BrainMap

Mrs. Florentina-Daniela Munteanu

Prof. Univ. Dr. Habil.

Professor - UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer | PhD supervisor

Web of Science ResearcherID: B-5791-2008

Expertise & keywords

The impact of different habitats and abiotic stressors on the metabolites of plants from Galium and Helichrysum genera Call name: PNCDI IV, SP 5.8.3 - Proiecte de colaborare cu Republica Moldova
PN-IV-P8-8.3-ROMD-2023-0022 2024 - 2026

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO); Universitatea de Stat de Medicină şi Farmacie „Nicolae Testemiţanu” (MD)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

The project is focused on the diverse secondary metabolites in plants, particularly in the Galium and Helichrysum genera. These compounds, including polyphenols, essential oils, and terpenoids, have gained attention due to their potential therapeutic uses. The study aims to investigate how these plants change their secondary metabolite profiles in response to various growth conditions and habitats, including stressors like drought, high carbon dioxide, and ozone.

The project outlines the following specific objectives:

O1: Screening the different plant species from Galium and Helichrysum genera from different locations from Moldavia and Romania regarding photosynthetic parameters and secondary metabolites

O2: Determination of secondary metabolites and photosynthetic parameters, from Galium and Helichrysum spp. grown in abiotic stress conditions (drought, elevated carbon dioxide, ozone)

O3: Determination of antioxidant and antiradical potentials of essential oils and hydroalcoholic extracts from Galium and Helichrysum spp.

O4: Involvement of researchers and Ph.D. students from the Moldavian Republic in advanced research

The research methodology involves the analysis of photosynthetic parameters, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pigments, polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity. The project's originality lies in its focus on stress-induced changes in secondary metabolites and their implications.

Cell-penetrating peptides-containing systems as a potential platform for the use in breast and prostate cancer treatment Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0639 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://cpps-cancer.uav.ro/

Abstract:

Cancer became a major concern with human morbidity and mortality worldwide, therefore many strategies have been applied to combat the propagation of cancer cells and their elevated growth such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Cell-penetrating peptides, CPPs, are useful vectors for the delivery of therapeutic agents such as drugs, siRNA, splice-correcting oligonucleotides, proteins, and plasmids. This project will focus on the design and synthesis of new cell-penetrating peptides obtained by performing chemical modifications of well known antimicrobial peptides. The CPPs will be non-covalently conjugated with different established drugs to obtain stable complexes to study the cellular uptake and pharmacological effects in relevant biological systems. The project aims to develop suitable methods for cell delivery of drugs with high specificity for cell/tissue cancer phenotypes. This project has a strong multidisciplinary character which falls into a special important area of science since it brings together a wide area of expertise including peptide/organic chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology.

Improving the nutritional quality of meat products by applying some innovative technological strategies Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-3240 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website: https://gelly-meat.uav.ro/

Abstract:

Today there is a tendency of eliminating trans and saturated fats from foodstuffs, because of the proved relation between their consumption and appearance of some cardiovascular diseases. A current promising fats’ substitution in foods is represented by oleogelation, which represents a new technique of imparting to liquid vegetable oils the functionality of solid fats, resulting a gel-like structure. Nutritionally improved food products which incorporate oleogels contain less amounts of saturated fats and a more important content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In food applications, oleogelation is one of the most-in-trend strategies for substitution of unhealthy saturated fats, with applicability in bakeries, spreads, confectioneries, and meat products.

Considering all listed aspects regarding the health benefits of using oleogels as fats replacers in food products, we consider that it is a great opportunity and need to obtain novel oleogels, starting from the actual state of knowledge from the field. The challenge to design new oleogels applicable in meat products represents the starting point for current project proposal, while the development of some innovative and healthy reformulated meat products constitutes the final aim. We have proposed to obtain reformulated canned minced meat, by substituting saturated animal fats usually used within classical technology with oleogels pumpkin seed oil-based. This action is salutary, taking into consideration the fact that worldwide there are only few studies regarding the development of a pumpkin seed oil-based oleogel, unstudied in meat products. It is also o chance to expand the consumption of pumpkin seed oil in human diet, due to its nutritive and therapeutical benefits. Feasibility of proposed project will be verified through innovative meat products’ level of acceptance through consumers, as well as through the nutritive and sensorial differences registered as against same meat products traditionally obtained.

