BrainMap

Mrs. Daniela Ailincai

Dr.

Scientific Researcher - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: A-3327-2017

Curriculum Vitae (26/05/2023)

Expertise & keywords

Integrated use of the next generation plant biostimulants for an enhanced sustainability of field vegetable high residue farming systems Call name: EEA Grants - Proiecte Colaborative de Cercetare
RO-NO-2019-0540 2020 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); Norgenotech AS (NO); ENPRO SOCTECH COM SRL (RO); AMIA INTERNATIONAL IMPORT EXPORT S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://icechim.ro/project/stim4plus-en/

Abstract:

The project addresses mainly the thematic area of Biotechnology, more exactly the key topic Biotechnology for agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and biomass production. The biotechnological solutions which STIM4+ project proposes to develop are intended to compensate the negative effects of the low-input, high-residue sustainable vegetable production systems. These proposed biotechnological solutions are related to the use of the next generation plant biostimulants. Plant biostimulants represent an emerging class of agricultural input, which protect plants against abiotic stress, enhance / benefits nutrients uptake and improve yield quality . The proposed plant biostimulants to be used for an enhanced sustainability of field vegetables grown in a high residue system are including into all classes / subclasses mentioned in the new EU Regulation 1009/2019. The multi-functional Trichoderma strains-based plant biostimulants (a microbial plant biostimulants) will be included into a glycodinameric, chitosan based bioactive (micro)hydrogel formulation. Decoration of microgels with anchor peptides will be used as a (micro)hydrogel tackifier on the plant residues. The bioactive hydrogel is based on an organic plant biostimulants (chitosan), which will be used to generate a biocompatible 3D porous structure, thermo- and pH-responsive and with a hydrophilic – hydrophobic segregation feature. This hydrophilic – hydrophobic segregation (micro)hydrogels will be used for embedding hydrophobic mimetic strigolactones. Propper application technologies of such smart formulated hydrophobic molecules will be developed, to exploit strigolactones both functions, as exo-signals for a better harnessing of beneficial microbiome and as cue for deleterious organisms (e.g. to induce suicidal germination of parasitic plants). The smart formulated bioproducts / agricultural inputs and the agricultural practices intended to exploit their specific features of such bioproducts are an example of biotechnologies for agriculture. The natural strigolactones mimics will be a part of the microbial standardized extract, which we intend to produce from microalgae culture and which is another example of organic plant biostimulant. This microbial standardized extract will include natural strigolactones, polyamines and betaines. Both strigolactones and polyamines are exo- and endo-signals. As exo-signals, both strigolactones and polyamines have been demonstrated to enhance mycorrhizae hyphal branching and root colonization. As endo-signals, both strigolactones and polyamines are involved in plant stress responses. Betaine also supports plant response to stress, especially to drought. Strigolactone mimics used for laboratory screening will be synthetized based on a rational bio-design. The inorganic plant biostimulants are represented by selenium, as zerovalent nano-selenium. A large body of evidence demonstrates that selenium acts as a plant biostimulant. Selenium protects plants against abiotic stress, especially drought, enhances / benefits nutrient uptake and improves edible yield quality. Nanoselenium (zerovalent) particles show a much lower environmental impact and an improved efficiency compared to other selenium species. Application of selenium nanoparticles reduces the risk of accumulation of polyamines in the edible yield. From a food safety point-of-view, accumulation of polyamines in vegetables grown into HV mulch could have some carcinogenic effects, because polyamines were found to support proliferation of various tumor cells.

The project is an interdisciplinary one and address also other key topics as Environmental impact and risk assessment of the modern, new and emerging technologies and products. Safety and environmental impact of the new developed products will be determined by a state-of-art 3R techniques, by Norway partners. The project contributes to the objectives and the priorities of the call. It supports research cooperation between Romania and Norway and consolidate a strategic partnership.

