Current Founded Projects

Projects

Current Funded Projects

THz scanning interferometer with enhanced resolution using amplitude control
Project code:
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0949
Project number:
TE
Funding bodies:
UEFISCDI
Programme:
Young Independent Teams Project
Coordinator:
National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR)
Project Leader:
Dr. Florin Garoi
Start date:
06.06.2022
End date:
06.06.2024

The frequency region between microwave and infrared part of the spectrum, called terahertz (THz), encompasses electromagnetic waves oscillating at frequencies, loosely defined, in the range 0.1 to 30 THz. Generating or detecting radiation in this range has proved quite challenging, owing mainly to the presence of background sources of incoherent light. Nevertheless, this radiation has unique properties that makes it particularly attractive for applications ranging from bio-medical imaging, national security and packaged goods inspection to remote sensing and spectroscopy. Moreover, with an energy between 0.4 and 124 meV it is non-ionizing and, therefore, not harmful to the living world.

The investigation of this electromagnetic region can be dated to the end of the 19th century, shortly after Heinrich Rudolf Hertz's pioneering work on electromagnetic waves. Today, the most accessible technique for recording or measuring data in this spectral range, except time-domain spectroscopy/imaging, is the single-pixel imaging (SPI). In this view, a given THz scene may be achieved either by using raster scanning (RS) or multiplexing (MS) techniques.

With this proposal we intend to use RS or/and MS in order to improve the resolution of imaging at submillimeter radiation, and demonstrate its application to Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS) and phase shifting interferometry (PSI) at these wavelengths range. This is because both FTS and PSI are readily applicable to SPI and interferometry is a reliable and non-invasive testing tool.

Laser Irradiated Phenothiazines - Application in Breast Cancer Treatment
Project code:
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2021-0225
Project number:
PD 25/2021
Funding bodies:
MCID, CNCS - UEFISCDI
Programme:
Postdoctoral Research Project
Coordinator:
National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR)
Project Leader:
Dr. Ana-Maria Udrea
Start date:
01.04.2022
End date:
31.03.2024

Cancer is responsible for one out of every six fatalities worldwide and is set to become the leading cause of mortality by 2020. Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and a combination of the three are the most common breast cancer therapies. The quality of life in cancer treatment is diminished due to significant side effects and chemotherapy-related toxicities. Multiple drug-resistant breast cancers necessitate the development of novel, more effective, and faster-acting treatments with fewer adverse effects. Genetic profiling of malignant tumours may assist in the creation of individualized therapies. Cancer research requires specific treatment procedures as well as data mining. This project will be a step forward toward narrowing the cancer research gap in the computer-assisted identification of molecules with anticancer characteristics that are generated as photoproducts by the laser irradiation of medicine.

Using in silico techniques and laser radiation, this research will offer a novel approach for repositioning phenothiazines. In this project, we will (i) use molecular docking to anticipate the biological activity of phenothiazines with cancer-targeted receptors; (ii) describe physicochemically the phenothiazine derivative cocktails before and after laser irradiation at various times; and (iii) evaluate the non-irradiated and laser-irradiated phenothiazines in vitro.

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