Projects / Programmes
January 1, 1999
- December 31, 2003
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.02.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
|
| 3.01.00 |
Medical sciences |
Microbiology and immunology |
|
| 1.09.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Pharmacy |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B002 |
Biomedical sciences |
Biophysics |
| P260 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic and optical properties, supraconductors, magnetic resonance, relaxation, spectroscopy |
| P340 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Lipids, steroids, membranes |
| B520 |
Biomedical sciences |
General pathology, pathological anatomy |
| B730 |
Biomedical sciences |
Odontology, stomatology |
| B725 |
Biomedical sciences |
Diagnostics |
Researchers (15)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,724 |
Abstract
The program is based on the experimental approach by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy with the application of spin probes and spin traps, as well as EPR and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging in situ and in vivo to study the biological systems on the molecular level.
The program consists: A. Biophysics of membranes and lipoproteins: The lateral domain structure of membranes of cells and tissues of human, animal, plant, and fungi. Interactions between lipids and proteins in membranes and lipoprotein particles will be approached by EPR. Transport of biologically active molecules will be studied, such as chemotherapeutics, toxins, and xenobiotics, with cells and tissues. The induced alterations in membrane structure, by cellular processes like vesiculation, cell malignancy, and apoptosis.
B. Research of submicroscopic particles – liposomes, genosomes, and nanoparticles - for drug targeting or introduction of genetic material into the selected destination in cells and organism. Composition and size of particles will be tested with respect to their influence on stability of the particles. The particle interaction with cells and their transport in the cells and tissues will be studied with a special emphasis on the transport of molecules, which have been applied entrapped in the particles, within the skin. For genosomes, complexes between cations and lipids, and DNA plasmids, by which genetic material can be provided to cells and tissues the accent on the interaction between lipids and plasmids to achieve the optimal production of genosomes.
C. Research of oxygen radicals and antioxidants: The antioxidative activity and the evolution of short lived free radicals in biological processes by the drugs, or pollutants, as well as their role in pathology will be studied. Models to form oxygen radicals and characteristic of antioxidants in plasma will be tested. D. ESR spectroscopy development in vivo and in vitro adapted for biological systems: Application of EPR pulse spectroscopy to study the biological system as well as development of the low frequency (L band ) spectroscopy to monitor the processes in animals in vivo. Special accent will be on the development and application of EPR oximetri to measure the spatial distribution of the oxygen within the tissues such as the skin. This includes also the development of the software for the measurement in vivo and in situ.
E. Application and development of NMR imaging: The kinetic models to analyze the dynamical magnetic resonance (MR) picture with the applied macromolecular contrast agents. New techniques for the fast imaging with the collection of signals in non- symmetric but optimized ways in the k- space. Imaging of electrical currents will be extended with ac current imaging. The mentioned techniques will be tested on models and transmitted to in vivo conditions.
Importance of the research program in science in the world in the wide sense:
The proposed research will contribute to the knowledge of mechanisms by which biologically active substances act on the membrane, cells and tissue. New knowledge about noxious effects of external factors (xenobiotics) and drugs, which are metabolized in tissues via free radicals. Antioxidants and their role in preventing of chain reactions by which cell membranes can be damaged as well as by the pathological alterations in cells and tissues. The technique to prepare different submicroscopic particles will be improved by which a directed application of drugs can reach the selected regions in relation to organs and cells. The processes of cell fusion, transport of molecules across the membranes might be of primary importance to understand some metabolic processes, by which the pathologic alteration of organism occur for example by vesiculation of cells, aging, and apoptosis. Such knowledge and new experimental approach with EPR oximetry and imaging by EPR and NMR will contribute and help to improve the diagnostic ...
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
