BrainMap

Mr. Augustin C. Mot

Dr.

Lecturer Dr. - UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Other affiliations

CSII - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (Romania)

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Web of Science ResearcherID: D-3017-2011

Curriculum Vitae (31/01/2024)

Expertise & keywords

Decontamination of heavy metal polluted soils by exploiting plant rhizosphere interactions Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-5254 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://biiophyt.wordpress.com

Abstract:

Mercury (Hg) pollution, sometimes associated with other metal contaminants such as zinc, lead, manganese, and nickel is a global threat to human and environmental health because of its toxicity, mobility and long residence time in the atmosphere. Although Hg production has dropped, former mines and chloralkali plants represent constant sources of mercury pollution. Engineering based remediation technologies imply high costs, intensive labour, and nevertheless irreversible changes in soil quality, structure and native microbiota. Combined phyto- and bioremediation is an emerging strategy to address decontamination of heavy metal polluted soils because plants handle contaminants without affecting topsoil, therefore conserving its fertility or even improving it through root exudation. Moreover, phytoremediation require low cost and maintenance. Within the current project we aim to develop a Hg polymetallic soil decontamination environmental-friendly technology based on cooperation between a facultative metallophyte species and its rhizosphere associated microorganisms. The use of a facultative metallophyte, able to grow on the former chloralkaline plant that is able to sustain growth at concentrations of Hg above the alert threshold, stands as the base concept of the planned approach. The removal efficiency of Hg from soil of the selected facultative metallophyte on its own and in combination with Hg resistant fungal and bacteria isolates will be tested in controlled laboratory conditions in soil artificially contaminated solely with Hg or in Hg polymetallic soil from a former chloralkali plant. The test will provide information about the most appropriate microorganism to be used in combination with the plant species, in order to propose an eco-friendly, non-destructive, low cost and efficient technology for decontamination of Hg polluted soils.

Semi-artificial oxygen carriers Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-2293 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.chem.ubbcluj.ro/~alupan/PED/PED-2293.htm

Abstract:

The aim of the project is to demonstrate a viable product that can be used in emergency medicine and in surgery for transfusions, based on hemerythrin (Hr) as an oxygen-carrying protein. Recombinant-Hr-based copolymers have so far been characterized spectroscopically and biochemically as well as from point of view of immune response, of the biochemical and hematological parameters, oxidative stress, and shown to perform at least as well as canonical, hemoglobin-based, counterparts. Having previously formulated the concept of using Hr, chemically and genetically-derivatized, for the purpose of use as blood substitute, we propose here to experimentally demonstrate at laboratory level the feasibility of these products by employing a complex multidisciplinary set of methods: analysis of immunological parameters (amounts of immunoglobulins, complement C3, C reactive protein), hematological parameters (concentration of leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, thrombocyte, red blood cells, hemoglobin), biochemical parameters (potassium, sodium, calcium, content of the blood respiratory gases, specific parameters of renal function, and also of some cellular enzymes), coagulation, oxidative stress (catalase, malondialdehyde), alongside electron paramagnetic spectroscopy – steered molecular dynamics on hemerythrin, on its three chemically derivatized versions (glutaraldehyde-polymerized, glutaraldehyde copolymer with human serum albumin, polyethyleleneglycol-derivatized) and two of its already generated and characterized mutants designed for selective derivatization with polyethyleneglycol. Biochemical and physiological parameters from standard animal experiments will be matched against molecular dynamics data on Hr and its derivatives and on their spin-labelled versions whose fate, location and stability will be monitored by electron paramagnetic (EPR) spectroscopy.

Selenium biofortification: can we augment Allium species anticholesterolemic properties? Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1396 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://chem.ubbcluj.ro/~augustinmot/pn-iii-p1-1-1-te-2019-1396/

Abstract:

In a world where the “hidden hunger”—also known as micronutrient malnutrition—is the major form of nutritional insecurity with distressing consequences and under the proverbial banner “health comes from the farm not from the pharmacy”, recent attention has been directed to biofortified crops. These are expected to afford high bioavailable contents of essential micronutrients and could be developed by the consumers through the traditional agriculture and food commerce. Biofortification is dependent on physiological and biosynthetic ability of plants to produce or accumulate the required micronutrients. Although important advances in biofortified cereals have been performed, biofortified legumes and vegetables are underexploited. Among other micronutrients, selenium is an essential element for human and animals’ health and is obtained in their diet from plant sources whereas its deficiency leads to serious health problems. The three main goals of the project entail the comparison of seven edible Allium species in terms of total selenium uptake, Se speciation, growth and morphological effects as well as impact on their mineral and polyphenolic profiles followed by Se-metabolites interaction with recombinant squalene epoxidase—key enzyme in fungal ergosterol and mammalian cholesterol biosynthesis—and globins and finally the evaluation of the anticholesterolemic and antifungal activity of the Se biofortified Allium species extracts and their main phytochemicals. Outcome is expected to include development of relevant analytical protocols for Se speciation in plants, explanation and mechanism elucidation of the interaction and reactivity of Se compounds with key enzymes and identification of protocols and methodologies for plant Se biofortification. In the longer term, it is envisaged that the results will bring novel opportunities to better understand the key plant physiological pathways for biofortified crops that will aid diminishing “hidden hunger”.

