BrainMap

Sanda Boca-Farcau

Scientific Researcher I - UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: https://publons.com/researcher/2744963/sanda-cosmina-boca/

Expertise & keywords

Implementation of multifunctional nanomaterials for the early detection and treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia using non-invasive techniques Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2426 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/site/nanomedleukemist/

Abstract:

As the acronym indicates, the NanoMEDLeuKemist project stands at the interface between medical sciences (detection and treatment of cancer) and nanotechnologies (nanomaterials fabrication, conjugation with drugs and functionalization with biomolecules). Centered on an original investigation which is based on an innovative approach to detect and treat a specific type of cancer by exploiting the unique properties of nanostructured materials, this project aims to implement a new, nanotechnology-based approach for cancer management on cellular models, in vitro. Specifically, the project proposes to design a type of spectroscopic encoded gold nanoparticles that are suitable for the targeted delivery of drugs currently used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Combining the optical properties of these nanoparticles with their chemical specificity and biofunctionalization will offer the possibility to guide such nano-carriers at the desired location and simultaneously track them by their optical response in vitro. The capability of visualizing these nano-carriers directly in biological media through non-invasive spectroscopic methods will facilitate the managing of the drug dosage for specific individual administration, which is critical for attaining a maximal therapeutic effect in any drug-responsive tumor system.

Nano-Gap Arrays Fabricated on Large Areas as Plasmonic Platforms for Controlling Light Emission Processes Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2639 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/site/glanceprojectubb/

Abstract:

This project, titled Nano-Gap Arrays Fabricated on Large Areas as Plasmonic Platforms for Controlling Light Emission Processes (acronym GLANCE), proposes to develop some reliable procedures for fabricating large area noble metal nanostructures that exhibit a high density of uniform nano-gaps, the thorough investigation of their optical / plasmonic properties, and advanced studies of photoluminescence of quantum dots placed at the nano-gaps. The final aim is achieving control over the spontaneous emission through surface plasmon engineering. The expected results of this project can generate both new knowledge at fundamental level, relevant for Plasmonics and NanoPhotonics, and experimental procedures with an important potential application in new light emitting devices, future photonic integrated circuits or optical (bio)sensors. The project will also contribute to the personal development of its young members, who will be involved in tackling hot topics, in a competitive and productive scientific environment.

Stem cell therapies for degenerative retinal diseases with the help of nanotechnology Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1232 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); CARL ZEISS INSTRUMENTS S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.granturi.umfcluj.ro/retstem/

Abstract:

The team who elaborated this project proposal has the intention to obtain progress in a field of major importance for the peoples' health and quality of life: the development of a stem cell based therapy, capable to overtake the structure and function of a retina affected by diseases beyond any cure.

The problem to be addressed and solved within this project has an extremely important practical relevance, taking into consideration that its purpose is to find a therapeutic solution for the disabling retinal diseases that affect significantly all the age groups: age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy pigmentary retinopathy, Stargardt disease.

The transplantation of stem cells with the aim to offer neuroprotection and repairment of the injured cells represent new therapeutic strategies.

One end-product of the project is a complex experimental model of retinal reconstruction in which stem cell transplantation is combined with a nanoparticle delivery system for growth factors to improve grafting and differentiation into functional retinal cells. To get a better insight into the pathophysiology of retinal diseases and restoration with stem cells transplantation, the role of animal models is indispensable. In this context, the private company involved in this project, with a recognized tradition in the development of the optical devices, aims to make a technological innovation by developing a portable optical coherence tomograph applicable both to the experimental research (studies on animals) and to the clinical practice (example: the tomographic evaluation of the retina in the prematurely new born infants).

The common denominator in the above-mentioned retinal diseases is the loss of the neural cells (photoreceptors, interneurons, retinal ganglion cells) and of the essential supporting cells (retinal pigmented epithelium). Therefore, the novel therapeutic strategies aim the development of neuroprotective and regenerative strategies. Stem cells have the potential to be used both for neuroprotection and for cell replacement.

The new therapeutic strategies in retinology can be divided into several broad groups: genetic therapy (the augmentation of a gene's function or in the inhibition of a mutated gene), drug therapy ( cromophore supplementation), neuroprotection ( to slow down the degeneration of the photoreceptors with neurotrophic growth factors), electric stimulation of the visual pathways and regenerative medicine.

In recent years, a new field of biotechnology, nanomedicine, makes its way in retinal diseases diagnosis and therapies. The advantages of nanoparticles include delivery of therapeutic agents, targeted delivery of drugs to specific cells or tissue, improved delivery of both water-insoluble drugs and large biomolecule drugs, and reduced side effects.

The general objective of this project is retinal reconstruction with the help of stem cells and functionalized gold nanoparticles with growth factors as local delivery systems.

In parallel we intend to develop some specific objectives: (1) the elaboration of a retinal disease animal model and (2) the elaboration of non-invazive retinal investigation techniques.

