BrainMap

Monica Neagu

Researcher grade I; Habilitation in Immunology - University of Bucharest -

Other affiliations

Researcher - SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI (Romania)

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (22/06/2023)

Expertise & keywords

Portrayal of antigen presenting cells in cutaneous melanoma - innovative pillars for harnessing immunotherapy Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0549 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO)

Project website: https://www.ivb.ro/pce9_2022

Abstract:

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and the rising incidences and high mortality are major medical concerns. New and valuable scientific information was acquired on immune mechanisms involved in melanoma development allowing the immune-related drugs onset. The need to identify immune-related markers that predict response to treatment is steadily increasing. Mature dendritic cells (DCs) process antigens (Ag), present them to lymphocytes, hence is a central cell for initiating an effective anti-tumoral immune response. Based on our published findings and expanded in this project we will study Ag presenting cells (APCs), their involvement in the specific immune response in melanoma. We will analyze melanoma with regression as model for immune-mediated tumor destruction vs. melanoma without regression and as benign counterpart nevi with regression (halo nevi) and common nevi.

Objectives:

- particularities of the inflammatory infiltrate and different types of immune responses in melanomas with and without regression vs. benign control.

- new insights in host’s immune response in melanoma with and without regression versus corresponding benign lesions with subsequent identification of candidate circulatory and/or tissue biomarkers

- new criteria for classification of melanoma based on differences of APC presence in inflammatory infiltrate and in the blood stream.

The project will define for the first time the “immunophenotype” of patients with melanoma in Romania.

Polifactorial protocol of diagnosis in diabetic neuropathy Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-2243 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE DIABET, NUTRITIE SI BOLI METABOLICE''PROF.DR.N.PAULESCU''BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE DIABET, NUTRITIE SI BOLI METABOLICE''PROF.DR.N.PAULESCU''BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: https://umfcd.ro/cercetare-si-dezvoltare/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/pn-iii-p2-2-1-ped-2021-2243-remind-protocol-polifactorial-de-diagnostic-in-neuropatia-diabetica/

Abstract:

Neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes, being a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, is a challenge, despite the complexity of the existing methods. Our preliminary results revealed the possibility of using in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy for evaluation of skin small diameter sensory fibers, thick myelinated fibers and autonomic nerve fibers.

Given our experience, our complex investigation capacity and our preliminary data we aim to develop a 24 month duration research project, with the objectives of: development of a new imaging diagnostic tool for in vivo evaluation of cutaneous nerve fibers injury using reflectance confocal microscopy and optimization of an integrated protocol for diagnosis, staging and monitoring of peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Implementation of our new imaging diagnostic technique and protocol in clinic will enable the early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, in a stage with maximum therapeutic efficiency, will facilitate therapeutic monitoring of patients and will reduce the risk of comorbidities. This project may increase the capacity of our health system to provide modern medical services and may lead to an increase in the quality of life and to reduced costs associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Advanced Innovative approaches for predictable regenerative medicine Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0782 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO); INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO)

Project website: https://unibuc.ro/cercetare/promovarea-rezultatelor-cercetarii/proiecte-de-cercetare/proiecte-cu-finantare-nationala/65pccdi-2018/

Abstract:

Considering that HEALTH is one of the main areas of public priority, the approach of interdisciplinary researches with applicability in Regenerative Medicine can significantly contribute to improving the quality of life of patients with tissue defects. The aim of the project is to create a consortium with complementary research experience in the field of regenerative medicine, which will efficiently use the human resource and modern research infrastructures newly created for the implementation of innovative technologies, with the aim of developing and transferring the results to the economic environment. The project aims to develop new technological products in the form of biocompatible biomaterials designed for bone reconstruction (P1), nerves (P2), soft tissues (P3) and breast reconstruction after tumor resection (P4).

Multi-disciplinary platform for regional institutional capacity enhancing in dermatooncology and dermato-pathology domains Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0341 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI

Project partners: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO)

Project website: http://cdpcolentina.ro/buton11pathderm.html

Abstract:

Dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology address the most frequent pathology, but the medical training is scarce, hence the new diagnosis and treatment approaches in skin cancers are frugaly tought in residency and in post-universitary training. Thus, the medical act is hindered by the “in-house” training of the clinicians that can lead to low quality medical serivces for the patient. The project re-unites 6 prestigious institutes that have prior collaborated (Bucharest, Cluj): an university hospital, a national institute, a Romanian Academy national institute and 3 universities (two medical ones) that propose for the first time on national level a research and training platform for dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology developing 4 multi-disciplinary projects. Project 1 developps an improved diagnostic and prognostic markers for the most frequent skin cancers- squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas. Project 2 identify the markers for improved prognosis and therapy monitoring in cutaneous melanoma. Project 3 develops new methologies for therapy testing in dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology. Project 4 completes the training slope of young researchers and medical doctors to increase the medical services quality (decrease social costs of the dermato-oncology pathology) and to increase the research results in the biomedical domain. We estimate a significant impact of the results on the institutional capacity consolidation regarding human resources (13 new research positions, several training stages, several work visits) and infrastructure (upgrading of the existent infrastructure); 3 patents, 3 new sets of biomarkers for diagnostic/prognostic/monitoring for the increase of the health care system, RD services, and international visibility improvement.

