BrainMap

Anca Ruxandra Leonties

Ph.D

Researcher - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Researcher

I am a researcher with over 10 years of experience in colloids. I was inspired to pursue a career in scientific research by my professors at the Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, which I attended before working at the Institute of Physical Chemistry “Ilie Murgulescu”. My current research interests are related to the physicochemical properties of enzymes and polymers. Therefore, I focus on developing and testing new water purification methods based on enzymatic catalysts. I am interested in developing new fluidized bed reactors incorporating catalysts composed of enzymes co-immobilized on recycled polymeric solid supports capable of purifying contaminated water containing phenols and dyes.

Web of Science ResearcherID: HHM-2802-2022

Curriculum Vitae (07/04/2025)

Expertise & keywords

Efficient fluidized bed reactor with co-immobilized enzymes for treatment of real wastewater containing bisphenols and dyes Call name: PNCDI IV, SP 5.7.1 - Proiect experimental demonstrativ
PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0431 2025 - 2026

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); ARCIF AG SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

The project scope is to create and perform experiments on a purification system for contaminated water containing phenols and dyes. The system will consist of a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) and a catalyst made of co-immobilized enzymes on solid supports composed of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) as core, and chitosan (Cs) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) as shell. Also, the project aims to implement an ecological approach utilizing biocatalysis to effectively eliminate hazardous or persistent substances from water. The project team desires to generate a biocatalyst by co-immobilizing two enzymes - Laccase from Aspergillus (Lc) and Tyrosinase from mushrooms (Tyr) - on solid supports composed of a rPET core and a polymeric shell. One of the innovative solutions is the support activation with carbodiimide alternated with the enzyme immobilization, in repetitive procedures. The project encompasses 4 objectives: obtaining and characterizing co-immobilized tyrosinase and laccase on recycled polyethylene terephthalate coated with polyacrylic acid and chitosan; operational stability of co-immobilized rPET-Cs-PAA-Lc-Tyr products in synthetic and real wastewaters; design of a lab-scale fluidized bed reactor with co-immobilized enzymes to be applied in wastewater treatment; validation of the operational efficiency of the fluidized bed reactor and co-immobilized enzymes system for treatment of bisphenols and dyes from real wastewater.

Protein amyloid aggregates – polyphenol interaction for food and pharmaceutics application Call name: P 5.2 - SP 5.2.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - Competiția 2023
PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-0189 2025 - 2026

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

The misfolding of proteins and their subsequent assembly into amyloid fibrils are pathological hallmarks of different types of amyloidosis. Therefore, decoding of the aggregation processes represents a crucial step towards diagnosis and therapy of the disease. On the other hand, amyloid fibrils are considered as promising building blocks for novel biomaterials with potential applications for targeted drug delivery or improved food products. We propose a physical-chemical approach intended to characterize the interaction of polyphenols with several model protein aggregates, with emphasis on amyloid-like fibrils obtained in diverse experimental conditions (temperature, salt, pH). We will study the protein denaturation and aggregation kinetics to estimate the molecular mechanisms that govern these processes. The calorimetric and spectroscopic methods will provide new information concerning polyphenol influence on protein aggregates. The main objective of the project is the development of a young, independent research team focused on a deeper insight into the action of polyphenols on the protein aggregation process, a way to understand the features of aggregates and amyloid-like structures with applications in pharmaceutical and food industry.

Laccase immobilization onto CS-PAA microspheres and its application for textile dyes biodegradation Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0418 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: https://www.icf.ro/pr_2022/IMLAC.pdf

Abstract:

Surface water pollution, with textile dyes, is a serious environmental issue and constant efforts in its reduction are needed continuously. Studies show that the distribution in water bodies and bioavailability of textile dyes affects aquatic fauna and humans. Although enzymes can successfully biodegrade recalcitrant dyes from water, their cost and instability are prohibitive for real-life applications. Therefore, the young team of the IMLAC project aims to develop a practical treatment for the removal of indigo carmine, naphtol green, and methyl red from aqueous media, using immobilized laccase. In this integrated study, the production and use of immobilized enzymes will be investigated and calibrated according to environmental variables, including temperature and pH and, most importantly, cost reduction through recyclability of the product in the presence of dyes will be achieved. The work program of the IMLAC team, based at the "Ilie Murgulescu" Institute of Physical Chemistry, has three complementary components: 1- Production of new polymeric supports for enzymes immobilization. 2 - Development and optimization of a new enzyme immobilization technique. 3 - Application of new products with immobilized laccase in the removal of textile dyes in the aqueous medium. The results of this innovative project could fit into national and European programs facing the double challenge of water quality and water safety.