The impact of abiotic and biotic stresses on plants due to climate changes Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0410 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://stressedplants.uav.ro/wordpress/

Abstract:

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere due to human activities. Global CO2 concentration has risen more than ever in the last 20 years, from 385 ppm in 2010 to 416 ppm in June 2020. The working hypothesis of the project is based on the fact that because of climate change (increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and global temperature), plants subject to other stressors (abiotic and biotic) tend to develop certain defense mechanisms including emission of different volatile organic compounds and modification in the synthetic pathway of other secondary metabolites.

The general objective of the present study is to investigate the influence of abiotic and biotic stresses on plants grow at elevated carbon dioxide in order to include the volatile emission in global models and to determine the modifications in the synthesis of secondary metabolites.

The originality and innovation elements of the present project consist of studies regarding stress-induced (both abiotic and biotic) to plants grown at high carbon dioxide concentration.

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: Partner team leader

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: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (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.

Demonstrative processing plant for an innovative hemp retting. Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2016-0217 2016 - 2018

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: ECOMAX S.R.L.

Project partners: ECOMAX S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO); CALORIS GROUP SA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website: http://itop.uav.ro/

Abstract:

The project entitled " Demonstrative processing plant for an innovative hemp retting" will develop a technological line for application on an industrial scale of a new concept of technology for hemp retting in small pools by applying a technical innovative solution ( patent Number: RO128837-A0, EP2703527-A1) to obtain high quality fibers.

During the technological processes at pilot industrial scale, beside the retting phase (the main component) will also be tested experimentally the other components of the technology of obtaining superior quality hemp fibers (dry stalks, reuse of wastewaters) and finally all components will be integrated in an automated line.

The novelty acquainted by this research is the use of mixed microorganism inoculum on a substrate of waste fruits and yeast for efficient hydrolysis of the pectins at low temperatures, in the process of hemp retting, the use of a culture of symbiotic yeast and acetic bacteria for removing the pectins from the wastewaters, and use of microwave assisted drying of the stems instead of hot air.

The activities presented in the project will be implemented in partnership and results will bring out: (i) a hemp retting technology applied at industrial scale, (ii) a bio-cleaning method for wastewaters purification industrial applied , and (iii) a prototype processing plant for hemp retting that will give rise to a patent application at the end of the project.

Interactomics of galactosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix by advanced mass spectrometry Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0191 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU ELECTROCHIMIE SI MATERIE CONDENSATA - INCEMC TIMISOARA (RO); CROMATEC PLUS SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website: http://uav.ro/ro/cercetare/proiecte-in-desfasurare/pn-ii-pt-pcca-2013-4-0191

Abstract:

Proteoglycans are heavily glycosylated proteins, covalently linked to one or more glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, which are abundantly expressed in the extracellular matrix. At this level, proteoglycans play a key biological role, being implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. There are strong evidences that chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) type of GAGs regulate angiogenesis and melanoma cell invasion and proliferation, most probably through their functional interactions. Among proteoglycans, biglycan is one of the most intriguing and highly versatile species being equipped with recognition markers both on the two encompassed CS/DS chains and on the protein moiety. Unlike the case of heparin and heparan sulfate type of GAGs, recognized as interacting with fibroblast growth factors (FGF), much less is known on the potentially active domains of CS/DS and almost nothing for the case of biglycan-derived chains. Moreover, the knowledge on the nature of FGF-2 binding domain within CS/DS, the core protein from which the interacting CS/DS derive and of the bound sequence in FGF-2 is at present solely at the level of speculation.