This retinal reconstruction model is intended to be as close as possible to the human clinical approaches with the aim to facilitate the translation of the stem cells transplantation into the clinical frame. The delivery of the growth factors with gold nanoparticles in order to improve the implantation and differentiation is a new (original) therapeutic approach in the retinal transplantation.

Within the project structure, the following successive components are individualized: the preparation of the stem cell populations that are going to differentiate into retina specific cells; the creation of the animal model that is going to be used to illustrate the modality in which the stem cells administered by various ways are going to repair a retinal lesion produced by laser photocoagulation;

Detection and Treatment of Metastatic Chemoresistant Circulating Tumor Cells using Bioconjugated Noble-Metal Nanoparticles Call name: Postdoctoral Research Projects - PD-2012 call
PN-II-RU-PD-2012-3-0111 2013 - 2015

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPO

Project partners: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPO (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPO (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/site/nanodetctc/

Abstract:

The project entitled Detection and Treatment of Metastatic Chemoresistant Circulating Tumor Cells using Bioconjugated Noble-Metal Nanoparticles (acronym NanoDetCTC) situated at the interface between nanotechnologies (nanomaterials fabrication, photoinduced processes) and biomedical sciences (cancer cell identification and capture, photo-induced apoptosis of cancerous cells) proposes: 1) to develop an innovative method for the in vitro detection, imaging, and treatment of a certain type of cancer cells (CTCs) using spectroscopic labeled noble-metal nanoparticles; 2) to investigate the photo-physical processes and mechanisms of photoinduced cellular death using metallic nanoparticles. Noble-metal nanoparticles (Au/Ag) of desired optical properties (enhanced light absorption and scattering, efficient amplification of the local electromagnetic field) will be synthesized and labeled with spectroscopic-encoded molecules. The optical/plasmonic properties and surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) efficiency will be investigated in order to optimize these nanoparticle-labels. As high specificity is another mandatory requirement of CTCs detection, the nanoparticles will be targeted with specific antibodies and the interaction of such nanomaterials with the investigated cells and the biological effects that might occur will be studied. Finally, the particles ability to inhibit proliferation or to induce cellular death by photoactivation using visible and NIR lasers will be evaluated.

Development of Dual Electrical/Optical NanoSensors on Flexible Substrates by Colloidal Self-Assembly Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0134 2011 - 2014

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea Babes-Bolyai

Project partners: Universitatea Babes-Bolyai (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://sites.google.com/site/farcaucosmin/research/deonos-project

Abstract:

The project titled Development of Dual Electrical/Optical NanoSensors on Flexible Substrates by Colloidal Self-Assembly proposes to develop highly efficient nanoparticle-based (bio)chemo-sensors with simultaneous optical and electrical readout. Colloidal gold nanoparticles (

BIOFUNCTIONAL NANOPARTICLES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW METHODS OF IMAGING, SENSING, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY IN BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT (NANOBIOFUN) Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2008 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2008-0129 2010 - 2013

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE NANOSTIINTE SI NANOTEHNOLOGII

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE NANOSTIINTE SI NANOTEHNOLOGII (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIOLOGIE MOLECULARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE MATERIALE AVANSATE SI TEHNOLOGII (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR DE STRUCTURI MOLECULARE SI MODELLING (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIONANOSTRUCTURI SI SISTEME MOLECULARE COMPLEXE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR DE MODELARE COMPUTATIONALA A SISTEMELOR NANOSTRUCTURATE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR DE NANO-ALOTROPI AI CARBONULUI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR DE ELECTROCHIMIE SI CHIMIE SUPRAMOLECULARA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE NANOSTIINTE SI NANOTEHNOLOGII (RO)

Project website: http://www.phys.ubbcluj.ro/~dana.maniu/Web_ID_PCCE/

Abstract:

