BrainMap

Laura-Denisa Dragu

- INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU"

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: not public

Expertise & keywords

Wastewater-based epidemiology concept as an early warning system for SARS-CoV-2 trend and its circulating variants in a defined catchment Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-4131 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE -DEZVOLTARE PENTRU ECOLOGIE INDUSTRIALA - ECOIND (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://virology.ro/grant/wastewater-based-epidemiology-concept-as-an-early-warning-system-for-sars-cov-2-trend-and-its-circulating-variants-in-a-defined-catchment/

Abstract:

Covid-19 disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and gave rise to a worldwide health emergency after only 2 months. Currently, more than 226 million cases have been confirmed and over 4.6 million deaths worldwide. In Romania, the numbers are raising with over 1.1 million confirmed cases and more than 35k deaths. The well-known lineages, B.1.1.7 (Alpha variant), B.1.351 (Beta variant), P.1 (Gamma variant) and B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) assigned as variants of concern (VOCs), show an increased transmissibility and higher infectivity. Lately, it has been observed that the VOCs exhibit an increased resistance towards the vaccines and therapies, especially the Delta variant. Considering the ascending number of infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants and the necessary time for the symptoms onset in infected individuals, a delay of the real active cases reported per day can be observed. Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) proved to be a powerful tool for the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in a certain catchment and to provide a quick snapshot about the circulating variants before they are seen in clinical cases. The scope of the project is to demonstrate that the early detection of an increasing trend in total SARS-CoV-2 concentration and assessment of its circulating variants in wastewater represent the key factor in the pandemic containment. Furthermore, the present proposal aims to demonstrate the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater samples from Bucharest, which is of paramount importance for the public health. Noteworthy, the study aims to support the collective efforts of the EU Sewage Sentinel System by implementing a wastewater based surveillance approach in Romania as recommended by the European Commission. EU strongly encourages the member states to implement the wastewater surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants before October 1st 2021.

Mechanisms and biomarkers of response and resistance to current targeted therapies in gastric cancer Call name: P 4 - Proiecte Complexe de Cercetare de Frontieră
PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0158 2018 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: https://cemt.ro/proiect/therres/

Abstract:

Gastric cancer (GC) is a heterogeneous disease with almost one million new cases occurring annually worldwide. Recent developments provide the unprecedented opportunity to make substantial progress in GC therapy. Targeted therapies have revolutionized the therapy of GC, but the benefits remain limited to a few months of increased survival.

The challenge is now how to best stratify patients for therapy, and to identify ‘druggable’ primary and acquired resistance.

Limited studies have been performed to evaluate biomarkers for predicting response to anti-HER2, anti-MET, anti-VEGFR2 therapy in GC, and immune checkpoints that contribute to tumor resistance. Moreover, combining targeted strategy with immune checkpoint inhibition – the most exciting and active area of research currently because of durable responses seen in melanoma and lung cancer – are among the new frontiers of research in the cancer treatment and could represent a quantum leap in the therapy of GC.

The project specific objectives are:

Objective 1: To explore potential biomarkers and targets for therapy in GC subtypes defined based on contemporary disease classifications

Objective 2: To examine biomarkers of response and resistance to standard anti-HER2, anti-MET, and anti-VEGF therapy in GC

Objective 3: Characterization of the particular features of GC vascular stroma, including the study of the potential role of immune checkpoints in GC subtypes

As a key output, the project will generate decision making tools for treatment and management of GC patients in a personalized approach. The results of the present project will help improve the performance, quality and international visibility of Romanian scientific results in oncological field.

