BrainMap

Melania Ana Popescu

PhD

Scientific Researcher - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: J-5267-2016

Curriculum Vitae (29/06/2021)

Expertise & keywords

MicroarraY platform based on yeast sensitive element for COLORimetric/fluorescent detection of PAThogens Call name: PNCDI IV, SP 5.7.1 - Proiect experimental demonstrativ
PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-1625 2025 - 2027

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); GENETIC LAB S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/microcolorpat/

Abstract:

The μ-COLOR-PAT project aims to develop an adaptable, inexpensive, and easy-to-handle high-throughput living-yeast cell microarray biochip for colourimetric and fluorimetric detection of microbial pathogens. The microarray biochip consists of a nanostructured surface that supports the immobilization of yeast cells expressing receptors for pathogen-specific proteins and a reporter gene for colourimetric and fluorimetric detection. The biochip will immobilize living yeast cells through entrapment using substrates such as hydrogels on PDMS and nanostructured silicon impregnated with cell media. Liquid biological samples will be directly applied to the chip surface for testing. The yeast strains that respond to a certain pathogen will present a colour change and fluorescent emission, allowing for both detection of infection and identification of pathogenic strains. The research teams, with experience in microarray technologies and nanomaterials (IMT-Bucharest) and molecular biology methods (GeneticLab), are confident that the project goal is achievable.

Flexible sensor for wearable health monitoring systems Call name: PNCDI IV, SP 5.7.1 - Proiect experimental demonstrativ
PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-2521 2025 - 2026

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); NCI GENOMICS S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/FlexSys

Abstract:

The FlexSys project aims at the development of flexible optical sensors for high sensitivity measurements toward the implementation of optical wearable technologies for health monitorization. In this framework, the project proposes the development of hybrid nanoassemblies based on core-shell silicon nanowires intended for solution-processed devices that can operate with green and red spectral sensitivity. Multiple technologies are proposed from the synthesis of surface engineered metal nanoparticles with control-by-design functionalities to the obtaining of graphene quantum dots and core-shell Si heterostructures that enable the printing of solution on flexible support and further integration with an electronic circuit board. The printable and flexible hybrid optical sensors are designed to operate on domain with cost and performance competitive over current employed technologies. Other aspects involve the in-depth characterization of nanomaterials and devices, exploration of the photoconduction mechanisms and revealing the relation between the performance parameters (responsivity, quantum efficiency or response time) and the nanomaterials design and configurations in order to select the most advantageous scheme for the highest technical performances. The operating parameters and the laboratory validation of the printable photodetectors will be measurable indicators for project results.

Wearable BIOsensor based on ISOthermal nucleic acid amplification for PAThogen detection from skin wounds Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-0580 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/BioIsoPat

Abstract:

Point-of-care (POC) biosensors enable the on-site detection of various analytes from a single specimen in resource-constrained settings, in a timely manner, allowing immediate clinical management decisions. Of utter importance is to detect pathogens related to severe infections, such as those generated from skin wounds. In this respect, various DNA amplification strategies were implemented on solid supports for the genomic identification of the infectious agents.

Owing to the flexible platform technologies which are thin, light, flexible and inexpensive, skin based wearables have been developed for monitoring heart rate, body temperature, pH etc. Despite the aforementioned advances in wearable POC devices, the development of wearable devices for nucleic acids detection is just at the beggining.

In Bio-Iso-Pat, the teams from Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology (LN-IMT) from the Institute of Microtechnologies Bucharest (IMT) and Molecular Pathology Laboratory from Emergency University Hospital Bucharest (Spitalul Universitar de Urgenta Bucuresti – SUUB) aim to develop an eco-friendly, flexible, patch-like biosensor coupled with a microfluidic system for the isothermal amplification of gene fragments specific to various pathogens found in skin lesions. Briefly, the wearable sensor will be made of a flexible, eco- and skin-friendly support onto which specific primers will be attached. The flexible support will be sealed with a PDMS microfluidic structure for creating the reaction chambers necessary for the isothermal amplification. DNA extraction-free solutions for nucleic acid amplification will be explored. The primers existing in solution will be fluorescently labelled and the detection will be carried using laser beams at corresponding wavelengths.

