BrainMap

Camelia Sultana

- UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Researcher | Teaching staff

Expertise & keywords

Multidisciplinary One Health excellence research platform for neglected and emerging vector-borne diseases Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0005 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE MEDICO-MILITARA „CANTACUZINO” (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO); INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE "DELTA DUNĂRII"-I.N.C.D.D.D. TULCEA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: https://www.zooparaz.net/pccdi57/

Abstract:

This complex project brings a novel interdisciplinary approach through is five pillars, each coordinated by a different partner. A modern technological platform will be developed for the in vitro breeding of arthropod vectors. This will attract international funds through a strong research service offer (drug efficacy and resistance, vectorial capacity) and marketing of arthropod colonies. Other projects will contribute to a better understanding of the ecological and epidemiological dynamic of vector-borne viruses over the entire territory of Romania by identifying risk markers, followed by the improvement of clinical services and an increased awareness of public health authorities and medical personnel, and an extensive development of rapid diagnostic methods for human arbovirus infections phleboviruses, West Nile encephalitis, Usutu, imported viruses - Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya). Extensive epidemiologic data will be collected for the tick-borne encephalitis, Crimea-Congo haemorrhagic fever, and human rickettsioses, aiming to increase the level of awareness in the medical system and an increased diagnostic capacity. Another important component of the project is the urban ecology of the vector-borne infections in Romania, by understanding the risk factors in three model cities, followed by proposals for effective management and control. The fifth project targets the socio-economic dimension of vector-borne diseases and aims to estimate their micro- and macro-economic impact and the involvement of the society in the research by a citizen-science approach. Last but not least, the project results in a crucial development of the human resource and infrastructure of the involved partner and will ensure the financial and research sustainability beyond the frame of the project.

Development of an intelligent system support to reduce the risk of congenital infections (TORCH-IT) Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Transfer de cunoaștere la agentul economic „Bridge Grant”
PN-III-P2-2.1-BG-2016-0384 2016 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA

Project partners: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO); BEIA CONSULT INTERNATIONAL S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://www.virology.ro/ro/bridge-brant-dezvoltarea-unui-sistem-torch-it

Abstract:

After more than 40 years from TORCH acronym proposal, which gather more pathogens congenital infections are actual, their prevention being a priority for World Health Organization. Risks reduction of TORCH infections primarily involves prevention of infection in pregnant women, which require knowledge about individual status during preconception and knowing the proper way to prevent each infection (rules of hygiene/ vaccination/contact with groups at risk). During pregnancy, TORCH testing should be individualized, and the diagnosis and medical recommendations should be performed accurately because of consequences that can be fatal for fetus. The project aim is to develop an inteligent system support for women who want to conceive, a system which contains information about the tests in TORCH panel and an online anamnestice questionnaire. In pregnant women case will be developed a smartphone application which besides information regarding tests in TORCH panel and places where you can perform them will be identified, individualized, the optimal time, and also the range of appropriate tests correlated with gestational age and medical history. The intelligent support system is based on modern information technologies, existing at the involved SME, such as CloudView, Constellations and Web Development. The project will develop a specialized site for TORCH, an application for smart devices, and a dedicated knowledge base.

Human lactoferrin-derived peptides with broad spectrum antiviral activity Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-1409 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://peptivir.ucoz.ro/

Abstract:

Infections with Hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) are major public health threats with more than 400 million individuals being affected worldwide. Romania has a high prevalence of chronic infections, above the average of EU countries. Chronic patients are at high risk of developing end-stage liver diseases or hepatocarcinoma, and about 1 million people die annually due to such liver complications. Infections with the ubiquitous human pathogens Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and the highly variable RNA viruses, Human adenovirus 5 (Ad5), Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), Enteric cytopathic human orphan 30 (ECHO subtype 30), Measles virus (MeV) also result in severe symptoms which require prolonged treatment.

A major drawback of the current antiviral therapies is the very high cost, which makes them unaffordable for many health care systems in developing countries.

Lactoferrin (Lf), an immunomodulatory glycoprotein was shown to interfere with the life-cycles of many viruses, regardless their origin or structure, both, in vitro and in vivo. In most cases, Lf was demonstrated to exert its antiviral effect at an early step of viral infection due to the crucial presence of cationic clusters in its structure. Recently, our group has rationally designed and characterized the anti-HBV activity of an Lf-derived peptide containing one of the cationic clusters. The peptide has better properties than the parental protein which could overcome the limitation for Lf use in clinical application. Thus, the major goal of this project is to take our initial observation further and investigate Lf-derived peptide(s) with increased solubility and efficient anti-viral action against a broad-range of human viruses, considering the pathogens listed above as models.

This project will prove the concept that the development of non-toxic, small Lf-derived molecule(s) with a broad-spectrum anti-viral activity may constitute a valuable, cheaper alternative to the current standard of care.

Investigation of viral and host markers of non-response to anti-viral treatment in chronic hepatitis C Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1150 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE CANTACUZINO

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE CANTACUZINO (RO); SPITALUL DE BOLI INFECTIOASE "DR.VICTOR BABES" (RO); INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO); PERSONAL GENETICS S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE VIRUSOLOGIE "STEFAN S.NICOLAU" (RO)

Project website: http://www.cantacuzino.ro/ro/?p=1713

Abstract:

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b is associated with higher rates of liver cirrhosis and poorer response to antiviral therapy. Sustained virological response to pegylated interferon/ ribavirin is achieved in only half of genotype 1-infected patients(prevalent in Romania). Starting with 2011, new treatments are available including specific protease inhibitors in addition to PEG-Interferon and ribavirin. Failure of IFN-based treatments to eradicate HCV infection has been shown to be related to virological (HCV genotype, variability, viral load, on-treatment viral kinetics), host genetic determinants (genetic variation near the IL28B gene) and non-genetic factors (age, sex, fibrosis, etc.). So far, no study characterizing HCV resistance pattern or genetic features among chronic HCV patients from Romania is available. The project aims to define the pre-treatment prediction of response to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy through the integrated analysis of viral factors as well as host factors. This study implies a prospective recruitment of patients with chronic hepatitis C in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. All serological, biochemical, histo-pathological and genetic assays will be performed on samples routinely taken in regular clinical practice. The presence of the described mutations to the current or the tri-therapy in complete viral protein-coding regions and the variability impact on the resistance phenotype using both the traditional sequencing method and a next generation approach will be evaluated. Selected HCV genomic regions will serve to design primers and to develop specific PCR systems capable to detect resistance mutations. Human genetic markers (IL28B, HLA-B27, ITPA genes polymorphisms) and serum proteins (IP-10) will be tested for treatment prediction. A computer based algorithm including host and viral factors will be developed to support selection of the optimum treatment in the context of personalized medicine.

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