BrainMap

Mr. Ovidiu Balacescu

Dr.

Senior Researcher (CSI), PhD - INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Curriculum Vitae (14/10/2019)

Expertise & keywords

Long ncRNAs roles in cancer stem-like cells resistance to therapy in breast cancer Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-1984 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://www.iocn.ro/en/Research/The-projects-web-pages/BREASTSTEMRES.html

Abstract:

This project will investigate the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer stem-like cell (CSC) resistance to standard chemotherapy in breast cancers. CSCs have been showed to be responsible for resistance to standard therapy. Moreover, they are preferentially selected during conventional treatments and are able to repopulate the tumours and induce recurrence. LncRNAs have received increased attention due to their markedly different expression between tumour and normal tissues and recent association with treatment resistance. Therefore, lncRNAs have the potential to be easily translated into clinical practice as they provide better alternatives to targeting protein-coding genes, with fewer side effects. This is important since the human and financial tolls of breast cancer are steadily rising as more patients present baseline resistance rendering standard therapies ineffective, and consequently unnecessary. Therefore, we will screen for doxorubicin and carboplatin resistance specific lncRNAs in cancer stem-like cells isolated from breast cancer cells. We will characterize the functional and mechanistic roles of the most representative lncRNAs and validate their clinical application.

Non-Invasive Intelligent Systems for Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis Based on Circulating miRNA Integrated in the Clinical Workflow Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1959 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: SOLUTIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS SAIA

Project partners: SOLUTIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS SAIA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); RIVEL MARKET SRL (RO)

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

Project website: http://rivel.ro/intelcor/

Abstract:

The INTELCOR project will develop the best non-invasive colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis, early detection, differential diagnosis (with benign adenoma), and progression prediction tests. The last two tests will be developed for the first time. To be considered the best, the tests should be the most accurate (95%-100%), robust, and transparent. The tests are based on circulating microRNA (non-invasive) and advanced artificial intelligence methods (the highest robust accuracy). They will be also white-box or transparent models, discovered from microarray data, and their relationship with the hallmarks of cancer will be revealed, using knowledge mining in various knowledge bases. These tests will take as inputs the levels of circulating microRNA biomarkers discovered by us, and will output a diagnosis - normal, CRC, or adenoma - or a prognosis - progressive or non-progressive CRC. To transform these molecular and cellular models into real clinical decision support (intelligent) systems, they will be embedded in an automated CRC clinical workflow, created for the first time. The tests will be also implemented as Software as a Service (SaaS) and in hardware (via FPGA), to further increase their commercial potential. This will be done for the first time for a medical test. INTELCOR is a highly interdisciplinary project. Thus, UMF Cluj (P1) will enroll and investigate the CRC patients clinically, pathologically, imagistic, and will produce the corresponding microarray data. SAIA (CO) will develop a bioinformatics data analysis workflow and use it to develop the tests, which will be functionally analyzed together with P1. Rivel Market (P2) will develop and implement a top level CRC Electronic Medical Records for data integration, and the first automated CRC clinical workflow for tests integration into clinical practice. They will also implement the tests as software packages, as SaaS, and in hardware, for commercial reasons. As validation on large cohort of patients is known to improve the credibility and the marketability of omics tests, more data will be acquired from specialized companies. All available data will be integrated by CO in a multicenter database and a meta-analysis will be performed. As in any project combining high throughput data with artificial intelligence, the number of microarray samples and the computational power are important, but costly. INTELCOR is carefully designed to satisfy the financial and time constraints and reach not only the best published results, but also the best CRC omics tests on the market, by properly combining the human resources and facilities of the 3 partners with the project budget.

Intelligent Systems for Recurrence and Progression Prediction in Superficial Bladder Cancer based on Artificial Intelligence and Microarray Data: tumor mRNA and plasma microRNA Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1221 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: SOLUTIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS SAIA

Project partners: SOLUTIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS SAIA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO)

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

Project website: http://www.saia.ro/?p=17

Abstract:

IntelUro will develop the most accurate (95%-100%) intelligent predictive systems for superficial bladder cancer recurrence and progression. For a new patient, these systems will take as inputs the level of tumor mRNA or plasma microRNA (non-invasive) biomarkers discovered by us, and will predict if the patient will evolve toward recurrence/progression or not. Thus, the therapy could be personalized for the benefit of the patient with a dramatic decrease of the management costs. UMF Cluj (P1) will perform the complex clinical and pathological investigations of the patients, and the microarray experiments. SAIA (CO), will implement a software platform for data collection and integration with data available from other international centers, and will develop a bioinformatics methodology and workflow, combining statistical and advanced artificial intelligence techniques, for knowledge discovery in this multicenter database. ICIA (P3) will collaborate with SAIA in various stages of the development and implementation of the integrated bioinformatics platform. SAIA and UMF will collaborate in interpreting the clinical and biological meaning of intermediary and final results, like the specific alterations of signaling pathways discovered or the clinical decision support offered by some predictions. As in any project combining high throughput data with artificial intelligence, the number of microarray samples and the computational power are important, but costly. IntelUro is carefully designed to satisfy the financial and time constraints and reach the best published results, by properly combining the human resources and facilities of the 3 partners with the project budget. The project will be carried out with the highest possible ethical standards, complying with all EU and national regulations.

Early detection of post-therapeutic relapses of colorectal adenocarcinoma by tumoral and immunological markers follow-up in peripheral blood Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0753 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul Oncologic „Prof. Dr. I. Chiricuţă”

Project partners: Institutul Oncologic „Prof. Dr. I. Chiricuţă” (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul Oncologic „Prof. Dr. I. Chiricuţă” (RO)

Project website: http://srrom.ro/277/index277.html

Abstract:

The aim of our study is to identify novel markers with prognostic value for post-therapeutic relapses of colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC). Current guidelines recommend the carcinoembryonic antigen, colonoscopy and computed-tomography for the follow-up of CRC. Still, 80% of the patients relapse in the first two years after initial treatment and the majority are detected in a symptomatic phase, having an unfavorable outcome. Our study rallies to the numerous efforts oriented toward optimizing the follow-up procedures in CRC. We are focusing on circulating tumor cells (CTC) and immunological changes detectable in the peripheral blood of patients with CRC progression. We intend to enroll 50 patients diagnosed with CRC, disease-free after surgery with curative intent. We will follow them according to current guidelines for a median period of 24 months. At baseline and every 3 months during follow-up period we will collect peripheral blood for detection of CTC, T-cell subsets, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, as well as serum markers like transthyretin, serum alfa-enolase and macrophage migration inhibitory factor. These variables, obtained by minimal invasive procedures, will be correlated with data regarding the primary tumor. We intend to genotype the tumor by RNA microarray and Real-Time PCR and to phenotype it by immunohistochemistry. The identified biomarkers will be afterwards proposed for testing in a new prospective clinical study.

Assessment of the platinum-based drugs effects in colorectal carcinoma with emphasize on tumor stem cells functional genomics and immunomodulation Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-1057 2011 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul Oncologic "Prof.Dr.I.Chiricuta" Cluj Napoca

Project partners: Institutul Oncologic "Prof.Dr.I.Chiricuta" Cluj Napoca (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.iocn.ro/CERCETARE/Pagini-Web-proiecte/Idei-250.html

Abstract:

The investigation of platinum-based drug effect on tumor stem cells responsible for tumor generation and propagation is a novel and expanding field, and in the colorectal cancer casuistry they are many features uncovered. Studies concerning the action of platinum compounds against immune mechanisms focusing activated lymphocytes involved could bring novelties in the field of cancer cell biochemistry and function. Our aim is to perform a multidisciplinary and translational study that impact patient care in colorectal carcinoma. The project objective is to evaluate the platinum-containing drugs effect on stem cells in colorectal carcinoma, this population being responsible for the resistance against chemotherapy treatment. It is feasible to assess the platinum-treated stem cells, with accent on apoptosis, multidrug resistance, metabolism and cell signaling. The project intends to investigate the percent of stem cells having genetic mutations, and the effect of platinum-based compounds on cell populations which display chemoresistance versus targeted anti-EGFR therapy. We propose also to examine the lymphocyte populations implicated in antitumoral immune response, emphasizing the CD8 positive T lymphocytes and the natural killer cells, in order to establish the magnitude of immunomodulation following the platinum compounds action. By completing the proposed objectives, we intend to bring new, significant results in biochemistry of the platinum compounds.

Impact of feed co-contamination and mitigating solutions to increase feed safety, animal health and food quality. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0616 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIOLOGIE SI NUTRITIE ANIMALA - IBNA BALOTESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIOLOGIE SI NUTRITIE ANIMALA - IBNA BALOTESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" RA (RO); ASOCIATIA CENTRU DE CERCETARE STIINTIFICA IN DOMENIUL BIOCHIMIEI APLICATE SI BIOTEHNOLOGIEI (BIOTEHNOL) (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://www.ibna.ro/activitate/proiecte/PN2-parteneriate.php

Abstract:

The extent and impact of the situations when animals are exposed to more than one contaminant remain to be analysed and quantified and this is the major objective of this research project. That is why, the present project will develop a comprehensive approach to reach a better understanding of the interaction between different contaminants of feed and food: co-contaminants and propose mitigating solutions in case of feed co-contaminations. One of the most often reported co-contamination in the field includes microorganisms (Echerichia coli, Salmonella etc, the main food borne human pathogens originated from the animal gut) and natural toxins such as mycotoxins, which are the most frequent natural contaminants of cereals. For many contaminants of the agro-food chain there is no regulations/legal limits of tolerance issued by the European Commission, the National Ministries of Agriculture or by the National Sanitary Veterinary Agencies. The elaboration of some regulations and its enactment is imperiously necessary. More recently, EFSA (EFSA Journal, 2010) recommends conducting in-depth studies to document that the doses accepted as maximal limits have no genotoxic effects. Using new tools of genomics and proteomics (PCR microarrays, real time PCR, western blot, xMAP array), the present project will give a better insight in the mechanisms of action of co-contamination and based on the data supplied by these new tools it want to determine the maximal tolerance levels (norms) for some contaminants commonly present in the growing pigs (10-30 kg) diet. The project also, propose mitigating solutions in case of feed co-contaminations In this regard a probiotic bacterial product is currently under development in IBNA laboratory which has proved healthy benefits and excellent efficacy in reducing the gastrointestinal infections in pig as well as in other farm animals either in experimental trails or in commercial farms. The project focuses on the pig. The pig is a great cons

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator
List of research grants as partner team leader
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