In view of this state-of-art, within ANCS/UEFISCDI PCCA 2013 call, priority field 4 Health, thematic area 4.1.3 Investigation and Intervention Methods Based on Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Genomics and Proteomics we proposed here a transdisciplinary project connecting molecular medicine, glycomics, glycoproteomics, advanced high resolution and microfluidics-based electrospray (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS), nanotechnology and bioinformatics for the determination of functional GAG interactomics. Within the project, biglycan released CS/DS chains will be depolymerized using specific lyases and subsequently purified. The resulting oligosaccharide mixture will be thoroughly characterized by advanced MS techniques in terms of epimerization, repeating dissacharide structure and sulfation pattern i.e. number of sulfate groups and their precise location along the chain and within the sugar ring. The CS/DS mixture will be subjected to noncovalent interactions with FGF-2. The interaction dynamics and the formed noncovalent complexes will be assessed by two high performance MS methods to be used complementarily: fully automated chip-based nanoESI high capacity ion trap (HCT) MS and a high resolution instrument, quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) MS. The structural analysis of the formed complexes will be achieved by top-down complex fragmentation by collision-induced dissociations (CID) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD). Data on the structure and sulfation pattern of the bound CS/DS motifs as well as of the protein sequence participating in the interaction will be collected. To enhance the ionization of the intact complexes a novel nanoESI ion source will be developed and applied within the project life-time to CS/DS, FGF-2 and CS/DS-FGF-2 complex analysis. The bioinformatics tools, including a novel computer software for automatic assignment of CS/DS and CS/DS-FGF-2 mass spectra and a database of all structures and active domains identified, will complete the analytical platform developed in the present project.

From the practical point of view the project contribution to the field progress resides in the introduction of original concepts and innovative approaches in GAG interactomics, which are adaptable also to other carbohydrate categories and relevant to various studies in molecular medicine. Further refinement of the methodologies conceived and optimized here, for routine applicability in early diagnosis of malignant transformations as well as for development of drugs able to inhibit detrimental carbohydrate-protein interactions, are clearly envisaged.

Susținerea incluziunii sociale și a accesului la educație Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2023
CNFIS-FDI-2023-F-0318 2023 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul principal al proiectului este reprezentat de dezvoltărea serviciilor de sprijin oferit studenţilor/elevilor, în vederea creșterii incluziunii sociale și a sporirii accesului la învățământ superior, cu o atenție deosebită acordată celor proveniţi din medii defavorizate.

Obiectivele specifice ale proiectului se referă la:

OS1: Promovarea ofertei educaționale a Universității „Aurel Vlaicu” din Arad și diseminarea directă a acesteia în licee situate în mediul rural şi urban cu sub 10.000 de locuitori;

OS2: Îmbunătățirea condițiilor de acces la educație și incluziune socială prin modernizarea unor spații existente cu infrastructură necesară nevoilor studenților din grupurile vulnerabile;

OS3: Reducerea abandonului universitar prin acordarea de sprijin studenților proveniți din medii defavorizate;

OS4: Dezvoltarea unor canale de comunicare online cu mediul preuniversitar și universitar în vederea susținerii accesului la învățământ universitar, în special a elevilor proveniți din medii defavorizate, precum și de reducere a riscului de abandon universitar.

Oportunități egale la un sistem educațional incluziv Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2022
CNFIS-FDI-2022-0381 2022 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul principal al proiectului este reprezentat de dezvoltărea serviciilor de sprijin oferit studenţilor/elevilor, în vederea creșterii incluziunii sociale și a sporirii accesului la învățământ superior, cu o atenție deosebită acordată celor proveniţi din medii defavorizate;

Obiectivele specifice ale proiectului se referă la:

OS1: Promovarea ofertei educaționale a Universității „Aurel Vlaicu” din Arad și diseminarea directă a acesteia în medii defavorizate, prin organizarea de prezentări în licee. La aceste activități vor fi implicați și studenți care provin din medii defavorizate.

OS2: Organizarea de către Centrul de Consiliere și Orientare în Carieră a unor evenimente (mese rotunde, seminarii, etc) destinate studenților și elevilor. Tema acestor evenimente va fi importanța continuării studiilor, echitatea și incluziunea socială.

OS3: Dezvoltarea unor servicii de sprijin și consiliere oferite studenților cu scopul de a reduce abandonul școlar.

OS4: Dezvoltarea unor instrumente inovative de comunicare online dedicate informării şi comunicării dintre consilieri, cadre didactice şi elevi/studenți, reprezentanţi ale instituţiilor de învăţământ liceal şi studenţi.

PREVENIREA ABANDONULUI ȘCOLAR -ROLUL UNIVERSITĂȚII Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2021
CNFIS-FDI-2021-0291 2021 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul general al proiectului îl constituie acordarea de sprijin studenților, în special celor proveniți din medii defavorizate, în vederea reducerii abandonului universitar.

