BrainMap

Lucia Agoston-Coldea

- UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU"

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer | Entrepreneur

Expertise & keywords

The development of dual role silver nanoparticles for the treatment of osteoporosis and bone infections Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2267 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://nmn.ro/projects.html#NanoAgOst

Abstract:

In 2000, the direct costs related to osteoporotic fractures, in the European Union, exceeded 30 billion euros and they are projected to rise as life expectancy grows.In the field of bone regeneration, the use of growth factors

has been widely researched, but this approach has yet to penetrate into practical applications.The use of small molecules for bone regenerative medicines has been largely overlooked, this approach can minimize or even overcome many of the problems associated with protein-based growth factors.The scientific impact of the proposed research project derives from addressing a still-not achieved and highly addressed aims of alternative antibacterial approaches in bone infections and osteoporosis treatment. The results of the research can open new directions in the fight against antibiotic resistant infections and in the way osteoporosis treatment is addressed. The use of small biological active molecules in conjuncture with antimicrobial metal nanoparticles can open new research directions in the field of nanomedicine, thus highlighting the projects importance. The social impact resides from the need to develop new, targeted therapies in the treatment of osteoporosis and antibiotic resistant bone infections. The proposed functionality approach could lead to a valid prototype for patent application and technological transfer, therefore the proposal has a high economical impact.

Multimodal treatment of pancreatic cancer through phototermic activated plasmonic resonance and selective chemotherapy mediated by silver biocomposites. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1553 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); ASOCIATIA AAMIRA APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATICS IN RESEARCH AREA JUDETUL CLUJ (RO)

Affiliation: ASOCIATIA AAMIRA APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATICS IN RESEARCH AREA JUDETUL CLUJ (RO)

Project website: http://nmn.ro/projects.html#Nanochim

Abstract:

The research aims to explore one of the most modern nano-bio-technological concepts with applications in medicine, vector therapy combined with photo-thermally activated plasmon resonance mechanism. The project aims to use specific peptides and silver biocomposites under chemotherapy treatment in order to obtain selective tissue necrosis and to improve the response to chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer for the first time. The research will be entirely carried out from concept phase to in vitro testing of the suggested method. The project is structured into three consecutive phases, emphasizing the elucidation of all theoretical aspects of the synthesis concerned, and generating multiple solutions for biotreatment of these dual-purpose composites: binding of chemotherapeutic agent and binding of tumor selective agent. The research results in the selection of a synthesis product, followed by drawing up the technical specification required for patenting.

Photothermal nanotherapeutics for selective eradication of Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1289 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); ASOCIATIA AAMIRA APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATICS IN RESEARCH AREA JUDETUL CLUJ (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO)

Project website: http://www.nmn.ro/nanostaft.htm

Abstract:

Antibiotic resistance is a growing and increasingly serious public health problem. Infectious diseases caused by MRSA and other bacteria are responsible for millions of deaths each year, and much of this mortality is due to the rise of antibiotic resistant organisms. MRSA has emerged as a major nosocomial pathogen in the last decade. Treatment for MRSA infections is difficult as vancomycin, the only responsive treatment, is partially effective, has considerable toxicity and it is poorly absorbed by body tissues Newer antibiotics may help to offset the onward march of MRSA resistance but new technologies for rapid detection of MRSA carriage and treatment are needed to help reduce the threat in the future. From a clinical perspective, attractive alternative approaches for treating such MRSA resistant strains would be using agents that cause physical damage to the bacteria.

The long term objective of this project is to develop new anti-infectives that are highly effective and refractory to antibiotic resistance exhibited by MRSA using specific antibodies conjugated to gold nanoparticles as NIR responsive photothermal contrast agents. Thus, we plan to obtain a very efficacious pulse laser mode treatment of individual MRSA agents with minimal effects on the surrounding cells, providing highly localized killing effects for the Ab-GnP targeted bacteria only. In addition, we intend to identify the optimal dose and schedule of administration of this selective nanophotothermal treatment that will cure people with MRSA infections without causing the emergence of resistance.

Selective near-infrared plasmonic photothermal terapy (PPTT) of human liver cancer mediated by biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1551 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://nmn.ro/nanoliv.htm

Abstract:

The general goal of this project is to develop a novel therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on a combination of a treatment strategy that involves gold nanoparticles bound to antibodies and laser irradiation. The strategy involves selective tumor ablation obtained by irradiation of gold nanoparticles that will be targeted to the liver cancer cells by antibodies conjugated to them. Furthermore these nanobiosystems will be tested using in vitro, in vivo and ex vivobiological platforms.

Nanomediated colon cancer prophylaxis in mice using a MUC-1-conjugated GoldNPs/ dendritic cells synergic vaccine. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1586 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO)

Project website: http://www.nmn.ro/vaccinan.htm

Abstract:

Colon cancer is a major cause of deaths worldwide, and it is expected to rise in the coming years. Importantly, in adults younger than 50 years, CC incidence rates have been increasing by about 1.6% per year since 1998 in men and women. Up to date therapeutic management in colon cancer treatment include surgical resection of the primary tumor, chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy. Despite advances in surgical techniques and adjuvant therapy, there has been only a limitted improvement in survival for patients who present advanced neoplasms.

In order to achieve a distinct colon cancer vaccine model, present project aims to develop a new method of immunization through combined administration of functionalized Gold NPs and dendritic stem cells suspensions. The key aim of the project would be to conjugate MUC1 antigen to Gold NPs in order to promote major histocompatibility complex mediated (MHC) antigen presentation by dendrite cells. We hypothesize that the moiety would then contribute to an optimal combined Gold NPs+dendrite cells colon cancer prophylaxy effect. As a result to VACCINAN project, CC patients will have the chance to benefit from improved survival by being offered innovative, improved treatment solutions to be further applied in the near future.

Development of CA 19-9 plasmid DNA-carbon nanotubes vaccine for pancreatic cancer immunoprophylaxis. Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2012 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2012-4-0243 2013 - 2016

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR (RO)

Project website: http://www.nmn.ro/nanoplasmid.htm

Abstract:

Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal solid tumor in humans. PC is also one of the most intrinsically drug-resistant of all tumors and the lack of effective cytostatics contributes to the increased mortality rates.In patients with cancer, due to the altered expression of proteins involved in antigen processing and presentation, tumor cells are able to avoid recognition by the immune system, and insufficient activation of antitumor immunity leads to poor protective responses. Present proposal aims to genereate a plasmid DNA encoding an immunogenic peptide derived from CA 19-9 antigen an to test it alone or in combination with carbon nanotubes in order to induce eficient anti-tumor immune responses.

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