BrainMap

Florin Zaharie

- UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU"

Researcher

Expertise & keywords

Multimodal treatment of pancreatic cancer through phototermic activated plasmonic resonance and selective chemotherapy mediated by silver biocomposites. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1553 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); ASOCIATIA AAMIRA APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATICS IN RESEARCH AREA JUDETUL CLUJ (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://nmn.ro/projects.html#Nanochim

Abstract:

The research aims to explore one of the most modern nano-bio-technological concepts with applications in medicine, vector therapy combined with photo-thermally activated plasmon resonance mechanism. The project aims to use specific peptides and silver biocomposites under chemotherapy treatment in order to obtain selective tissue necrosis and to improve the response to chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer for the first time. The research will be entirely carried out from concept phase to in vitro testing of the suggested method. The project is structured into three consecutive phases, emphasizing the elucidation of all theoretical aspects of the synthesis concerned, and generating multiple solutions for biotreatment of these dual-purpose composites: binding of chemotherapeutic agent and binding of tumor selective agent. The research results in the selection of a synthesis product, followed by drawing up the technical specification required for patenting.

Developing a method for real-time detection and isolation of circulating tumor cells from the bloodstream of cancer patients by means of image processing and pattern recognition Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-2289 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

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 TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); DATRONIX COMPUTER S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO)

Project website: http://ctcvideoscope.utcluj.ro

Abstract:

Cancer is a major public health problem both in Western countries and in Romania. In general, cancer related death is caused by the occurrence of metastasis. The metastatic process begins with the migration of malignant cells from the primary tumor, followed by penetration into the circulation and their spread in the body. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), the 'leukemic phase' of solid tumors, are the most promising tumor marker of the moment. They correlate with overall survival and disease free survival, allowing early detection of metastatic process, monitoring of disease progression and of treatment response. In addition, being the equivalent of a "liquid biopsy", CTCs offer the promise of personalized therapy based on their biomolecular analysis. CTC identification is a difficult task and there is no ideal method of detection yet. Most current methods have a low sensitivity because they analyze only a small sample of circulating blood. Oncology practice requires a sensitive method, allowing continuous monitoring over extended periods of time and which can be repeated frequently.

The current project aims to develop an automatic method for continuous real-time detection and isolation of CTCs from the bloodstream of cancer patients, based on their distinctive morphological characteristics, after an original idea proposed by the project director. The method is inspired by the automated video surveillance systems of the highway traffic. Thus, one can imagine a portable, battery powered device, for continuous CTC monitoring over long periods of time, in conditions of total comfort for the patient (even at home). In principle, blood is continuously aspirated from the patient through a two-way intravenous catheter, is passed through the analysis device and then is re-injected through the same catheter. Inside the machine, the blood is gently pumped in a laminar flow at a constant speed through a transparent chamber-slide mounted in a phase contrast microscope. It allows visualization of live, unstained blood cells. Microscopic images, shot with a camera attached to the microscope, are transmitted to the computer system. This, by means of image analysis and pattern recognition will identify the CTC in real time based on distinct morphology, acting a downstream switch that diverts for a moment the blood flow towards one container, where the cell is stored for later analysis. The remaining blood flow, without CTCs, is re-injected into the patient.

The main goal of this project is to offer a “proof of concept” of this new method of detection, while the developpment of the commercial variant of the device will be relegated to a future project (INNOVATION). Specifically, we will realize an experimental model to test in vitro blood samples from healthy volunteers, artificially spiked with malignant cells from cell culture. We will use commercial cell lines of breast, colon and prostate cancer, but we will also run real samples from patients with the same type of cancer. The method will be validated by comparative testing of similar blood samples with other well established methods. In addition, the viability of isolated CTCs will be tested by in vitro cultivation and by application of molecular biology techniques for evidence of specific mutations by RT-PCR, sequencing, in situ hybridization or immunocytochemistry.

The current project capitalize on experience and knowledge about CTCs acquired during the Project IDEAS PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0753, directed by Prof. T.E. Ciuleanu from Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca. These strenghts, complemented with expertise in automated detection of Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, that develops the software, and with engineering capabilities of DATRONIX company, that builds the experimental model, will ensure the successful achievement of project objectives.

Photothermal nanotherapeutics for selective eradication of Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1289 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

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 DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); ASOCIATIA AAMIRA APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATICS IN RESEARCH AREA JUDETUL CLUJ (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://www.nmn.ro/nanostaft.htm

Abstract:

Antibiotic resistance is a growing and increasingly serious public health problem. Infectious diseases caused by MRSA and other bacteria are responsible for millions of deaths each year, and much of this mortality is due to the rise of antibiotic resistant organisms. MRSA has emerged as a major nosocomial pathogen in the last decade. Treatment for MRSA infections is difficult as vancomycin, the only responsive treatment, is partially effective, has considerable toxicity and it is poorly absorbed by body tissues Newer antibiotics may help to offset the onward march of MRSA resistance but new technologies for rapid detection of MRSA carriage and treatment are needed to help reduce the threat in the future. From a clinical perspective, attractive alternative approaches for treating such MRSA resistant strains would be using agents that cause physical damage to the bacteria.

