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The purpose and main objectives of the Platform for Interdisciplinary Research in Oncology
The collaboration agreement between the two institutions, namely The Oncology Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă", and The University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, established the development of concepts, projects, grants, scientific collaborations on basic, translational and clinical research, development of publications and patent applications for common inventions.

The Platform for Interdisciplinary Research in Oncology aims to support performance and excellence in the field of oncology and to serve as an instrument of interdisciplinary research. It is focused on high throughput technologies in “omics” area being able to perform studies in genomics, next generation sequencing and proteomics. All these are widely applied in basic and translational research studies. Among them transcriptomics profiling using different types of biological samples (tumor tissues, blood, serum / plasma, urine, sputum, fresh/frozen or FFPE), analysis of proteins, complex functional assays in cell culture, and the complex interactions among genes of normal and abnormal physiological function and effect of environmental factors on the health are daily used to perform high quality research. These are issues relevant to understanding normal biological processes and how they are disturbed in cancer and associated diseases.

 

1. The orientation degree of translational and developing a set of technologies (panel tests) based on the use of nucleic acids as a resource for research funded efforts, university and clinical expertise, and bringing together in an interactive environment that exceeds the boundaries between disciplines bio-medical.

2. Developing a interdisciplinary framework for translational medicine and precision medicine and testing of new therapeutic strategies in a highly competent medical environment, by excellent instrumentation and level of expertise of existing capacities and thus create new opportunities for training, generation of highly qualified human resources, integration into European consortia and research and education programs.

3. Creation of close cooperation between patients, clinicians, pathologists and researchers about the economic environment and the creation of an appropriate climate to attract specialists Romanian and / or foreign, create jobs and prevent migration of young graduates.

The Platform was developed as a collaboration project between the two institutions in order to facilitate collaboration in translational, clinical and fundamental research. It address to doctoral, postdoctoral studies, residents and specialists coming from the filed of oncology that develop thesis, research projects and grants together with The Oncology Institute Ion Chiricuta. The specific of the platform is the interdisciplinary and trans disciplinary nature of the studies that can be developed in diagnostic biomarkers and personalized medicine.

The facilities were developed together between the two institutions through infrastructure and research projects and grants and serve as a common state of the art facility for all their collaboration.

The main directions of scientific research of The Platform for Interdisciplinary Research Platform in Oncology reach many scientific topics related to cancer, immunology, genetics, genomics, epidemiology, biochemistry, microbiology, such as:

➢ study of molecular BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in hereditary predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer in some families in North-West of Romania;
➢ evaluation of cancer panel (46 mutations) in genes involved in solid tumors and of pathologies specific gene panels Blood
➢ assessment of transcriptomics profile in tumor pathologies (breast, cervical, ovarian, colorectal, bladder, lung)
➢ development of new therapeutic strategies using the combined interfering RNA, miRNA mimic / small molecule inhibitors or various natural or synthetic solid tumors or applications in Hematology
➢ development of new therapeutic nanoparticles such liposomes, nanoparticles of gold to ensure the targeted transport of the therapeutic agent or combination of innovative mechanisms able to counter resistance to therapy
➢ development new diagnostic biomarkers and personalized therapies in solid tumors and hematologic pathologies

Departments participating in the operation procedures of the platform: Processing of biological samples, cell cultures, microarrays, next generation sequencing (DNA seq, miRNA seq, RNAs seq) , qRT-PCR, proteomics, microbiological and recombinant DNA Pathology, gene therapy, confocal and fluorescent microscopy
 

Laboratories established in the Platform for Interdisciplinary Research in Oncology
The Platform for Interdisciplinary Research in Oncology is structured following distinct areas:
• Collection, storage and processing of biological samples (biobanking)
• Processing nucleic acids, quality control
• Pathology and flow cytometry
• Proteomics, electrophoresis, western blot
• Microarray
• Cell culture and functional studies
• Gene therapy
• qRT-PCR
• Next generation sequencing
• Statistical analysis and bioinformatics data

 

Director of Platform for Interdisciplinary Research in Oncology Prof. Dr. Ioana Berindan - Neagoe
Specialist – Next generation sequencing: personalized diagnosis, determine BRCA1, BRCA2, cancer panel of specific genes or hematological pathologies: Laura Pop Ancuţa, Scientific Researcher PhD
Specialist - multitarget therapy with RNA interference, miRNA, or natural or synthetic small molecules, evaluating the environmental impact (mycotoxins, arsenic, phthalates and cotinine) on health: Research Assistant Professor - Cornelia Braicu PhD
Specialist - diagnosis and tailored therapies in hematological malignancies: Lecturer Ciprian Tomuleasa MD PhD
Specialist – cell culture and profiling- Valentina Pileczki - PhD