Download Presentation - Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology

CENTER OF IMMUNOLOGY
- Romanian Academy - Coordinated by dr. Andrei Sulica, MD, PhD (1992 - 2000)
- Coordinated by Lorelei Irina Brasoveanu, PhD (2000 – present)
- Founded by Government Decision 46/ February 1992, as research
center “with scientific and economical autonomy” that will function in
the “Stefan S. Nicolau” Institute of Virology (1992)
RESEARCH GROUPS /
DOMAINS OF COMPETENCE (I)
Research Group 1: « Tumor immunology and molecular biology »
(coordinated by Dr. Lorelei I. Brasoveanu, Ph.D)
Domains of competence:
- Tumor immunology: flow-cytometry (antigen expression, apoptosis,
cell cycle), immunological modulators, drug resistance, cell- and
complement-mediated cytotoxicity;
- Molecular biology: isolation of nucleic acids, gene expression by RTPCR or Real-time PCR;
- Immunochemistry: antigen isolation and purification, biochemical
characterization (SDS-PAGE, Western and dot blotting), ELISA, DDIA
- Signal transduction
RESEARCH GROUPS /
DOMAINS OF COMPETENCE (II)
Research Group 2: « Leukemias and chemoprevention »
(coordinated by Dr. Viviana Roman, Ph.D)
Domains of competence:
- Immunochemistry: protein purification (chromatography, gel
filtration, immunoprecipitation), SDS-PAGE, Western blotting,
ELISA;
- Immunology: flow-cytometry, regulation of apoptosis by nitric oxide,
identification of its molecular targets, new therapies of leukemias,
chemoprevention of cancer;
- Molecular biology: isolation of nucleic acids, gene expression by RTPCR or Real-time PCR
RESEARCH GROUPS /
DOMAINS OF COMPETENCE (I)
Research Group 3: « Cellular immunology »
(Coordinated by Dr. Cecilia Galatiuc, Ph.D)
Domains of competence:
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- Cellular immunology : structural and functional
characterization of Fc receptors (RFc) (IIIA,  II , and ) on NK
cells by flow-cytometry, NK cytotoxicity, proliferation assays,
cytokines evaluation, apoptosis, molecular kinetics;
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- Immunopathology : characterization of autoimmune diseases
(idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, rheumatoid arthritis); effects
of theraputical agents of these diseases.
SCIENTIFIC DOMAINS OF INTEREST
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Biomarkers associated to human cancers (hematological cancers, breast,
ovarian, glioma, colon, renal cancers, melanoma);
Antigen/gene expression of tumor associated antigens, cell adhesion
molecules, oncoproteins, molecules involved in angiogenesis;
Signal transduction;
Cancer stem cells;
Effects of modulators (natural compounds, cytokines, drugs) on cell cycle
progression, apoptosis, antigen and gene expression in tumor cells; drug
resistance.
In vitro studies of immunotherapeutical approaches in cancer;
Expression and functional roles of complement regulatory molecules (CD59,
CD55, CD46) and their impact in immunotherapy;
NK cell function and regulation in normal and pathologic conditions
RESEARCH UNITS and TECHNICAL
FACILITIES (I)
Cell cultures
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BioAir cell culture lamminary flow hood
Revco and Hereus CO2 incubators
Revco and Sanyo - 80 C° freezers
liquid nitrogen recipients
Beckman and Allegra refrigerated
centrifuges
Microscopes
RESEARCH UNITS and
TECHNICAL FACILITIES (II)
Flow – cytometry:
FACScan (Becton Dickinson)
FACS Canto II (BD;
RESEARCH UNITS and
TECHNICAL FACILITIES (III)
Molecular biology:
- MJ Research DNA Thermo-Cycler
and ChromoFour/ Real-Time PCR,
- Biorad horizontal electrophoresis
apparatus,
- Biorad GelDoc UV/VIS Analyzer,
- BioAir mini-hood,
- Biosan thermoblock.
Immunochemistry facilities:
- Biorad and Hoeffer Scientific mini - and maxi - SDS-PAGE and Western blot
apparatus;
- Jensen dot blot apparatus;
- Biorad IEF unit.
OTHER:
- Fluorometer/chemoluminometer (Victor 3, Tecan);
- Elisa reader (Dynatex).
- Tecan GENios unit (spectrophotometer/ spectrofluorimeter/ chemiluminometer);
- Refrigerated centrifuges, microfuges.