Advanced chemometric methods applied in plant metabolomics in water stress Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2016-0121 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://chem.ubbcluj.ro/~augustinmot/PD-2016-0121/PD-2016-0121.htm

Abstract:

Water stress is one of the major environmental factors that affects quality and crop production worldwide due to the lack of water or on the other hand, to the seasonal waterlogging or submergence stress (floods, hypoxic stress). Both of these water-related risks have enormous worldwide economic impact due to climate change, therefore, investigation of plants ability to resist in such stress is of great economic value. The profound understanding at the biochemical and molecular level in water stress are far from being explained and such understanding is crucial. Nonsymbiotic plant hemoglobins (nsHbs) are thought to be involved in many sorts of stress regulation, especially hypoxic response from the flooding stress via the NO dioxygenase activity, however, drought stress could also be envisaged to be regulated, at least in part by nsHbs. This proposal aims to track the metabolome in case of water stress and the involvement of nsHbs in plant adaptation and tolerance for these conditions using Arabidopsis thaliana as plant model and advanced chemometric methods. This direction, by the use of HPLC-MS, NMR analytical techniques and advanced multivariate chemometric methods as well as detection and characterization of metabolic by-products (ROS and RNS) using EPR techniques supports the biological relevance of the project. Comparison of the traditional chemometric methods in plant metabolomics with more performant methods of discrimination (fuzzified methods) in the light of their performances such as robustness, pattern recognition, outlier identification, in plant metabolomics is the analytical framework within these investigastions are planned to be done. In the longer term, it is foreseen that the results will be useful for rational crop designs that improve plant water stress tolerance with high economic and agricultural impact.

Microwave food processing improvements Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0143 2017 - 2018

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/pncdi/mwfood/

Abstract:

A new experimental device is proposed to improve the thermal uniformity during food processing in microwave (MW) commercial ovens. The device is based on a specifically designed MW photonic crystal, acting as a homogenizer of the MW field distribution into the volume of processed food.

The research proposal refers to the field of MW heating devices and, more particularly, to heating/cooking food placed in a MW heating device cavity. When heating food in a MW oven, two main aspects have to be considered: a) the efficiency of the heating process and b) the distribution of the absorbed MW power field, i.e. the temperature uniformity in the volume of food.

In order to achieve a uniform heating of food, it has previously been suggested to use MW stirrers, or/and to place the food on a rotating plate, or the periodic modification of an inhomogeneous MW power distribution. This type of solutions is not good enough for cooking foods like, for example, “egg custard” and “meatloaf”.

Our solution for the uniform heating of the food is a homogeneous MW power distribution inside the MW heating device cavity, obtained by using a photonic crystal in the MW range. In this case, the stirrer and/or rotating food plate are not necessary. This solution was tested in laboratory environment, in convection studies related to geology, and an international patent (PCT) was registered.

The scope of the project is to apply this solution to improve food processing in commercial MW ovens.

Nonsymbiotic plant hemoglobins in stress related responses Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2555 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.chem.ubbcluj.ro/~augustinmot/TE2014/TE-2014-4-2555.htm

Abstract:

The first plant hemoglobins that were discovered were leghemoglobins which are highly expressed in the root nodules of legumes. Nonsymbiotic hemoglobins possess distinct nucleotide sequences and biochemical properties compared to them. Whereas leghemoglobins are nowadays well known both structurally and functionally, the function and mechanism of action of nonsymbiotic hemoglobins is still unclear. The main role of nonsymbiotic hemoglobins was attributed to NO scavenging and thus increasing plant survival during hypoxia. The current project aims to track the mechanism which governs nonsymbiotic hemoglobins involvement in plant stress tolerance using Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula as plant models. This will involve transgenic lines of A. thaliana and M. truncatula and will lead to the identification of the nonsymbiotic hemoglobins’ physiological roles in plant-pathogen interaction and in tolerance of other abiotic stress factors. Additionally, in vitro biochemical characterization of two previously unexplored truncated nonsymbiotic hemoglobins from M. truncatula will be performed. The outcome of the current project is expected to lead to solid explanations and predictions on the enzymatic activities of the nonsymbiotic hemoglobins in plants. In the longer term, it is foreseen that the results provide novel occasions for rational crop plans design to improve plant stress tolerance.

