CENTER OF IMMUNO_PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGIES (CIFBIOTEH)

Research topics and directions:

1. Development of biotechnologies for advanced immunotherapies in communicable and non-communicable diseases

Development of new technologies for SARS-CoV2 prevention

• Identification of immunogenic peptides from the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, specific for the immunophenotype of the Romanian population
• Testing of different peptide combinations in vitro on cell cultures, and in vivo in animal models, in order to identify optimal combinations for inducing an adaptive immune response

Development of advanced immunotherapies in cancer

• • Fundamental research for the development of innovative therapies based on genetic engineering of immune cells
  • Optimization of in vivo tumor models by 3D printing in order to assess the feasibility and efficiency of different therapeutic products

Development of biotechnologies with applicability in the diagnosis, prevention and therapy of allergic diseases

• • Fundamental research for the development of advanced diagnostic methods, including molecular diagnosis in allergic diseases
    • Assessment of the clinical relevance of ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen peptides based on the basophil degranulation test and the ImmunoCAP test compared to ELISA detection of specific IgE titers
    • Experimental development of peptide-based immunotherapies derived from ragweed pollen allergens (in silico prediction of allergen-specific epitopes for B and T lymphocytes; design, synthesis and experimental validation of candidate peptides for allergen-specific immunotherapies
    • Pilot study in collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna which aims to develop the first diagnostic kit based on recombinant ragweed allergens (molecular diagnosis – microarray)
  • Assessment of exposure to outdoor allergens
    • Development of a biosensor based on recombinant allergens from ragweed pollen, which determines the level of allergens in the atmospheric air

2. Investigation of altered physiological mechanisms in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and identification of strategies to restore normal tissue function

• Investigation of the reactivity of tracheobronchial muscle in allergies – experimental animal models and studies in the isolated organ bath
• Identification of circulating extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for experimental coronary atherosclerotic disease
• Exploration of the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles in experimental models of cardiac hypertrophy and coronary atherosclerosis