Antonio Martínez Rodríguez born in Alcolea (Almeria, Spain). He studied Chemistry at the University of Granada, where he obtained his B.Sc and Ph.D degrees in Chemistry in 1981 and 1986, respectively. In 1983 he was hired as Assistant Professor in the Organic Chemistry Department of the University of Granada. He was appointed as Associate Professor in 1987. Is a member of the research group “BIONAT, natural products: Chemistry and biotechnology”, PAIDI FQM-139 of the Junta de Andalucía (Spain).
Natural Products, Sideritis, Biotransformation, Diterpenoids, Sesquiterpenoids, Triterpenoids, Filamentous Fungi, Alpeorujo, Biological Properties.
The research developed by Professor Martínez has been in the line of the Natural Products Chemistry, participating in numerous research projects. In the early years his research focused on the phytochemical studies biomimetic, microbiological and semisynthetic from sesquiterpenes and diterpenes isolated from the genus Sideritis (Labiatae family), obtaining a broad scientific production for more than a decade. Later his work was based on the search for new natural triterpenic derivatives obtained from olive mill waste. These natural organic compounds are an important source of starting material for semi-synthesis studies and biotransformation, in order to obtain new triterpenic products with interesting biological properties. Several patents have been developed for the recovery of natural products from natural sources and some potential applications of these natural compounds as anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and antiviral agents.
