BrainMap

Gabriela Paun

PhD

- INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Researcher

With more than 25 years of research experience, I have developed my core competencies in the application of membrane processes, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration, in various fields such as biotechnology, food industry and phytopharmaceuticals. I have worked in fractionation and concentration of active principles from medicinal plant extracts, performing qualitative and quantitative characterizations of them, determining the antioxidant activity of extracts and evaluating their inhibitory effect on some enzymes associated with dysfunctions of the human body. Throughout my career, I have also been involved in another area of research, namely the production of microporous substrates, including membranes and polymer/composite microparticles, for various applications. In addition to my research experience, I have acquired strong organisational and managerial skills as a research project manager and director.

Web of Science ResearcherID: F-7551-2011

Curriculum Vitae (28/09/2023)

Expertise & keywords

Phytonutrients based on phytocomplecs enriched in phytoestrogens with potential for use in the management of metabolic diseases Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-1185 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); CENTRUL DE CERCETARE SI PRELUCRARE A PLANTELOR MEDICINALE PLANTAVOREL SA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website: https://www.incdsb.ro/p/Phyto-ESM/

Abstract:

Nowadays, obesity and diabetes mellitus are two major nutritional disorders due to their frequent association with major cardiovascular risk factors, responsible for increasing mortality. Recent studies have shown that phytoestrogens have various beneficial effects on health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes and different form of cancers.

This project aim is technology for obtaining phytonutrients based on phytocomplexes concentrated in phytoestrogenic compounds from Trigonella foenum-graecum, Medicago sativa and Solidago virgaurea and evaluation of their effect on key enzyme linked to type-2 diabetes and obesity and also testing the biological effects using in vitro cell culture. The project technological development will foresee: a) Protocols for optimum extraction process, using modern extraction technologies: microwave assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction and accelerated solvent extraction of phytoestrogenic compounds; b) Achievement and validation of innovative laboratory technology based on selective separation processes (microfiltration/ultrafiltration for preconcentration and nanofiltration for phytoestrogens concentration); c) Analytical characterization and testing the biological effects of phytocomplexes enriched in phytoestrogens.

Involving a brand company in the domestic and foreign market in medicinal plants processing will lead to increasing the potential of the private company to get involved at performance level in scientific and technical and to develop new nutraceuticals, herbal drugs or food products for prevent of metabolic diseases.

The original results on the laboratory technology will be patented for transfer to the partner SME.

Development of New PHYTo-formulations with enhanced BIOACTive potential based on polyphenols complexes from plants and vegetal by-products Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3945 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); CENTRUL DE CERCETARE SI PRELUCRARE A PLANTELOR MEDICINALE PLANTAVOREL SA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website: https://www.incdsb.ro/p/nphytbioact/Rezultate.html

Abstract:

NPHYTBIOACT project intends to demonstrate the feasibility of using innovative technologies to improve natural resources (plants and vegetal by-products) use and to increase the efficiency of phyto-products formulation. The core objective of the project: to settle a complete solution for development and lab-scale validation of new phyto-formulations with enhanced bioactivity. Achieving the NPHYTBIOACT major goal implies the following technological downstream: 1.Validation of the innovative technologies of extraction existing at the consortium level (TRL 3) for silymarin extraction from milk thistle and polyphenols/flavonoids extraction from rosehip; 2.Development and characterization of phytosomes (phyto-phospholipids complexes) based on complexes “active compound –phospholipids” to be further used in phyto-products formulation. In our case active compound are silymarin, respectively polyphenols/flavonoids while phospholipids are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine phosphatidylserine; 3. Lab-scale new phyto-formulations based on the developed phytosomes & validation of the new-formulations

At the project completion the following outcomes will be provided: two validated extraction technologies (microwave assisted extraction), for silymarin from milk thistle (plant, by products) and polyphenols/flavonoids from rosehip (plant, young branches, by-products) and selective concentration and standardization in rutin, quercitrin and kaempherol will be performed; lab-scale validated procedures for phytosomes synthesis, silymarin-phytosomes, respectively flavonoids-phytosomes; validated formula for new highly bioactive phyto-products including synthesized phytosomes.

NPHYTBIOACT, aims to perform a step forward from the results existing at the consortium level, targeting to improve the existing know-how in order to obtain new phyto-products with enhanced bioactivity and increased solubility characteristics in physiological relevant fluids.