The biosensor will be tested under laboratory conditions, placing this project at TRL4 level.

Solid-phase isothermal amplification based on nanostructured Si platform for rapid detection of pathogens Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală - PD-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2021-0516 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/SPIonNANODET

Abstract:

Multiplexed point-of-care (xPOC) biosensors enable the on-site detection of various analytes from a single specimen in a timely manner, allowing immediate clinical management decisions. In this respect, isothermal amplification (IA) methods are suitable in xPOC for the genomic identification of the infectious agents. Optical microarray systems can be adopted in xPOC because they allow the parallel analysis of multiple biomolecules.

This project will address the urgent need for xPOC systems for the detection of various pathogens (bacterial/fungal). Hence, the main objective is to develop a nanostructured detection platform onto which a IA method will be implemented for the rapid amplification of DNA. This issue has been poorly studied in the research settings in Romania.

The project will focus at four different levels: 1) the development of a nanostructured Si platform with an appropriate surface functionalization for the binding of capture probes; 2) the manufacturing of PDMS cavities which will act as reaction chambers for the IA; 3) the design of primer sets and the optimization of LAMP reactions; 4) the statistical data analysis, in order to prove the specificity of the developed xPOC platform. The multidisciplinary nature of the project is strong, involving a combination of nanotechnology, surface chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and statistics.

Paper-based microfluidic platform for the concentration and amplification of nucleic acids Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1886 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/HEAD-NAS/

Abstract:

Paper-based microfluidic devices are attractive, low-cost and user-friendly diagnostic platforms for nucleic acids (NAs) amplification and testing. However, they have limited clinical applications due to their relatively lower sensitivity and the substantial amount of NAs as required for detection. Therefore, sensitive and specific detection of the NAs using paper-based microfluidics requires incorporation and developing on the same device of sample preparations steps and amplification. The project proposes to design, fabricate and test a sample-to-answer 3D modular-microfluidic point of care platform (HEAD-NAs) that aim to work at with low NAs concentrations. The platform integrates four different modules: filtration, lysis, preconcentration and amplification. The original elements are related to: the method for sample preconcentration, the electrochemical lysing module, the thermophoretic convective valve, the design structure for NA amplification. A testing kit for detection enteric pathogens, having 5 independent detection points (one for control) for simultaneous detection of: Enteropathogenic/Enterohemorrhagic E. coli, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., rotavirus will be developed. The HEAD-NAs platform presents a great potential for commercialisation further national and EU collaborations.

Advanced techniques and increasing performance in the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Soluţii - 2020 - 1
PN-III-P2-2.1-SOL-2020-0090 2020 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/kit-SARS-CoV-2/

Abstract:

This project proposes to obtain and validate "Point-of-Care" (POC) methods and kits for early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim is to develop original solutions for: viral RNA detection kit using LAMP isothermal amplification, anti-SARS CoV 2 antibody detection kit, viral antigen detection kit and a rapid test kit by multiplexing the system (for schools, institutions, points border). The kits will be of the "sample-to-answer" type, a plastic cartridge that supports a microfluidic system on paper. The proposed methods are cheap (3-4 Euro / piece), fast and precise (the LAMP method of isothermal amplification of nucleic acids is qualitative at the level of the "golden method" - rtPCR). Nasopharyngeal exudate and saliva (recently approved by the FDA) will be used as biological samples. Validation will be done on clinical trials by reference to the classical rtPCR method. By implementing the viral RNA detection kit for the saliva sample, Romania can become the first country in the world to introduce pandemic testing at home. The proposed solution may have a decisive effect in reducing SARS CoV2 infection, but also with a media effect in the international press and the scientific community.

New methods of pregnancy monitoring and prenatal diagnosis Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0820 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO); INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL PENTRU SANATATEA MAMEI SI COPILULUI "ALESSANDRESCU-RUSESCU" BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: https://www.imt.ro/mimosa/

Abstract:

The Complex Project „ New methods of pregnancy monitoring and prenatal diagnosis” proposes to define and develop new biomedical devices for pregnant women and foetus monitoring, with the purpose to avoid life-threating complications for both the mother and the child.