Eco-nanomaterials based on chitosan for applications of contemporary interest Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2717 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://icmpp.ro/projects/l3/about.php?id=39

Abstract:

The goal of the project is to develop new ecological sustainable chitosan based nanofibers by ecological electrospinning method in view of application in healthcare and environment protection. The central idea is to use quaternary salts of chitosan as co-spinning agent of chitosan to prepare a library of chitosan/quaternary salts of chitosan nanofibers (C/Q-NF). This will be further developed by embedding various fillers towards composite nanofibers and by imination towards dynamic imino derivatives, targeting to amplify properties for certain applications. The project proposal implies a systematic investigation of the new ecological nanomaterials, by laborious laboratory work and a solid knowledge of the state of the art, to produce a database comprising manufacture conditions/products/properties. Thus, the novelty of the proposed nanomaterials, the well documented premises behind their design, and the well-organized form of presentation of the project findings will contribute substantially to facilitate the transfer of the research to application towards the society benefit.

Resorbable bandage with "on demand" norfloxacin release for the healing of burn wounds Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-5071 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "GRIGORE T. POPA" DIN IAŞI (RO)

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

Project website: https://www.icmpp.ro/projects/l3/about.php?id=28

Abstract:

The present project proposal is the result of the cumulated experience of two teams, which intend to further bring together researchers with diverse and complementary skills and expertise in chemistry, materials science, and pharmacology to provide a marketable product for burn wound healing. The proposal is made considering the critical socio-economic impact of burns, especially in low- and middle-income countries, such as Romania.

The product is designed in the form of a non-woven fiber bandage made of biodegradable chitosan, and is expected to promote the scar-free healing, without trauma.

To reach this goal, the original approach of the project is to produce nanoporous chitosan fibers, which are able (i) to encapsulate a broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin) inside the interconnected nanopores created in the fibres mats, (ii) to ensure a high swelling degree of the fibers, necessary to allow the exudate drainage while maintaining a moist environment for healing, and (iii) to obtain tiny chitosan surfaces, facilitating biodegradation over the healing period. The fibers will be sealed by iminoboronate units, which also exhibit a strong antimicrobial activity.

Therefore, the final product is expected to ensure the exudate drainage and to act as a barrier against bacterial and fungal infections. In addition, the product is biodegradable, which avoids the traumatic debridement process characteristic of traditional dressings. The product is designed to respond “on demand” to the infections threatening healing, circumventing the need for cleaning and redressing, which allows the body to do work on its own.

Chitooligosaccharides based hydrogels for the co-delivery of antiviral and antifungal agents Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-1021 2020 - 2022

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: https://icmpp.ro/projects/l3/about.php?id=9

Abstract:

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the most threatening and widespread sexually transmitted infection, being able to destroy the immunity of the host, and to create by this the proper frame for the development of virulent co-infections, such as Candidiasis. Clinical trials indicated antiretroviral drugs as being effective in HIV treatment, but due to the necessity of frequent administration, the patients are refractory to use them. Candidiasis is treated using antifungal agents such as azole drugs, but in time Candida gains resistance, leading to reduced susceptibility. This clearly reveals the need to develop new systems, with sustained release of both antifungal and antiviral agents. Therefore, this project aims to synthesize chitooligosaccharides based drug delivery systems, able to co-deliver and release in a sustained manner antifungal and antiviral agents. To reach this goal, chitooligosaccharides with various polymerization degrees will be synthesized by chitosan depolymerization, which will be further used as workbench for the obtaining of hydrogels by the reaction with 2-formylphenylboronic acid, an antifungal agent. The reagents will be combined in various molar ratios, leading to dynamic imino-boronate hydrogels with different morphological and rheological properties and strong antifungal activity. These hydrogels will be used as bioactive matrix, for the encapsulation of an antiviral drug, tenofovir, which due to its chemical structure should be able to form hydrogen bonds with the matrix. In this manner, should result drug delivery systems with prolonged antifungal and antiviral effect. In conclusion, the project addresses the demands for biomaterials for both HIV and HIV associated co-infections treatment, by an unprecedented approach of combining through reversible covalent or physical linkages, three bioactive components: antifungal chitooligosaccharides, antifungal 2-formylphenylboronic acid and antiviral tenofovir.

