Project type: NCN OPUS 11
Project No.: 2015/19/B/ST5/01873
Duration: 2017-2021
Project summary
The need to lower the excessive blood coagulation down to the normal level has resulted in the advent of a large group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants, among which heparin is a notorious example. Chronic therapeutic dose anticoagulation is indicated, e.g., in prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Anticoagulants are also very often used episodically, e.g., during cardiac surgeries when temporary lowering of blood coagulation below normal level is usually indispensable. The application of anticoagulants, on the other hand, created the need for the development of their efficacious and safe antidotes, which in emergency such as hemorrhage from an injury, would allow quick recovery of normal blood coagulation. Protamine sulfate is the only approved antidote of unfractionated heparin (UFH), yet may produce life threatening side effects such as systemic hypotension, catastrophic pulmonary vasoconstriction or allergic reactions. Unfortunately, it only partially reverses low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), e.g., enoxaparin, and it is ineffective against fondaparinux, a synthetic anticoagulant. Within the planned studies synthetic block polyelectrolytes will be synthesized and studied which will perform two opposite tasks. The first group of the polymers will inhibit heparinoid anticoagulants (i.e. UFH, LMWH and fondaparinux). The polyelectrolytes of the second group will show expected anticoagulatory activity. The hemostasis control system: synthetic polymeric anticoagulant – synthetic polymeric inhibitor, will thus be obtained. The research is planned based on the hypothesis that: 1) one can obtain well defined, synthetic polymeric inhibitors of heparin-like anticoagulants, which would be more effective, safer and have a wide spectrum of action than currently used protamine sulfate, 2) one can obtain well defined, safe, synthetic polymeric heparin-like anticoagulant, and 3) one can obtain an anticoagulant-antidote system for hemostasis control based on block polyelectrolytes. In the research planned we will use our knowledge and experience gathered in physicochemical studies, in in vitro and in vivo experiments on the interaction of modified natural polymers with heparin, as well as on interaction of polycations with biomolecules. The research will be carried out by chemical and biomedical/pharmacological research teams within the scientific consortium.Project type: NCN OPUS 2
Project No.: 2011/03/B/ST5/01559
Project duration: 2012-2015
Project summary
The purpose of the planned studies is the synthesis, physicochemical and photochemical characterization and studies on the hybrid adsorbents and fluorescence sensors of the adenine-containing compounds, which are also biomarkers of some severe diseases, such as cancers of different type, asthma, and diseases of circulatory system and biomarkers of important metabolic and physiological processes.
It is expected that during the project materials will be synthesized and characterized which may bring significant progress in the diagnosis of many severe diseases and in the explanation of metabolic processes participated by the adenine compounds.
Project type: State Committee for Scientific Research grant
Project No.: N N209 144436
Project duration: 2009-2011
Project summary
Within the project novel hybrid photosensitizers will be developed based on nanoclays (layered aluminosilicates). The photosensitizers will be synthesized by the introduction (intercalation) of chromophores absorbing visible or near ultraviolet light between the aluminosilicate layers. The chromophores will be introduced into the structure of the aluminosilicate via ion exchange (ionic chromophores), covalent attachment to an organic ion or as a component of a polymeric photosensitizer. The systems containing polymers will be obtained by the intercalation of a presynthesized polymeric photosensitizer or by the the polymerization of intercalated into the aluminosilicate ionic monomers containing attached chromophores. The possibility of photosensitiziation of degradation reaction of compounds which are environmental pollutants will be studied, in particular of produced water coming from petroleum industry and the possibility of the development of the systems characterized with stable charge separation for the storage of solar energy.
Project type: Ministry of Science and Higher Education grant
Project No.: 1510/H03/2007/32
Project duration: 2007-2008
Project summary
Modern bioprostheses obtained using tissue engineering techniques are very promising for cardiosurgical therapies of the diseases of the cardiovascular system. The materials obtained with these techniques are intended to support the normal growth and differentiation of the cells, on one hand, and to allow controlled release of nonspecific drugs supporting angiogenesis, on the other.
The purpose of the project is to develop the synthetic methods and polymeric materials to be applicable both as the scaffolds for bioprostheses and as the carriers of nonspecific drugs in cardiosurgical applications. Materials such as natural polymers, i.e., elastin, alginate and chitosan will be used. To obtain materials with optimal mechanical properties the polymers will be crosslinked using nontoxic compounds, such as genipin. The scaffolds will contain heparin as the antithrombogenic agent. The kinetics of heparin release from the microspheres obtained from the above polymers as model systems will be investigated. In order to optimize the growth of the cells, the scaffolds will be functionalized with the growth factors. To obtain 3D cellular structures the thermosensitive scaffolds will be obtained using thermosensitive polymers, particularly those based on cellulose. Different techniques will be applied to synthesize scaffolds with proper porosity and morphology optimal for cell culturing. The influence of sterilization process on the structure of the scaffolds will be examined.
Project type: State Committee for Scientific Research grant
Project No.: 3 T09A 137 26
Project duration: 2004-2006
Project summary
A series of smart hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) will be synthesized and their physicochemical properties will investigated. The formation of hydrogels will be enabled by the application of monomers or groups allowing photocrosslinking (such as cinnamyl group and its derivatives) and/or thermally crosslinking monomers. Thermosensitivity of the polymeric hydrogels will be achieved by the introduction of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in their structure. The studies on the application of the obtained materials for the photodegradation of the environmental pollutants, complexation, controlled release and molecular imprinting. The biodegradable polymeric hydrogels will also be obtained.
Project type: State Committee for Scientific Research grant
Project No.: 7 T09A 087 20
Project duration: 2001-2003