It will be developed through four Component Projects:

1. Prenatal non-invasive screening, using cell free fetal DNA, extracted from the mother’s blood. It will develop a chip for the non-invasive detection of the SRY gene, together with a working protocol for a new type of non-invasive analysis for the early prenatal diagnosis.

2. Non-invasive microsensors for continuous glucose monitoring during pregnancy – proposes the technology development for a non-invasive glucose sensor to measure the glucose level in saliva. The project will support the continuous monitoring of pregnant women, avoiding dangers effects coming from the invasive methods (inflammations, infections).

3. Evaluation of premature birth risks due to the HPV-EVA-RINA infection. The project will develop clinical studies related to the HPC infection involvement in triggering premature birth, using genotyping microarray-type structures;

4. Wireless multi-sensor system for foetal activity and uterine contractions monitoring and classification during pregnancy – aims to develop an intelligent system, containing a wireless network of wearable sensors and a main unit for signal processing and analysis.

The complex project description includes the novelty elements, detailed activities description, the working procedures within the consortium, expected results and deliverables. The deliverables has an average TRL 5, which means all four component projects will have a high technological level and the result’s maturity will reach at least successful laboratory testing.

Microscale hybrid energy storage devices for integrated portable electronics - MiStorE Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0974 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/mistore/rezultate.php

Abstract:

Development of clean and renewable energy systems, either for conversion or storage of energy devices, represents a legitimate technological trend, in accordance with the needs of the energy foreground program. In this regard, the electrochemical energy production/storage devices represent a valuable alternative and include batteries, fuel cells and electrochemical capacitors. In this very context, the present project proposes a novel research approach for miniaturized supercapacitors. Thus, the MiStorE project realizes a connection of researches from micro/nanotechnologies and advanced materials areas to the integrated portable electronics requirements aiming the development of a novel energy storage device as a hybrid nanosystems assembly.

We previously explored the transport properties of GQDs, and the conductivity of the carbon based screen-printed electrodes modified with MoS2 nano-flakes and GQDs, and we revealed the GQD charge storage capacity and the improvement of the electrochemical response, which place us at the TRL 2 value at this moment. To the best of our knowledge, there is no literature on the the supercapacitive properties of the GQDs-MoS2 nano-assembly. Due to the scarcity of the results we believe to find an opportunity to exploit our previous findings, for realizing hybrid MSC based on GQDs and MoS2 nano-assemblies aiming improving the energy density while maintaining high power density.

The following components will be realized: (i) original heterostructures with supercapacitive properties, which provide high delivered specific capacitance and low equivalent series resistance; (ii) all solid state flexible planar microscale supercapacitor system (MSC). The laboratory-scale testing of the hybrid MSC performances corresponds to the TRL 4 value.

Multiplexed platform for HPV genotyping – MultiplexGen Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1434 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); GENETIC LAB S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/multiplexgen/index.php

Abstract:

MultiplexGen project addresses a current problem in medical diagnosis, detection in an accurate and specific way of Human papillomavirus (HPV) and sets out to explore specific solutions from micro- nanotechnology to overcome the limitations of the conventional tests, which are not quantitative and exclude multiplexing. The aim of the project is to develop a high sensitivity multiplexed platform which consists of different functional levels, and as a consequence is generic named “multilevel system”. It is based on hybrid organic-inorganic / bio-nonbiological assemblies able to enhance diagnostic capabilities by exploiting the bridge between bio-systems and micro-nanotechnologies, thus overcoming many of the limitations of the existing methods for Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and genotyping.

This proposal has evolve as a result of numerous discussions initiated by researchers from the clinical laboratory - SME – GeneticLab with their colleagues from Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology - IMT (LN-IMT) about various specific issues they encountered in their activity related to HPV genotyping by capillary electrophoresis kit, which are identified as primary technical and scientific barriers that will be lifted by carrying out the present project. The long time collaboration encouraged them to believe that IMT will find a technological answer to the problem posed by the classical diagnosis method, and furthermore, Centre of Applied and Organic Chemistry - UB (CAOC) will provide a theoretical understanding of the processes and phenomena taking place in HPV genotyping.

