BrainMap

Mrs. Elena Mihai

PhD

Researcher - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (15/10/2024)

Expertise & keywords

INNOVATIVE NANOSTRUCTURED NUTRACEUTICALS WITH SYNERGISTIC BIOACTIVITIES FOR HEPATO-DIGESTIVE PROTECTION Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-1788 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI (RO); STATIUNEA DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU VITICULTURA SI VINIFICATIE MURFATLAR (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://univovidius.wixsite.com/nutrasinpro

Abstract:

The project entitled “INNOVATIVE NANOSTRUCTURED NUTRACEUTICALS WITH SYNERGISTIC BIOACTIVITIES FOR HEPATO-DIGESTIVE PROTECTION (NUTRASINPRO)” falls in the priority research domain of the present competition call, Bioeconomy, Subdomain Biotechnology. The general objective is obtaining of controlled nanostructure delivery systems based on natural raw materials mixtures as fluid fruits extracts of bitter cherry (Prunus avium var. sylvestris L.) and blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.), grape pomace (Vitis vinifera L.) as by-product of grape winemaking encapsulated into a hybrid silica–barley germs mass (Hordeum vulgare as prebiotics) nanomatrix enriched with Lactobacillus sp. strains as probiotic. The main objectives of the project are design of new nutraceuticals formula obtained from high functional food-grade bioactive agents (anthocyanins, carotenoids, polyphenols, flavonols, flavones, vitamins, lipids, oligominerals) present in vegetal extracts encapsulated within a hybrid silica matrix-barley germs biomass nanostructure in different ratio; obtaining an innovative series of nutraceuticals delivery nanosystems exhibiting synbiotic action of prebiotics–probiotics constituents with synergistic therapeutically action; controlled delivery systems by nanoscale targeted level, with synergistic bioactivities, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepato-digestive protection and development of new technologies to obtain nutraceuticals nano-formulations conditioned as orodispersible tablets, controlled release tablets and lyophilized powder for oral use, protected by property rights. The envisaged end products: 1. Patenting the optimal variant nanostructured nutraceutical formulas of the new nanostructured target delivery system and issued in improving oral bioavailability for all ages group; 2. Technological process development for widely implementation of nanostructured nutraceutical formulations, used without risk on human, animal or environment health.

Functional food with emergent properties to support hypocaloric diet Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3805 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); SANTO RAPHAEL SRL (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.incdsb.ro/p/sinergem/

Abstract:

SINERGEM Project aims to develop a functional food as a protein bar used as adjuvant for hypocaloric diet, based on a combination with emergent properties of polyphenols and polysaccharides from forest fruits pomace (by-product resulting from obtaining the fruit juice at the economic agent partner) and chia seeds. The commercial opportunity is clearly established – the market for functional foods is increasing, driven by the requirement for healthier diets. The potential of forest fruits pomace as an affordable and sustainable source of polyphenol and polysaccharides is confirmed. Project objectives are (i) to select the synergistic composition of polyphenols and polysaccharides; (ii) to prepare a gastro-resistant nanoformulation of the synergic composition and (iii) to include the nanoformulated composition in a protein bar, verifying the preservation of emerging properties. The expected results of the project are: a mixture of polyphenols and polysaccharides (extracted from forest fruit pomace) and chia seeds, selected by a combination of high-throughput techniques and encapsulated into a gastro-resistant liposomal nanoformulation, which is included in a protein bar. Our proposed activities are intended to reach objectives related to: optimization of product composition (synergic composition); integration of product components into the demonstration model (nanoliposomes in a protein bar) and testing and validate its biological activity (as antioxidant, prebiotic and -amylase inhibitor) on laboratory level, on model systems. After the project implementation the economic agent partner will expand the range of functional foods that it can produce and sell.

Novel biotehnologies of plant by-products complex valorisation for prevention and control of pathogens in agro-ecosystems Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3561 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); HOFIGAL EXPORT IMPORT SA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.incdsb.ro/p/hydropest/

Abstract:

Nowadays, one of the major challenges for the R&D sector is to develop an efficient conversion of agro-food waste or by-products into innovative products, within circular bioeconomy. In this context, our project proposes valorisation of aromatic plants by-products in the form of hydrosols through novel biotechnologies in order to develop active products against various pathogens found in agro-ecosystems. Within the project, the multidisciplinary R&D and SME partnership will develop a new formula of biopesticides with functional properties and it will establish treatment protocols in experimental cultures, validating in vitro and in vivo their efficiency and safety in the labs of both partners. The project will start at TRL2 formulating the technological concept of plant hydrosols as waste products and will advance at TRL3 obtaining experimental variants of hydrosols with pesticide potential and it will end with TRL4 achieving validated formula in seedlings and plant model systems, which will be patented. High-throughput techniques (HPLC, GC, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, mathematic modelling, PCR, microbial and cell culture experimental models, etc) will be used for the chemical and biological screening of hydrosols, to select functional models of biopesticides. The exploitation of aromatic plant by-products as biopesticides in crop pest management could open new opportunities in ecological agriculture, promoting natural, safer and autochthonous products. Furthermore, the partnership between R&D and industry sector will be strengthen in order to apply to future European calls regarding plant waste recycling and food security.

