Norberto Peporine Lopes
The Power List 2021
Professor of Organic Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Biggest Breakthrough? At the beginning of the last decade, the development of MALDI-MS/MS allowed us to image substances of low molecular masses. As I work mainly in the area of natural products, this new approach has allowed us to answer important questions about the evolution and physiological function of these substances. With this technology, we were able to prove for the first time the existence of a chemical barrier acting as a photoprotector on the leaf surface of species from Brazilian savannas and the accumulation of substances that prevent ovulation of workers in stingless bees, among others. No doubt this advance will continue to have a major impact on the interface between analytical chemistry and natural products chemistry.
Advice? Try to study hard and enjoy your work. My grandfather used to say that learning is a painful process, but using knowledge is a very pleasant process. Always try to find a reason for what you do and if possible, focus on giving something back to society without expecting any recognition. The real pleasure is in helping.