The issues supposed to be solved related to the mentioned thematic area, which represents the secondary objectives of the project, are encompassing the fundamental and technological knowledge and are parts of our functional model demonstration, as following: (i) to obtain a microarray based technology for accurate HPV genotyping; (ii) to improve the up to now reported results in terms of sensitivity / selectivity by connecting the biochip to a microfluidic system; (iii) to indicate the optimum design for biochip to allow parallel detection and in this way confirmation of results; (iv) to propose a heterogeneous technology for integration and 3D packaging and correpondingly a functional hybrid assembly of all these modules for a further disposable system developing.

Therefore, an extensive investigation and optimization of the benefits that our knowledge in genetics, microfluidic technology, microarray technology, surface biofunctionalization, as well as opto-electrical read-out signal analyses are able to bring a valuable tool to a medical diagnostic laboratory, a chip class of devices, with important specific HPV detection / genotyping application. For example, combining the fields of microfluidics and DNA microarrays, the advantages of both directions can be exploited simultaneously, mediated by valuable new knowledge about biointeractions and biohybrid assembling.

Besides the envisaged final outcome of this project, the functional model of hybrid multilevel system for HPV genotyping, the modules and even more, each specific technology improvement are of high value by themselves each of them being independently used thenceforth. State-of-the-art scientific results in all of the disciplines involved will be the direct project outcomes, which will be proven by the publications on microfluidics, on-chip sample preparation, and on clinical comparison of HPV detection technologies in international journals and at international conferences.

Improved production methods to minimize metallic nanoparticles’ toxicity – less classic, more green Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1780 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); AGHORAS INVENT SRL (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/lesmorenano/

Abstract:

The demand for engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) comes from the great promise for major advances in different areas of applications, practically all fields of knowledge being in some way or another related with nanomaterials. Among the different kinds of ENPs, the special properties of metallic NPs (MeNPs) make them attractive for most of the domains, from opto-electronic industry to biomedicine. As a result of these applications, MeNPs exposure to the environment and humans is becoming increasingly widespread.

The present proposal lies in this very context of the nanotoxicology, and it has taken shape as a result of numerous discussions initiated by researchers from a small enterprise which develop and put on the market novel cosmetic products based on different types of nanoparticles – Aghoras Invent SRL – and consequently has a direct interest in analyzing their potential adverse effects.

The aim of this project is to provide a better understanding of MeNPs safety and a basis for health and risk assessment. Consequently, an intensive work on hazard characterization and impact assessment of selected nanoparticles and economically relevant products is proposed. In this context, the end-of-project results will be: (i) as technological development, from experimental point of view, different sizes/shapes of Au, Ag and PtNPs, relevant for skin care products’ development, will be obtained using both, conventional chemical reduction and eco-friendly methods. Stable and homogenous metallic nanoparticle colloidal dispersions with specific size ranges are aimed, using eco-friendly processes and the chemical reduction routes; appropriated surface functionalization will be also realized, since it provides stability, solubility and retention of optical properties in various media; (ii) as a nanoparticle properties’ study, advanced equipments for analytical characterization will be used and also, the up to date nanotoxicology specific in vitro tests will be used to accomplish the final proposed objective of this project, giving a strong support for a correct decision. Furthermore, this project aims to extend the use of existing ‚state of the art’ methods.

In summary, this project addresses: ¤ increased concern of national and international regulatory organizations; ¤ reticence of companies and manufacturers of developing NP based products and technologies in absence of clear safety standards; ¤ nanotoxicology emerging research field; ¤ assessing NP toxicology an extreme complex research effort due to a large multitude of NP variables; ¤ imperative necessity to find effective countermeasures to the potential hazards represented by NPs; ¤ green synthesis as a route for diminishing / elimination of NP adverse effects on health and environment.

