SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES of HYBSAC project, according to PNRR – Pillar III overall strategy:

SO1. Increasing the competitiveness of Romanian research at national and international level, by creating a research core with high-level scientific competence under the coordination of an expert from abroad and developing a new research field in ICMPP. Top methods on synthesis, characterization and testing of polysaccharides incorporating synthetic polymer components by RAFT polymerization methodologies will be developed.

SO2. Increasing the ICMPP international visibility and involvement of the newly created research core in European and in National projects.

SO3. Increasing the quality of the human resources, specializing the team at a high scientific level and ensuring optimal conditions for the development of top level research activities. Promoting of interdisciplinary research and training of the team members, developing thus new skills for experienced researchers in the project field.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES of HYBSAC project, in terms of hybrid nanostructures development utilizing polysaccharides as the basic components include, but they are not limited to:

RO1. Rationally designed and controllably synthesized polysaccharides incorporating synthetic polymer components by RAFT polymerization methodologies. Achieve controlled composition and structure of the obtained graft like copolymers. Elucidate their structural and self-organization characteristics in aqueous media and on surfaces.

RO2. Development of synthetic-biological biocompatible polymer components with temperature and pH responsive properties, co-assembled with therapeutics, enzymes, and pre-/in-situ synthesized inorganic nanoparticles, for hierarchical nanostructure manipulation, adaptation, external triggering and overall hybrid nanostructure responsivity via environmental parameters, as in living tissue environments, including cell interacting nanosurface structures.

RO3. Investigate external monitoring/triggering effects mediated by interaction of the inorganic components with e.g., light in the Vis/NIR region (i.e., in the case of gold nanoparticles encapsulated into the hybrid polysaccharide structures) and externally applied magnetic fields or other sources of radiation (the case of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles), for effecting cargo release, regulating enzymatic activity and determine/evaluate simultaneous hyperthermal and photothermal/photodynamic effects for combined/synergistic therapy/diagnostic applications.