BrainMap

Luiza Buimaga-Iarinca

Dr

Researcher - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (31/07/2024)

Expertise & keywords

Optimized grid design of lead-acid batteries for start-stop automobiles Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-0936 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/mg-lab/

Abstract:

Despite decades of negative predictions about the demise of the industry or future existence, the lead-acid battery persists to lead the whole battery energy storage business around the world. They continued to be less expensive in comparison with the present-day technologies, being attractive in terms of robustness, tolerance to abuse, power-to-weight ratio, long lifetime, needed to provide high currents in starting car engines. Accumulating over time a well-established and evolved technology base, in particular in the automotive industry, they still emphasize a huge advantage. Nevertheless, during the last years, it was obvious that utilization requirements are changing rapidly, becoming more demanding than ever.

The huge interest in optimizing the metallic grids (MG) in the positive electrode originates in the large differences between the electric conductibility of the lead and that of the lead dioxide (i.e. active material). Thus, our aim is to fabricate an improved lead-acid battery, by following successive steps in the optimization of its electrodes. The final result of the project is the redesigned working battery for start and stop automobiles, in which the battery needs to support at least 2 times more cycles than all conventional ranges, and a high load capacity for faster energy recovery while driving. The results produced within the project will form a pool of knowledge to be translated into technological developments, allowing the shift to industrial scale.

Quantum Computation with Schrödinger cat states Call name: P 3 - SP 3.2 - Proiecte ERA.NET
ERANET-QUANTERA-QuCos 2020 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); Universität Innsbruck (AT); École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (FR); ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE DE PARIS (FR); Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (DE); Quantum Machines Technologies Ltd. (IL)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/pncdi/qucos/

Abstract:

This project seeks to establish a radically new, alternative approach to realizing the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers with superconducting qubits. In the next 3 years, we plan to employ only a handful of realistic components to realize robust error-corrected logical quantum bits. We aim to demonstrate the same level of protection provided by a few hundreds of qubits (with properties beyond the state of the art) in today’s mainstream approach of the so-called surface code architecture. Our alternative approach is known as cat codes, because it employs multiple interconnected high coherence cavity modes with non-linear dissipation, to encode a qubit in superpositions of Schrödinger cat states. Our project combines realizing the quantum processor architecture as well as the control system and the protocols that drive it, building towards a full-stack error-corrected quantum computer. The partners in our collaboration form a strong synergetic group that has the full range of expertise needed to design and realize these systems, and to obtain these challenging goals. Furthermore, all partners of our project, including both industry and academia, have worked together and published works in the fields of quantum computing and quantum information processing.. We aim to implement error protected qubits, fault tolerant operations, and demonstrate the scalability of this approach by realizing a repetition code. Our project will enable quantum experiments towards the ambitious and well-defined goal of constructing a logical qubit, on which we can perform gates, and most importantly, quantum error-correctio (QEC). All algorithms with theoretically proven quantum speedup require QEC, therefore, with this project we are realizing an essential building block of a European error corrected quantum processor.

Stability of the conjugated sulfonamides MOFs used as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0824 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/pce22/index.html

Abstract:

A broad variety of organic compounds have been proposed and studied as electrode materials for batteries over the last decades. However, to date, none of these chemistries are practically suitable for ready-to-assemble Li-ion battery applications. The conjugated sulfonamides (CSA) organic lithium ion cathode materials proposed recently pave the way to new avenues in the field or organic batteries; in particular, the MOFs fabricated using the CSAs have the potential to reach technological maturity..

Our investigations are focus on the study of the stability for a class of 25 structure of type CAS-MOF under cyclic voltametry. Chemical stability will be investigated by analyzing relevant information produced by density functional theory: Bader charges and bond-orders in different redox states, in bulk phase as well as in the molecular form; in this late case, we’ll take into account the presence of solvents. The thermodynamic stability will be investigated via the vibrational entropy of the CSA-MOFs as a function of temperature. Calculations will be done in two parts: ab-initio molecular dynamics, and the analysis of the atomic speeds by Fourier transform in the second part. The results are the vibrational density of states and thermodynamic potentials. The effect of our investigation is to speed up the progress in the field of CSA-MOF organic electrodes by using accurate predictions to narrow the spectrum of systems to be investigated in detail as cathode material.

Superconducting phases and quantum transport in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-0423 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/pncdi/te98/

Abstract:

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) are promising materials for both fundamental research and applications. In this project, we propose theoretical investigations of their remarkable properties in the superconducting phase as they are integrated into nanodevices or used to engineer Majorana bound states.

