Projects

Educational Projects

144950-TEMPUS-2008-IT-JPHES

"Entreprenorial University as a Model for proper managerial Interrelation among Education, Science and Innovation" 144950-TEMPUS-2008-IT-JPHES

511275-TEMPUS-1-2010-1-GE-TEMPUS-JPCR

  

"Student Active Learning in Science"
511275-TEMPUS-1-2010-1-GE-TEMPUS-JPCR

 

 

Bilateral Scientific Projects

13.820.15.10 GA

13.820.15.10 GA: Digital holographic microscopy in the study of biological tissues using LabVIEW
Project type: bilateral, Moldova – Germany 
Project duration: 2013 – 2015
Project director: DUCA Maria, professor, doctor habilitated, academician

Executors:

Maria Duca, project director, chief researcher; Aliona Glijin, senior researcher; Ludmila Batir, senior researcher; Adriana Acciu, junior researcher; Maria Gorceag, junior researcher

Project objectives:

  • The development of the concept of optical configuration for the digital holographic microscope using state-of-the-art technologies
  • The development of software based on LabVIEW image processing of biological preparations for optical configuration by using the digital holographic microscope
  • The use of digital holographic microscope in the study of biological objects

Expected results:

The concept of using the digital holographic microscope by state-of-the-art technologies in microscopic analysis of biological preparations. The first digital images of biological objects obtained by using the digital holographic microscope. The possibility of using the holographic microscope in the analysis of biological preparations. 3D digital images of biological preparations. Database of images of biological objects obtained and stored in LabVIEW.

10.820.04.14BF

10.820.04.14BF: Imprinting of sunflower genotypes and determining the degree of seed hybridization using molecular markers
Project type: bilateral, Moldova – Belarus (registration no. 315.BA)
Project duration: 2010 – 2011 
Project director: PORT Angela, PhD in Biology

Executors:

Maria Duca, doctor habilitated, professor, leading researcher; Angela Port, PhD, associate professor, project director; Alexei Levitchi, PhD in Biology, senior researcher; Tatiana Sestacova, doctoral student, researcher; Maia Popa, accountant.

Research methods:

CTAB DNA extraction (Hettich centrifuge, 2008, Sanyo freezer, 2008, photo documentation system, 2009); PCR analysis (Corbet amplifier, 2008); denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (electrophoresis system, 2008); agarose gel electrophoresis.

Project objectives:

  • Analysis of helianthinin profile in different genotypes in order to highlight the specific spectra.
  • Selection of SSR primers with a high degree of polymorphism.
  • SSR analysis of different sunflower genotypes (lines, varieties and hybrids) with subsequent selection of specific loci (polymorphs) as an indicator in genotypic authenticity assessment.
  • Comparative study of specific traits in genetic profiles and identifying SSR markers and protein markers based on helianthinin.
  • Establishing of quality assessment criteria of breeding material in sunflower. Testing based on genotyping can be applied on new or recognized varieties for copyright protection or standard analysis aiming the certification of new sunflower lines and hybrids offered by physical persons and commercial seed companies.

Results:

The genetic profile of 21 sunflower genotypes, homo- and heterozygous with 28 ORS primers that highlighted 163 alleles was studied. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 (ORS795) and 15 (ORS70), demonstrating the polymorphism of investigated markers with values of the PIC (Polymorphic Content Information) index ranging from 0.5 to 0.92. To assess the genotype authenticity the following primers can be recommended: ORS78, ORS261, ORS349, ORS366, ORS509, ORS795, ORS811, ORS836, and for those that manifest codominance the following: ORS78, ORS509, ORS811, ORS815, being potential markers in the estimation of the degree of hybridization.
Five hundred and forty helianthinin polypeptide profiles of genotypes native to Belarus were analyzed. Among the nine genotypes native to Belarus, eight shared a single profile, demonstrating that these lines possess a high genetic purity level. Genotype no.4 native to Belarus revealed four profiles with different frequencies, while two paternal forms – LC Raus and LC 39 indicated 3 and, respectively, 2 atypical profiles. The data will be further tested in order to determine the cause of atypical spectra (genetic impurity, contamination, heterogeneous population, etc.).

10.820.09.09GA

10.820.09.09GA: Assessment of pharmaceutical potential of medicinal plants in the spontaneous flora of Moldova
Project type: bilateral, Moldova – Germany (registration no. 300.GA)
Project duration: 2010
Project director: Maria Duca, associate professor, PhD in Biology

Executors:

Maria Duca – managing researcher, PhD; Angela Port – researcher, PhD; Veaceslav Reva – senior researcher, PhD; Mihail Mirza, senior researcher, associate professor; Alexei Levitchi – senior researcher, PhD; Oleg Budeanu,  researcher, PhD; Maia Popa, accountant.

Research methods:

Biochemical (TLC, HPLC), bioinformatics (databases), botanical (plant determination).

Project objectives:

  • Identification of medicinal plant species in the spontaneous flora of Moldova.
  • Prelevation of biological material and obtaining of experimental samples.
  • Biochemical analysis of secondary metabolites from endemic medicinal plants.
  • Dissemination of obtained data.

Results:

Synthesis and analysis of current information on the diversity of medicinal plants and potential uses in the diseases prevention, phytotherapy and cosmetology were performed. Global databases were studied on the accessibility and degree of available information on medicinal plants from the spontaneous flora of Moldova. The obtained results reveal the presence of cardenolide compounds in three plants collected from the spontaneous flora of Moldova. The cardenolides in the quantities sufficient for pharmaceutical needs have been revealed in the examined samples. A database with references to taxonomy, habitat, therapeutic actions, etc., available at www.plante.asm.md was created.