BrainMap

Cristina Al-Matarneh

- INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Researcher

Expertise & keywords

Restore Her2 dependent sensibility using AXL inhibitors packed in pH dependent nanostructures Call name: EEA Grants - Proiecte Colaborative de Cercetare
EEA-RO-NO-2018-0246 2021 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE ONCOLOGIE IAŞI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE ONCOLOGIE IAŞI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); OSLO UNIVERSITETSSYKEHUS HF (NO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.nanoher2restore.ro/

Abstract:

This project (NANOHER2RESTORE) proposes to apply modular supramolecular assembly consisting of pH sensitive units, recognition moieties and functional molecules to build up therapeutic entities sensitive to the tumour microenvironment and to investigate mechanisms for targeted breast cancer treatment in vitro and in vivo.

Our concept is based on the utilization of the specific extratumoral pH values as trigger for the targeted localized delivery by nano modular assemblies. The pH dependent self-assembly of the modules is ensured by the presence of block copolymers able to self-assemble into bilayers or vesicles. Furthermore, increasing the hydrophilic volume fraction favors the formation of structures with greater interfacial curvature, such as cylindrical or spherical micelles. These nano/micro structures can be used to encapsulate therapeutics (HER2 blockers and AXL inhibitor, doxorubicine, etc.), to protect the therapeutic agent (upon injection into the body) and to improve circulation times, thereby increasing the amount of active drug that reaches the targeted site. Specific coupling will be used for targeting molecules (trastuzumab) in order to protect Her antigen recognition site and use this recognition to enhance distribution in tumor site, based on over expression of Her on cellular membranes. Once the nano carrier reaches its target site, the drug is released by stimulus-triggered changes to the micelle, passive EPR effect on vesicle nanostructure to accomplish its therapeutic goal. We will use the modified acidic microenvironment of the tumor to produce a structural change in the co-polymeric blocks leading to disorganization of micelle type nanostructures, leading to drug deployment of the desired drug. Axl inhibitors are targeting the Her2 pozitive breast cancer cells in an effort to block an escape mechanism after long standing Her blockade.

The advantage of this delivery method is that we target tumor tissue using pH variations in the microenvironment and concentrate in the same area a dual approach of the tumor cells with both Her2 antibodies (trastuzumab) which remains active on the copolymer branch, as well as an AXL inhibitor. Delievered in the same are they aim to reactivate the Her2 blockade efficacy and render breast cancer cells sensitive to trastuzumab.

Versatile molecular vectors with tailored carrying and actuating abilities, dedicated to gene and drug delivery in fight against cancer Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1523 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.intelcentru.ro/tm-vector/index.php

Abstract:

Gene therapy represents nowadays one of the most challenging promises for the cure of cancer, rare, and severe diseases. The speed of the steps toward it strongly depends on the efficacy and reliability of the molecular tools involved in the manipulation (isolation, reconfiguration, multiplication) and vehiculation (native state preservation, dense packaging, targeted and “stealth” delivery, local protection) of the nucleic acids.

The main objective of TM-Vector project is to develop a highly reproducible macromolecular edifice capable to function as a cooperative carrier for nucleic acids, characterized by the ability to be post-decorated with biochemical and / or pharmacologic active molecules, by virtue of dynamic processes of selective affinity of host-guest type. The particular architecture of the carrying vector will offer three unique functional properties, representing our original contribution to the practice of nucleic acid vectorization: (i) the ability to target various cell receptors; (ii) the possibility to concomitantly vectorize several types of active molecules (e.g. nucleic acid molecules and pro-drug molecules); (iii) the capacity to selectively attach molecules having neat different volumes and conformations.

TM-Vector project could have societal impact, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of sufferers. The applied research directions could also contribute to the technology of gene and drugs carriers produced at biopharmaceutical scale.

Intelligent therapies for non-communicable diseases based on controlled release of pharmacological compounds from encapsulated engineered cells and targeted bionanoparticles Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0697 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU''

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.icbp.ro/static/en/en-networking_grants-grants-national_grants/intera.html

Abstract:

Non-communicable diseases (atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity), a major cause of mortality, are characterized by associated inflammatory processes. The complex project INTERA aims to develop innovative therapeutic methods to ameliorate the pathological progression by reducing the inflammatory process. The multidisciplinary studies proposed by INTERA can create and define new nano- or micro-medical devices usable for smart and innovative anti-inflammatory therapies. INTERA includes 4 projects: (1) Encapsulation of genetically manipulated eukaryotic cells for controlled release of pharmacologically active products; (2) Development of a 3D platform designed for pre-clinical drug testing composed of cells incorporated into three-dimensional bio-matrices; (3) Intelligent nanobioparticles designed for bioactive compounds vectoring to pathological sites for vascular inflammation targeting. (4) Polymeric conjugates for efficiently inducing the expression of genes of interest with applicability in cellular therapy. The consortium consists of 4 partner research units - two institutes of the Romanian Academy (IBPCNS, ICMP), a university (UPB) and a national CD Institute (INCDFM) with good territorial coverage (Bucharest-Ilfov-Iasi). Predicted Indicators: 10 new R & D jobs, 8 ISI articles, 4 patent applications, 8 new technologies, 7 new service offers posted on the ERRIS platform. Institutional development: the new competences and the improvement of existing ones in partner units will attract the attention of the economic environment towards a better correlation of scientific and economic interests and better valorization in the field of drug science. From a social point of view, institutional development will lead to lowering the cost of these pathologies through new therapeutic approaches, more accessible to the population and hence, improving the quality of life.

Evaluation of Volatile Organics in the Lower/Upper Troposphere - their Impact on the Oxidizing, Noxious and Aerosol Influx Capacity in Romania Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0471 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA IASI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA IASI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA IASI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/site/evolutionair2011/

Abstract:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a central role in air pollution as during their photoreaction with nitrogen oxides, O3 and other photo-oxidants are formed. Many VOCs can form higher molecular weight organic compounds which condense to produce secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Presently, many large uncertainties are still associated with atmospheric VOCs which are drastically reducing models reliability in understanding, forecasting and assessing the troposphere. Moreover, new platforms are also required to make high quality long-term measurements.

EVOLUTION-AIR is an interdisciplinary project which is designed so as to obtain, for the first time, a long-term data base concerning VOCs mixing ratios, as outstanding interest key issues, at the most eastern site of the EU, Romania. The major aims of the work include: i) To undertake high-time resolution measurements of VOCs beside other chemical atmospheric parameters; ii) To perform a detailed characterisation of the investigated parameters sources and fluxes; iii) To get a better understanding of the main factors contributing to the temporal variability of VOCs in Romania; iv) To elucidate how the transport processes and VOCs reactivity are influencing their mixing ratios in the atmosphere of the investigated region. It is expected that the project will bring as the most important outcome a reliable quantitative VOCs database for Romania useful for predictive studies concerning VOCs contribution to O3 and SOA formation.

EEA Mobility Grant - Cristina AL-MATARNEH Call name: EEA - Proiecte de Mobilităţi
EEA-MG-RO-NO-2018-0144 2018 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry

Project partners: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); Faculty of Medicine University of Iceland (IS)

Affiliation: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

“22nd International Conference on Organic Synthesis” (22-ICOS) Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de mobilitate pentru cercetatori
PN-III-P1-1.1-MC-2018-0651 2018 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (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