NEW METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: CURRENT CHALLENGES AND TECHNOLOGIC SOLUTIONS BASED ON NANOMATERIALS AND BIOMATERIALS Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0062 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "GRIGORE T. POPA" DIN IAŞI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE CHIMICO - FARMACEUTICA - I.C.C.F. BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA BRASOV (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO)

Project website: http://infim.ro/en/project/sanomat/

Abstract:

The project will develop novel conceptual and functional solutions of biomedical devices for treatment, reinforcement/repair/replacement (of human tissues) and diagnosis based on nanostructured and/or biocompatible materials, with high attractivity and certain potential for technology transfer to industry. The experience of the interdisciplinary consortium will allow a passage from concepts of nanomaterials and biomaterials with extended and/or complementary functional features to implementation to new biomedical applications of great interest: (i) antitumoral therapeutic systems (by localized magnetic hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy and drug delivery); (ii) biocompatible compounds with enhanced antimicrobial efficacy; (iii) stent or vein/arterial filters implants based on ferromagnetic shape-memory alloys (with the advantage of repositioning without the need of new invasive interventions); (iv) personalized bone regenerative implants (i.e. porous ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering; dental implants with rapid osseointegration); (v) (bio)sensors for monitoring the bioavailability of pharmaceutical compounds and detecting the reactive oxygen species and their biologic effect; and (vi) correlation of physico-chemical properties with clinical investigations for two types of aerosols (salt particles and essential oils), and their prospective coupling with possible synergistic effects. The synergic development of the institutional capacity of the project partners will be achieved by: creating new jobs and purchasing new equipment and software, providing technical/scientific assistance to the emerging institutions, initiating and fostering collaborations with partners from industry in view of technology transfer, and increasing the international visibility of the involved institutions by capitalizing on the obtained research results. The project will create the core of the first national cluster in the field of healthcare technologies.

Multi-disciplinary platform for regional institutional capacity enhancing in dermatooncology and dermato-pathology domains Call name:
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0341 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI

Project partners: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI (); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (); INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology address the most frequent

pathology, but the medical training is scarce, hence the new diagnosis

and treatment approaches in skin cancers are frugaly tought in

residency and in post-universitary training. Thus, the medical act is

hindered by the “in-house” training of the clinicians that can lead to low

quality medical serivces for the patient. The project re-unites 6

prestigious institutes that have prior collaborated (Bucharest, Cluj): an

university hospital, a national institute, a Romanian Academy national

institute and 3 universities (two medical ones) that propose for the first

time on national level a research and training platform for

dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology developing 4

multi-disciplinary projects. Project 1 developps an improved diagnostic

and prognostic markers for the most frequent skin cancers- squamous

cell and basal cell carcinomas. Project 2 identify the markers for

improved prognosis and therapy monitoring in cutaneous melanoma.

Project 3 develops new methologies for therapy testing in

dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology. Project 4 completes the

training slope of young researchers and medical doctors to increase the

medical services quality (decrease social costs of the dermato-oncology

pathology) and to increase the research results in the biomedical

domain. We estimate a significant impact of the results on the

institutional capacity consolidation regarding human resources (13 new

research positions, several training stages, several work visits) and

infrastructure (upgrading of the existent infrastructure); 3 patents, 3 new

sets of biomarkers for diagnostic/prognostic/monitoring for the

increase of the health care system, RD services, and international

visibility improvement.

Advanced Innovative approaches for predictable regenerative medicine Call name:
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0782 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (); INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The aim of the project is to create a consortium with complementary

research experience in the field of regenerative medicine, which will

efficiently use the human resource and modern research infrastructures

newly created for the implementation of innovative technologies, with

the aim of developing and transferring the results to the economic

environment. The overall objective of REGMED is to increase the

institutional performance of the involved research structures in the

approach of innovative techniques with applicability in regenerative

medicine, in accordance with the priorities of public relevance and

intelligent specialization related to HEALTH.

REGMED addresses the following topics: (1) Osteoimmunomodulation

as a predictive factor of bone tissue regeneration efficiency (Project 1-

BONE); (2) Biocompatible system for assisting peripheral nerve

regeneration (Project 2-NERVE); (3) Cellular and molecular mechanisms

involved in regenerative processes of soft tissues (Project 3 SOFT); (4)

Modulation of tumor microenvironment using intelligent systems for

mammary reconstruction (Project 4-TUMOR).

The estimated results of REGMED are: (i) strengthening a highly

specialized consortium in Regenerative Medicine and its sustainability

by developing a common CDI program; (ii) creating and supporting 12

new jobs; (iii) achievement of new products with controlled release

properties for the regeneration of bone tissue, soft tissues, peripheral

nerves and breast tissue post-mastectomy, resulting in 4 submitted

patent applications; (iv) strengthening the capacity of institutions with

opportunities for relaunching and training the human resources from the

involved institutions in modern technologies by experience exchanges;

(v) Improving the offer of research services on the erris.gov.ro platform;

(vi) scientific input (min 10 ISI articles, min 20 papers at conferences)

and (vii) transfer of project results to the economic environment.

Innovative architectures of controlled drug released systems based on Hesperidin and Related Flavonoids for chronic leg ulcers wounds treatment Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1386 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" RA (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE DIABET, NUTRITIE SI BOLI METABOLICE''PROF.DR.N.PAULESCU''BUCURESTI (RO); CENTRUL MEDICAL CAROL SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" RA (RO)

Project website: http://www.ivb.ro/cercetare/PCCA%20ctr%20185_web%20data%202014.pdf

Abstract:

Chronic leg ulcers can have an arterial, venous, mixt or diabetes etiology. Is an invalidating disease that affects annually in SUA up to 2 million individuals and in Europe 1% form the population. Its incidence is rising with age, and over 2/3 from the patients have a history of ulcers more than 5 years. The co-morbidities are multiple, amputation and even death being frequent. The cost of the therapy can be in the developed countries up to 1-3% out of the total health care budget. The incidence of chronic leg ulcers is rising in Romania influenced by the arterial, venous or diabetes dysfunctions as well as by alcoholism, smoking and obesity.

The proposed project aims to obtain an innovative medical product as a dressing-patch embedding vasoactive and anti-oxidants compounds, (nano)hesperidin/flavonoids that have a controlled release. The innovative dressing is designed for topical application of chronic skin lesions developed in patients with leg ulcers. The final product formulated in this project matches the Priority Domain 6 Biotechnology (subdomain 6.1.1), thus improvement of healing process in post-surgery treatment chronic leg ulcer

The project is proposed by a consortium of 3 partners, “Victor Babeş” National Institute of Pathology, National Institute for Research in Chemistry - ICECHIM, „N. Paulescu” National Institute for Diabetes and Nutrition and a medical SME Medical Center Carol.

Among the flavonoids used in oral administration in chronic leg ulcer, hesperidin is a glucozid that is abundant in citrus fruits. Recently, formulating hesperidin in nanocristals, has provided its dermatological application, assessing its antioxidant effect. In vitro studies have shown its clear antioxidant properties, and using them as nutrients has shown its vaso-protective action.

The project proposes the following specific objectives:

• Obtaining and complex physical-chemical characterization of hesperidin/flavonoids compounds.

• In vitro testing of the obtained compounds in cellular systems for toxicological profile and regenerative capacity evaluation.

• In vivo testing of the formulated compounds in murine model for testing the efficacy of nanostructured hesperidin/flavonoids dressing-patches.

• Evaluation of the selected nanostructured hesperidin/flavonoids dressing-patches on adult human subjects diagnosed with chronic leg ulcers according to the national laws.

The project also intends to disseminate results in form of publications and scientific communications.

Regression-based theranostic polyfactorial classifier for melanoma patients stratification Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1407 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" RA (RO)

Project website: http://www.cdpcolentina.ro/01%20meltag.html

Abstract:

Cutaneous melanoma is a disease with increasing incidence worldwide; it is a malignancy with unfavorable prognosis, causing important human and economic losses; the current staging of patients with melanoma (AJCC 2009) has poor predictive value, identifying new biomarkers being mandatory.

Regression in melanoma is a morphological parameter credited by various authors with favorable or unfavorable prognostic significance. Our previous studies have shown that there are different processes of regression in melanoma (both morphologically and as type of inflammatory infiltrate) and regression in melanoma is expression of intratumor heterogeneity, areas with regression presenting, in some tumor subcategories, variations in expression of some biomolecules associated with favorable prognostic significance.

We propose a detailed genomic and proteomic study of melanomas with regression that has as main objective establishing of polyfactorial classifier for diagnosis/ prognosis/ therapeutic approaches in melanoma. As secondary objectives are the establishing and validation of serum and tissue biomarkers in melanoma and the identification of mechanisms involved in melanomagenesis and tumor progression.

To reach these objectives, we will select cases well documented for clinic data and follow-up. We will analyze minimum 45 melanomas with regression (areas with and without regression), minimum 45 melanomas without regression and, as control, benign melanocytic lesions with regression (minimum 28 nevi with halo) / no regression (minimum 28 common nevi). These cases will be selected from the archives of CO, a university hospital with solid reputation in dermatology and dermatopathology, and, when possible, from those of P2.

We will identify areas of interest on paraffin embedded fragments and we will dissect them under microscopic control; the obtained material will be analyzed by arrayCGH (P1). We analyze the products of mutant gene both in tissue (CO) and serum (P1) by immunohistochemical techniques, proteomics technologies and protein microarray. We will perform an extensive statistical analysis of genomic and proteomic data for selecting biochemical, immunohistochemical and genetic parameters significantly associated with prognosis. It will therefore establish the theranostic polyfactorial classifier. The new classifier will be further validated on a separate group of patients using serum, frozen tissue and paraffin blocks from CO and P2, kept in P1 tissue bank. For validation, we will use biochemical and IHC tests (proteomic biomarkers) and more accessible molecular methods (qPCR/FISH) (genomic biomarkers).

Our results will be disseminated widely through presentations (poster/oral presentations) in national/international congresses/symposia, scientific articles (indexed journals) and a workshop. We will apply for a national patent for the classifier.

The consortium includes a university hospital - CO with wide addressability and modern equipment for histopathology, a research institute - P1 with solid reputation in circulating biomarkers identification and genetic analysis and a SME - P2 with dermatooncologic medical profile. The teams are multidisciplinary (dermatologists, pathologists, biochemists, biologists, geneticists, laboratory medicine physicians, statisticians) including senior and junior researchers. We will create new positions (PhD / postdocs). Consortium selection was based on complementarities between institutional partners and synergies between them and SME to achieve both SME involvement in research and technology transfer between academia, public health sector and SME medical private practice.

Our study will lead to valuable results for both health system (early diagnosis) and individual patients (personalized therapy). The polyfactorial classifier for melanoma diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring will generate other national patents for biomarkers in melanoma.

New photosensitizer-drugs in dermato-oncology Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0918 2011 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare in Domeniul Patologiei si Stiintelor Biomedicale "Victor Babes", Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare in Domeniul Patologiei si Stiintelor Biomedicale "Victor Babes", Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare in Domeniul Patologiei si Stiintelor Biomedicale "Victor Babes", Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.ivb.ro/cercetare/Idei%20113_date%20actualizate%20web_2016.pdf

Abstract:

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an alternative treatment in oncology based on preferentially localized of a photosensitizer (PS) in tumor tissues upon systemic administration. Under light activation PSs generate reactive oxygen species which can irreversibly damage the target tissues. Compared to current treatments for cancer, PDT offers the advantage of an effective and selective method of destroying diseased tissues without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues. The PDT efficiency depends upon the chemistry of the PS, the pharmaceutical formulations, the amount of PS in the treated tissue, the time of light activation, the light doses and the absorption properties of the PS. Nanomaterials are widely used in drug delivery systems or clinical diagnostic assays and can be ideal carriers of PS. PDT is currently approved in actinic keratosis, Bowen disease, basal cell carcinoma, but in order to improve this therapy there is still the need to increase the skin accumulation of the photosensitizer with low systemic toxicity. The main goal of the project is to obtain nanostructured compounds that efficiently deliver photosensitizers into the skin for photodynamic therapy application in dermato-oncology. By consolidated efforts of various specialists, ambivalent compounds with both photosensitizer and drug delivery functions will be constructed in order to develop advanced porphyrins-nanoparticles agents, with enhanced accumulation in skin, bioavalabiliy and better PDT action.

Image-Based Assisted Diagnosis and Prognosis of Cutaneous Melanocytic Tumors Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0249 2011 - 2014

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO)

Project website: http://www.umf.ro/index.php/activitate-stiintifica/pnii ; http://istuff.ro/research/melanoimage/

Abstract:

Malignant melanoma (MM) are one of the most aggressive types of tumors, with a growing incidence, high morbidity and mortality, affecting the young population, and with substantial treatment costs. Recent research indicates that the shape of such tumors (structure, repetitive patterns, and scale invariance) is highly relevant for diagnosis and prognosis. In this project, we aim to develop new ways to capture, quantify, and analyze structural aspects of MM extracted from medical imagery using medial axis (MA) techniques and tools. To this end, we shall develop MM-based techniques to analyze dermoscopic, confocal microscopy, and histopathology data, based on structural aspects deemed to be relevant by medical experts. We shall analyze the statistical correlation between extracted aspects from different MM image sets, and tumor type and evolution, and propose pre-classifier techniques for computer-assisted prognosis and diagnosis.

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