BrainMap

Maria Demeter

Researcher

- INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: KLZ-7932-2024

Curriculum Vitae (03/12/2025)

Expertise & keywords

Biomimetic hydrogel dressings containing natural therapeutic agents developed by radiation synthesis 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-2023-0453 2025 - 2027

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://hydro-thera.arert.inflpr.ro

Abstract:

Hydrogel dressings are the best alternative for treating severe, acute and chronic wounds. In the case of classic dressings, their removal creates discomfort and pain in the wound. This discomfort can be avoided if natural therapeutic agents are incorporated into hydrogel dressings that are easy to remove from the wound and absorb exudate. The scientific importance of this project is given by the development of biomimetic dressings in the form of hydrogel added with natural therapeutic agents for the healing of skin wounds with cicatrizing and anti-inflammatory effect, with a controllable degree of elasticity and a high degree of absorption of wound exudate. The biomimetic dressing in the form of hydrogel will be produced by mixtures of natural polymers that are biocompatible and non-toxic to biological tissues. To achieve the proposed goal, natural therapeutic agents (standardized Aloe Vera extract) will be added to the hydrogels for rapid healing and wound treatment. To increase the efficiency of obtaining the biomimetic dressing, the hydrogel will be produced in a single technological step by electron beam synthesis, simultaneously ensuring the cross-linking and final sterilization of the product. The hydrogel dressing will support cell viability and proliferation and facilitate the release of active principles to ensure the desired therapeutic effect.

Selection of the Competitive Reactions for Plasma Modified Starch Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-1778 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: https://select.ale.inflpr.ro/

Abstract:

On-going research in food science and technology approach aspects regarding the modification of native starches by exposure to various plasmas. Starch is often modified to enhance its functional properties desired in specific technological applications. The plasma induced changes in its macromolecule are generally caused through two major competitive reactions, crosslinking and depolymerization, depending on the experimental conditions. Therefore, one of the main points is to be able to predict the competitive reaction contribution in correlation with the experimental conditions. SELECT project intends to identify a behavior pattern through which the two competitive reactions gain the dominant position depending on the input factors: the plasma processing parameters and the native starch features. The novelty of the project is to elucidate the role of the input factors that must be taken into account in the technological design of starch exposure to plasma since they may significantly influence the manner in which starch is modified. The literature reports contradictory effects for which incomplete justifications are given as the structural starch features and some plasma parameters (i.e., dimensions of the samples) are ignored.Thus, it is expected that the coherent and in-depth approach of this issue within our project will bring to the light the factors playing a significant role in the predominant effect of competitive reactions for starch modification by plasma treatment.

BIOTECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTION FOR PLANT WATER AND BIOSTIMULANTS SUSTAINABLE DELIVERY SYSTEM Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-2151 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.hydrobiogel.usamv.ro

Abstract:

The project has as objectives the obtaining by electron beam processing and testing at laboratory level and protected spaces (greenhouse), of a new superabsorbent and biodegradable polymeric product (BSP), proposed to be used in plant culture, as a sustainable system for efficient delivery of water and biostimulators in soil-plants system. This product will be tested on three species of vegetable plants at the laboratory level (seedlings in pots) and in protected spaces in order to demonstrate the ability of retention and controlled release of the water and biostimulators under different environmental conditions and for different requirements (plant species, type soil, soil moisture, outdoor humidity, temperature), in order to establish a sustainable technology regarding inputs to agriculture.

Multicomponent hydrogel with hybrid structure obtained in situ by irradiation technology for the malignant melanoma therapy Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală - PD-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2021-0552 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://hydrocan.ale.inflpr.ro/

Abstract:

The project aims to develop a multicomponent hydrogel with elastic and hybrid structure obtained from polymeric mixtures consisting of chitosan and collagen, synthetic polymers and doxorubicin (DOX), to be used in the treatment of malignant cancers of the skin, as a new alternative for topical administration of chemotherapeutic drugs (CM). The hydrogel will be obtained in a single technological step without the addition of toxic chemical reagents, by crosslinking with electron beams (e-beam).

The cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects of chemotherapeutically loaded hydrogels (CM) capable of delivering an amount of DOX equivalent to IC50 will be estimated by performing LIVE / DEAD and CCK-8 cell viability / cytotoxicity tests and compared to the cellular response to hydrogels. without CM. All these studies will be performed comparatively on melanoma cells and fibroblasts (as a non-tumor cell line).

The proposed hydrogel will be sterile and moderately crosslinked, properties provided by e- beam treatment, biocompatible and biodegradable, with adequate mechanical properties and rate of absorption and degradation controllable in physiological environments and environments similar to the tumor site. To ensure the targeted therapeutic effect, it will support cell viability and proliferation and facilitate the release of chemotherapeutic drugs (CMs) in a controllable manner.

Integrated development project for advanced medical treatment technologies Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0728 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE MEDICO-MILITARA „CANTACUZINO” (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PITESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://teramed.inflpr.ro/

Abstract:

In order to increase community’s quality of life, the aim of the project proposal entitled “Integrated development project for advanced medical treatment technologies” (TERAMED) is to develop novel technologies with respect to the treatment of osseous and cutaneous conditions and oncological disorders. Given our experience in healthcare research and the current requirements of multidisciplinary and interinstitutional collaboration towards the personalized treatment purpose, the TERAMED project aims genuine synthesis and processing of biomaterials, but also functional and therapeutic evaluation relevant for clinical trials. The main objectives of the “Medical devices functionalized by laser technologies and alternatives for enhanced osseous integration and regeneration” subproject are to design and produce inorganic, composite or hybrid coatings for superior osteoconductive and osteoinductive performances of titanium-based implants. Smart wound patches and polymeric gels functionalized with antimicrobial and wound healing biomolecules incorporated within micro- and nanoparticles constitute the purpose of the “Medical devices (patches and gels) based on composite biomaterials obtained by laser, plasma and radiation technologies and alternatives for enhanced healing of cutaneous injuries” subproject. The “Technologies based on magnetic triggered nanostructures for oncological therapy: early diagnosis and targeted treatment” subproject aims the development of multifunctional medical devices for specific and selective diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and melanoma. The general impact of the TERAMED project ensues from the beneficial conjunction of the clinical potential of the proposed medical devices, the feasible technological transfer and the economic advantages of interinstitutional collaboration.

Technologies for elastomeric nanocomposites development for low temperature and radiation resistant O-rings manufacturing, with potential applications in space, aeronautics, security and other related fields Call name:
PCDI – STAR – ROSA 140/2017 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEXTILE SI PIELARIE-I.N.C.D.T.P. BUCURESTI SUCURSALA BUCURESTI INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PIELARIE - INCALTAMINTE I.C.P.I.

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEXTILE SI PIELARIE-I.N.C.D.T.P. BUCURESTI SUCURSALA BUCURESTI INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PIELARIE - INCALTAMINTE I.C.P.I. (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE AEROSPATIALA "ELIE CARAFOLI" - I.N.C.A.S. BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://icpi.ro/icpi/nanoelasto/

Abstract:

Sealing solutions play a crucial role in any space application. O-rings are rubber seals used as "sealing solution" to prevent unwanted loss of gas or liquid. For our purposes, the materials used for O-rings, must be tested in different specific operating conditions of the outer space. Due to the insufficient low-temperature testing of the materials used for O-rings, January 28, 1986, one tragic O-ring failure happened in the framework of NASA’s space shuttle program. Seven astronauts were killed when the Challenger exploded at just over a minute after the launch. After this catastrophe the research, development and innovation activities were intensified, in order to obtain new and advanced elastomeric materials to manufacture O-rings used in the manned space programs, for the achievement of good seals, to provide high stability at low / high temperatures in different environments, ozone, radiation, amongst others. This project proposal is included in the same direction of research.

The main objective of the proposal is to improve seal characteristics of the material in order to apply it in aerospace and space field, through a new concept of technology and chemical composition. To achieve this objective, we will pursue the development of some advanced materials based on ethylene-propylene -diene terpolymers (EPDM), butyl rubber (IIR) and nano-fillers (silicon carbide - SiC, organically modified montmorillonite - OMMT) with enhanced properties (high stability to radiation, ageing and temperature, low temperature flexibility, long-term compression properties, very good physical, mechanical and chemical properties etc.), designed to obtain O-rings with potential use in space, aeronautics, security and related areas.

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