Evaluation of the exploatation potential Potential of Porous Materials in the tREatment of Microbiota-related dISeasEs - PREMISE Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-4018 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: https://www.micronanotech.ro/evaluarea-potentialului-de-exploatare-a-materialelor-poroase-in-tratarea-disbiozelor-microbiotei/

Abstract:

The scope of the current project proposal is to develop novel micro- and mesoporous materials (MMMs) using recent synthesis methods and to further functionalize these materials for developing better performances in order to be used as drug delivery systems (DDS), especially for microbiota-related diseases. These drug delivery systems are developed for oral administration and are expected to be protected within the stomach and maintain their activity until reach the desired site. Even if these drug delivery platforms are extensively exploited in the literature for several types of applications as DDS (hosting anticancer, anti-infectious or analgesic agents), the field of microbiota is only marginally treated. Nowadays, especially in the case of children, the awareness about the importance of the microbiota is well known, therefore after an antibiotic treatment, the prescription of probiotics is frequently needed. In the project’s boundaries, natural substances (polyphenols and vitamins) used as biological active agents will be loaded into the porous platforms, in order to assure a positive feedback to the microbiota due to the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. In recent years, great emphasis has been placed on the development of micro and mesoporous materials loaded with biological active agents, but few research papers discuss the impact of functionalized MMMs on microbiota. In the current project, the main goal is to develop innovative MMMs with enhanced pore system able to host and deliver biological active agents (vitamins and polyphenols are expected to be used) for the treatment of the microbiota-related diseases. because most polyphenols have low solubility, two innovative delivery systems will be developed in order to assure triggering delivery / smart delivery.

Evaluation of COL10A1 as potential therapeutic target and early diagnosis biomarker in gastric cancer Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1864 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://www.virology.ro/ro/cercetare/proiecte/proiect-pn-iii-p1-1-1-te-2019-1864-col-dia-ther

Abstract:

The project “Evaluation of COL10A1 as potential therapeutic target and early diagnosis biomarker in gastric cancer” aims to analyze the involvement of COL10A1 in gastric carcinogenesis in order to evaluate his potential as biomarker for gastric cancer diagnosis and, also, to assess him as molecular target for development of new cancer therapeutic strategies. Recent studies, including a project conducted by our group suggested that modification of COL10A1 gene expression is associated with neoplastic transformation of gastric tissue and also with tumor progression. The project objectives include the validation of COL10A1 as possible therapeutic target by analysis of his oncogenic effects through loss- and gain-of-function experiments in tumoral and normal gastric human cells, and evaluation of circulating COL10A1 in plasma of the patients with gastric cancer in order to identify his potential as diagnostic biomarker for gastric cancer. The results of the project are assumed to have a significant social impact by reducing individual suffering and social costs due to chronic patients care, and these might also be applicable to the early diagnosis of the disease. The project results could also offer the basis for identifying new molecular targets and developing solid therapeutic approaches for gastric cancer that will be highly interesting for pharmaceutical companies.

SOL-2020-2 4. Development of innovative solutions for the protection of personnel (professionally exposed) and the population against SARS-CoV-2 virus contamination Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Soluţii - 2020 - 2
PN-III-P2-2.1-SOL-2020-2-0208 2020 - 2020

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI (RO); STIMPEX S.A. (RO); UNITATEA MILITARA 02433 BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://umfcd.ro/cercetare-si-dezvoltare/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/dezvoltarea-de-solutii-inovative-pentru-protectia-personalului-expus-profesional-si-a-populatiei-impotriva-contaminarii-cu-virusul-sars-cov-2/

Abstract:

The project is realized by a large consortium consisting of 3 research units, a university hospital and an economic production unit and offers solutions related to the following general objectives:

Reducing the risk of SARS-CoV2 virus contamination of professionally exposed personnel (doctors) and the population.

Ensuring an appropriate level of protection for professionally exposed personnel and the population in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

These objectives are fulfilled by the development of a technology and an afferent modular production installation, for obtaining equipment of microbiological protection of the medical staff and / or of the general population. The project aims to capitalize on a patent application and a prototype installation that already exists at the economic agent to develop a technology capable of impregnating protective equipment made of textile fabrics with a content of at least 40% natural fibers with nanoparticles of metal oxides in order to obtain of antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties (up to TRL-8). The project aims to homologate a protective equipment, a technology to obtain it and a modular installation that can be used in any hospital in Romania. The technology can be used both to obtain antiviral protection equipment (used by medical staff and civilians) but also to impregnate patients' costumes, hospital bed linen and will help both reduce the transmission of SARS-Cov2 virus and reduce cases of nosocomial infections.