Research fields (I)
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Tumor immunology: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumor
progression; gene/ antigen expression of tumor associated molecules,
cell adhesion molecules, oncoproteins, molecules involved in
angiogenesis and their functional role;
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Molecular biology: Biomarkers associated to human cancers
(lymphoproliferative diseases, breast, ovarian, glioma, colon, renal
cancers, melanoma);
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Anticancer immunotherapy: in vitro studies of immunotherapeutical
approaches in cancer; roles of complement regulatory molecules in
tumor resistance with impact on immunotherapy);
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Prevention/chemoprevention/multidrug resistance: effects of different
modulators (biological active compounds, cytokines, drugs, oncolytical
agents) on cell cycle progression, apoptosis, gene/ antigen expression
of molecules involved and their functional roles in tumor cells;
Research fields (II)
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Cancer stem cells: human esophageal, colon tumours;
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Cell signal transduction (Fc receptors; phosphorylated proteins);
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Phenotipical and functional characterization of NK cells (the Fc g II
and III A, a and m receptor mediated functional modulation of NK cells)
in normal and pathologic conditions;
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Monitoring and modulation of the immunological parameters in
pathological conditions (Rheumatoid arthritis, Renal insufficiency,
Idiopatic thrombocytopenic purpura)
Effect of several therapeutical agents (AFI, IVIG) on lymphocyte
subsets.
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Ongoing Projects
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PNII contract 42-173/2008 (Medical sciences, 2008-2011): “ Immunogenomical study of expression and functional roles of several cell adhesion
molecules (CAM) associated to colorectal cancer” – as coordinator
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PNII contract 62-078/2008 (Biotechnology, 2008-2011): „Biomarkers and
chemopreventive agents in chronic lympho -proliferative diseases” – as
coordinator
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PNII contract 42-144/2008 (Medical sciences, 2008-2011): „Identification and
characterization of a subpopulation of cells with tumor stem cell properties in
hepatoma and esophageal cancers correlate with the mechanisms of resistance
to treatment” – as partner
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PNCDII contract 41-084/2007 (Medical sciences, 2007-2010): “Use of genetic
markers for establishing targeted therapies for laryngeal and oropharyngeal
human cancer” – as partner
Reference Past Projects
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“Radiolabelled biomolecules in targeted treatment of cancer and
inhibition of angiogenesis” (CEEX 26/2005, 2005-2008, partner)
“Modulation of the expression of some biomarkers of tumor
progression and correlation with resistance to chemotheray in breast
and ovarian cancers” (CEEX 123/2006, 2006-2008, director)
“Studies at cellular and molecular level regarding the biological
activities of curcumin in order to evaluate its therapeutical potential”
(CEEX 77/2006, 2006-2008, partner)
“Study of the dynamics of expression of some genes involved in the
control of cell cycle and apoptosis during ORL human cancer
evolution” (CEEX 182/2006, 2006-2008,)
“Modulation of apoptosis induced by mycotoxins in cell lines” (CEEX
82/2006, 2006-2008, partner)
“Immunological and genotoxical blood assays in order toestablish the
normal statistical values in Romanian adults” (CEEX 6/2005, 20052008, partner)
Recent International Cooperations
2005-2010
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Institute Marie Curie, U-365, Paris, Franta (Prof. Jean-Pierre Kolb)
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Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Aviano, Italia (Dr. Michele Maio; dr.
Sandra Coral)
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Universitary Hospital of Siena, Italy (Dr. Michele Maio, dr. Ester Fonsatti)
National Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, USA (Prof. Theresa
Whiteside, dr. Penelope Morrel, dr. Diana Metes, dr. Iulia Popescu)
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Cellular Technology, Cleaveland, SUA (Dr. Ioana Moldovan, Dr. Iulia
Popescu)
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Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Viena, Austria (Prof. G. BoltzNiţulescu)
NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
- Institute of Virology “Stefan S. Nicolau” (research facilities, common projects)
- Institute of Oncology “Prof. dr. Alex. Trestioreanu”, Bucharest (BIOTECH,
VIASAN, CNCSIS, CEEX)
- Bucharest University, Faculty of Biology, Biochemistry Dept., Genetics Dept.
(CERES, BIOTECH, COST, CNCSIS, CEEX)
- Nuclear Physics Institute “Horia Hulubei” (CEEX)
- University of Medicine “Gr.T. Popa” Jassy, Immunology Dept. (CNCSIS)
- Clinical Hospital of Brain and Vascular Diseases “Vlad Voiculescu” CEEX)