BrainMap

Andra-Sorina Tatar

Dr.

Research Assistant - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (11/10/2019)

Expertise & keywords

Active tuning of plasmon resonances in gold nanoparticle arrays on elastomeric substrates for ultrasensitive dual MEF/SERS biosensing Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1607 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/optigap/

Abstract:

The project titled Active tuning of plasmon resonances in gold nanoparticle arrays on elastomeric substrates for ultrasensitive dual MEF/SERS biosensing (OPTiGAP) aims to develop a disruptive approach to dual Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF)/ Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) biosensing: plasmonic nanostructures will be designed such that both MEF and SERS can be excited by a single laser source, based on active tuning of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) favouring either MEF or SERS process. The dual MEF/SERS molecular sensing platform will exploit real-time mechanical tuning of LSPRs in designed gold nanoparticle arrays, allowing to modulate the electromagnetic field enhancements in nano-gaps such that the fingerprint-like SERS signal can be collected despite the overwhelming MEF intensity. After careful design based on electromagnetic simulations, gold nanoparticle arrays will be fabricated and characterized. Their plasmonic properties will be investigated and understood, in order to apply them for dual MEF/SERS detection of specific biomarkers as are membrane proteins used to differentiate/ classify various metastatic cancer cells (EGFR or EpCAM). The OPTiGAP project can contribute to expanding the use of MEF and SERS beyond proof-of-concepts studies into viable real-life applications, by developing biosensing protocols exploiting a fluorescence read-out for fast imaging and Raman fingerprinting for multiplexed molecular identification.

Gold nanourchin (GNU)-based SERS microfluidic immunosensor for the early detection of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) relevant biomarkers Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0234 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/aldibisensers/home

Abstract:

This project focuses on the development of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based microfluidic sensor that makes use of the unique physical properties of gold nanourchins (GNUs) as efficient SERS-amplifiers, induced due to their spiky geometry. The specificity of the system is ensured by the employment of antibodies as molecular recognition moieties, which have the inherent property of binding the target antigen with high affinity. Herein, we aim to detect and quantify Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) specific biomarkers at concentrations that are relevant for early (pre-symptomatic) diagnosis, from biological samples that can be collected non-invasively, such as saliva, urine, or plasma. The miniaturisation of such a detection device through implementation in a microfluidics platform can offer advantages like low sample volume, short reaction time, robustness, reliability, and portability, with the potential for implementation as point-of-care devices.

New Targeted Optical Imaging NanoProbes for Near-Infrared (NIR) Real-Time (RT)Image-Guided Surgery of Ovarian Cancer Call name: P 4 - Proiecte Complexe de Cercetare de Frontieră
PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0142 2018 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

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

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/nanonirsurgery/home

Abstract:

Currently, a hot research topic is developing at the interface between physics, chemistry and materials science from one side and biology and medicine from other side, aiming to provide novel nano-tools for cancer treatment. However, despite advances in pre-operative imaging techniques, there is not a suitable intra-operative technique to provide real-time feedback to surgical oncologist to distinguish healthy tissue from malignant lesions and visualize submilimetrical tumor deposits. It is through a collaborative consortium gathering physicists, chemists, biochemists, biologists, oncologists, surgeons, histopathologists that this project addresses a challenging subject aiming to validate new targeted optical imaging nanoprobes for near-infrared (NIR) real-time image-guided surgery of ovarian cancer. Actually, we will develop targeted contrast agents to bind specifically to the FRα of ovarian cancer cells for enabling “visualization” of ovarian tumors by distinct optical signature in NIR. At the end of project, after their careful evaluation on ovarian cell lines /ovarian tumors xenografts / carcinomatose models, will be in position to proceed in the future as viable contrast agent in real-time image-guided ovarian cancer surgery. We focus our research effort to implement NIR optical nanoprobes containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved compounds as well to promote new related nano-compounds produced in our laboratories. Actually, the development of targeted contrast agent in the NIR wavelengths range is highly relevant and beneficial to cancer surgery as their signal does not compete with background signal of tissue emitted in visible light spectrum and, therefore, a clear and deep difference between healthy tissue and tumoral lesions can be delineated.