It will provide our contribution to the common efforts of research community offering answers about the potential toxicological effects of three classes on MeNPs and also proposing fabrication alternative, to minimize the negative consequences as greener pathways to nanoproducts.

Identification of new modulators of calcium-regulated processes using genomic and chemogenomic screens in yeast Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0291 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); APEL LASER S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.calchemgen.ro/

Abstract:

Calcium ions are used by virtually all eukaryotic cells to signal information about the environment and the physiological state of the cell, or to regulate various cellular processes such as initiation of gene expression, alterations in cell shape, membrane fusion, or programmed cell death. Excessive or unregulated levels of calcium induce a variety of drastic defects, such as uncontrolled cell proliferation, aberrant cell morphology, or cell death, leading to disruption of normal metabolism and initiation of various diseases. The versatility of calcium-mediated regulation of key physiological processes requires extensive research to identify the interplay between calcium signaling, mechanisms of diseases and discovery of new drugs.

The aim of this project is to utilize Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to unravel new insights into the calcium-regulated cell mechanisms and to investigate the applicability of in house newly-synthesized chemicals as novel therapeutic and imaging agents, selected through interactions with the calcium-dependent pathway components. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a unicellular eukaryotic organism extensively used for the study of conserved processes and for getting information that can be further extrapolated to complex organisms like humans. The current proposal was initiated by highly-promising preliminary results obtained in the laboratories of the coordinating group. These results are based on novel and spectacular cell modifications which mimic aberrations in fundamental processes such as cell shape, cell polarity, and cell proliferation, representing the center of a complex network of research which will be established by the project.

The project will imply systemic investigations such as genomic profilings paralleled by chemo-genomic screens designed to identify new interactions between small molecules and calcium-related biologic processes. The proposed work will provide an unprecedented coverage on structure-function information, facilitating the analysis of synergistic and antagonistic interactions between molecular components of calcium-related metabolism. The project is multidisciplinary, involving a plethora of aspects related to cell and molecular biology, genetics, chemical synthesis and analysis, high-throughput screening, bioinformatics and imaging.

This project will be carried out by a consortium of four partner groups with relevant research and innovation expertise: University of Bucharest (as coordinating organization, CO), Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy (Partner P1), National Institute of Research and Development for Microtechnology (Partner P2), and a small enterprise, Apel Laser (Partner P3). The consortium was established based on the state-of-the-art infrastructure already existent in the implementing institutions and on the strong complementarities between the research and market expertise of the partner groups.

Array structures for prevention, individualized diagnosis and treatment in cancers with high risk of incidence and mortality Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0803 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.ALEXANDRU TRESTIOREANU BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.ALEXANDRU TRESTIOREANU BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website: http://www.iob.ro/proiectepniv.html

Abstract:

Cancer is a worldwide health problem and represents a major public health challenge as it is responsible for 25% of all deaths, being the second most common cause of death after cardio-vascular diseases. In considerations of these peculiarities and of the socio-economic impact of the expected rise of cancer, it appears of priority importance to address the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of this disease more effectively. One of the main directions currently pursued for increasing the proportion of positive responses in the treatment of cancer is the attempt to individualize treatment. Investigation of gene expression profiling is a relatively new methodology for characterization of cancer at the molecular level which tends to be a very useful tool because of its potential to improve clinical management of disease. Very surprising in a way, if the knowledge on molecular aspects of human cancer strongly developed in the last 20 – 30 years, much less data exist in respect to animal cancers, yet this one tends to become an important problem, especially for pets.

The main objectives of the project are designing, fabrication, tests and validation of array structures that could be used to details molecular / genetic particularities of two major forms of cancer: breast cancer, and colon cancer, in order to develop new tools for cancer prevention, and for an individualized ways of diagnosis, treatment and prognostic, both in humans and animals. Interest genes will be RAS, for breast cancer (humans and animals) and colon cancer (humans), and BRCA, for breast cancer, in humans and animals and for cancer prevention. Other expected achievements will be: contribution to existing data on molecular characteristics of cancer; comparative studies between humans and animals referring to cancer genes expression; translation of the results in human and animal clinics; identification of risk groups for breast cancer.

