest in courses focused on understanding living organisms and their chemistry, migrating to the Pharmacy School. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy in 1972 from the same university. In 1975, Vanderlan moved to São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, where she joined the Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo (USP) under the mentorship of Prof. Otto Richard Gottlieb, a renowned researcher in the field of chemistry of natural products. At USP, she concluded her Master’s in Organic Chemistry in 1978, where she described a diterpene, diasin, isolated from Croton diasii. (1) Then, in 1978, Vanderlan moved back to the Federal University of Paraíba this time as an assistant professor. Her tenure there was brief, as in 1980 she joined the São Paulo State University (UNESP), also as an assistant professor. In 1982, she completed her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Gottlieb, delving into the study of indole alkaloids as chemotaxonomic markers in Angiospermae. (2,3) Prof. Gottlieb was one of the pioneers in the chemistry of natural products in Brazil, particularly in developing the basic concepts of chemosystematics. From 1992 to 1994, Vanderlan did a postdoctoral internship at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA, where she established a very fruitful and long-term collaboration with Prof. David Kingston. (4−6) It was also during this period that another meaningful friendship and collaboration started with Prof. Leslie Gunatilaka, who was also working with Prof. Kingston at that time. Both Professors Kingston and Gunatilaka visited Brazil many times, greatly contributing to Prof. Bolzani’s research group. Back in Brazil, Prof. Bolzani pioneered the study of the chemistry of natural products from a phylogenetic approach at the IQ/UNESP. A few years later, in 1998, she established the Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), in collaboration with newly appointed professors at that time, including Márcia Nasser and Maysa Furlan. Over the years, other distinguished professors joined NuBBE such as Angela Regina Araújo, Alberto José Cavalheiro, Dulce Helena Siqueira Silva, Ian Castro-Gamboa, and Alan Pilon. The research conducted in NuBBE over the past 25 years led to the discovery of over a thousand natural compounds from various chemical classes, including shikimate derivatives, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, peptides, and terpenes from plant and microorganism species. Additionally, several initiatives have been taken at NuBBE to perform phytochemical investigations more adherent to the principles of green chemistry, some of which were highlighted in a recent review paper published in this journal. (7) As important as the research developed, the group also played an important role in training around 400 individuals, including undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral researchers. (8) A significant achievement of NuBBE, headed by Vanderlan, was the development of the NuBBE database (NuBBEDB), an updated database to uncover chemical and biological information from Brazilian biodiversity, being the first Brazilian database of natural products. (9−11) In addition to gathering information on natural products from the Brazilian biodiversity, this open-access database has been used to develop target prediction tools, which will facilitate drug discovery research. Another milestone in Vanderlan’s career was the creation of the National Institute of Science and Technology in Biodiversity and Natural Products (INCTBioNat), (12) a virtual institute co-supported by the São Paulo State Foundation (FAPESP) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), coordinated by Vanderlan. The INCTBioNat joined 55 researchers from 21 institutions located in different parts of Brazil with the goal of connecting Brazilian researchers with expertise in various areas of natural product chemistry, enabling the rational exploration of biodiversity through the discovery of bioactive substances that potentially lead to high-added-value prototypes. In addition, Vanderlan is also the co-chair of the Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery (CIBFar, CEPID-FAPESP), (13) another initiative with the main goal of developing new chemical entities, including from natural sources, with potential for innovation and clinical development. As a result of such intense, innovative, passionate, and collaborative scientific activity for more than 40 years, Vanderlan published 357 scientific articles and 13 book chapters, reaching about 17,000 citations and an h-index of 66. Vanderlan’s contributions went beyond academia, with four patents and one technological product (Symrise - FINEP) developed in her career. Altogether, her work has significantly contributed to uncovering the hidden treasures of Brazilian biodiversity, leading to numerous national and international awards and recognitions, among these, the full professor title in Organic Chemistry at IQ/UNESP (1996), fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2009), Simão Mathias Medal from the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) (2011), distinguished Woman in Science from IUPAC/ACS (2011), fellow