Rationally designed therapeutic vaccine against HIV-1 based on a novel formulation of nanoparticle-protected mRNA Call name: P 3 - SP 3.2 - Proiecte ERA.NET
HIVERA-HIV-NANOVA 2016 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://www.virology.ro/ro/hiv-nanova-home

Abstract:

Recent data demonstrate the feasibility of dendritic cell based therapeutic vaccines to control HIV-1 infection. Nevertheless, their patient specific nature, the specialized infrastructure, the high level of expertise required for preparation and the high demands for storage and transportation preclude widespread application and commercialization. Therefore novel vaccine candidates that retain the power of a DC-based vaccine but at the same time overcome its limitations need to be developed. mRNA-based vaccines offer significant promise in this respect. It was shown that mRNA is selectively taken up by dendritic cells upon injection in the lymph node and induces strong antigen specific immune responses. Therefore, an interesting vaccine candidate could be an mRNA-based vaccine able to deliver both a rationally designed HIV antigen sequence and on the other hand potent activation signals. An important drawback of this approach is the fact that intranodal immunization is not easily applicable in clinical settings. Therefore, more standardized routes of administration need to be explored. Given the inherent sensitivity of RNA to ambient RNases, these approaches will require protection of mRNA. In this project we will evaluate the feasibility of delivering an mRNA based therapeutic vaccine with biodegradable nanoparticles loaded with RNA entrapped at their surface through a lysine-derived poly-lactic acid based polymer.

Composite hydrogels based on inorganic nanoparticles and collagen with prolonged antimicrobial activity for the prevention of wound infections Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2016-0177 2016 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: SANIMED INTERNATIONAL IMPEX S.R.L.

Project partners: SANIMED INTERNATIONAL IMPEX S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://nanocolagel.sanimed.ro/

Abstract:

Chronic wounds represent a good niche for biofilm development because the impaired immune response promotes infection susceptibility whilst necrotic tissue and debris favor bacterial attachment. Collagen hydrogels represent one of the most efficient treatments in case of both chronic and acute wounds due to their ability to maintain optimal humidity and aeration parameters. Currently, at a national level there is no production of collagen hydrogels aimed for the treatment of chronic wounds, hence these types of products are being imported. In this context, the present project proposal aims to design and obtain new types of multifunctional collagen hydrogels harboring antimicrobial properties in order to favor the healing process of chronic wounds. As a novelty element in comparison to products currently available on the international market, we will design and produce collagen hydrogels containing nanoparticles. Thus, Sanimed International Impex S.R.L will develop a simple and rapid technology to obtain hydrogels functionalized with metalic and oxidic nanoparticles (collagen hydrogels with Ag nanoparticles, collagen hydrogels with ZnO hydrogels and collagen hydrogels with SiO2@ZnO nanoparticles). The novel hydrogels will be tested for their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties using in vitro and in vivo methods and also for the host response after hydrogel treatment on wounded cells and in vivo lesion murine models, for achieving market preparation.

Knowledge Transfer on investigation of the anti-infective and antitumoral activity of novel cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations based on natural extracts Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Transfer de cunoaștere la agentul economic „Bridge Grant”
PN-III-P2-2.1-BG-2016-0369 2016 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO); HOFIGAL EXPORT IMPORT SA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: https://icubresearch.wordpress.com/2018/10/19/bg-369/

Abstract:

The present project proposal aims the development of an innovative methodology for testing the antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activity, and to elucidate the mechanisms of action at the cellular and molecular level of natural bee and plant extracts with the purpose of introducing them în new cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations, for expanding the marketed products range of the economic agent participating în the project - Hofigal S.A.

The addressed strategy is based on abundant scientific literature and original experimental results of all involved partners regarding the characterization and marketing of natural products / compounds with therapeutic or prophylactic value.

