BrainMap

Mrs. Natalia Simionescu

Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: N-6574-2015

Expertise & keywords

Innovative multifunctional, bioactive topical formulation for the management of malignant wounds Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-2193 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); SANIMED INTERNATIONAL IMPEX S.R.L. (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://bios.unibuc.ro/Proiecte/proiect-pn-iii-p2-2-1-ped-2021-2193.html

Abstract:

Malignant fungating wounds (MFW) are incurable, severe, and debilitating conditions normally occurring in the last (six) months of oncologic patient’ life, affecting the overall quality of life and requiring appropriate palliative care to alleviate pain and suffering. MFW’s microbiome may influence the development and severity of wound symptoms, causing foul odors, peri-wound skin damage, inflammation, and ultimately, delays in the healing proliferative phase. ARGOS project is implemented by a consortium of two research institutions and one company with previous experience in developing collagen-based pharmaco-cosmeceutic products and is aiming to develop an innovative multi-purpose, bioactive topical formulation to assist the physical management of malignant fungating wounds, by addressing the microbiome-related symptoms such as pain, odor, and exudate. The proposed solution is based on collagen and inorganic - gold, silver and magnetic – nanoparticles functionalized with plant-derived bioactive compounds (such as polyphenols contained in Chelidonium majus L. and Tamarix gallica extracts, with previously demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antiviral and immunomodulatory activity). Therefore, the main novelty of the proposed solution is that it provides not only a wide antimicrobial effect, but also anti-cancer activity and pro-healing properties on the site of malignant wounds. The physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties of the collagen-based optimized product will be validated by standard protocols and the technological scaling documentation and argumentation of the investments required for in vivo tests will be elaborated (TRL4).

Modular Approach to the Synthesis of Multifunctional Polymer Coated Nanoparticles for Applications in Nanomedicine Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-0922 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: https://sorinibanescu.wixsite.com/modnanompol

Abstract:

Nanomedicine has the potential to enable early detection and prevention and to drastically improve diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of many diseases including cancer but not only. It will provide the right tools for personalized, targeted and regenerative medicine by delivering the next level of new drugs, treatments and implantable devices to clinicians and patients, for real breakthroughs in healthcare. The main objective of the project is to prepare new materials as modular and versatile platforms based on inorganic core coated with multifunctional polymers, belonging to the 4th generation of nanocarriers, with potential application in molecular detection, imaging and drug delivery systems. Various systems could be realized based on the model platform developed within this project using libraries of nanoparticles, ligands and active principles. To prove the efficiency and the practicality of such a system magnetite will be used as core nanoparticle, taking advantage of its response to external factors (magnetic field) and its suitability for imagistic technique. The research will also benefit from the non-fouling proprieties from polymeric materials with PEG side-chains such as poly hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (POEGAMA) and the high density of hydroxyl functional groups offered by the grafting from approach. Folic acid will be used as a ligand towards tumour cells as they present an excess of folate receptor. Two systems will be also generated where folic acid will be coupled to the polymer brush modified nanoparticles via pH sensitive imine bonds or stable amide bonds. All synthesized materials will be fully characterized regarding their physico-chemical properties and biocompatibility. Also their ability to selectively bind to receptor cells will be verified.

Microvesicle-associated microRNAs as new potential biomarkers for risk prediction and early diagnosis of glioblastoma recurrence Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0283 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL CLINIC DE URGENŢĂ "PROF. DR. NICOLAE OBLU" IAŞI

Project partners: SPITALUL CLINIC DE URGENŢĂ "PROF. DR. NICOLAE OBLU" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation: SPITALUL CLINIC DE URGENŢĂ "PROF. DR. NICOLAE OBLU" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: https://nataliasimionescu.wixsite.com/microglio

Abstract:

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer in adults, characterized by poor survival, lack of effective therapies and high recurrence rates. Despite ongoing efforts, minimal advances have been made in the early detection of GBM recurrence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and are known to be involved in various types of cancer. Circulating miRNA profiles reflect modified tissue expression and they are able to cross the blood-brain barrier in pathological states, thus supporting their potential use as biomarkers for brain tumors. Microvesicles (MVs) are extracellular vesicles (100-1000 nm) which contain a disease- and tissue-specific cargo, including miRNAs, and have been shown to promote horizontal malignancy into adjacent tissue.

Combining clinical data, molecular biology and biostatistics, the proposed project aims to define new biomarkers for risk prediction and early diagnosis of GBM recurrence. The specific objectives of this project are: (1) Screening and molecular classification of GBM subtypes in patients from the North East region of Romania; (2) Quantifying circulating plasma MVs and GBM-specific markers on circulating plasma MVs; (3) Identifying and validating the GBM-specific miRNA signature in circulating MVs; (4) Quantifying circulating MV-associated miRNA expression levels at post-treatment follow-up evaluations of GBM patients; (5) Defining the predictive potential of specific MV-associated miRNAs for GBM recurrence.

The expected outcome of the proposed project is the validation of miRNAs contained within plasma MVs as biomarkers that could complement the clinical and imagistic diagnosis of GBM recurrence. Successful implementation of the project could potentially lead to improved diagnostic techniques that will reduce healthcare costs, lessen the burden on patients’ families and improve survival and quality of life for GBM patients.

Mimicking living matter mechanisms by five-dimensional chemistry approaches Call name: P 4 - Proiecte Complexe de Cercetare de Frontieră
PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0050 2018 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO); CENTRUL DE CHIMIE ORGANICA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE "C.D.NENITESCU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.intelcentru.ro/5D-nanoP/

Abstract:

Mimicking the living matter mechanism of cooperation by complementarity represents one of the most challenging tasks of supramolecular chemistry. For now the solution consists in using particularly designed molecular unimers, endowed with the necessary amount of chemical information.

The 5D-nanoP project is dedicated to interfacing the fundamental research area of constitutional dynamic chemistry with the practical approaches of medicinal chemistry and biomedical applications. In the spirit of a metaphor of Jean-Marie Lehn (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1987), the project aims to materialize the concept of 5D chemistry in designing, synthesizing, characterizing, and using molecules with conditional affinity, to build versatile supramolecular nanoplatforms able to vectorize compounds of pharmaceutical or biochemical relevance, and genetic actuators, all of them involved in physiologic and pathologic processes at cell- and tissue-level.

The project will add the layer of 5D chemistry over the backgrounds of molecular assembling line techniques to produce particulate nanoplatforms, self-assemblable in the virtue of the chemical information stored by the designed unimer molecules. Two modern techniques of building dynamic chemical structures will be considered: (i) the use of self-immolative linkers, and (ii) the space stepwise and time phased (microfluidic) assisted synthesis. To prove the applicability of the produced nanoplatforms, an ex vivo cell cultivation system will be developed to emulate tissue/tumor niches.

Eight teams will be involved in the 5D-nanoP project to cover the main addressed research areas: (i) the in silico molecular design, (ii) the development of a unimers chemical library, (iii) the development of a molecular assembling line, (iv) the conjugation of the developed platforms with chemical species of biomedical interest, (v) the build of ex vivo emulating niches, and (vi) the bio-oriented assessment of nanoconstructs efficacy.

Intelligent therapies for non-communicable diseases based on controlled release of pharmacological compounds from encapsulated engineered cells and targeted bionanoparticles Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0697 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU''

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.icbp.ro/static/en/en-networking_grants-grants-national_grants/intera.html

Abstract:

Non-communicable diseases (atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity), a major cause of mortality, are characterized by associated inflammatory processes. The complex project INTERA aims to develop innovative therapeutic methods to ameliorate the pathological progression by reducing the inflammatory process. The multidisciplinary studies proposed by INTERA can create and define new nano- or micro-medical devices usable for smart and innovative anti-inflammatory therapies. INTERA includes 4 projects: (1) Encapsulation of genetically manipulated eukaryotic cells for controlled release of pharmacologically active products; (2) Development of a 3D platform designed for pre-clinical drug testing composed of cells incorporated into three-dimensional bio-matrices; (3) Intelligent nanobioparticles designed for bioactive compounds vectoring to pathological sites for vascular inflammation targeting. (4) Polymeric conjugates for efficiently inducing the expression of genes of interest with applicability in cellular therapy. The consortium consists of 4 partner research units - two institutes of the Romanian Academy (IBPCNS, ICMP), a university (UPB) and a national CD Institute (INCDFM) with good territorial coverage (Bucharest-Ilfov-Iasi). Predicted Indicators: 10 new R & D jobs, 8 ISI articles, 4 patent applications, 8 new technologies, 7 new service offers posted on the ERRIS platform. Institutional development: the new competences and the improvement of existing ones in partner units will attract the attention of the economic environment towards a better correlation of scientific and economic interests and better valorization in the field of drug science. From a social point of view, institutional development will lead to lowering the cost of these pathologies through new therapeutic approaches, more accessible to the population and hence, improving the quality of life.

Formulation of a bio-absorbable class III medical device for local drug delivery Call name:
2019 - 2020

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (); CORTHOTEC LIMITED, London, UK ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

SupraChem Lab - Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry for Adaptive Delivery Systems - ERA Chair initiative Call name: P 3 - SP 3.6 - Premierea participării în Orizont 2020
PN-III-P3-3.6-H2020-2016-0011 2016 - 2020

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI"

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Project website: http://www.intelcentru.ro/suprachem_lab/PNIII/

Abstract:

The SupraChem Lab - Support Project aaims to complements the European funding for the WIDESPREAD 2-2014 project: ERA CHAIR, no. 667387: SupraChem Lab - Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry for Adaptive Delivery Systems ERA Chair initiative Project.

The Orizont 2020 project started in July 2015 and aims to create a team to conduct advanced research on supramolecular chemistry. The SupraChem Lab project benefits from the scientific support of several high-level chemists, including Nobel Prize-winning Professor Jean-Marie Lehn in 1987 and is considered the founder of the global supramolecular chemistry school.

Assessment of molecular strategies to improve atherogenic dyslipidemia by modulating the microRNAs expression Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-0290 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU''

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO)

Project website: http://www.icbp.ro/static/en/en-networking_grants-grants-national_grants/theramir.html

Abstract:

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, generated and/or aggravated by lipid metabolism disorders. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their role in the regulation of the gene expression is one of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs of the last period. Identifying functional miRNA target genes is crucial to understand cellular function of specific miRNAs. Our preliminary results show that miR-486 and miR-92a are significantly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) vulnerability and are associated primarily with high density lipoproteins (HDL), specifically with HDL2 and HDL3. Existing data do not refer to the existence of lipid metabolism-related genes that are functionally targeted by miR-486 and miR-92a, although these miRNAs individually target over 250 genes. The main aim of the project is to evaluate molecular therapy for dyslipidaemia by in vivo modulation of microRNAs expression. Our working hypothesis is that dyslipidemia may be treated by using specific inhibition of miRNAs. Accordingly, the first objective is to identify by bioinformatics analysis and to validate lipid metabolism-related genes targeted by miR-486 and miR-92a. We will further explore blood and tissue-specific microarray distribution of miRNAs in hyperlipidemic animals. Furthermore, we will evaluate the effects of in vivo inhibition of miRNAs in atherosclerosis development. Finally, we will assess the HDL-mediated transfer of specific microRNAs to cultured cells.

New predictive biomarkers for the evolution of the stable and unstable coronary artery disease identified by lipidomic, proteomic and molecular biology technologies Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0184 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU''

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO); SPITATUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA ELIAS (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO)

Project website: http://www.icbp.ro/static/en/en-networking_grants-grants-national_grants/biomarcad.html

Abstract:

Coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of mortality and loss of productive life years worldwide, is generated mainly by atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial blood vessels. Although the minute pathobiological alterations occurring in atherosclerosis have been revealed, the fight against this disease is hampered due to the shortage of early signs, such as biomarkers with prognostic value for the evolution of atherosclerosis and the ensuing CAD. To cover this gap, the goal of this project is to establish new biomarkers with potential to predict the risk for developing life-threatening events in CAD patients, and to test the relevance of the measured biomarkers in patients by correlating them with the clinical evolution of CAD. A complex experimental setting will include clinical and experimental research performed by a consortium of two partners with recognized achievements in their respective fields. The novelty of the project is the detection of oxidized lipid molecules, translational regulatory molecules (miRNAs) and inflammatory molecules, the establishment of a link between the effect of oxidized lipids on the cellular secretion of miRNAs, pro-inflammatory molecules and on the switch of monocytes to the inflammatory phenotype by the use of cultured human endothelial cells and monocytes, and the correlation between circulating endothelial progenitor cells and the inflammatory monocytes from the CAD patients blood. The originality of the project resides in the final design of a protocol using a group of biomarkers implicated in the three pathways of atherosclerosis (lipid oxidation, transcriptional regulation and inflammation) that have the potential to predict CAD evolution and the transfer of the methodology for detection of the new biomarkers from bench to the clinic, to allow, at reasonable cost, the early prediction of life-threatening events, which will lead to a prolongation of the lifespan.

Biologically inspired systems for engineered structural and functional entities Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2011-2-0028 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry

Project partners: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO); "N. Simionescu" Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology (RO); " Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi (RO); " Costin D. Nenitescu" Institute of Organic Chemistry (RO)

Affiliation: "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RO)

Project website: http://www.intelcentru.ro/Biomimetics_PCCE

Abstract:

The project aims to study, to develop and to preliminary test biomimetic structural and functional entities, able to act as gene transfection vehicles of non-viral type, and having a DNA packaging capacity of about 2  5 kilobases. The main features of these entities are: (i) the general structure of a polyplex, (ii) the functionality of a cargo-complex that chemomimic the histones, morphomimic the nucleosome and biomimic a virus like gene vector, (iii) the ability to include or to reversibly bind and transport (bio)chemical species necessary to assist the DNA vehiculation and trafficking, (iv) are based on fullerene-rich polymers and / or dendrimers, (v) the capacity to associate to artificial extracellular matrices, in order to generate gene delivery systems with transfection ability, for ex vivo applications. The developed entities will represent effective tools in genetic and tissue engineering, useful in health restoration, life quality enhancement, and to cure tissue and human organism deficiencies. The envisioned engineering strategy to build biomimetic entities may sustain a spin-off type transfer of knowledge towards hi-tech application areas, with a clear echo in clinics and, finally, in human health. The project involves seven complementary teams hosted by four research and academic institutions. In equilibrated ratios, senior, young and junior researchers will collaborate inside the project frame.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader	Download (13.44 kb) 08/12/2021
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects