NMP-2007-2.1-1: Nanostructured polymer-matrix composites

Our research and innovation activity is directed to several national projects in collaboration with partners from universities and research institutes dealing with nanostructured polymer-matrix composites. All projects are developed in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. These multifunctional composite materials are fabricated based on nanostructured polymer-matrix composites of gold, functionalized gold surfaces, organic compounds, e.g.  based on supramolecular structures, amino acids, chitosan and inorganic materials. The main focus is to develop new nanostructured polymer-matrix biocomposites for biological and medical applications.

NMP-2007-1.1-2: Self-assembling and self-organisation
The gold nanoparticles are synthesized in our laboratory by various methods leading to the controlled size and shape of nanoparticles, nanoclusters and colloidal nanocrystals. We have scientific interest in self-assembly and auto-organisation of nanoparticles of noble metals, functionalized by different biocompounds. These nanostructures can be obtained by different preparation methods. They lead to novel multifunctional nanostructured biomaterials and to planar supramolecular structures important for nanoscience and nanotechnology. Another recent direction is to design, fabricate and characterize novel multifunctional materials for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
 

NMP-2007-2.1-2: Nanostructured coatings and thin films     
Globular protein extracted from aleurone cells of barley is under investigation in our laboratory (i.e. the secondary protein structure changes) when subjected to heat or γ-irradiation. The nanostructured protein coatings and thin films as well as the protein in its solid state present high stability against the heating process up to 68 Celsius degrees and irradiation environment. On the other hand, the nanoscale functionalized gold surfaces and multifunctional thin films realized in our laboratory from amino acids, lipids, proteins, DNA and other biocompounds with or without anorganic compounds or nanoparticles of noble metals present potential biological, medical and industrial applications.
 

NMP-2007-2.1-3: Characterisation of nanostructured materials
We have state of the art equipments and technology to characterize the nanostructure of different materials, such as AFM, STM, TEM, SEM, advanced spectroscopic methods (FTIR, FT-Raman, UV-Vis, NMR, DSC, X ray diffractions and scatterings. Recently, the multifunctional nanostructured material, based on globular protein, chitosan and gold nanoparticles, was obtained by appropriate nano-scale structural design. The obtained multifunctional material has a high stability, good mechanical properties and reproducible optical properties to be used in optical devices or sensing devices.
 

NMP-2007-2.2-1: Organic materials for electronics and photonics

Organic materials, based on proteins, peptides, carbohydrates and other organic molecules, are tailored for electronic, optical and sensing properties to be used in applications for electronics and photonics organic devices. Up to now, we have developed several strategies for nanofabrication of nanostructured organic materials.

NMP-2007-4.0-4: Substantial innovation in the European medical industry: development of nanotechnology-based systems for in-vivo diagnosis and therapy (in coordination with topic HEALTH-2007-2.4.1-7: Improving targeted drug delivery to cancer cells for cancer therapeutics other than gene therapy)
Developing novel targeting strategies, based on proteins and peptides, for anticancer drugs using lectins for molecular recognition at the cancer membrane represents a main interest for our group. Up to now, we have developed several strategies for molecular encapsulation of different drugs in cyclodextrins (non-toxic carrier biocompounds) to improve the drug aqueous solubility, stability and bioavailability. Our focus is on innovative solutions using cyclodextrins, neoglicolipids and lectins to target drugs to cancer cells for cancer therapeutics. Their supramolecular associations are potential carriers of anticancer drugs to their site of action.