The 2D TMDs show a strong spin-orbit coupling which favors out of plane spins. This generates robust superconducting phases to in-plane magnetic fields since Cooper pairs are formed by electrons with out-of-plane spins. These properties may be harnessed in a variety of ways. In this project, we will focus on three relevant objectives:

1. Model and study quantum transport in planar Josephson junctions built from TMDs. Study the response to a magnetic field and gate voltage variation to obtain the nanodevice properties.

2. Study the coupling between vertically stacked superconducting TMDs. This is a promising realization of a Josephson junction, where weak van der Waals forces between the monolayers are the substitute for the usual metal or insulator between the superconductor leads. A relative twist of the 2D TMDs alters the properties of the Josephson junction and its effect remains an open question also interesting for fundamental research.

3. TMDs are a promising platform for topological superconductivity. Majorana bound states may be realized by deposition of magnetic atoms or molecules on a 2D TMD superconducting substrate. We investigate this physics in TMDs where at low temperature there is a coexistence of superconductivity and charge density wave order. The effect of the latter on topological superconductivity has not, at this date, been analyzed.

Developing quantum information and quantum technologies in Romania Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0338 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://roqnet.ro/qutech-ro/

Abstract:

Quantum information and quantum technologies are at the forefront of the second quantum revolution: quantum computers, quantum cryptography, quantum communication, quantum imaging/sensing etc. Quantum technologies are strategically important for the economic development -- the European Union recently announced a 1 Billion Euro Quantum Technologies Flagship (QT Flagship) program. Compared to other European countries, unfortunately these fields are seriously underdeveloped in Romania.

The project aims to develop quantum information and quantum technologies in Romania, such that the Romanian community will actively participate in the QT Flagship. The project director (R.I.) is National Quantum Coordinator for Romania in the coordination and support action preparing the European QT Flagship.

The project has three strategic objectives:

(i) research: developing the research capacity in quantum information and quantum technologies;

(ii) education: teaching and training PhD students, postdocs and researchers to work in these fields;

(iii) dissemination: disseminate and transfer the results to society in order to stimulate scientific and economic progress.

Each partner will be responsible for a project from the common research agenda:

1. IFIN-HH: developing theoretical and computational methods for quantum information and quantum technologies (Q-INFO)

2. INFLPR: developing the integrated quantum photonics platform (Q-CHIP)

3. IMT: quantum information with optical vortices (Q-VORTEX)

4. UPB: developing two research laboratories and a quantum source (Q-LAB)

(a) quantum computation lab: cloud programming the IBM-Q quantum computer;

(b) applied quantum information lab.

5. INCDTIM: developing theoretical models for quantum computation with Majorana fermions (Q-FERMI)

The project will result in the formation of the Romanian Quantum Network and the participation of Romania to the European QT Flagship.

design of Highly Efficient AntimicrobiaL peptides: in Silico preDiction and Experimental validation Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-0032 2018 - 2020

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/te99/index.htm

Abstract:

Antimicrobial peptides are a type of host defense peptides that present both high therapeutic potential and high selectivity of interaction with bacterial cells over mammalian cells. However, the possibility of bacterial resistance occurring against natural AMPs activity, combined with the already picked low-hanging fruits of obvious natural peptide targets, suggests the need for novel AMP design approaches. The main challenge is increasing efficacy of the novel drugs in safety conditions, since previous individual design methods had only limited success thus far.

The main objective of this application is the development of a new approach on identifying potential novel antimicrobial drugs. The ground-breaking nature of the proposed approach is that it combines the predicting power of several complementary computer-aided design methods with experimental validation of the proposed AMPs. We will computationally design new AMPs whose purpose would be to disrupt or pass through membrane models, and experimentally validate their efficiency against several bacterial strains. This new approach, can, in principle, be applied to find novel AMPs and rank them by their computationally predicted relative antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity.