COMPLEX VALORISATION OF BLACK SEA REGION BIORESOURCES BY DEVELOPING AND APPLYING INNOVATIVE AND EMERGING BIOTECHNOLOGIES Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0701 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS (RO); INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE MARINĂ "GRIGORE ANTIPA"-I.N.C.D.M. CONSTANŢA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); STATIUNEA DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU VITICULTURA SI VINIFICATIE MURFATLAR (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://univovidius.wixsite.com/inobiomar

Abstract:

Natural products from marine species are increasingly studied as their functional properties are discovered. These properties have benefits for human health while depending on their geographical region of origin. As abundant marine resources with insufficiently exploited therapeutic potential exist, the present proposal aims to harness the Black Sea bioresources through developing innovative technologies for obtaining biorenewable pharmaceutics preparations. The membrane/bioadhesive disks preparations consist of bioactive compounds from marine extracts encapsulated into mesoporous functionalized silica matrices and have controlled release. The Black Sea bioresources valorization will be improved by using the residual biomass from technological flux as biofertilizer for vineyards. New technologies for efficient extraction and preservation of active ingredients, encapsulation in pharmaceutical and nanostructured silica matrices, obtaining modern, therapeutically/cosmetic efficient formulations tested in vitro, will be developed. The project will be completed by a multidisciplinary consortium composed of UOC, INCDM, UPB, INCDSB, having a new research center with personnel deficit (Romanian Academy-ICF) and a relaunching center- SCDVV Murtfatlar, which will develop and use the common infrastructure, existing and newly created human resources, both through the project implementation and future collaborations, while strengthening the partners’ institutional capacity through improving their services offers. The project will achieve TRL 5. The main goal of the complex project can be achieved through the complementarity of the 5 component projects, having 6 patent applications and developing new fabrication technologies for 3 pharmaceutical formulations with synergetic action as deliverables, which can be translated to economic beneficiaries.

ADVANCED RESEARCH ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOME PHYTO-IMMUNOMODULATORS FOR VETERINARY USE LINKED UP WITH INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1496 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE CHIMICO - FARMACEUTICA - I.C.C.F. BUCURESTI (RO); ASOCIATIA "CENTRUL DE BIOTEHNOLOGII MICROBIENE" - BIOTEHGEN (RO); DACIA PLANT S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE CHIMICO - FARMACEUTICA - I.C.C.F. BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.phytoimmuvet.ro

Abstract:

The discoveries that are awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize have provided novel insights into the activation and regulation of the immune system demonstrating that immunology domain is of great actuality and still a source of discovery. Moreover, the motto of the EU animal health strategy for 2007-2013 is "Prevention is better than cure" and aims to ensure a high standard of public health and food safety, to promote animal health by preventing/ reducing the incidence of diseases supporting thereby the rural economy. Immunomodulation using medicinal plants can provide an alternative to conventional chemotherapy for a variety of diseases.

The main objective of PHYTOIMMUVET is to design an innovative herbal-based immunomodulatory product targeted for veterinary use, with parenteral administration, efficient for the prophylaxis but also for curative purpose, subscribing to the improvment of the human and animal health, safety and quality of alimentation.

PHYTOIMMUVET presents an interdisciplinary character based on the consortium high expertise in scientific research, high education and manufacture of herbal-based products, complexity of the investigation methods- from laboratory technologies and assays to industrial scale application, launching a long-term public private partnership to support industry-oriented technological development. In order to accelerate the development, implementation and operation of experimental models, PHYTOIMMUVET consortium was specially created to cover aspects like: agriculture-farming (ecological cultures), lab- and pilot-scale technology, chemical analysis (standardization), microbiological control, preclinical testing (pharmacotoxicology and pharmacodynamics in vitro and in vivo), clinical testing (on five animal species-companion or farm animals) using a complex methodology on an enhanced research infrastructure and focus on quality and efficiency, according to European and national standards for veterinary products.

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