Hybrid visible light communications and augmented reality platform for the development of smart driver assistance and vehicle active safety systems Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0917 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" DIN SUCEAVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" DIN SUCEAVA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

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

Project website: http://www.eed.usv.ro/carsafe/

Abstract:

In the context of 1.3 million victims of road accidents annually, the improvement in safety and efficiency of the road transportation system is a major challenge for the automotive industry, as well as for the public. In this respect, the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the development of active automotive safety solutions is expected to contribute to more than 80% reduction in road accidents. The aim of this project is to focus the outstanding expertise and results from 6 institutions, located in 5 Romanian development regions, towards the realization of a hybrid platform of visible light communications and augmented reality for the development of intelligent systems for active driver assistance and vehicle safety.

Based on decentralized and participatory "Quadruple Helix" approach (interactively involving academia, industry, public administration and civil society), the management of the complex project aims at providing an effective collaboration both inside and outside the consortium for the 4 component projects:

P1 - Intelligent visible light communication (VLC) systems with applications in driver assistance and active safety;

P2 - Effective communications based on smart devices in interactive scenarios of augmented reality for vehicles;

P3 - V2X communication technologies for co-operative driving assistance systems and autonomous vehicles;

P4 - Characterization and improvement of the electromagnetic environment of modern vehicles;

At the interface between two sectors with significant growth in turnover and export in Romania, the ICT industry and the automotive industry, the project aims at developing the research and technological transfer capacities of the participating institutions with a direct impact on the Romanian economy.

Closing the bioeconomy value chains by manufacturing market demanded innovative bioproducts Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0569 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "DUNAREA DE JOS" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

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

Project website: http://icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=51&lang=ro

Abstract:

Agriculture and food industry in Romania generates large amounts of co/by-products, which are not used and turn into wastes, with negative impacts. The approach of the project PRO-SPER is to develop integrated processes, flexible and interconnected, to transform a number of agro-food by-products in bio-products, with market demand. This approach facilitates the achievement of project goals, complex-coordination and linking of the research organizations that are members of the Consortium, INCDCP-ICMPP, UDJ, ICECHIM, INCDSB and UAV, for improving their institutional performance in the field of nano-and bio-technologies of their application into bioeconomy.

The overall objective of the project PRO-SPER is to increase the impact of research and development activities and innovation of the RDI institutions, by developing and harnessing innovative technological solutions for bio-nano-processing of several by-products from the bioeconomy value chains, for recovering and/or formation of value-added components and their use in order to obtain products with high added value.

Expected results through the implementation of the project (21 new jobs, 23 national patent applications and international patent applications 6 EPO/WIPO; 10 technologies/new products resulting from the project, at a level of technological maturity to enable taking over by the operators, 5 services research and technological research services 10 cheques, 10 experiments cheques services

80 internship of young researchers from and within partner institutions, 50 visits for developing new techniques for working jointly in the Consortium, 30 training internships for new employees, 28scientific papers, 1 joint program CDI, in line with the development plan of institutional partners) have a significant impact on the capacity-building of the partners in the Consortium.

SupraChem Lab - Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry for Adaptive Delivery Systems - ERA Chair initiative Call name: P 3 - SP 3.6 - Premierea participării în Orizont 2020
PN-III-P3-3.6-H2020-2016-0011 2016 - 2020

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: http://www.intelcentru.ro/suprachem_lab/PNIII/

Abstract:

The SupraChem Lab - Support Project aaims to complements the European funding for the WIDESPREAD 2-2014 project: ERA CHAIR, no. 667387: SupraChem Lab - Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry for Adaptive Delivery Systems ERA Chair initiative Project.

The Orizont 2020 project started in July 2015 and aims to create a team to conduct advanced research on supramolecular chemistry. The SupraChem Lab project benefits from the scientific support of several high-level chemists, including Nobel Prize-winning Professor Jean-Marie Lehn in 1987 and is considered the founder of the global supramolecular chemistry school.