Covalently bonded layers of phthalocyanine and porphyrin: a theoretical study Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0217 2017 - 2019

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/pncdi/colt/index.html

Abstract:

The requirement for more stable surface-confined self-assembled structures to be used as building blocks in various nanotechnology applications has led to great interest in covalently bonded two-dimensional molecular networks. Bidimensional structures formed by polymeric metal-phthalocyanine (M-Pc)/ porphyrin (Pp) are realistic candidates for practical applications. The fabrication of such layers has been proven to be feasible only recently; for example, we mention the use of a heating evaporator combined with the control of the layers growth by the temperature variation only. First goal of our proposal is to produce accurate theoretical data of the the physical properties and stability of the 2D structures formed by M-Pc/M-Pf as free and as adsorbed structures by using DFT and Quantum Monte-Carlo simulations. Since any defect present in 2D structures can alter the transport properties, we investigate the stability and properties of multilayered molecular structures formed by M-Pc/M-Pp, as a possible solution to inherent defect formation during the fabrication process. Our second objective is to describe the dynamics and reaction pathways leading to the formation of the M-Pc / M-Pp sheets at noble metal surfaces. As tool, we recall here the Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) method that can provide us a comprehensive picture of the M-Pc / M-Pf reactivity at surfaces. We see this as a tool for the experimentalists aiming for a better control during the fabrication of 2D covalently bond structures.

Design of New Lipid-Modified Peptides to Destabilize Ras Nanoclusters - A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Targeting Oncogenic Ras Proteins Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2418 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/ru118/

Abstract:

Ras proteins mediate a wide variety of signal transduction pathways that regulate cell growth,proliferation and differentiation.These proteins are small GTPases acting as binary switches between the GDP-bound “off” and the GTP-bound “on” states.Oncogenic mutations of Ras renders them constitutively active and are associated with ~15% of all human cancers and up to 90% in specific tumors.Current strategies for developing drugs targeting Ras mutants had little success.Experiments and computer simulations alike showed that membrane-bound Ras proteins form nonoverlapping dynamic nano-sized subdomains (nanoclusters) in an activation state-/isoform-dependent manner.Nanoclusters are protein-lipid assemblies serving as exclusive sites for effector recruiting and signal activation.The main objective of this application is the development of a new approach on finding potential drugs against oncogene Ras.The ground-breaking nature of this approach is that it exploits the dynamic nature of Ras nanoclusters and the key role of their stability in signal transduction.We will computationally determine Ras self-association binding sites and their binding strengths.The results will be used to design new lipid-modified peptides(LMPs) which,due to their designed features,would disrupt Ras nanoclusters.Since Ras nanoclusters are highly dynamic in nature,the peptide-Ras interaction should disrupt nanocluster’s stability and hence the signal output.

The improvement of the manufacturing technology of lead-acid batteries to be used for start-and-stop automobiles Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1226 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); ROMBAT S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/rombss/

Abstract:

We propose a methodology for the improvement of fabrication technology for the positive electrodes used as components in the lead-acid batteries produced at sc rombat sa . The final goal of our consortium is to improve the current technology used by industrial partner for fabrication of the batteries to be used for start-and-stop automobiles (i.e . To satisfy the j240 – sae and en 50342-6 quality tests) . The proposed approach is designed for the optimization of the scientific and technological steps involved in the fabrication of positive electrodes . It integrates the fundamental knowledge obtained from ab initio calculations, synthesis of new chemical compounds, fabrication of new alloys and structural characterization of the materials used to fabricate the electrode, at both nanoscopic and mesoscopic scale . The key element for the integration of all these activities is the fabrication and characterization of functional prototypes by the industrial partner.

The main problem to be solved is to control the corrosion of the positive electrode during the charge-discharge cycles, imposed by the requests of the start-and-stop technology . The solutions proposed by our consortium are: (i) fabrication of new alloys to be used for the production of the metallic grid that support for the active mass of the electrode (ii) improving the fabrication technology of the metallic grid (iii) improving the electrochemical properties of the active mass by new fabrication technology and by the use of new additives to the active mass. We note here that for the negative electrode as well as for the electrolyte the standard products fabricated by sc rombat sa will be used . The project’s goal will be achieved by using a feed-back loop: the design of materials and the fabrication steps involved by each prototype will be refined by successive fabrication of the prototypes that will gradually incorporate the information produced by each partner . At each step of our methodology the full characterization of the electrochemical and structural properties of the materials and prototypes already fabricated will be used as starting point for further refinement of the fabrication technology . A continuous exchange of data between the research Institutes and the industrial partner is foreseen for the whole duration of the project . This will allow us to tune the results obtained in the laboratory with those produced in industrial conditions . At project’s term we will discuss the technological steps needed for the implementation of the results by using the infrastructure available at sc rombat sa.

Novel advanced smart biomaterials of giomer type with applications in dentistry Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1419 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); REMED PRODIMPEX SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://granturi.ubbcluj.ro/giodent

Abstract:

The present research project proposed the elaboration, achievement and experimentation of novel, advanced, smart biomaterial formulations belonging to the giomers class with low polymerization shrinkage, continuous release of fluoride in time, improved adhesion to tooth tissues, high mechanical properties and good biocompatibility to be used in different applications in dentistry.