The proposed project falls into a major research direction aimed at the discovery of complementary therapeutic solutions based on natural compounds, for the treatment of different pathologies (i.e., infectious diseases and cancer), which are currently found în the top of causes of global morbidity and mortality.

The therapeutic alternatives that will be investigated în this project are based on natural compounds of vegetal and bee origin, with high therapeutic and preventive potential, due to the following properties: complex composition that allows simultaneous action on multiple biological targets; decreased risk for selecting resistance, both în case of infectious agents, such as viral, bacterial and fungal, and în the case of tumor cells; immunomodulatory effect; high biocompatibility; minimal or no side effects.

Human lactoferrin-derived peptides with broad spectrum antiviral activity Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-1409 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://peptivir.ucoz.ro/

Abstract:

Infections with Hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) are major public health threats with more than 400 million individuals being affected worldwide. Romania has a high prevalence of chronic infections, above the average of EU countries. Chronic patients are at high risk of developing end-stage liver diseases or hepatocarcinoma, and about 1 million people die annually due to such liver complications. Infections with the ubiquitous human pathogens Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and the highly variable RNA viruses, Human adenovirus 5 (Ad5), Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), Enteric cytopathic human orphan 30 (ECHO subtype 30), Measles virus (MeV) also result in severe symptoms which require prolonged treatment.

A major drawback of the current antiviral therapies is the very high cost, which makes them unaffordable for many health care systems in developing countries.

Lactoferrin (Lf), an immunomodulatory glycoprotein was shown to interfere with the life-cycles of many viruses, regardless their origin or structure, both, in vitro and in vivo. In most cases, Lf was demonstrated to exert its antiviral effect at an early step of viral infection due to the crucial presence of cationic clusters in its structure. Recently, our group has rationally designed and characterized the anti-HBV activity of an Lf-derived peptide containing one of the cationic clusters. The peptide has better properties than the parental protein which could overcome the limitation for Lf use in clinical application. Thus, the major goal of this project is to take our initial observation further and investigate Lf-derived peptide(s) with increased solubility and efficient anti-viral action against a broad-range of human viruses, considering the pathogens listed above as models.

This project will prove the concept that the development of non-toxic, small Lf-derived molecule(s) with a broad-spectrum anti-viral activity may constitute a valuable, cheaper alternative to the current standard of care.

GENOMEWIDE STUDY OF BIPOLAR I DISORDER AND GUIDE FOR ASSESSING THE GENETIC RISK FOR BIPOLAR I DISORDER IN THE ROMANIAN POPULATION Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1628 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL CLINIC DE PSIHIATRIE PROF.DR.ALEXANDRU OBREGIA

Project partners: SPITALUL CLINIC DE PSIHIATRIE PROF.DR.ALEXANDRU OBREGIA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); PERSONAL GENETICS S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://www.bio.unibuc.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=212%3

Abstract:

Medicine develops into three directions: prevention, prediction and personalization. Bipolar I disorder (BPI) is a chronic major psychiatric disease with a polygenic basis not yet elucidated. The objectives of the project are: 1) fine mapping of two haplotypes in NCAN and MAD1L1 genes found associated with BPI in a previous genomewide association study (GWAS) (Cichon et al, Am J Hum Genet, 2011) in which the project coordinator was involved; 2) a GWAS of the response to lithium therapy aiming at detecting the genotypes linked to positive response; 3) estimating morbid risks (MR) for relatives of BPI patients valid for the Romanian population; 4) determining the structure of Mad1 and Mad2 molecules and their neurobiological consequences with potential impact on drug development; 5) development of a guide for genetic counseling containing genotypes associated with BPI in the Romanian population, MR for relatives of patients, phenotypic variables that increase MR and genotypes predicting the positive response to lithium. The study will be conducted in an international consortium including Romanian partners. A Romanian sample of about 550-570 patients and 550-570 controls will be integrated in an international sample of several thousands of patients and controls that will be genotyped with high-throughput methods (Illumina, Sequenom) by Romanian researchers at the German partner and with next generation sequencing technology atone of the Romanian partners. Probands and their available first degree relatives will be investigated with DIGS and FIGS interviews and will provide psychiatric family history necessary for estimating MR. The response to lithium therapy in patients treated at least one year will be rated with the Alda scale. Our sample of lithium-patients will be integrated in the international lithium sample for genotyping. The biometric and molecular results of the study will be implemented in personalized medicine by a private health care company and disseminated among specialists.