Development of reference methods for hazard identification, risk assessment and LCA of engineered nanomaterials Call name: EC-FP7
FP7-101043-263147 2011 - 2015

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: NordMiljö O. Grahn AB

Project partners: NordMiljö O. Grahn AB (SE); INMETRO INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE METROLOGIA, QUALIDADE E TECNOLOGIA (BR); AHMEDABAD UNIVERSITY PUBLIC TRUST (IN); VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V. (BE); UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MINAS GERAIS (BR); VENETO NANOTECH SOCIETA CONSORTILEPER AZIONI (IT); UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA (ES); CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT SCPA (IT); KEEMILISE JA BIOLOOGILISE FUUSIKA INSTITUUT (EE); COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (IN); BUNDESANSTALT FUER ARBEITSSCHUTZ UND ARBEITSMEDIZIN (DE); FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV (DE); STRATICELL SCREENING TECHNOLOGIES SA (BE); TAMPEREEN YLIOPISTO (FI); HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR UMWELTFORSCHUNG GMBH - UFZ (DE); THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (GB); NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (GB); NANOLOGICA AB (SE); DIN DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FUER NORMUNG EV (DE); PARIS-LODRON-UNIVERSITAT SALZBURG (AT); INSTITUTE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY (GB); EIDGENOESSISCHE ANSTALT FUER WASSERVERSORGUNG ABWASSERREINIGUNG UND GEWAESSERSCHUTZ (CH); BUNDESANSTALT FUER MATERIALFORSCHUNG UND -PRUEFUNG (DE); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETAREDEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE (RO); ARKEMA FRANCE SA (FR); QUANTIS (CH); GRIMM AEROSOL TECHNIK Gmbh & Co KG (DE); ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING MCGILL UNIVERSITY (CA); DET NATIONALE FORSKNINGSCENTER FOR ARBEJDSMILJØ (DK); UNIVERSITE DE NAMUR ASBL (BE); UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI (SI); JRC -JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE- EUROPEAN COMMISSION (BE)

Affiliation: INMETRO INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE METROLOGIA, QUALIDADE E TECNOLOGIA (BR)

Project website: http://www.nanovalid.eu

Abstract:

DNA Biosensing with Silicon-on-Insulator Substrates-BIS-SOI Call name: P 3 - SP 3.1 - Proiecte de mobilități, România-Franța (bilaterale)
PN-III-P3-3.1-PM-RO-FR-2016-0063 2016 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); Institut polytechnique de Grenoble-INP- : Grenoble-INP (FR)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Scopul proiectului BIS-SOI este de a valida conceptul unui biosenzor ADN bazat pe o măsurare electrică directă a unui substrat de siliciu-izolator-siliciu (SOI). Principalul interes rezidă în simplitatea sa și procesul de fabricație ieftin, care constă într-o etapă de litografia și fotogravură urmate de realizarea elementului sensitiv. Avantajele senzorului propus sunt: (i) sensibilitatea, garantată prin utilizarea de substraturi ultra-subțiri de filme de siliciu si izolatori, în care conductia din film este foarte puternic influențat de sarcina de pe suprafața sa superioară a acestuia (expertiză de IMEP-LAHC); (ii) selectivitatea obtinuta datorita unui protocol de functionalizare și hibridizare adaptat tipului de suprafata utilizata pentru obtinerea senzorilor (expertiza IMT); (iii) reutilizarea senzorilor, care va oferi o valoare economică extraordinară. In acest context, BIS-SOI se incadreaza in nevoile clinice de dezvoltare de tehnologii noi si îmbunătățite de diagnostic fiind un punct de start pentru dezvoltarea viitoare de dispozitive integrare complexe de tip laborator-on-a-chip astfel ca continuarea cercetarilor poate fi realizata prin de proiecte comune Horizon 2020. Mai mult un rezultat masurabil al acestui proiect il constituie valorificarea rezultatelor prin publicarea in lucrari comune, cotate ISI.

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