BrainMap

Mrs. Ancuța-Cristina MANOLICĂ

Doctor of Philosophy

- INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Other affiliations

Fellow - Federal Institute for Risk Assessment BfR, Berlin (South Sudan)

Associate Researcher - University of Oslo, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Oslo (Norway)

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Curriculum Vitae (30/09/2025)

Expertise & keywords

Nutritional security by innovative strategies for boosting sustainable protein resources exploitation Call name: PNCDI IV, SP 5.6.1 - Centre de excelență, CoEx2024
PN-IV-P6-6.1-CoEx-2024-0025 2026 - 2030

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "DUNAREA DE JOS" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA NAȚIONALĂ DE ȘTIINȚĂ ȘI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREȘTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII CRIOGENICE SI IZOTOPICE - I.C.S.I. RAMNICU VALCEA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MASINI SI INSTALATII DESTINATE AGRICULTURII SI INDUSTRIEI ALIMENTARE - INMA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

The PROfutureFOOD project tackles Bioeconomy domain challenges, focusing on Food and Nutritional Security, with secondary emphasis on Circular Bioeconomy. By aligning with SDGs 2, 3, 12, and 13, the project aims to optimize the food system while minimizing environmental impact. Through its strategic objectives, the project seeks to identify the diverse protein sources, identify and optimize agricultural/aquaculture practices and food processing technologies, explore innovative protein production technologies, establish the relation between the quality of sustainable food production and health, and establish sustainable, traceable supply chains. These objectives are underpinned by a multi- and transdisciplinary approach. Key actions include promoting sustainable alternative proteins, improving sustainable farming efficiency, developing circular green food processing technologies, encouraging innovation in protein production, and increasing trust in the food system by enhancing its traceability and transparency. Collaboration among stakeholders drives innovation. The project is rooted on the expertise of a consortium comprising 7 research institutes and 3 universities, leveraging their capabilities in food science, engineering, agronomy, biotechnology, nutrition, ICT, and related fields. Through dialogue and co-creation, PROfutureFOOD aims to be a Center of Excellence in nutritional security, facilitating the transition to sustainable food systems globally.

Harmonizing plant metabarcoding pipelines in Europe to support monitoring activities in the field of plants and their functional organismic networks Call name: PNCDI IV, P 5.8 - SP 5.8.1 - COFUND-2023
COFUND-BIODIVMON-METAPLANTCODE 2024 - 2028

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); University Kassel (DE); Universitetet i Oslo (NO); Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale (CH); Naturalis Biodiversity Center (NL); Instituto Superior de Agronomia (PT); Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR); Center of Research and Technology-Hellas (GR); KU Leuven (BE)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/24eranet2024

Abstract:

Plants are the driving force behind terrestrial ecosystems as autotrophs. Alarmingly, two out of five plant species are facing the threat of extinction, which may affect other organisms. Plant metabarcoding, which involves analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) to identify taxa, can be standardized and automated, making it suitable for high-throughput, large-scale, and long-term monitoring. This technique provides a scale and accuracy in biodiversity surveys that was previously unattainable. In Europe, initiatives for nature conservation rely on species presence, and indicator species form the foundation of decision-making in conservation. However, public and private sector stakeholders need rapid, accurate, and inexpensive methods to monitor plant biodiversity. The transnational and transdisciplinary METAPLANTCODE project aims to test and optimize pan-European case studies on metabarcoding, provide best practice recommendations, optimize analysis pipelines for species identification, and create easy-to-use reference databases to be implemented in European and national infrastructures, in collaboration with BIOSCAN Europe, ELIXIR communities and others. The project will identify and specify gaps, publish best practice documents on FAIR data publishing of plant metabarcode data to GBIF and the INSDC databases, and implement ELIXIR-compatible multimodal DL models in novel tools for stand-alone metabarcoding analyses using different data sources. The project will also enhance species identification accuracy through GBIF records and metadata (GBIF, EUNIS, Biolflor, by sequence data, text data, taxonomic classification datasets, and ecological analyses) and map regional, national, and international botanical taxonomic checklists, red lists, and floras to the Catalogue of Life (COL) through COL ChecklistBank. Furthermore, taxonomic and florsitic literature will be semantically enriched with new entity recognition and relationship extraction modules to support the enhanced identification of species via domain-specific descriptive/phenotypic features (e.g., habitats, features, soil characteristics, biotic interactions). An interface will be provided to link taxonomic names to treatments, identify homonyms and synonyms, and facilitate the conversion and annotation of flora, red lists, and ecological treatments. All METAPLANTCODE products will be available at project end FAIR+. The project will support knowledge transfer with associated partners and stakeholders from the start. Relevant stakeholders will be identified, priorities set, communication channels established, monitored, and revised as needed. Greater stakeholder engagement, training, and outreach efforts will be undertaken to ensure that plant metabarcoding becomes a routine standard for biodiversity monitoring in Europe and beyond in the future.

