BrainMap

Mrs. Aurica Precupas

PhD

Researcher - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Researcher

My current research activity is focused on calorimetric analysis of proteins with applications in the food and pharmaceutical fields. The interaction of proteins with biologically active compounds (polyphenols) is studied by spectroscopic, calorimetric and molecular modeling methods. The experimental results obtained by spectroscopic methods are correlated with molecular dynamics simulations, and further investigated by micro-DSC, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). This investigative approach provides detailed information regarding protein–ligand interactions and the effect of ligand binding on protein denaturation. Other areas of expertise include nanomaterials, gels and polymeric micelles in interaction with proteins or other ligands.

Web of Science ResearcherID: Y-7501-2019

Curriculum Vitae (03/04/2025)

Expertise & keywords

Efficient fluidized bed reactor with co-immobilized enzymes for treatment of real wastewater containing bisphenols and dyes Call name: PNCDI IV, SP 5.7.1 - Proiect experimental demonstrativ
PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0431 2025 - 2026

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); ARCIF AG SRL (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

The project scope is to create and perform experiments on a purification system for contaminated water containing phenols and dyes. The system will consist of a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) and a catalyst made of co-immobilized enzymes on solid supports composed of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) as core, and chitosan (Cs) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) as shell. Also, the project aims to implement an ecological approach utilizing biocatalysis to effectively eliminate hazardous or persistent substances from water. The project team desires to generate a biocatalyst by co-immobilizing two enzymes - Laccase from Aspergillus (Lc) and Tyrosinase from mushrooms (Tyr) - on solid supports composed of a rPET core and a polymeric shell. One of the innovative solutions is the support activation with carbodiimide alternated with the enzyme immobilization, in repetitive procedures. The project encompasses 4 objectives: obtaining and characterizing co-immobilized tyrosinase and laccase on recycled polyethylene terephthalate coated with polyacrylic acid and chitosan; operational stability of co-immobilized rPET-Cs-PAA-Lc-Tyr products in synthetic and real wastewaters; design of a lab-scale fluidized bed reactor with co-immobilized enzymes to be applied in wastewater treatment; validation of the operational efficiency of the fluidized bed reactor and co-immobilized enzymes system for treatment of bisphenols and dyes from real wastewater.

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: 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:

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.

Laccase immobilization onto CS-PAA microspheres and its application for textile dyes biodegradation Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0418 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.icf.ro/pr_2022/IMLAC.pdf

Abstract:

Surface water pollution, with textile dyes, is a serious environmental issue and constant efforts in its reduction are needed continuously. Studies show that the distribution in water bodies and bioavailability of textile dyes affects aquatic fauna and humans. Although enzymes can successfully biodegrade recalcitrant dyes from water, their cost and instability are prohibitive for real-life applications. Therefore, the young team of the IMLAC project aims to develop a practical treatment for the removal of indigo carmine, naphtol green, and methyl red from aqueous media, using immobilized laccase. In this integrated study, the production and use of immobilized enzymes will be investigated and calibrated according to environmental variables, including temperature and pH and, most importantly, cost reduction through recyclability of the product in the presence of dyes will be achieved. The work program of the IMLAC team, based at the "Ilie Murgulescu" Institute of Physical Chemistry, has three complementary components: 1- Production of new polymeric supports for enzymes immobilization. 2 - Development and optimization of a new enzyme immobilization technique. 3 - Application of new products with immobilized laccase in the removal of textile dyes in the aqueous medium. The results of this innovative project could fit into national and European programs facing the double challenge of water quality and water safety.

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.

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:

Exploring gels containing cyclodextrins by EPR spectroscopy: structure, properties, applications Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0328 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

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/pr_2011/PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0328.ppt

Abstract:

The project aim is to explore the formation and properties of some gel systems using EPR spectroscopy in order to obtain information about gel fibres formation, dynamic of molecules inside the gel network and factors which influence this, and also of monitoring processes inside gels. The research activities will be focused on cyclodextrins containing gels based both on covalent polymeric network and on supramolecular interactions. Organogels based on assembly of other low molecular mass gelators will also be studied. EPR spectroscopy has been chosen as a main tool for investigation of gels systems because, despite the complexity of the system, the information will focus only upon the paramagnetic species. This information refers to local polarity around paramagnetic moiety, dynamic on the nanosecond time scale, and interactions between adjacent paramagnetic moieties on the nanometer scale. Various spin probes are available to use as reporters by introducing in gel systems, but the new approach will be to spin label the molecules participating in gel fibres formation. In this way it is possible to monitor the gelation process and also to get information on gels fibres dynamic. Other physicochemical methods (e.g. ATR-FTIR, fluorescence, UV-Vis spectroscopy, rheometry) will be used in order to complete the investigation on gels.

Chiral Molecular Interactions through Induced Circular Dichroism and Quantum Chemical Calculations Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0281 2012 - 2014

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea din Bucuresti

Project partners: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://gw-chimie.math.unibuc.ro/staff/sorana_ionescu/TE_83/project.html

Abstract:

Non-covalent interactions, may it be specific or non-specific, control a wide range of processes in biological systems, but are also important in developing molecular devices and in molecular recognition phenomena. Such interactions with chiral molecules may imply chirality transfer and/or an induced circular dichroic signal. The spectroscopic information resulting from this interaction is unique and highly specific, since both sign and magnitude of the induced signal depend on the relative orientation of the two acting molecules and on possible conformational changes. The aim of this project is to correlate the experimental and theoretically simulated spectra in a rational manner and to perform a thorough study of the way that non-covalent chiral interactions affect the shape of the circular dichroism spectrum and how to exploit these information in characterizing the geometry of a binary system. This method will be used to explore biologically relevant systems such as charge transfer or proton transfer complexes, H bond complexes of aminoacids, thiols and peptides, interactions with anisotropic media (micelles, cyclodextrins, proteins) or nanoparticles. The importance of the results obtained is two-fold: they help to extend the knowledge on molecular interactions and can be used to design a variety of new optical materials and hybrid nanostructures with enhanced and tailored optical chirality in the visible wavelength range.

Estimation of thermodynamic parameters and characterization of protein-organic ligand interaction sites with different spectral methods and molecular modeling. Highlight of specific interactions Call name:
PN-II-ID-1914 2009 - 2011

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Experimental and theoretical study of photoinduced electron transfer in organized systems: micelles and cyclodextrines Call name:
PN-II-ID-1917 2009 - 2011

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Reactive molecular cation-electron collisions of interest for cold plasmas Call name:
PN II–IDEI-143 2007 - 2010

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://chimie.unibuc.ro/cercetare/IDEI143E.pdf

Abstract:

Study of molecular interactions of proteins and ligand-protein supramolecular systems Call name:
CNCSIS 1644 2007 - 2009

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

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