Chitosan based hydrogels as luminescent chemosensors for detection and removal of heavy metals Call name: P 3 - SP 3.1 - Proiecte de mobilități, România-China (bilaterale)
PN-III-P3-3.1-PM-RO-CN-2018-0098 2018 - 2019

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); Wuhan Institute of Technology (CN)

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

Project website: https://icmpp9.wixsite.com/pm-ro-cn-2018-0098

Abstract:

The Romanian-Chinese joint project aim to build heavy metal luminescent chemosensors with eco-design, based on luminescent hydrogels. The project comes to meet the need for materials originating from renewable resources, able of sensing poisoning heavy metals and eventually of their removal towards a friendlier environment. The necessity of building such sensors is argued by the increasing contamination with heavy metal pollutants along with technological development, which prompted the European and Asian organizations for protection of Health and Environment to include them as priority substances to be monitored.

To fulfill this main objective, the joint teams will work together sharing knowledge from complementary areas: synthesis of luminescent hydrogels from natural resources (Romanian team) and building luminescent chemosensors (Chinese team). The pathway used for preparation of the luminescent hydrogels with eco-design was developed by the Romanian team in last three years, and mainly consist in exploiting the dynamic character of imine bond.

It is expected as the results of the project to be beneficial for both teams and subsequent for both countries, at multiple academic and industrial levels: - training of young researches in the hot area of sensors; - contribution to the know-how for development of luminescent chemosensors with eco-design; - strengthening of Romanian-Chinese cooperation for future applying for joint projects lunched under HORIZON2020.

New approaches in designing polymer surfaces with controllable pattern for applications in biomedicine and high technologies Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2976 2015 - 2017

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: http://irinacosutchi.wix.com/pipatt

Abstract:

The project is focused on obtaining and processing of some transparent polyimide films, with new structures, obtained by novel techniques in order to obtain scaffolds with controlled structure of the morphology for liquid crystal alignment layers and target growth cells. The project brings new contributions in the polyimide surface structure. The novelty is reflected by (1) new polyimide structures synthesize biocompatible nature; (2) investigating issues related unstudied processing techniques that can contribute significantly to improvements in surface structure. This could explain the mechanism of anisotropic structure of the polymer surface with positive impact on CL alignment and performance LCD displays; (3) structure by laser irradiation of photosensitive polymers with strong anisotropy obtain an optimal conformation; (4) analyze the correlation between the mechanical properties of polymers and surface structure generated by AFM nanolithography. Texturing methods will lead to materials with advanced morphological properties as required technologies and applications in tissue engineering.

Multifunctional dynamic hydrogels with tuned morphology for biomedical applications Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2314 2015 - 2017

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: http://danielaailincai.wix.com/dynagels

Abstract:

Chitosan based hydrogels are biomaterials with biomedical applications, very important being drug release or tissue healing. The recently evidenced toxicity of the main crosslinking agents used up to now for chitosan gelling, give rise to an important issue for researchers.

The project proposes a concept of multifunctional dynamic hydrogel based on the biocompatible chitosan and therapeutic monoaldehydes, employing dynamic combinatorial chemistry principles as obtaining tool. The concept of use monoaldehydes as chitosan crosslinker is new and lays on our few previous studies which proved its feasibility.

The hydrogels will be obtained exploiting the imine forming reversibility which by forming and trans-imination processes favors a supramolecular self-assembling with combined chemical and physical crosslinking. These imine forming and trans-imination processes can be tuned by simple change of reaction conditions – leading to different morphologies. In this way, by a proper choice of the aldehyde structure and reaction conditions, hydrogel morphology can be tuned for specific bio-applications. On the other hand, the imine linkage inside hydrogels confers them dynamicity, meaning that the aldehyde can be released “on the demand” of external factors, and riches the hydrogel intrinsic properties with new functions.