NEW DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND REVITALIZATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPONENTS FROM NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0476 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "VALAHIA" TARGOVISTE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: https://icechim.ro/project/tehnologii-noi-de-diagnoza-si-tratament-pentru-conservarea-si-revitalizarea-componentelor-arheologice-ale-patrimoniului-cultural-national-arheocons/

Abstract:

The cultural heritage, as a source of national historical and cultural authenticity, is subjected to deterioration, and for stopping it, some specific procedures are required: cleaning, replacement of old materials and application of new protective materials compatible with the original, and advanced monitoring with sustainability assessment. The consortium of the present project has a unique expertise in Romania, recognised in Europe, through the many published papers, essential projects in Romania (Basarabi Churches, Potlogi Palace, etc.), OSIM and EPO patents, technology transfer, nanomaterials in chemical and biological preservation for cultural heritage objects and objectives; the partner institutions complement each other on a regional basis in the working plan of the whole project.

The overall objective of the project is to develop new materials, new methods and technologies that obey the principles of authenticity, reversibility and value, with a strong impact on immobile cultural heritage objects (fresco, basreliefs and mosaic) and mobile (decorative artefacts from ceramics, glass, metal, bone, objects of art and archaeology). Specific objectives: Developing innovative technologies for protecting national cultural heritage, multidisciplinary cross-sectoral approach, encouraging young professionals as leaders in heritage preservation, exploitation of research results for new jobs, promoting heritage education, professional expertise among all factors involved in the patrimony protection system.

The project, with a high degree of innovation and originality, applies unique technologies in Romania based on new materials compatible with the original materials and develops new techniques practical applied to: Roman Mosaic and Hypogeum Tomb, Constanta, Adamclisi Museum (basreliefs), Constanta County, Corvin’s Castle (Fresca Loggia Mathia) and Archaeology Museum, Hunedoara.

SOFT INTERACTIONS IN POLYMER AND HYBRID HYDROGELS INVESTIGATED BY ELECTRON PARAMAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0734 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2017/CTR_86-2017/index.html

Abstract:

The project aim is to approach structural aspects of polysaccharide hydrogels with self-healing properties or represented by interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. This is a physico-chemical method that provides highly specific local information on the environment around the paramagnetic species in a range of several nanometers. As polysaccharides are diamagnetic, spin labelling will be a necessary step in studying these hydrogels by EPR, in order to obtain information that can be further exploited in tailoring the properties of a particular hydrogel.

The major goals of this project are: 1) to get insight into the formation of hydrogels resulted through noncovalent assembly of polysaccharides, and 2) to analyse gel properties and some processes, taking place inside the hydrogel network, which can generate hybrid materials, all these in connection with their possible applications. The goals will be pursued by following five research objectives:

O1. Design of spin labelled self-healing hydrogels based on host-guest interactions

O2. Design of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels involving polysaccharides and the study of their behaviour by EPR spectroscopy

O3. Exploration of mesh size using EPR measurements and distribution of spin probes in the non-homogeneous systems represented by polysaccharide hydrogels

O4. Obtaining hybrid materials represented by self-healing and IPN polysaccharide hydrogels and inorganic nanoparticles

O5. Investigation of processes occurring in alginate/hyaluronic acid hydrogels embedded with riboflavin and irradiated with UVA light

Although the main technique will be EPR spectroscopy, the research will involve additional investigations and characterization by other techniques like porosimetry, electron microscopy, thermal analysis, rheology, fluorescence and IR spectroscopy, all readily available in our institute.

Investigating micro- and nanostructured colloidal systems by fluorescently labeled polymers and probes Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0916 2011 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul de Chimie Fizica "Ilie Murgulescu" al Academiei Romane

Project partners: Institutul de Chimie Fizica "Ilie Murgulescu" al Academiei Romane (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul de Chimie Fizica "Ilie Murgulescu" al Academiei Romane (RO)

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2011/DFA/index.html

Abstract:

This project aims to synthesize and characterize hydrophobically modified and/or fluorescently labeled polymers, in order to apply them in probing the hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface of regular and reverse micelles and to investigate layer-by-layer polymer assemblies. To accomplish this goal the following parameters will be monitored: the alkyl chain length and amount grafted, the fluorophore content and its nature, the polymer molecular weight, the surfactant, pH, ionic strength, the organic solvent and the reverse micelle hydration degree. The techniques involved in this project are: UV spectroscopy, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, GPC and capillary electrophoresis, static and dynamic fluorescence, FTIR, rheometry, DLS, surface tension, goniometry. The acquired data will shed light and elucidate phenomena involved at nanometric scale in these systems. The importance of this study resides in obtaining new intelligent materials able to modify their molecular architecture in response to external stimuli. A particular attention will be payed to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for getting insights into the interface of micellar nanocages and of thin films.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects