Program: PN IV – PCB-RO-MD-2024
Nr: 61PCBROMD/01.10.2025
Abstract
Engineering nanocarriers for antitumor pharmaceuticals focuses on targeting and accumulating in the tumor. Then, the release of their cargo under local stimuli, e.g. pH, temperature, and ionic strength occurs. pH is a critical stimulus as it varies between normal and tumor cells, as well as inside and outside cells, creating a gradient exploitable for developing effective nanocarriers for cancer treatment. The OncoSensLip project aims to develop optimized pH-sensitive liposomal formulations to enhance anticancer drug delivery. pH-responsive nanocarriers include liposomes with known biocompatibility and the ability to encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. This project seeks to advance current liposomal designs by systematically exploring the impact of formulation and process variables (e.g., lipid type) and preparation method (e.g., thin-film hydration, microfluidics) on key physico-chemical properties of liposomes. OncoSensLip will evaluate optimized liposomal formulations for controlled drug release under various biological-like experimental conditions with focus on pH. Then, in vitro studies in glioblastoma and breast cancer models will assess the therapeutic efficiency and cytotoxicity of these liposomal systems. The outcomes will contribute to translational nanomedicine, offering optimized protocols for pH-sensitive liposome production and enhancing technical capabilities through training and collaborative research between Romanian and Moldovan institutions.
General information
|
Financial |
State budget |
|
PN IV Program |
European and International Cooperation |
|
Project type |
Bilateral/Multilateral Sub-program |
|
Project value |
750.000,00 lei (600.000,00 UEFISCDI + 150.000,00 ANCD) |
|
Project period |
24 months (01.10.2025 – 30.09.2027) |
|
Project authority |
Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education and University Scientific Research (UEFISCDI), Romania & National Agency for Research and Development (ANCD), Republic of Moldova |
|
Coordinator |
The Regional Institute of Oncology Iasi |
|
Partner |
State University of Medicine and Pharmacy Nicolae Testemitanu |
|
Project director |
CSII Dr. Brindusa Dragoi |
|
Project co-director |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cristina Ciobanu |
Objective
The overall aim of the OncoSensLip project is to develop a pH-sensitive liposomal formulations for anticancer drug delivery by adjusting formulation and process variables, while building capacity among project partners.
Specific objectives (SO):
SO1. Formulation and Process Optimization
SO2. Drug Release and In Vitro Performance
SO3. Training and Capacity Building
Financial resources
|
Budget category |
2025
(lei) |
2026
(lei) |
2027
(lei) |
TOTAL BUDGET
(lei) |
|
Coordinator |
Partner |
Coordinator |
Partner |
Coordinator |
Partner |
Coordinator |
Partner |
|
Staff costs |
15,000.00 |
|
60,000.00 |
|
37,500.00 |
|
112,500.00 |
|
|
Logistics |
50,000.00 |
|
45,000.00 |
|
36,250.00 |
|
131,250.00 |
|
|
Travel |
0.00 |
0.00 |
9,375.00 |
117,000.00 |
9,375.00 |
108,000.00 |
18,750.00 |
225,000.00 |
Indirect cost
(max. 30% of the coordinator’s budget) |
27,857.00 |
|
49,018.00 |
|
35,625.00 |
|
112,500.00 |
|
|
TOTAL |
92,857.00 |
0.00 |
163,393.00 |
117,000.00 |
118,750.00 |
108,000.00 |
375,000.00 |
225,000.00 |
|
92,857.00 |
280,393.00 |
226,750.00 |
600,000.00 |
Work plan
|
An |
Work plan |
2025
(3 months) |
-
Lipid selection, literature review, and preliminary tests
-
Kick-off meeting
-
Risk management plan
-
Communication, dissemination, promotion and exploitation plan
-
Project planning
|
2026
(12 months) |
-
Design and preparation of liposomes by thin film hydration and microfluidics
-
Physico-chemical characterization of liposomal formulations
-
Biological effects of liposomal formulations on cell lines
-
Mobility and training
-
Networking and collaboration
-
Communication, dissemination and promotion
|
2027
(9 months) |
-
Stability studies of liposomal formulations
-
In vitro control release studies
-
Cytotoxicity studies
-
Mobility and training
-
Communication, dissemination and promotion
|
Communication, dissemination, and impact
Cognitive and Socio-Economic Impact of the Project
Cognitive Impact
The project contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of
oncology by strengthening collaboration between the two partner institutions in
Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The research activities carried out within this
partnership will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, methods, and best practices
among the specialists involved, supporting the development of innovative
approaches in the treatment of oncological diseases through the design and
preparation of pH-sensitive liposomal formulations.
Through the implementation of the project, new scientific results will be generated
and disseminated via publications, conference presentations, and academic
cooperation activities. Moreover, the project supports the professional development
of the researchers involved and enhances the research capacity of the participating
institutions.
Socio-Economic Impact
The project has the potential to generate significant societal benefits by improving
collaboration between Romania and the Republic of Moldova in the healthcare
sector and by facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technologies between the
two countries. The results obtained may contribute to the development of more
effective solutions for the treatment of oncological diseases, with a direct impact on
the quality of medical services and patient care.
In the long term, the project may support the development of research and
innovation infrastructure in the biomedical field, fostering collaboration among
academia, medical institutions, and other relevant organizations. Strengthening
scientific cooperation between the two countries will also increase the international
visibility of research outcomes and contribute to the socio-economic development of
the region.
-
A. Publications
-
B. Communication, dissemination, promotion
-
Cristina Ciobanu, Brindusa Dragoi, “OncoSensLip” - Optimization of Process and Formulation Variables in the Design of pH-Sensitive Liposomes for Anticancer Drug Delivery, MedMolMed 2025, November 10-15, 2025, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
-
OncoSensLip project flyer distributed to the Workshop “Nanomedicina în terapia și diagnosticul cancerului”, organized by the ESEI-BioMed Project at IRO Iasi, November 26, 2025; workshop for non-scientific community
-
C. Main achievements
-
A. Publications
-
B. Communication, dissemination, promotion
-
C. Main achievements
-
A. Publications
-
B. Communication, dissemination, promotion
-
C. Main achievements
Research Team
CSII Dr. Brindusa Dragoi – project director
Conf. Dr. Cristian Ciobanu – project co-director
Conf Dr. Maria-Daniela Vlad – experienced researcher
Dr. Camelia-Mihaela Zara Danceanu – postdoctoral researcher
Dr. Razvan Ghiarasim – postdoctoral researcher
Dr. Liliana Andronache – postdoctoral researcher
Dr. Dan Lisii, MD – postdoctoral researcher
Nicoleta Basoc – PhD student
Ecaterina Mazure – PhD student
Sergiu Coseri – PhD student
Contact
Conf Dr. Cristina Ciobanu
"Nicolae Testemitanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova
Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology
E-mail: cristina.ciobanu@usmf.md
