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Romania
Citizenship:
Romania
Ph.D. degree award:
1998
Mr.
Vlad Tudor
Popa
PhD
Senior Researcher
-
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU
Other affiliations
research associate
-
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
(
United States of America
)
Researcher | Scientific reviewer | Manager
>20
years
Web of Science ResearcherID:
C-4177-2011
Personal public profile link.
Curriculum Vitae (02/05/2025)
Expertise & keywords
Chemical kinetics
Chemical thermodynamics
complex reactions
nonuniform binding
Catalysis
Biocalorimetry
bacterial growth modeling
Protein folding
protein denaturation
Protein-Ligand interactions
Advanced materials (oxides, alloys, composites, nanoparticles, microparticles)
Heat storage
Metal catalysts
metal-oxide catalysts
Projects
Publications & Patents
Entrepreneurship
Reviewer section
Protein amyloid aggregates – polyphenol interaction for food and pharmaceutics application
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-2023-0189
2025
-
2026
Role in this project:
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Affiliation:
Project website:
Abstract:
The misfolding of proteins and their subsequent assembly into amyloid fibrils are pathological hallmarks of different types of amyloidosis. Therefore, decoding of the aggregation processes represents a crucial step towards diagnosis and therapy of the disease. On the other hand, amyloid fibrils are considered as promising building blocks for novel biomaterials with potential applications for targeted drug delivery or improved food products. We propose a physical-chemical approach intended to characterize the interaction of polyphenols with several model protein aggregates, with emphasis on amyloid-like fibrils obtained in diverse experimental conditions (temperature, salt, pH). We will study the protein denaturation and aggregation kinetics to estimate the molecular mechanisms that govern these processes. The calorimetric and spectroscopic methods will provide new information concerning polyphenol influence on protein aggregates. The main objective of the project is the development of a young, independent research team focused on a deeper insight into the action of polyphenols on the protein aggregation process, a way to understand the features of aggregates and amyloid-like structures with applications in pharmaceutical and food industry.
Read more
TARGETED MULTIFUNCTIONAL NANOEMULSIONS TO INTERRUPT METASTATIC PROGRESSION
Call name:
P 3 - SP 3.2 - Proiecte ERA.NET - COFUND
COFUND-ERANET EURONANOMED 3-METASTARG
2019
-
2022
Role in this project:
Key expert
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, M.P. (ES); Aptus Biotech S.L. (ES); Internattional Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (PT); Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (INT) (IT); Stanipharm (FR)
Affiliation:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Project website:
http://www.icf.ro/pr_2019/METASTARG/index.html
Abstract:
Metastases are the major cause of death in cancer patients with solid tumors. In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), highly metastatic locally and in distal organs, the 5-year mean survival is lower than 5% in the metastatic setting. Occult micrometastases (OM) are, by definition, small clusters of metastatic cells, and can only be detected by highly invasive molecular methods, remaining largely untreated and eventually leading to the formation of metastases. Early detection of OM and treatment can interrupt progression to macroscopic metastasis, and ultimately improve survival.
METASTARG is an innovative solution relying on nanotechnology for the early detection and treatment of OM to cause a direct impact in the survival of the disease, quality of life, and health-economics. METASTARG Nanoemulsions are developed to identify OM by novel characteristic targets found in metastatic cells and Interrupt Metastasis Progression (NIMPs). This unique patient-driven approach has the potential to become a gold standard in the treatment and monitoring of NSCLC cancer.
We have developed sphingomyelin nanoemulsions (SN) that are easy to manufacture, stable, non-toxic, and can incorporate active ingredients and radionuclides. We have surface-decorated them with ligands to mediate a specific interaction with the biomarker Taste receptor type 1 member 3 (TAS1R3), identified by molecular analysis of metastatic cancer cells isolated from the blood of patients with NSCLC (Circulating Tumor Cells, CTCs). In this project, we address a multidisciplinary and translational research to i) optimize the technology to develop NIMPs with the ultimate aim of improving patient survival, ii) understand the biophysics of targeting metastasis to improve NIMPs interaction with OM, iii) generate the proof-of-concept for NIMPS activity in relevant in vitro and in vivo models representative of the micrometastatic situation in NSCLC, and iv) advance in the translation of NIMPs to a clinical setting.
Read more
Safety testing in the life cycle of nanotechnology-enabled medical technologies for health
Call name:
Horizon 2020 , Grant nr. 814607
2019
-
2022
Role in this project:
Key expert
Coordinating institution:
TECNOLOGIA NAVARRA DE NANOPRODUCTOS S.L. (TECNAN)
Project partners:
TECNOLOGIA NAVARRA DE NANOPRODUCTOS S.L. (TECNAN) (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Affiliation:
TECNOLOGIA NAVARRA DE NANOPRODUCTOS S.L. (TECNAN) (RO)
Project website:
Abstract:
Read more
SOFT INTERACTIONS IN POLYMER AND HYBRID HYDROGELS INVESTIGATED BY ELECTRON PARAMAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY
Call name:
P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0734
2017
-
2019
Role in this project:
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Affiliation:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Project website:
http://www.icf.ro/pr_2017/CTR_86-2017/index.html
Abstract:
The project aim is to approach structural aspects of polysaccharide hydrogels with self-healing properties or represented by interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. This is a physico-chemical method that provides highly specific local information on the environment around the paramagnetic species in a range of several nanometers. As polysaccharides are diamagnetic, spin labelling will be a necessary step in studying these hydrogels by EPR, in order to obtain information that can be further exploited in tailoring the properties of a particular hydrogel.
