Carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2. 1.1) are metalloenzymes widespread in all living organisms classified into eight evolutionarily unrelated families. They catalyze a simple reaction (reversible hydration of carbon dioxide in a two-step mechanism) crucial to life, cell growth, metabolism and survival. A large number of modulators (inhibitors and activators) were described and are also clinically used for the treatment of many diseases.

Selectivity among isoforms, crystallographic data and structure-activity relationships (SARs) were disclosed among chemical scaffolds highlighting the structural requirements to design new active compounds. These targets are druggable and their modulation can be also considered as coadjuvant in multitarget therapies against microbial infections, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, they are recognized as important enzymes to be explored from the MedChem perspective.

Prof. Simone Carradori obtained his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2007 from Sapienza University of Rome. Then, he became Assistant Professor at
the Department of Pharmacy (University of Chieti-Pescara), where now he is working as an Associate professor in Medicinal Chemistry. He has produced more than 245 papers, 12 book chapters and two patents.

His research activity focuses on the design and development of small molecules as well as chemical functionalization of natural compounds to improve pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetics. He recently won two national projects on new antimicrobials with innovative mechanisms of action
and valorization of human gut microflora to counteract antibiotic resistance.