Obiectivele specifice proiectului vizează:

O1: Organizarea de programe de tutoriat cu scopul de a ameliora rezultatele școlare și de a preveni abandonul școlar.

O2: Organizarea de ateliere de lucru în cadrul cărora să se facă conștientizarea asupra importanței derulării stagiilor de practică și internship, inclusiv a voluntariatului în vederea creșterii angajabilității

O3: Organizarea de ateliere de lucru în care să se analizeze corelarea competențelor dobândite cu cerințele de pe piața muncii

O4: Identificarea unor soluții tehnice care, inclusiv în context pandemic, să permită pregătirea profesională continuă în vederea adaptării la dinamica mediului economic și social.

Valorisation of winery by-products - application for wastewater treatment. Call name: P 3 - SP 3.1 - Proiecte de mobilități, România-Franța (bilaterale)
PN-III-P3-3.1-PM-RO-FR-2016-0030 2016 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO); University of Perpignan Via Domitia Biosensors Analysis Environment (FR); CENTRUL INTERNATIONAL DE BIODINAMICA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul principal al propunerii de proiect este valorificarea produselor secundare agro-alimentare, în special a celor provenite de la cânepă și struguri, două dintre produsele agro-alimentare de importanță economică ridicată și cu o lungă tradiție de cultivare în România și Franța. Un prim pas constă în identificarea de proprietăți antioxidante și antimicrobiene noi și a efectelor sinergetice ale produselor secundare provenite din prelucrarea cânepii și strugurilor. Aceste proprietăți ar putea fi exploatate pentru aplicații în industria alimentară, farmaceutică, a produselor cosmetice, sau la tratarea apelor industriale.. În acest scop partenerii din consorțiu vor dezvolta, adapta și aplica metode și senzori specifice fiecărui laborator pentru evaluarea activității antioxidante și antimicrobiane al produselor secundare provenite de la prelucrarea cânepii și vinificație și a efectelor sinergetice ale amestecurilor acestora, vor evidenția prin metode chemometrice corelațiile dintre aceste proprietăți și parametrii specifici de compoziție ai sub-produselor și vor investiga o nouă aplicație de valorificare a boștinei și tescovinei de la vinificație în tratarea apelor reziduale provenite din topirea cânepii. Mobilitățile si activitățile prevăzute în proiect vor promova un nucleu puternic de tineri cercetători, vor crește vizibilitatea partenerilor și vor servi ca punte spre proiecte europene mai largi dedicate valorificării subproduselor agroalimentare.

Modalităţi de asigurare a echităţii în educaţie şi de creştere a accesului la învăţământ superior Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2016
CNFIS-FDI-2016-0046 2016 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul general al prezentei propuneri de proiect este în concordanţa cu legislaţia în vigoare, precum şi cu documentele strategice adoptate de Guvernul României.

Obiectivul general este cel de consolidare a activităţii Centrului de Consiliere şi Orientare în Carieră (CCOC), ca un semnal clar al priorității pe care o acordă universitatea noastră creşterii accesului la învăţământ superior şi asigurării echităţii în educaţie. O etapă importantă este aceea de a integra principiul echității şi al accesului la învăţământ superior în viața de zi cu zi a instituţiei, astfel încât aceasta să pătrundă în toate facultățile și departamentele, și să nu fie marginalizat ca responsabilitate a CCOC. O astfel de abordare va conduce la o experiență pozitivă a tuturor participanţilor şi beneficiarilor acestui proiect.

O serie de instituții de învățământ superior din ţară şi străinătate au implementat politici de promovare a unui sistem echitabil de acces la învăţământ şi în acest sens au dezvoltat bune practici care ar putea servi drept modele pentru instituţia noastră. Este necesar ca implementarea acestor bune practici să se facă în concordanţă cu prevederile legale şi strategia naţională, elaborate în acest sens.

Pe lângă încurajarea și deschiderea accesului participanților din grupurile țintă, se va asigura faptul că toţi beneficiarii au o experiență pozitivă și au sprijinul necesar pentru finalizarea cu succes a studiilor.

Prin activitățile propuse, obiectivul este încadrat în timp.

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