Given the ample and varied activities to be undertaken, the project requires a consortium to be constituted from five partners, two Universities, one National Research Institute, one Institute of the Romanian Academy and one commercial entity, forming an interdisciplinary team of specialists with experience in chemistry, engineering, physics, materials science, biology and medicine .

The planed results of the research activities are the following: 3 products of giomer type for the restoration of the anterior and posterior teeth, for the prophylaxis of caries with children and as liner/base material; 1 dentin adhesive with improved adhesion to tooth structure, 4 laboratory technologies, 3 Feasibility studies, 3 marketing studies, 4 technical specifications, 6 ISI articles and 2 registered patents.

By achieving the proposed project, contribution is brought to the sustaining of the national policy in the field, by creating the transfer and capitalization opportunities which will lead to the development of a Romanian industry of performing dental products, at

European standards level, having in view the specialized human potential with experience in the field.

Rational design and generation of synthetic, short antimicrobial peptides. Linking structure to function Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0595 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.science.research.uaic.ro/biopep/

Abstract:

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an integral part of the immune system and protect a host from invading pathogenic bacteria. To overcome the problem of antimicrobial resistance, AMPs are being considered as potential alternatives for antibiotics. Although over 1000 AMPs have been isolated and characterized from various hosts, only limited successes have so far been achieved in clinical trials. The major hurdles for converting them into drugs lie in the high cost of production, toxicity to host cells, and susceptibility to proteolytic degradation. Therefore, a better understanding of the structure–activity relationships of AMPs is required to facilitate the design of novel antimicrobial agents. Herein we plan to focus our effort on designing and optimizing novel short, cationic amphiphilic peptides. We will undertake rational design, synthesis, and extensive testing of a series of short cationic peptides, we envision proteolityc and salt resistant. They will be made of a limited set of L- and D-aminoacids based on an elementary amphipathic templates of up to to 11 aminoacids, searching for the minimum number of aminoacids and optimal architecture able to confer the peptide optimal lytic activity and specificity against various pathogens. In order to enhance antimicrobial activity with no additional hemolytic activity, peptide synthesis will be considered by using non-natural amino acid analogs that will substitute hydrophobic residues leucine, isoleucine and phenylalanine. This group of peptides will be designed and synthesized with shorter sequence and simpler molecular structure and could be easily modified upon a particular requirement. The structural simplicity also offer technological advantages for mass production and purification.

Ion sensing and separation through modified cyclic peptides, cyclodextrins and protein pores Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2011-2-0027 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University

Project partners: “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University (RO); National Research and Development Institute of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies (RO); “Babes-Bolyai” University (RO); “Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering (RO); “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)

Affiliation: National Research and Development Institute of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies (RO)

Project website: http://science.research.uaic.ro/biosens/

Abstract:

Development of nanostructures capable of detecting and separating individual molecules and ions has become an important field of research. Particularly, protein-based nanostructures are attractive due to their ability for tunable molecular recognition and ease of chemical modification, which are extremely important factors on various applications. In this project, self-assembly functionalization will be approached, aimed at providing an efficient design for molecular recognition, ion sensing and separation, through new host-guest chemical methodologies, bio-nanofabrication and physicochemical manipulations methods. New crown ether type macrocycles, functionalized cyclodextrins and cyclic peptides will be engineered to work as specific molecular adaptors for the -hemolysin protein, giving rise to hybrid molecular superstructures possessing ion sensing and selectivity properties. The size and functionality of the macrocycles are targeted to ensure the anchorage in the pores and the selectivity of specific host-guest complexation processes. A surface detector array device suitable for use with a biosensor is envisioned, through ink printing nanotechnologies. The device architecture will be formed of a substrate having a surface defining a plurality of distinct bilayer-compatible surface regions separated by one or more bilayer barrier regions. Custom designed nanoscale bilayers containing selected receptors through cyclodextrins derivatives and macrocyclic peptides, self-assembled on different micro-nano arrays surfaces (polymers, Au or Si) will be fabricated. Further engineering of such functionalized nanomaterials based on molecular recognition and host-guest methodologies, in conjunction with flexible and mechanically robust enough substrate platforms, have the great potential for applications such as separation of nanoparticles, sensors, drug delivery, removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions and chiral separation.

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