BrainMap

Mr. Victor Diculescu

Dr

Researcher I - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: D-4132-2012

Curriculum Vitae (15/05/2024)

Expertise & keywords

An electrochemical point-of-care device for nucleic acids quantification Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-1006 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

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)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://infim.ro/project/naquanta/

Abstract:

The main goal of the NAQUANTA project is the development of a bio-analytical device for quantification and detection of nucleic acids (NAs). The device consists of two elements: i) an electrochemical sensing system able to quantify and determine the NA concentration; and, ii) a temperature control system or microheater essential for enzymatic reactions during NA amplification processes. These two components will be equipped with metal-coated electrospun polymeric fibers electrodes attached on the microfluidics support for sample transport. A hydrogel will act as solid-state electrolyte necessary for NA detection and amplification and, at the same time as a physical barrier for the two components of the device.

The NAQUANTA is intended to contribute to the development of point-of-care devices for detection of specific NAs sequences, with applications especially in infectious diseases identification, and represents a rapid and low-cost alternative to the current tests based on polymerase chain reaction or loop-mediated isothermal amplification, which utilizes more complicated and expensive thermal cyclers and transduction systems. The proposed research contributes to the Domain of Health and its implementation allow increasing the qualitative performance and enhance the scientific visibility of the research team in particular, and the host institution in general.

Exploring the Alzheimer disease biomarkers: fabrication of new functional biomaterials and development of early diagnosis biosensor Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1403 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

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)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://infim.ro/project/explorarea-biomarkerilor-bolii-alzheimer-fabricarea-de-noi-biomateriale-functionale-si-dezvoltarea-de-biosenzori-pentru-diagnosticul-timpuriu/

Abstract:

The goal of this research project is to contribute/boost the RDI activities in areas of general social interest, to increase the capacity of the public research sector, and to respond to the global challenges affecting the Romanian/EU economy by implementing scientific research in the areas of Analytical chemistry, Healthcare, Biophysics and Biochemistry through exploration of Alzheimer disease biomarkers. The project address to the development of (i) new functional biomaterials based on functionalization of the nanostructured materials with Amyloid beta peptides and (ii) an electrochemical biosensor for evaluation of peptide Methionine sulfoxide reductase A enzyme activity, an enzyme related with early detection of Alzheimer disease. Several nanostructured materials will be fabricated and their surfaces will be modified with amyloid beta peptide, especially the sequences of 40 or 42 amino acids. These new surfaces will be tested, in order to evaluate the bioactivity properties, against neuronal cells. The electrochemical biosensor for monitoring, quantification and enzymatic activity evaluation of the Methionine sulfoxide reductase A will be developed at the surface modified dispensable screen printed carbon electrodes. The successful implementation of the project is expected to generate methodologies for new advanced biomaterials and will support the development of a new generation of functional biomaterials and biosensors that could be translated to industrial scale.

New methods of diagnosis and treatment: current challanges abd technologic solutions based on nanomaterials and biomaterials Call name:
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0062 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution:

Project partners: (RO)

Affiliation: (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); and (v) (bio)sensors for monitoring the bioavailability of pharmaceutical compounds and detecting the reactive oxygen species and their biologic effect. 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.

NANOSTRUCTURED ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSORS FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND SCREENING OF COMPOUNDS WITH PHARMACEUTICAL PROPERTIES: DEVELOPMENT, SURFACE CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATIONS Call name:
SMIS 103528 2016 - 2020

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR - INCDFM BUCUREŞTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR - INCDFM BUCUREŞTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR - INCDFM BUCUREŞTI (RO)

Project website: http://projects.infim.ro/NANOBIOSURF/

Abstract:

The main objective of the project is to boost the activity of a newly created Laboratory of NIMP, L2. Production, processing and analysing materials for increasing life quality by implementing Research on development of nanostructured (bio)sensors for detection of disease biomarker (bio)molecules and for screening inhibitory ligands and drugs. Electrochemical biosensors provide solutions to Bioeconomy in general and particularly to Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology through reducing the cost of pharmaceutical R&D and of Medical Diagnosis, Scheme 1.

Additionally, studies on coating materials used as medical implants, integration of proteins with conductive polymers for biomimetic devices, and (bio)sensors for environmental and health-hazard compounds contributes to areas of Eco-Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, and Health.

Integration of biosensors on chip platform, the Experimental Development of a chromatographic-separation electrochemical/spectroscopic detection system for parallel analysis of components in samples, and validation, will contribute to the development of market products for Medical Diagnosis and Drug Discovery. Amperometry is suitable for parallel analysis but voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy will be used for fundamental research. Surface plasmon resonance and surface enhanced Raman scattering will be used for validation of the electrochemical measurements and to understand biomolecule interactions with drugs.

The research plan addresses three particular objectives. The first (O1) refers to the biomolecules to be studied, the second (O2) to the detection techniques and procedures to be adopted, while the third objective (O3) refers to control over the electrode surface for biomolecules immobilization.

