BrainMap

Mrs. Paula Alexandra Postu

Scientific researcher - INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE ONCOLOGIE IAŞI

Researcher

Expertise & keywords

Antiaggregation potential of 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine from Paenarthrobacter nicotinovorans pAO1 against amyloid peptide: in vitro and in vivo studies Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-1692 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI

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

Affiliation:

Project website: http://cercetare.bio.uaic.ro/grupuri/bioactive/content/grants/PCE2022_hl.html

Abstract:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive degradation of memory processes, being associated with three major changes that occur in the brain: i) the formation of intra- and extracellular beta-amyloid deposits; ii) the appearance of neurofibrillary tangles and iii) the death of cholinergic neurons and a significant decrease in acetylcholine level. The identification of neuroprotective therapies for AD was dominated by the hypothesis of amyloid cascade and tau proteins. Unfortunately, both approaches have so far failed to provide an effective therapeutic strategy. The involvement of α7 and α4β2 subtypes of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) in the pathogenesis of AD has led to the proposal of a new therapeutic approach. Immunohistochemical studies in the brains of patients with sporadic AD have shown that Aβ1-42 and α7nAChR are present in neuritic plaques and this interaction may be inhibited by α7nAChRs ligands. Nicotine, through its ability to bind to nAChRs is the ideal molecule for the development of new derivatives with therapeutic applications. The project aims to test the antiaggregating potential against Aβ1-42 of 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine (6HLN), derived from the metabolism of nicotine in the microorganism Paenarthrobacter nicotinovorans pAO1. To achieve this goal, the project activities will focus on evaluating the action of 6HLN in vitro on cell lines and in vivo on 5xFAD transgenic mice, in order to identify its therapeutic potential.

Enhancing and Strengthening the Excellence in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research at TRANSCEND Call name: P 3 - SP 3.6 - Premierea participării în Orizont 2020
PN-III-P3-3.6-H2020-2020-0105 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE ONCOLOGIE IAŞI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE ONCOLOGIE IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.iroiasi.ro/proiecte-eu/nanotechnology-lab-en

Abstract:

TRANSCEND, designed as a translational research centre at the Regional Institute of Oncology (IRO), an university hospital, due to the EU Structural Funds, is in a emergent stage of its development. The centre, planned to generate a translational repertoire of biomarkers capable to develop the diagnostic tumor taxonomy and to keep going the personalized therapy, was founded on the interdisciplinary interplay between several cell and molecular high-throughput technologies. It therefore offers a stimulating and dynamic scientific and clinical environment to reach its maximum potential by extending the current scientific aims to a more pronounced inter-, multi- and transdisciplinary approach of the biomedical research. Such a goal will be fulfilled by exploring the huge opportunities brought by nanomedicine in development of less expensive and more powerful devices and functionalized nanocarriers used for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. Hence, the ambitious goal of the ESEI-BioMed project is to enhance and strengthen the excellence of the interdisciplinary biomedical research at the TRANSCEND research centre. To meet this objective, a highly successful and experienced leadership (ERA Chair holder) whose experience and professional value, including a range of skills from excellent research manager to excellent researcher in the field of nanomedicine-oriented research, will be hired aiming at implementing positive changes in the actual organization of the centre. The interdisciplinary scientific plan and the management skills of the ERA-Chair holder will certainly be the catalysts of the creation of an interdisciplinary team made of highly-skilled and dedicated researchers capable to properly address the scientific challenges and finally to increase the international visibility, translational capability and socio-economic impact of the TRANSCEND.

Steps towards an Arthrobacter nicotinovorans biotechnology for neuro-pharmaceuticals production Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0177 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI

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

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI (RO)

Project website: http://www.bio.uaic.ro/cercetare/grupuri/bioactive/content/grants/ped2017.html

Abstract:

6-hidroxy-nicotine (6HNic), a naturally occurring metabolite of Arthrobacter nicotinovorans was shown to bind the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and to modulate their function. Experimental tests using laboratory rats have shown the ability of 6HNic to cope with the acetylcholine depletion and to restore normal brain functions. 6HNic has been thereby identified as a high impact bio-pharmaceutical with application in the therapy of neurodegenerative disorders associated with low acetylcholine levels. The scope of the funding application is to develop a technology for the production of the neuroprotective agent 6HNic in an industrial-like environment and to test it at a pilot scale. For this, a genetically engineered Arthrobacter strain will be created by knocking-out specific genes using suicidal vectors. The mutant strain will be further accommodated to a bio-reactor and the conditions for optimum 6HNic production will be evaluated. The final goal is to formulate a microbial based biotechnology for the production of 6HNic ready to be transferred to the industrial environment.

The Structural and Epistemic Changes to Evolutionary Theory Brought about by Multi-Level Selection Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2653 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI

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

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI (RO)

Project website: https://multilevelselection.wordpress.com/

Abstract:

This project proposes a new way of analyzing the relation between multi-level selection theory and the theory of natural selection in general. The idea behind this approach is that, if Darwin could, already in his Origin of Species, use an argument involving multi-level selection in order to save his theory of natural selection from would otherwise have been, in his words, a “fatal objection”, then this argument could only hold if selection at multiple levels is precisely the same type of process as natural selection in general. As a consequence, if Darwin’s reasoning is to hold, than any modification that the notion of selection receives when applied at multiple levels needs to be incorporated in our general notion of natural selection (otherwise defending the theory of natural selection by way of an explanation involving multi-level selection would not take us very far).

This project attempts to analyze the consequences of this idea both at a historical level (by studying the epistemic changes – or roles – that multi-level selection has already played in evolutionary theory) and at a theoretical level (by studying the structural changes that multi-level selection might bring about in evolutionary theory at present times).

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