of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC, 2011), fellow of the São Paulo State Academy of Science (ACIESP, 2012), fellow of the World Academy of Science for Developing Countries (TWAS, 2013), the Otto Gottlieb Medal for her contributions in the area of Natural Products (2017), the Medal of Scientific Merit Award (commander category - Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, 2018), and fellow of the Academy of Sciences of Latin America (2019). Beyond her research, Vanderlan has engaged in equality in Brazil, actively promoting women in science and mentoring young scientists. Her leadership roles include many distinguished positions at UNESP and scientific societies in Brazil, including vice-president (2004–2008) and president (2008–2010) of the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ); vice-president (2017–2019) of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC); and president of the ACIESP (2019–2023). As a recognition of her contributions, the Brazilian Chemical Society created in 2019 an award in her honor: the Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani Award. This award aims to recognize the work of women who stand out in the development of Chemistry in Brazil. In addition, Vanderlan also engaged in establishing the Carolina Bori Award at SBPC, to recognize the work of senior and young female scientists in Brazil. However, perhaps Vanderlan’s most impactful contribution has been in the training of human resources. Under her supervision, many scientists flourished and established their research groups in Brazil, as summarized in the figure accompanying this editorial. These scientists are spreading Vanderlan’s legacy and further unraveling the chemistry of Brazilian biodiversity. Her foresight and effective communication skills have made her a trailblazer in the chemistry of natural products field and a source of inspiration to the younger generation.
更新日期：2024-03-22
It is our great pleasure to introduce this special issue dedicated to the inspiring scientific career of our friend and colleague Professor Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani of the Institute of Chemistry in Araraquara, São Paulo State University (IQ/UNESP), Brazil. Vanderlan has dedicated herself for more than 40 years to developing research in the chemistry of natural products with a significant contribution to uncovering the invisible Brazilian biodiversity. We thank her former students, collaborators, and colleagues, who wanted to pay her this well-deserved tribute, recognizing her enormous importance for the Chemistry of Natural Products. This effort resulted in an amazing collection of articles, and we sincerely hope that you enjoy it as much as we did. Vanderlan, born in a fishing village on the coast of Paraíba state, Brazil, was enchanted by nature from an early age. Her curiosity about the natural world blossomed rapidly, becoming a passion in a time and place where educational and career opportunities for girls were limited. As the eldest of six children, Vanderlan faced these challenges head-on, never letting herself be intimidated by obstacles and difficulties in her path. Her academic journey began in the Medical School at the Federal University of Paraíba. However, Vanderlan soon realized her greater interest in courses focused on understanding living organisms and their chemistry, migrating to the Pharmacy School. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy in 1972 from the same university. In 1975, Vanderlan moved to São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, where she joined the Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo (USP) under the mentorship of Prof. Otto Richard Gottlieb, a renowned researcher in the field of chemistry of natural products. At USP, she concluded her Master’s in Organic Chemistry in 1978, where she described a diterpene, diasin, isolated from Croton diasii. (1) Then, in 1978, Vanderlan moved back to the Federal University of Paraíba this time as an assistant professor. Her tenure there was brief, as in 1980 she joined the São Paulo State University (UNESP), also as an assistant professor. In 1982, she completed her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Gottlieb, delving into the study of indole alkaloids as chemotaxonomic markers in Angiospermae. (2,3) Prof. Gottlieb was one of the pioneers in the chemistry of natural products in Brazil, particularly in developing the basic concepts of chemosystematics. From 1992 to 1994, Vanderlan did a postdoctoral internship at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA, where she established a very fruitful and long-term collaboration with Prof. David Kingston. (4−6) It was also during this period that another meaningful friendship and collaboration started with Prof. Leslie Gunatilaka, who was also working with Prof. Kingston at that time. Both Professors Kingston and Gunatilaka visited Brazil many times, greatly contributing to Prof. Bolzani’s research group. Back in Brazil, Prof. Bolzani pioneered the study of the chemistry of natural products from a phylogenetic approach at the IQ/UNESP. A few years later, in 1998, she established the Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), in collaboration with newly appointed professors at that time, including Márcia Nasser and Maysa Furlan. Over the years, other distinguished professors joined NuBBE such as Angela Regina Araújo, Alberto José Cavalheiro, Dulce Helena Siqueira Silva, Ian Castro-Gamboa, and Alan Pilon. The research conducted in NuBBE over the past 25 years led to the discovery of over a thousand natural compounds from various chemical classes, including shikimate derivatives, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, peptides, and terpenes from plant and microorganism species. Additionally, several initiatives have been taken at NuBBE to perform phytochemical investigations more adherent to the principles of green chemistry, some of which were highlighted in a recent review paper published in this journal. (7) As important as the research developed, the group also played an important role in training around 400 individuals, including undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral researchers. (8) A significant achievement of NuBBE, headed by Vanderlan, was the development of the NuBBE database (NuBBEDB), an updated database to uncover chemical and biological information from Brazilian biodiversity, being the first Brazilian database of natural products. (9−11) In addition to gathering information on natural products from the Brazilian biodiversity, this open-access database has been used to develop target prediction tools, which will facilitate drug discovery research. Another milestone in Vanderlan’s career was the creation of the National Institute of Science and Technology in Biodiversity and Natural Products (INCTBioNat), (12) a virtual institute co-supported by the São Paulo State Foundation (FAPESP) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), coordinated by Vanderlan. The INCTBioNat joined 55 researchers from 21 institutions located in different parts of Brazil with the goal of connecting Brazilian researchers with expertise in various areas of natural product chemistry, enabling the rational exploration of biodiversity through the discovery of bioactive substances that potentially lead to high-added-value prototypes. In addition, Vanderlan is also the co-chair of the Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery (CIBFar, CEPID-FAPESP), (13) another initiative with the main goal of developing new chemical entities, including from natural sources, with potential for innovation and clinical development. As a result of such intense, innovative, passionate, and collaborative scientific activity for more than 40 years, Vanderlan published 357 scientific articles and 13 book chapters, reaching about 17,000 citations and an h-index of 66. Vanderlan’s contributions went beyond academia, with four patents and one technological product (Symrise - FINEP) developed in her career. Altogether, her work has significantly contributed to uncovering the hidden treasures of Brazilian biodiversity, leading to numerous national and international awards and recognitions, among these, the full professor title in Organic Chemistry at IQ/UNESP (1996), fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2009), Simão Mathias Medal from the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) (2011), distinguished Woman in Science from IUPAC/ACS (2011), fellow of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC, 2011), fellow of the São Paulo State Academy of Science (ACIESP, 2012), fellow of the World Academy of Science for Developing Countries (TWAS, 2013), the Otto Gottlieb Medal for her contributions in the area of Natural Products (2017), the Medal of Scientific Merit Award (commander category - Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, 2018), and fellow of the Academy of Sciences of Latin America (2019). Beyond her research, Vanderlan has engaged in equality in Brazil, actively promoting women in science and mentoring young scientists. Her leadership roles include many distinguished positions at UNESP and scientific societies in Brazil, including vice-president (2004–2008) and president (2008–2010) of the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ); vice-president (2017–2019) of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC); and president of the ACIESP (2019–2023). As a recognition of her contributions, the Brazilian Chemical Society created in 2019 an award in her honor: the Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani Award. This award aims to recognize the work of women who stand out in the development of Chemistry in Brazil. In addition, Vanderlan also engaged in establishing the Carolina Bori Award at SBPC, to recognize the work of senior and young female scientists in Brazil. However, perhaps Vanderlan’s most impactful contribution has been in the training of human resources. Under her supervision, many scientists flourished and established their research groups in Brazil, as summarized in the figure accompanying this editorial. These scientists are spreading Vanderlan’s legacy and further unraveling the chemistry of Brazilian biodiversity. Her foresight and effective communication skills have made her a trailblazer in the chemistry of natural products field and a source of inspiration to the younger generation.
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