Hydrogel-contacted flexible (bio)sensors at epidermal level for non-invasive quantitative analysis of biomarkers in sweat Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0580 2017 - 2019

Role in this project: Project coordinator

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)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO)

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

Abstract:

Acest proiect de cercetare are ca obiectiv dezvoltarea de (bio)senzori flexibili și purtabili la nivelul epidermei ca dispozitive non-invazive de detecție și cuantificare de biomarkeri în transpirație pentru monitorizarea stării fiziologice a unui organism.

Planul de cercetare în cadrul acestui proiect prezintă trei obiective specifice.

Primul obiectiv se referă la fabricarea de electrozi pe suport flexibil de politereftalat de etilenă nanostructurat cu nanofibre de polimeri sintetici metalizate cu electrocatalizatori de Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, Ag or Au. Contactul dintre suprafața electrodului și epidermă se va realiza într-o manieră non-invazivă prin intermediul unui hidrogel care captează/absoarbe transpirația, transportă analiții la suprafața senzorului și protejează suprafața acestuia de factori externi.

Al doilea obiectiv constă în producerea de senzori selectivi de ioni prin utilizarea de ionofori încorporați în matricea de hidrogel ceea ce va permite analiza conductimetrică selectivă a ionilor Na+ și Cl- în transpirație.

Al treilea obiectiv se referă la fabricarea de biosenzori electrochimici pentru analiza cantitativă a glucozei, acidului uric și a ureei. Glucozoxidaza și uricaza vor fi imobilizate la suprafața electrodului flexibil pentru determinarea electrochimică la suprafața electrodului modificat cu electrocatalizatori metalici a peroxidului produs în timpul reacției enzimatice. In plus, sistemele de tip metal/oxid metalic la suprafața electrodului sunt sensibile la pH ceea ce permite utilizarea acestora și la determinarea ureei cu ajutorul enzimei urează.

Suprafața senzorului va fi caracterizată prin metode voltametrice, spectroscopie de impedanță electrochimică (EIS), microscopie electronică de baleiaj (SEM), de transmisie de înaltă rezoluție (HRTEM), spectroscopie de fotoelectroni cu raze X (XPS), difracție de raze X (XRD), spectroscopie Raman si de infraroșu cu reflexie totală atenuată şi transformată Fourier (ATR-FTIR) precum și UV-Vis-NIR.

On-line measurement of laser-driven proton beams effect on human cells Call name:
ELI-RO_2017_23 -

Role in this project: Key expert

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

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.infim.ro/projects/line-measurement-laser-driven-proton-beams-effect-human-cells

Abstract:

The goal of this research project is to contribute/boost the activities of the E5 experimental area of the Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) by implementing scientific research in the areas of Biophysics and Biochemistry through initial investigation for the development of an on-line measurement system of laser-driven proton beams effect on epithelial and endothelial human cells.

The project uses the capabilities of the Centre For Advanced Laser Technologies (CETAL) at the National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR) to operate a 1 PW at 0.1 Hz laser beams which can be directed toward solid targets to provide proton beams with energies up to 70 MeV and of the Research Innovation and Technology Center for New Materials (RITecC) at the National Institute of Materials Physics (INCDFM) in developing new materials and architectures for sensors and biosensors.

In order to prove the working principle, secondary proton beams derived from high power laser irradiation of solid or gas targets will be directed toward an epithelial cellular culture grown onto the surface of the EC/ncFET detection device formed by a classical 3-electrodes electrochemical (EC) sensor in parallel with a field effect transistor (FET) with nanowire channel (nc) for detection of ROS and RNS. The activities proposed within the working plan involve: i) the development, characterization and optimization of the EC/ncFET detection device; ii) development, characterization and optimization of the secondary proton sources obtained after the interaction of the high-power laser beam with solid targets; iii) assembling the experimental set-up by integrating the EC/ncFET sensor with immobilized cellular cultures within the irradiation chamber; iv) characterization of radiation effect on cellular cultures.

Contributions of the present project are scientific and institutional. First, it contributes to development of new strategies for real-time biological monitoring with direct applications to aeronautics for continuous monitoring of crews’ health and/or physiological parameters and also to radiobiology for treatment of various diseases especially cancer. From institutional point of view, it is an excellent opportunity to bring together researchers specialized in different fields and to broaden their scientific expertise by working in a multidisciplinary field. It is proposed by a Romanian multidisciplinary consortium made of four national institutions: National Institute of Materials Physics (INCDFM) as coordinator, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR), Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH) and the Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology "Nicolae Simionescu" (IBCPNS).

The project is in line with the domain 5.6.15 “Materials research in high intensity radiation fields” and S275 “Materials in extreme environments for energy, accelerators and space applications” at ELI-NP White Book and TDRs. Nevertheless, a successful implementation of the project opens the possibility for preparing of new applications for funding in order to undergo research on cell interaction with accelerated microbeams of protons or heavy ions at ELI-NP or other international institutions such as Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb and GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung.

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