Integrated analytical approach for identification of tropane alkaloids-producing plants and assessing their contamination level in herbal teas 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-2023-0162 2025 - 2026

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/contral21te/home

Abstract:

ConTrAl builds on numerous data and studies reporting that commercial herbal teas are highly susceptible to contamination with toxic tropane alkaloids (TAs), which in turn raise serious quality and public health safety concerns. The body of evidence shows an urgent need for more tailored methods to be developed and routinely applied to identify TAs contamination. Severe toxic effects occur in case of TAs overdosage. The most widespread source of unintentional ingestion of TAs is through the consumption of foodstuffs, mainly crops such as herbal teas, that have been contaminated or cross-contaminated as a result of co-harvested TAs-containing weeds. ConTrAl aims to develop, test, and apply innovative analytical solutions to detect plant species containing TAs and to obtain analytical data about the TAs that occur as contaminants in commercially available herbal teas. Specifically, DNA sequence-based assays using Barcode DNA-High Resolution Melting (Bar-HRM) will be developed, and the resulting data integrated with chromatography-based determinations for comprehensive evaluation of herbal teas quality with respect to TAs contamination. ConTrAl will provide the first (public) set of substantial data on the TAs occurrence in herbal teas commercially available on the Romanian market that will allow a better exposure assessment and characterization of the risks to human health associated with the intake of contaminated herbal teas.

Integrated analytical solutions for improving the conformity and quality of products obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants in order to ensure consumer protection and sustainable exploitation of biodiversity Call name:
2023 - 2026

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE ()

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/safemaps-en/home

Abstract:

Medicinal and aromatic plant-based food supplements are gaining in popularity as complementary approaches to synthetic pharmaceuticals, but they fall under more permissive food regulations. The efficacy and safety of using these products are affected by the variable phytochemical composition, adulteration, substitution, and biological and chemical contamination. The SAFEMAPS project proposes integrated analytical solutions to improve the compliance and quality of food supplements obtained from aromatic and medicinal plants, in order to increase the level of safety in use by consumers, and the sustainable exploitation of biodiversity. Within the project, an experimental model will be developed for the evaluation of the identity, authenticity, traceability, and quality of herbal dietary supplements, consisting of analytical solutions that integrate phytochemistry analysis with molecular genetic analyses. The proposed solutions will be oriented towards the needs of the food supplements industry, especially those related to ensuring the quality and compliance of medicinal and aromatic plant-based products sold in Romania and within the common European market, and several parts of the supply chain will be addressed, from growers or collectors of medicinal and aromatic plant species, processors and importers, to the final consumer.

