BrainMap

Loredana Mereuta

- UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI

Researcher | Teaching staff

Expertise & keywords

Homogenous immunoassay technique based on functionalized nanoparticles. Application to detection of pesticide contaminant 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from alimentary and environmental samples Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0402 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Partner team leader

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); UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

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

Project website: http://proiecte.nipne.ro/pn2/138-proiecte.html

Abstract:

Immunological methods such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are increasingly becoming important for pesticides residual analysis due to the high specificity of detecting molecules like antibodies. These immunoassay methods are highly specific, sensitive (nanogram or picogram) and accuracy for the detection of low molecular weight contaminants presents in our environment. ELISA is a technique based on the ability of non-labeled antigen (e.g. pesticide) in a specific volume of standard solution or in an unknown sample to compete with a fixed of amount of enzymatic labeled antigen for a limited number of binding sites of a specific binding antibody protein. The objective of the project is to develop a new and innovative immunochemical technique based on functionalized nanoparticles, homogenous enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (HnELISA) technique for detection of pesticide contaminant 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D) from alimentary and environmental samples. 2,4D is one of the most used herbicide in agriculture to control and destroy of the weeds that can affect agricultural crops. The remanence of this organochlorurate compound in alimentary products, transfer and contamination of ground water in the areas where this pesticide is used require the analysis of this chemical in order to establish the contamination level of the alimentary products and the environmental factors (water, soil).

The objective of the project is to develop an immunoassay technique with improved qualities in comparison with traditionally ELISA technique existed on the market for detection of pesticide contaminants from alimentary and environmental factors. Qualitative characteristics as sensitivity, accuracy, stability of the nanoimmunosorbent and low cost per assay are finally taken in account. Development of HnELISA technique would have practical application in monitoring of the pesticide contaminant 2,4D from alimentary and environmental samples.

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: UNIVERSITATEA "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" IASI (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: “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University (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