Flexible white OLED for lighting applications Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1861 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" DIN SUCEAVA (RO); APEL LASER S.R.L. (RO)

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

Project website: http://danielaailincai.wix.com/flexwol

Abstract:

The present consortium (“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry – PPIMC Iasi, Stefan cel Mare” University – USV, Suceava and APEL LASER SRL) aims to work together on a multidisciplinary joint project around a very hot topic regarding optoelectronics: white organic light emitting diodes (WOLED). In the context of the global warming, several governments took measures to promote better energy efficiency through advanced lighting technologies. Within this context, European Union set new energy efficient requirements for the lamps produced starting with September 2009, the traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs being gradually eliminated from the market. WOLED lamps are recommended as alternatives to the conventional incandescent bulbs. This is the reason why, in the last years, the thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters consisting of strong donor-acceptor organic molecules have become highly attractive, in particular due to their applicability for low energy consuming electro-luminescent devices such as WOLEDs. The aim of this project is to obtain an OLED configuration able to be competitive on the Romanian market and not only. To achieve this target, WOLED configuration is thought according with the hottest researches within WOLEDs field and comprises original elements designed to improve the commercially WOLED performances. This includes combined efforts in chemistry, physics and engineering towards the obtaining of new materials, new device concepts, and new technological approaches and to a deeper understanding of the involved basic processes that are determining the devices performance, reliability and durability. The general aim is to reduce the cost, increase the performance and improve configurability, scalability, adaptability, reliability and self-adjusting capabilities of the integrated electronic, optoelectronic and photonic components. To realize a WOLED with increased performances, we propose the obtaining of a new hybrid material as emissive layer, being composed of two thermally activated delayed fluorescence compounds, e.g., green and red emitters, respectively, dispersed as nanometric droplets/nanocrystals into a fluorescent, blue emitting matrix. After varying the molar ratio between the three components, a white light emission will be achieved. To assure the best purity of the hybrid material components, the low molecular weight compounds will be obtained in form of single crystals, while the polymers will be synthesized through electropolymerization. The hybrid material and its components will be structurally confirmed and the film forming ability, electrochemical, optical, electro-optical, mechanical and morphological properties will be determined with the aim to choose the most appropriate material for WOLED configuration. The materials with optimal balance of properties, i.e., good flexibility, white emitting and good quantum efficiency will be selected, and a simulation of the WOLED configuration will be done based on their electrochemical characteristics (HOMO/LUMO levels, band gap, and reversibility of oxidation and reduction processes). The results of simulation process will allow us to choose an optimal configuration to determine the WOLED maximum performances. The electrodes and the substrate with the proper characteristics will be obtained in our laboratories, thus avoiding the eventually inadequacies caused by the use of commercial products. An original element of the proposed configuration is the creation of a new substrate with a refraction index close to air by dispersing liquid crystals in a polymer matrix.

Biologically inspired systems for engineered structural and functional entities Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2011-2-0028 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry

Project partners: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); "N. Simionescu" Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology (RO); " Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi (RO); " Costin D. Nenitescu" Institute of Organic Chemistry (RO)

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

Project website: http://www.intelcentru.ro/Biomimetics_PCCE

Abstract:

The project aims to study, to develop and to preliminary test biomimetic structural and functional entities, able to act as gene transfection vehicles of non-viral type, and having a DNA packaging capacity of about 2  5 kilobases. The main features of these entities are: (i) the general structure of a polyplex, (ii) the functionality of a cargo-complex that chemomimic the histones, morphomimic the nucleosome and biomimic a virus like gene vector, (iii) the ability to include or to reversibly bind and transport (bio)chemical species necessary to assist the DNA vehiculation and trafficking, (iv) are based on fullerene-rich polymers and / or dendrimers, (v) the capacity to associate to artificial extracellular matrices, in order to generate gene delivery systems with transfection ability, for ex vivo applications. The developed entities will represent effective tools in genetic and tissue engineering, useful in health restoration, life quality enhancement, and to cure tissue and human organism deficiencies. The envisioned engineering strategy to build biomimetic entities may sustain a spin-off type transfer of knowledge towards hi-tech application areas, with a clear echo in clinics and, finally, in human health. The project involves seven complementary teams hosted by four research and academic institutions. In equilibrated ratios, senior, young and junior researchers will collaborate inside the project frame.

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