Nanoparticulate Systems for the Identification of Oncogenes and Delivery of Tumor Inhibitors: New Strategies for Individualized Treatment of B-lineage Leukemias Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-0919 2020 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/nanonoodles/pagina-de-pornire

Abstract:

The ongoing efforts made in the medical and pharmacological research for the development of new effective anti-cancer drug delivery agents represent enough evidence regarding the importance of this field of research and its strong growing potential. Lately, nanotechnology demonstrated a promising area for the development of such novel materials and this is due to the unique characteristics of nano-objects. With a strong interdisciplinary character (oncomedicine and nanotechnology), the proposed project aims to extend the very recent results obtained by the project leader and his team on the design of innovative nanosystems for the treatment of leukemias. As indicated by the title, (NanOparticulate Systems for the Identification of Oncogenes and Delivery of tumor inhibitors: new strategies for individualized treatment of B-lineage LEukemiaS (NOODLES), the project is focused on the developement of nanomedicines based on nanoparticulate systems that possess multi-functionalities: to identify specific oncogenes and altogether to serve as efficient vehicles for the delivery of tumor inhibitors against B-lineage leukemias. Specifically, we aim to bring an alternative, nanotechnology-based approach for the targeted delivery of tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs that are currently used in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment and to evaluate the efficacy of functional gold nanoparticles as diagnostic agents by tracking specific oncogenes, particularly up-regulated microRNAs, by following the optical response of the particles, in vitro. Further on, the possibility of visualising such nanovehicles in biological media through non-invasive spectroscopic methods will facilitate the management of the drug dosage for individual administration, which is critical for attaining a maximal therapeutic effect.

Development of SERS-active, NIR-responsive urchin-like gold nanoagents (GNUs) for stimuli-triggered theranostic applications against hematological malignancies Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0387 2020 - 2021

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/theragnustics

Abstract:

Recently, the development of smart nanomaterial-based therapeutics has substantially advanced mostly due to their capacity to function as alternatives to common approaches. Moreover, the vast array of bio-chemical and physical features like high surface area and interesting optical properties render them useful for multiple purposes such as therapy or improved diagnosis. Among young people, hematological malignancies (HMs) are some of the most common forms of cancer, resulting in unprecedented rates of long-term side-effects such as cognitive and cardio-pulmonary impairments that can greatly reduce their life-quality. The most promising chemotherapeutics employed against HMs at present are Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs), but these molecules still have disadvantages like insufficient solubility, bio-availability and specificity. Hence, with the intention of improving treatment success and reducing side-toxicities, this project aims to design a NIR-responsive urchin-like gold nano-agent (GNU) by encapsulating TKIs in hydrophobic pockets within an amphiphilic polymeric shell surrounding the gold core. By targeting the nanostructures to cancer cells using antibodies specific for an internalizing epitope, the particles are bound for the lysosomal compartment, where they encounter conditions such as hydrolytic enzymes and low pH. The ‘smart’ polymeric shell developed herein will respond and react to these stimuli, ensuring intracellular drug release exclusively within the target cells. Additionally, the GNU plasmonic cores will confer diagnosis value to the system, due to their exceptional optical properties namely a high SERS-active background signal. Tailoring particle morphology can tune their plasmonic response into the NIR ‘biological window’ domain, a feature that, in combination with the time-effective and non-invasive character of the confocal Raman microscopy technique, offer real potential for implementation of this system in further theranostic applications.

Implementation of multifunctional nanomaterials for the early detection and treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia using non-invasive techniques Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2426 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/site/nanomedleukemist/

Abstract:

As the acronym indicates, the NanoMEDLeuKemist project stands at the interface between medical sciences (detection and treatment of cancer) and nanotechnologies (nanomaterials fabrication, conjugation with drugs and functionalization with biomolecules). Centered on an original investigation which is based on an innovative approach to detect and treat a specific type of cancer by exploiting the unique properties of nanostructured materials, this project aims to implement a new, nanotechnology-based approach for cancer management on cellular models, in vitro. Specifically, the project proposes to design a type of spectroscopic encoded gold nanoparticles that are suitable for the targeted delivery of drugs currently used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Combining the optical properties of these nanoparticles with their chemical specificity and biofunctionalization will offer the possibility to guide such nano-carriers at the desired location and simultaneously track them by their optical response in vitro. The capability of visualizing these nano-carriers directly in biological media through non-invasive spectroscopic methods will facilitate the managing of the drug dosage for specific individual administration, which is critical for attaining a maximal therapeutic effect in any drug-responsive tumor system.

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