Role of S100A4 and MAP4K4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1490 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI (RO); RNTECH S.R.L. (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO); INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.ALEXANDRU TRESTIOREANU BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://www.icfundeni.ro/S100MAP/

Abstract:

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death both in man and women. Annually, its incidence closely matches its mortality, highlighting the limited efficacy of existing treatment options. Most pancreatic cancers are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and the 5-year survival rate for patients with localized disease after surgical resection is 20% and for those with metastatic disease, the survival rate is a dismal 2%. In the last years, investigators of the pathogenesis of this disease have turned their attention to the tumor microenvironment as a critical determinant of pancreatic tumor progression and clinical outcome. To address the question of the involvement of stromal cells in the pancreatic cancer progression, this project will have a specific interest on the interplay between stellate and pancreatic cancer cells analyzing the putative tumor markers in both cellular components.

Given the expertise of the consortium and the resources of the coordinating institute – consisting of a rich tumor biobank, an established Center for Cellular Therapies and a genomic platform – the present project will pursue two of the signaling pathways of the pancreatic cancer with the long-term goal to develop new remedies for this highly lethal disease. We will examine the role of the S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S1004) and the mitogen-activated protein 4 kinase 4 (MAP4K4) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression. In doing so, we will consolidate the expertise and maintain the critical mass of scientists in areas of excellence and recruit strong external collaborators with significant expertise in these pathways and translational cancer research. Thus, the project is to set up a partnership in a priority research field – cancer genomics – to identify new molecular mechanisms involved in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression, which may result in rapid design and implementation of new therapeutic approaches targeting these pathways.

FINDING AND VALIDATING MOLECULAR TARGETS IN GASTRIC TUMOR STEM CELLS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL ANTI-CANCER THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES. Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2010 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2010-0062 2010 - 2013

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE STEFAN S NICOLAU DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE STEFAN S NICOLAU DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE STEFAN S NICOLAU DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.virology.ro/ro/cercetare/proiecte/tinte-moleculare

Abstract:

Cellular heterogeneity, present in most solid tumors, represents an enormous challenge for cancer eradication. Present strategies for inducing cell death usually target only the most rapidly proliferating cells within a tumor, and are unable to destroy tumor stem cells that are more resistant to standard chemotherapeutic agents and have the ability to regenerate the tumor. It became increasingly obvious that it is necessary to develop strategies targeted to the mechanisms of survival and regeneration characteristics of tumor stem cells.

A recent study published in 2009, which identify gastric tumor stem cells (GTSC) based on surface antigen CD44, opens new directions for the management of gastric carcinoma, disease that is the second cause of death worldwide (700,000 deaths/year worldwide ; 17/6.6 m / f deaths/100000 people/year in Romania).

Given the opportunity to identify and isolate gtsc, and our laboratory experience in the field of stem cells and anti-tumor therapy, we intend to use small interferece rna technology to specifically inhibit certain genes overexpresed in gastric cancer which can be promoters of processes such as: cell proliferation, interaction with the matrix, motility, metastasis, angiogenesis.

The objectives are:

1. Identification, isolation and characterization GTSC. Testing their tumoral capacity on immunodeficient animal models

2. Identification of molecular targets by testing gene expression in the gtsc, and selection of genes significantly modified

3. Specific inhibition of selected gene expression using siRNA methodology

4. Analysis of molecular target therapy-induced effects on GTSC functionality.

The project will lead to consolidation of a young specialists team in a leading field of the research: anti-tumor therapy, based on modern biotechnological methods of gene therapy.

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