The long term objective of this project is to develop new anti-infectives that are highly effective and refractory to antibiotic resistance exhibited by MRSA using specific antibodies conjugated to gold nanoparticles as NIR responsive photothermal contrast agents. Thus, we plan to obtain a very efficacious pulse laser mode treatment of individual MRSA agents with minimal effects on the surrounding cells, providing highly localized killing effects for the Ab-GnP targeted bacteria only. In addition, we intend to identify the optimal dose and schedule of administration of this selective nanophotothermal treatment that will cure people with MRSA infections without causing the emergence of resistance.

Nanomediated colon cancer prophylaxis in mice using a MUC-1-conjugated GoldNPs/ dendritic cells synergic vaccine. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1586 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://www.nmn.ro/vaccinan.htm

Abstract:

Colon cancer is a major cause of deaths worldwide, and it is expected to rise in the coming years. Importantly, in adults younger than 50 years, CC incidence rates have been increasing by about 1.6% per year since 1998 in men and women. Up to date therapeutic management in colon cancer treatment include surgical resection of the primary tumor, chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy. Despite advances in surgical techniques and adjuvant therapy, there has been only a limitted improvement in survival for patients who present advanced neoplasms.

In order to achieve a distinct colon cancer vaccine model, present project aims to develop a new method of immunization through combined administration of functionalized Gold NPs and dendritic stem cells suspensions. The key aim of the project would be to conjugate MUC1 antigen to Gold NPs in order to promote major histocompatibility complex mediated (MHC) antigen presentation by dendrite cells. We hypothesize that the moiety would then contribute to an optimal combined Gold NPs+dendrite cells colon cancer prophylaxy effect. As a result to VACCINAN project, CC patients will have the chance to benefit from improved survival by being offered innovative, improved treatment solutions to be further applied in the near future.

Selective near-infrared plasmonic photothermal terapy (PPTT) of human liver cancer mediated by biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1551 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

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); INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://nmn.ro/nanoliv.htm

Abstract:

The general goal of this project is to develop a novel therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on a combination of a treatment strategy that involves gold nanoparticles bound to antibodies and laser irradiation. The strategy involves selective tumor ablation obtained by irradiation of gold nanoparticles that will be targeted to the liver cancer cells by antibodies conjugated to them. Furthermore these nanobiosystems will be tested using in vitro, in vivo and ex vivobiological platforms.

Nanovesicles for targeted drug delivery in cancer cells Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0954 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul Regional de Gastroenterologie-Hepatologie "Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor", Cluj-Napoca

Project partners: Institutul Regional de Gastroenterologie-Hepatologie "Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor", Cluj-Napoca (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.rstiufiuc.wix.com/preject-id-2011-eng

Abstract:

The research project entitled “Nanovesicles for targeted drug delivery in cancer cells ” proposes an interdisciplinary approach for a very hot research topic of the last decade - Nanomedicine. The first part of the project will be dedicated to the synthesis of a new class of drug delivery nanovectors composed of bolaamphiphiles molecules capable of selectively release the encapsulated cytotoxic material such as doxorubicin, 5-fluoruacil and cisplatin at the tumor site. Noble metal nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes will be incorporated in the vesicles. The moieties existent on vesicles surface will target them to the cancer cells based on a molecular recognition process. A triggering mechanism employing Near Infra Red laser radiation or high frequency electromagnetic radiation, capable to release the encapsulated cytotoxic drug will also be tested. The therapeutic efficacy of these nanoobjects will be tested in vitro on HeLa and Hep3B cells. As a major novelty we propose an ex-vivo therapeutic test of the vesicles by using surgically resected hepatic specimens.

Nanotherapeutics for the selective treatment of pancreatic cancer Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2012 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2012-4-0241 2013 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://nmn.ro/nanocap.htm

Abstract:

Pancreatic cancer (PC) represents the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide.An exciting and new approach to PC treatment is represented by the targeted therapeutics systems.Recent developments in the field of plasmonics offer new opportunities for both primary and multimodal photothermal therapy strategies using nanoparticles.The general goal of this project is to develop a novel nanophotothermolysis system for pancreatic cancer based on a treatment strategy that involves biocompatible laser active nanoparticles bound to novel specific antibodies combined with laser irradiation. We propose an innovative approach for obtaining a high degree of selectivity on pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore the developed nanobiosystems will be tested using in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo biological platforms.

Development of CA 19-9 plasmid DNA-carbon nanotubes vaccine for pancreatic cancer immunoprophylaxis. Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2012 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2012-4-0243 2013 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR (RO)

Project website: http://www.nmn.ro/nanoplasmid.htm

Abstract:

Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal solid tumor in humans. PC is also one of the most intrinsically drug-resistant of all tumors and the lack of effective cytostatics contributes to the increased mortality rates.In patients with cancer, due to the altered expression of proteins involved in antigen processing and presentation, tumor cells are able to avoid recognition by the immune system, and insufficient activation of antitumor immunity leads to poor protective responses. Present proposal aims to genereate a plasmid DNA encoding an immunogenic peptide derived from CA 19-9 antigen an to test it alone or in combination with carbon nanotubes in order to induce eficient anti-tumor immune responses.

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