Obtaining new vector types for their phytotherapeutical principles, by means of biotechnological processes and the modeling of the phytotherapeutical principle's release mechanism Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0034 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEXTILE SI PIELARIE-I.N.C.D.T.P. BUCURESTI SUCURSALA BUCURESTI INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PIELARIE - INCALTAMINTE I.C.P.I. (RO); UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO); CENTRUL DE CERCETARE SI PRELUCRARE A PLANTELOR MEDICINALE PLANTAVOREL SA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website: http://www.incdsb.ro/p/NEWBIOVECT/index.htm

Abstract:

The goal of the NEWBIOVECT consortium is to develop a new biomimetic biovectors – complex of the multi-membranes and active principles of a phytocomplex obtained from Symphytum officinale, Betonica officinalis, Salvia officinalis and Impatiens L. species concentrated extracts, such as polyphenols (can mimic the effects of cytokines, they have also been involved in the regulation of cell division and expansion), flavones, saponins (anti-inflammatory compounds that mimic the action of steroids), allantoin and polysaccharides (stimulate proliferation of keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts). The project also aims to release in vitro and in vivo a therapeutic dosage of drug that heals wounds and reduces the inflammatory effects. The new biovectors will be will be kinetically characterized and will be establish of the mechanisms involved in the kinetic processes.

The development of new, advanced systems biovector phytotherapeutic compounds (active ingredients) aim to the skin wounds’ treatment improvement as well as shorter the hospital recovery time. This project focuses also on the superior valorizing of some well-known medicinal herbs (Symphytum officinale and Salvia officinalis), as well as the higher valorizing of Impatiens L. Species and Betonica officinalis which has not yet been introduced in Romania, for research and proceeding by now. Additionally, this project aims to transfer the new knowledge in the economic environment for a more efficient use of medicinal and aromatic plant species, and increase the quality and competitiveness of Romanian’s phyto-pharmaceutic products on domestic and foreign market.

The project results will get a technological impact considering the development of some new, nonconventional processes with high efficiency, in Romania, for obtaining and processing the herbs extracts.

The main objectives of the NEWBIOVECT project are: i) design and synthesis of novel polymeric and composite multi-membrane systems, macroporous and nanoporous membranes for active principles of a phytocomplex obtained from Symphytum officinale, Betonica officinalis, Salvia officinalis and Impatiens L. species concentrated extracts delivery; ii) kinetic studies concerning the active principles in vitro release from the obtained supports, and testing the obtained support for their biocompatibility; iii) accomplishment of the biovectors’ experimental lots for the phytopharmaceutical products with reproducible characteristics and evaluate in vivo therapeutic efficacy.

Inovative, multidisciplinary research to investigate the probiotic effects of new lactic acid bacteria strains and consortia Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0969 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website: http://genetmicroproiecte.blogspot.ro/search/label/PROLAB%2077

Abstract:

The emergence of bacterial resistance and multiresistance to antibiotics represent a major public health problem in Romania and also in the entire world. In Romania, there is an increasing trend of the incidence of infections with bacterial strains highly resistant to antibiotics, whose prognosis is often worsened by the producing of bacterial biofilms on the tissues and biomaterials used in medicine. In our country, the problem of development of some alternative strategies for the prevention and treatment of the infections with multiresistant and biofilm forming bacteria is less studied, despite their great application potential in biomedicine and their utility in the recovery of the balanced or eubiosis state of the normal microbiota, after the negative impact of the antibiotics on bacterial communities. One of the most viable alternatives is represented by probiotics products which by administration in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on human organism. For the best use of the probiotic microorganisms, the mechanisms by which they work should be better understood. The selection of an appropriate probiotic strain for its inclusion in a probiotic preparation should be made on the basis of its capacity to induce an improved host response without modification of the intestinal homeostasis.

The main goal of this project imply complex studies of probiotic strains (lactic acid bacteria newly isolated) and multispecific consortium in order to improve the experimental protocol for the optimal selection of human use probiotics, based on their anti-infective and immunomodulatory activities.

Polysulfone-polyaniline nanocomposites functionalized for bioanalysis and bioseparation Call name:
2007 - 2009

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Hybrid materials obtained by grafting of metallic complexes onto functionalized matrices and their application in biomimetic processes Call name:
2006 - 2009

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI ()

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Concentration technology by permselective materials of bioactive complexes from young plant tissues Call name:
2006 - 2008

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: BIOING S.A.

Project partners: BIOING S.A. (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

PROCEDURES TO OBTAIN THE CONCENTRATED AND PURIFIED BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM INDIGENOUS PLANTS Call name:
CEEX76/2008 2006 - 2008

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Edible, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Call name: EC-FP7
FP7-97347-247548 2019 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITA DI PISA

Project partners: UNIVERSITA DI PISA (IT); INSTYTUT UPRAWY NAWOZENIA I GLEBOZNAWSTWA, PANSTWOWY INSTYTUT BADAWCZY (PL); NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (BG); UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS (ES); UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI SASSARI (IT); UNIVERSIDAD DE SALAMANCA (ES); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCERTARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCERTARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE RA (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator
List of research grants as partner team leader
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