Natural antiplatelet extract for cardiovascular primary prevention Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1198 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); REMED PRODIMPEX SRL (RO); AVENA MEDICA SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.granturi.umfcluj.ro/al-agreg/

Abstract:

In parallel with the dynamic development of drugs industry and continuing concern of their quality optimization (high stability, high bioavailability and decreased risk of side effects and drug interactions), develops the natural products industry, too.

Cardiovascular pathology is ranked in the top deaths from any cause, therefore primary prevention may be a starting point in addressing this issue. There have been implemented a strategy to initiate preventive therapies in patients at risk, using synthetic drugs that must quantify the benefit / risk, referring to their adverse effects.

The present study addresses to the complex issues of coagulation, targeted on the first step of haemostasis, namely platelets adherence and aggregation, and molecular mechanisms for the antiplatelet effect of the synthesis formulations and herbal extracts that occur at this level.

Modern medicine promote primary prevention and the therapies with minimal side effects, as essential elements of individual patient approach and we can fit here Allium cepa extract used for its antiplatelet effect.

Particular importance is given to natural therapy since ancient times, the main advantages are immediate availability, high tolerability for the body and reduced incidence of adverse reactions, toxic and allergic compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals.

Although synthesis anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents are among the most used drugs by the specialist cardiologist, there are numerous studies showing a similar effect exercised by some extracts obtained from different varieties of plants belonging to the family Alliaceae (Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Allium ampeloprasum); those containing organosulphur compounds with platelet aggregation inhibition effect, formed by lysis of the S-alk (en) yl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, in the presence of an enzyme called aliinase. In this context, a major area of application of these herbal extracts is the primary prevention of cardiovascular pathology.

The molecular mechanism of antiplatelet action of this Alliaceae extracts is partly elucidated; the most probable mechanism is the action of these thiosulphinates compounds on the metabolism of arachidonic acid, resulting the inhibition of thromboxane A2 and leukotrienes formation.

The proposed project is multidisciplinary, involving combined efforts specialists in various fields.

The aim of this project is to obtain, to stabilize and standardize the process for obtaining the extract of Allium cepa, with high content of thiosulphinates compounds.

In the next stage will be tested the antiplatelet effect of the product thus obtained by conducting a comparative study of the efficacy of antiplatelet and potential side effects versus conventional antiplatelet therapy by in vivo and ex vivo studies. This theme is topical, considering the large number of patients with cardiovascular risk factors who requires antiplatelet therapy for primary prevention.

The original results will be patented and widely disseminated through publication, communication, web page and even presentation at fairs and expositions. The results of research on "Allium cepa extracts with antiplatelet effect" will be presented at a workshop on the project.

New generation of biomaterials for cosmetic dentistry Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1275 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); METAV - CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); REMED PRODIMPEX SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://cosmeticdent.granturi.ubbcluj.ro/

Abstract:

The development of applicative dental medicine orientated towards the improvement of dental esthetics (cosmetic) has lately represented one of the global priority directions. The issue of the multiple etiologies in dental dyschromia and its therapeutic approach according to the diagnosed form and to the color intensity can be ranged within a specialty of dental pathology correlated with the general appearance of the teeth and dental arches. Technological advancements in natural looking, tooth-colored dental materials make today's cosmetic dental treatments more durable and predictable than in years past. Our proposal is based on natural whitening extracts, enzymes and/or compounds, nanoparticles and synthetic compounds. The system is different from others solution in the field, in that it can repair the damage produced on the enamel structure after the whitening process and enhance it; has an evidently whitening rapid effect; reduces the existing pigmentation; provides optical brightener effect; does not contain peroxide or other chemical whitening agents. The whitening process is aimed to be fast, the system is easy to apply and does not harm the natural structure of the tooth. The objectives of this project will focus on creating a new dental whitening agent as gel, based on natural whitening compounds (organic acids promoting redox reactions, natural extracts enriched in such components, as well as enzymes able to bleach food-related dyes in manners not requiring an added amount of peroxide in the formulation), while also containing new nano-sized synthetic compounds that can repair the damage produced on the enamel structure after the whitening process. The novelty of the project is to create a new class of materials used in cosmetic dentistry with remineralization effects and diminished corrosive properties due to the non-peroxide formulation.

