THEME: 04-4-1121-2015/2020, Position No. 33, according to the list approved by JINR no. 269/20.05.2020

YEAR: 20.05.2020 – 10.12.2020

Type of the proposal: - Follow-up Position No. 44, according to the list approved by JINR no. 397/27.05.2019

LABORATORY IN JINR: Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP)

PARTNERS IN ROMANIA: National Institute for Materials Physics -NIMP

RESPONSIBLE PERSONS: dr. Irina Zgura (NIMP), dr. Maria BALASOIU (FLNP)

The overall objective of this project is to interlink the expertise of research groups from NIMP and JINR in order to obtain novel biocomposite materials based on Ag and ZnO structures with improved properties from the point of view of multiple functionalities/high therapeutic potential. This project proposal has the following specific objectives:
O1) Preparation of metallic nanoparticles (AgNP biosynthesis through vegetal aqueous extracts as Cirsium arvense/Calendula officinalis);
O2) Preparation of bio-materials based on metallic nanoparticles and ZnO structures (biosynthesis through vegetal aqueous extracts as Cirsium arvense/Calendula officinalis)
O3) Complex characterization bio-materials based on metallic nanoparticles and ZnO structures (morphological analysis by AFM, TEM/EDS, SEM; spectral characterization by UV-Vis absorption, FTIR; Raman, XRD; SANS and SAXS investigations; zeta potential measurements)
O4) Estimation of the biological performances (testing the antibacterial activity by agar disk diffusion method and by determination of the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC); hemolytic assay; evaluation of cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity on different cell lines: L929 – fibroblasts, Human fibroblast BJ cells, HT-29 adenocarcinoma colon; estimation of the therapeutic index).
O5) Wide dissemination of the results by publishing at national and international level (preparation of communications and posters for participation at national and international conferences; 1 article to be submitted for publication in ISI journal; one work visit).