objectives
The project proposes the following objectives:
1. synthesis of novel coordination and organometallic compounds with potential biological value;
2. applying computational chemistry in modelling the structure and behavior of biologically-active metallic compounds in conditions as close as possible to those manifesting in vivo (by using different solvation models), the study of the structure-activity interdependence. The development of mathematical models that can represent and simulate as accurately as possible the controlled and quantified transfer of the biologically-active elements from the support-structure to the biological environment;
3. coordination chemistry studies of the metals, in relevant biological environments;
4. studies on metalloenzymes, activity mechanisms, the study of the oxidative- and nitrooxidative-stress reactivity;
5. the study of the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the novel compounds, finding the ones manifesting apoptosis-inducing, antiproliferative and antimitotic effects,
6. identifying substances that display synergic antiproliferative effects under irradiation
7. the study of the overexpression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), due to the presence of metal-containing substances in the cell or the intercellular matrix;
8. identifying phenomena generated at the genome level, as a result of introducing these substances in cells and their regulator effect on the biosynthesis;
9. the study of the cell-generated and synthetic metalloproteases, responsible for extracellular matrix injury and modeling, playing an essential role in numerous physiological processes like pathological phenomena (arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases);
10. using metals in chronobiology studies (chronobiochemistry).