PNRR, PNRR/2022/C9/MCID/I5, Integrated Research and Sustainable Solutions for the protection and restoration of ecosystems in the lower Danube basin - the Black Sea coastal area, Dec. 2022 – Dec. 2025 Call name:
2023 - 2025

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "DUNAREA DE JOS"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA "DUNAREA DE JOS" ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA "DUNAREA DE JOS" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Integrated genetic approach and fingerprinting of botanicals for an advanced quality assessment of herbal food supplements Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0522 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INCDSB BUCURESTI SUCURSALA CENTRUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE '' STEJARUL'' PIATRA NEAMT

Project partners: INCDSB BUCURESTI SUCURSALA CENTRUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE '' STEJARUL'' PIATRA NEAMT (RO)

Affiliation: INCDSB BUCURESTI SUCURSALA CENTRUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE '' STEJARUL'' PIATRA NEAMT (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/plantcheck

Abstract:

Botanicals and derived preparations from medicinal plants are well-known sources of molecules with tremendous therapeutic potential and evaluating their quality and safety, requires a thorough multidisciplinary scientific approach. However, despite their long tradition of use, increasing awareness of content irregularities is calling attention to the quality of traded mass-produced herbal products with a direct impact on their efficacy and safety. The project PlantCheck builds on the numerous reports and studies showing that herbal food supplements are susceptible to adulteration and substitution, which in turn raise serious quality and public health safety concerns. In the context of pharmacognosy and pharmacovigilance, a combination of analytical methods is unavoidable for comprehensive authentication and quality control of botanicals and derived herbal food supplements. In this regard, PlantCheck will integrate innovative DNA methods for plant species identification and authentication, with mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, a powerful approach for the simultaneous analysis of several metabolites. Specifically, PlantCheck will use tailored DNA barcoding and DNA metabarcoding approaches to offer information on plant identity, and authenticity of multi-ingredient herbal food supplements, alongside with metabolomics profiling information by using an optimized Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) approach to simultaneous analyze several biomarkers in botanicals and herbal supplements. PlantCheck will use as target species two traditional medicinal plants, Hippophae rhamnoides L. and Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., to asses the possible critical health aspects regarding their safe use in herbal food supplements. Moreover, the integrated analytical approach proposed by PlantCheck will be tested in real-life scenario, by using herbal food supplements containing the two target species.

Advanced and emergent technologies to obtain vegetal extracts used in innovator food supplements Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-1604 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); CENTRUL DE CERCETARE SI PRELUCRARE A PLANTELOR MEDICINALE PLANTAVOREL SA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website: http://tevisped.webs.com

Abstract:

This proposal, having as an aim to obtain innovator formulas of food supplements with an action to sustain the hepatic function, will capitalize two autochthonous medicinal species (Scirpoides holoschoenus and Helichrysum arenarium), the first used in traditional medicine, the second in modern medicine (in some European countries, highlighted by EMA). For the first species, we aim the experimental field cultivation to preserve the biodiversity and to assure the vegetal raw material, by multiplication techniques and the establishing of technological parameters. The plants from culture and wild flora will be phytochemically evaluated. Both vegetal species will be capitalized in an innovator mood so that there will be achieved comparative studies for extraction using classical (static and dynamic) and non-conventional (SPE, ultrasounds, supercritical fluids etc.) methods. The best method will be selected. The extracts will be phytochemically characterized (TLC, HPTLC, densitometry, HPLC, GC-MS, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, etc.), and tested biologically (to demonstrate the action of sustaining the hepatic function) and phytobiologically (cytogenicity, cytotoxicity). The compounds with the action of sustaining hepatic function, are easily to be assimilated and non-toxic and contribute to the good functioning of the organism. Finally, an extraction technique will be elaborated (laboratory stage), for obtaining selective plant extracts with a rich content in bioactive compounds of interest and some original bio-complexes of plant extracts will be obtained as vectors for new food supplements. Innovator conditioning formulas (encapsulation) will be realized (laboratory stage), based on plant extracts obtained in experimental test conditions, establishing testing methods for qualitative and quantitative evaluation. This form of conditioning has the advantage of a good and easy administration of the dose pre-established by bio-components, with the protecting of the phytocomplex.

Surveillance and control program for spices 2018 Call name:
57237/2018 2018 - 2018

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Natural History Museum, University of Oslo

Project partners: Natural History Museum, University of Oslo (RO)

Affiliation: Natural History Museum, University of Oslo (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Mobility project for researchers Call name:
PN-III-P1-1.1-MC-2018-0396 2018 - 2018

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Assessing and monitoring the impacts of genetically modified plants on agro-ecosystems Call name:
199EU 2012 - 2015

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Assessing and monitoring the impacts of genetically modified plants on agro-ecosystems Call name:
289706 2011 - 2015

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA)

Project partners: National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE ()

Project website: http://www.amiga.enea.it

Abstract:

The Veronica genus – identification of interrelations between the biological and ecological diversity of the species identified in protected areas and at national level in order to characterize, preserve and durable use of the genetic resources Call name:
32151/01.10.2008 2008 - 2011

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

EEA Mobility Grant - Ancuta Cristina RACLARIU Call name: EEA - Proiecte de Mobilităţi
EEA-MG-RO-NO-2018-0155 2018 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 'Stejarul' Biological Research Centre Piatra Neamt

Project partners: National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 'Stejarul' Biological Research Centre Piatra Neamt (RO); Natural History Museum, University of Oslo (NO)

Affiliation: National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 'Stejarul' Biological Research Centre Piatra Neamt (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

project title Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de mobilitate pentru cercetatori
PN-III-P1-1.1-MC-2018-0396 2018 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INCDSB BUCURESTI SUCURSALA CENTRUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE '' STEJARUL'' PIATRA NEAMT

Project partners: INCDSB BUCURESTI SUCURSALA CENTRUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE '' STEJARUL'' PIATRA NEAMT (RO)

Affiliation: INCDSB BUCURESTI SUCURSALA CENTRUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE '' STEJARUL'' PIATRA NEAMT (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Molecular authentication of complex herbal food supplements for safety and efficacy Call name: EEA Research Programme under EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014
EEA-JRP-RO-NO-2013-1-0326 2013 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); University of Oslo, The Natural History Museum (NO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); CENTRUL DE CERCETARE SI PRELUCRARE A PLANTELOR MEDICINALE PLANTAVOREL SA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

The PhytoAuthent project adheres to the health and food theme of the EEA call and addresses current ambiguity in the herbal dietary supplements market in Romania. The project uses a complex and integrative multidisciplinary approach to covering all aspects from legal framework, manufacturing process, suppliers, and consumers to safety issues and authentication. The European Economic Area (EEA) lacks a central public institution to test the composition of herbal products and to verify ingredient claims included on the label. In the USA, consumerlab.org performs independent tests on commercially available dietary supplements and makes its findings available for an administrative fee. Scientific literature has reported several cases of adulteration and counterfeiting of such products, and the results of most studies imply that substitution occurs widely. This raises serious concerns on ethics, safety and efficacy. In addition, unrestricted sale and access and the lack of medical oversight to dietary supplements hampers quality monitoring. Romania is both a major consumer and exporter of raw materials and processed supplements, and it is therefore extremely important to make a comprehensive and critical evaluation of its herbal dietary supplements industry in order to identify its vulnerabilities and to develop models for improved regulation. The European Union directives on food safety and takes into consideration consumer rights to make informed choices about the products they use, and fair and accurate labelling of products is an essential part of that. This project involves local SME herbal producers with the aim of taking a participatory and integrated approach to gain understanding of the challenges and manufacturing process of quality dietary supplements. Different product authentication methods exists, and this project will research, screen and evaluate the accuracy, reliability, effort and cost of these methods for 5 selected medicinal plant cases. The focus will be on new and innovative methods using chemical analysis, DNA barcoding and metabarcoding using next generation sequencing. The project is based on herbal industry knowledge needs, as aims to yield higher quality standards at equal production costs.

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