THE NANOBIOFUN PROJECT BRINGS TOGETHER EXPERTISES FROM 8 RESEARCH CENTERS IN PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY TO ADDRESS THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE METHODS OF MOLECULAR SENSING, IMAGING, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS BY COMBINING THE UNIQUE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF NOBLE-METAL NANOPARTICLES (NPS) WITH THEIR CHEMICAL SPECIFICITY AND EASY WAY OF BIOFUNCTIONALIZATION. KEY SCIENTIFIC ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT ARE (1) TO PROVIDE A BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION ( CELL TARGETING) TO AN ARTIFICIAL NANO-OBJECT IN ORDER TO TACKLE A SPECIFIC BIOLOGICAL ISSUE, AND (2) TO FABRICATE TAILORED NANO-OBJECTS ABLE TO TRANSFER / INDUCE A PHYSICAL SIGNAL ( LIGHT OR ELECTRIC CURRENT) TO A BIOLOGICAL ENTITY (BIOMOLECULE AND CELL) IN ORDER TO PROBE ITS STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES IN A CONTROLLED MANNER. SPECIFICALLY, THE PROJECT ADDRESSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLASMON-RESONANT NPS AS NEW OPTICAL LABELS FOR BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES, MEMBRANE AND CELLS AS WELL AS MULTIFUNCTIONAL AGENTS FOR CANCER DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY. THE PROJECT WILL TARGET THE FABRICATION OF GOLD NPS AND HYBRID METAL/POLYMER/SILICA/ STRUCTURES OF SPECIFIC SHAPE, SIZE (2-200 NM) AND DESIRED OPTICAL PROPERTIES AND REALIZE THEIR CONJUGATION WITH RELEVANT (BIO)MOLECULES / PROTEINS / DNA / BIOPOLYMERS. AS A MAJOR RESULT OF THIS PROJECT WILL TO DEMONSTRATE AN ORIGINAL APPROACH IN CANCER THERAPY GIVEN BY THE ABILITY OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES TO MEDIATE HYPERTHERMIA INDUCTION TO KILL CANCER CELLS UPON LASER IRRADIATION, THEREBY FUNCTIONING AS SELECTIVE THERMAL NANO-SCALPELS. THE PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE ON THE INVESTIGATION OF BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF BIOCONJUGATED GOLD NANOPARTICLES ON VARIOUS NORMAL AND TUMOR CELLS CULTURES.AN IMPORTANT OUTCOME OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE THE PRODUCTION OF COST EFFECTIVE, ULTRA SENSITIVE, REPRODUCIBLE AND STABLE NANOSTRUCTURED SUBSTRATES FOR SURFACE-ENHANCED SPECTROSCOPY AND ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSORS. BESIDES THE SCIENTIFIC GOALS, TRAINING AND EDUCATION WILL BE ALSO KEY RESULTS OF THE PROJECT.

NANOMANIPULATION OF BIOMOLECULES BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2008 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2008-0312 2010 - 2013

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIOLOGIE MOLECULARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIOLOGIE MOLECULARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR NANOTEHNOLOGII FIZICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIOMATERIALE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR NANOFOTOBIOTICA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR MODELARE MOLECULARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR SIMULARI NUMERICE (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR NANOFOTOBIOTICA (RO)

Project website: http://granturi.ubbcluj.ro/idei_pcce2008

Abstract:

THE STRONG POINT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IS THE NANOMANIPULATION: THE ABILITY TO HANDLE AND EXPLORE THE NANOSCALE OBJECTS. ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY (AFM) IS A POWERFUL IMAGING TECHNIQUE THAT CAN VISUALIZE SINGLE MOLECULES BOTH IN AIR AND SOLUTION. USING THE AFM TIP AS AN END-EFFECTOR, AN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE CAN BE MODIFIED INTO A NANOROBOT. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF OUR RESEARCH PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP AN AUTOMATED AFM NANOMANIPULATION SYSTEM WITH VIRTUAL REALITY INTERFACE, WHICH CAN PROVIDE THE OPERATOR WITH REAL-TIME FORCE FEEDBACK AND REAL-TIME VISUAL DISPLAY DURING HANDLING. THIS AFM-BASED NANOROBOTIC SYSTEM WILL ENABLE US TO SIMULTANEOUSLY CONDUCT IN SITU IMAGING, SENSING, AND NANOMANIPULATION, AND WILL OPEN A PROMISING WAY TO INDIVIDUALLY STUDY THE DIFFERENT LIVE CELLS AND THE STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS OF SOME BIOMOLECULES: DNA, PROTEINS, GLYCOPROTEINS. THE RELIABLE AND PRECISE NANOMANIPULATIONS WILL RENDER POSSIBLE THE SINGLE RECEPTOR RECOGNITION AND MONITORING THE RECEPTOR BEHAVIOR ON LIVING CELL SURFACE, AND THE DIRECT INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LIGAND-RECEPTOR INTERACTIONS BOTH IN VIVO AND IN VITRO. OUR NANOMANIPULATION SYSTEM WILL BE ALSO USED FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION AND ASSEMBLY OF NANOSTRUCTURES: FUNCTIONALIZED SILICATE MICROSPHERES AND GOLD NANOPARTICLES. IN THIS PROJECT A SERIES OF BOTTOM-UP AND TOP-DOWN NANOSTRUCTURATION METHODS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO ALLOW THE CONTROL OVER SIZE, SHAPE AND GEOMETRY OF NANOPARTICLES. THREE-DIMENSIONAL NANOPARTICLE ARRAYS WILL REPRESENT THE FOUNDATION OF FUTURE OPTICAL AND ELECTRONIC MATERIALS. A PROMISING WAY TO ASSEMBLE THEM IS THROUGH THE TRANSIENT PAIRINGS OF COMPLEMENTARY DNA STRANDS. DNA MEDIATED CRYSTALLIZATION APPROACH WILL FACILITATE BOTH THE CREATION OF NEW CLASSES OF ORDERED MULTICOMPONENT METAMATERIALS AND THE EXPLORATION OF THE PHASE BEHAVIOR OF HYBRID SYSTEMS WITH ADDRESSABLE INTERACTIONS. IN THE SAME TIME, THE MESOSCOPIC SCALE MODELING AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS OF AFM-BASED NANOMANIPULATIONS WILL BE DONE.

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