The major goals of this project are: 1) to get insight into the formation of hydrogels resulted through noncovalent assembly of polysaccharides, and 2) to analyse gel properties and some processes, taking place inside the hydrogel network, which can generate hybrid materials, all these in connection with their possible applications. The goals will be pursued by following five research objectives:
O1. Design of spin labelled self-healing hydrogels based on host-guest interactions
O2. Design of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels involving polysaccharides and the study of their behaviour by EPR spectroscopy
O3. Exploration of mesh size using EPR measurements and distribution of spin probes in the non-homogeneous systems represented by polysaccharide hydrogels
O4. Obtaining hybrid materials represented by self-healing and IPN polysaccharide hydrogels and inorganic nanoparticles
O5. Investigation of processes occurring in alginate/hyaluronic acid hydrogels embedded with riboflavin and irradiated with UVA light
Although the main technique will be EPR spectroscopy, the research will involve additional investigations and characterization by other techniques like porosimetry, electron microscopy, thermal analysis, rheology, fluorescence and IR spectroscopy, all readily available in our institute.
Read more
Development and implementation of Grouping and Safe-by-Design approaches within regulatory frameworks
Call name:
H2020-NMP-2014-two-stage, H2020: Research & Innovation Actions,
2015
-
2018
Role in this project:
Key expert
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Affiliation:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Project website:
http://www.nanoreg2.eu/
Abstract:
Read more
Fast thermal analysis evaluation of biopolymer biodegradability
Call name:
Postdoctoral Research Projects - PD-2011 call
PN-II-RU-PD-2011-3-0057
2011
-
2013
Role in this project:
Key expert
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA Ilie Murgulescu al Academiei Romane
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA Ilie Murgulescu al Academiei Romane (RO)
Affiliation:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA Ilie Murgulescu al Academiei Romane (RO)
Project website:
http://www.icf.ro/PD57/index.html
Abstract:
The project aims at the identification of correlation factors between the some physical parameters and the potential of biodegradation of new biopolymers (cellulose obtained by microbial biosynthesis, low density polyethylene in which natural antioxidants have been incorporated) by means of thermal methods complemented with structural and morphological analysis. The experimental study will be conducted using TGA coupled with FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and dilatometry. The objectives are: the comparative study of methods for determining physical properties of biopolymers; characterization of new biopolymers using thermal methods of analysis; bridging results of thermal analysis with those provided by XRD, FTIR and SEM; identifying of the possible correlation factors between data obtained from thermal analysis methods and microbiological studies in order to assess the microbiological potential for biodegradation. Starting from available experimental measurements a number of physical properties of biopolymers will be evaluated using a software package suitable for thermal analysis.The obtained results will form the basis of a model/method of assessment and forecasting of biodegradation of biopolymer materials, as an alternative to the standard methods of biodegradability evaluation which are expensive and long lasting. These results would also contribute to the theoretical design of new biopolymers with a higher biodegradability potential.
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Modernizing the research and development infrastructure within the „Ilie Murgulescu” Physical Chemistry Institute of the Romanian Academy, in order to extend the interdisciplinary research in the field of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies.
Call name:
Cod SMIS-CSNR 2701; Contract Nr. 19/01.03.2009
2009
-
2011
Role in this project:
Project coordinator
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Affiliation:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Project website:
http://lew.ro/infrananochem/
Abstract:
Read more
"Mathematical analysis of response experiments in chemical and biochemical kinetics, genetics and molecular biology "
Call name:
P-CD/ CEEx/ no.: o61126/2006
2006
-
2008
Role in this project:
Partner team leader
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE STATISTICA MATEMATICA SI MATEMATICA APLICATA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE''GHEORGHE MIHOC - CAIUS IACOB'
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE STATISTICA MATEMATICA SI MATEMATICA APLICATA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE''GHEORGHE MIHOC - CAIUS IACOB' ()
Affiliation:
INSTITUTUL DE STATISTICA MATEMATICA SI MATEMATICA APLICATA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE''GHEORGHE MIHOC - CAIUS IACOB' ()
Project website:
Abstract:
The project aimed at the heterologous expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase SL in the prokaryotic system, subsequently by purification to the level necessary for kinetic measurements.
The Institute of Biochemistry will also participate in the creation of a server and a website necessary for communication via the Internet between partners and for the dissemination of the results obtained.
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Fourier-transform thermoporometry (FTTP): a new advanced alternative to the porous materials method of investigation.
Call name:
MEC Nr. 6124/2000
2000
-
2002
Role in this project:
Project coordinator
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Affiliation:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Project website:
Abstract:
Read more
Kinetic approach to the energetic nonuniformity – structural sensitivity relationship on supported catalysts.
Call name:
Orizont 2000 nr. 842/1996
1999
-
2000
Role in this project:
Partner team leader
Coordinating institution:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU
Project partners:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Affiliation:
INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)
Project website:
Abstract:
Read more
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
[T: 1.0411, O: 283]