Redox activation of small molecules at biological metal centers Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2012 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2012-4-0488 2013 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://chem.ubbcluj.ro/~rsd/PCE-2012-4-0488.htm

Abstract:

Redox activation of small molecules by metalloenzymes often entails unusual oxidation states, e.g. low-valent Ni and/or Fe in hydrogenases, or high-valent iron in oxygenases. Such systems offer promise of high-impact practical applicability (e.g., for energy sources, or for facile commodity production), as well as for novel theoretical findings. Our group's recent contributions have focused towards understanding high-valent metal-oxo complexes, as well as low-valent iron systems, with hydrocarbon activation as a special focus. The current proposal is a natural extension of this line of study. The aim is to investigate the reductive and oxidative activation of small molecules at centers including iron enzymes, cobalamin, and related model systems. Substrates for such experiments will be hydrogen sulfide (recently acknowledged as important signalling molecule acting on metalloenzymes), as well as sulfur oxides and oxyanions - with intriguing preliminary new data on cobalamin already reported by us. Enzymes working on halide and carbon oxyanions will offer interesting parallels with the sulfur systems; (mechanisms in, e.g., sulfite reductase or chlorite dismutase still await detailed exploration). Proton reduction is also expected to be implicit in the case of the lower-oxidation states - especially in cobalamin-related models. Computational as well as experimental methods (rapid kinetics, low-temperature spectroscopy) will be employed to this end.

BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF METAL COMPOUNDS METALLOMICS Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2008 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2008-0140 2010 - 2013

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, FACULTATEA DE CHIMIE SI INGINERIE CHIMICA, CENTRUL DE CHIMIE ORGANOMETALICA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, FACULTATEA DE CHIMIE SI INGINERIE CHIMICA, CENTRUL DE CHIMIE ORGANOMETALICA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, FACULTATEA DE CHIMIE SI INGINERIE CHIMICA, LABORATORUL DE MODELARE MOLECULARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, FACULTATEA DE CHIMIE SI INGINERIE CHIMICA, LABORATORUL DE CARACTERIZARE A COMPUSILOR ORGANOMETALICI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI EXPERIMENTALE INTERDISCIPLINARE, LABORATORUL DE CERCETARI IN ELECTROCHIMIE, CENTRUL DE ANALIZE FIZICO-CHIMICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, FACULTATEA DE CHIMIE SI INGINERIE CHIMICA (RO); INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC, PROFESOR DR. I. CHIRICUTA, CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE IULIU HATIEGANU DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA, BANAT, TIMISOARA, FACULTATEA DE TEHNOLOGIA PRODUSILOR ALIMENTARI, DEPARTAMENTUL DE BIOCHIMIE SI BIOLOGIE MOLECULARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, FACULTATEA DE STIINTA SI INGINERIA MATERIALELOR, LABORATORUL DE ANALIZA FORMELOR SI STRUCTURILOR TEHNOLOGICE (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, FACULTATEA DE CHIMIE SI INGINERIE CHIMICA (RO)

Project website: http://chem.ubbcluj.ro/pagini/anorganica/ihaiduc/metallomics/index.html

Abstract:

We propose a complex inter-/trans-disciplinary fundamental research program in the field of biomedical applications of metallocomplexes. The wide international interest on this topic, as well as the perspective of obtaining new fundamental knowledge and the potential applications thereof, justify such a program in romania. The project involves specialists from diverse fields: chemistry, biochemistry, biology, medical doctors specialized in clinical laboratory, medical oncology, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, anatomo-pathology, pharmacology, cell biology and materials science. Inorganic and organometallic compounds of transition metals and of main group elements (e.g., ga) with heterocyclic ligands containing one or more sulfur and/or nitrogen atoms, chiral as well as achiral (phenothiazines, pyridines, diazines, triazines, tetrazoles), diazenium-diolates, calixarenes, calixpyrroles, dithiocarbamates, and heteropolytopic ligands (p/n, p/s, as/n, as/s), including potential nitric oxide generators, will be synthesized, characterized and tested. In order to facilitate targeted delivery and gradual release of the active components (hence, controlled concentrations thereof), compounds/ligands will be attached to peptidic moieties or other biocompatible matrices. The final goal is to identify compounds with anti-mitotic and anti-proliferative effect, with applications in developing new chemotherapeutical drugs and radiosensitizing materials for use in cancer therapy, as well as the elucidation of biochemical, immunological, molecular, radiobiological, and oxidative stress-related aspects of the interaction of metals with living cells. This will entail a systematic study of the molecular-level interaction between metalloproteins (e.g., cytochrome c, relevant to apoptosis) and the newly-synthesized compounds, as well as of the degree to which the latter modulate the levels of stress agents (e.g., no, superoxide) and/or affect key steps in apoptosis or cancer.

project title Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de mobilitate pentru cercetatori
PN-III-P1-1.1-MC-2017-2358 2017 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

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List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
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