Research Projects at the Faculty of Pharmacy

1) Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and isolated compounds from Persicaria tinctorial

 Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phytotherapy
Supervisor: Sebastian Granica, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor; email: sgranica@wum.edu.pl

The project will be focused on analysis of chemical composition of water extract from aerial parts of Persicaria tinctoria using UHPLC-DAD-MS method. Next the isolation of major and minor constituents of analyzed extract will be performed. Isolated compounds will be identified with spectroscopic methods (NMR and MS). Finally, the anti-inflammatory potential of raw extract and isolated compounds will be evaluated using cell-free and cell-based models.

2) Adeno-associated virus vectors for experimental cancer gene therapy

 Department of Applied Pharmacy
Supervisor: Prof. Maciej Małecki; email: maciej.malecki@wum.edu.pl

 The objective of this project is development of pharmaceutical gene therapy products containing rAAV vectors for cancer gene therapy experiments. The project is focused on gene cloning of unique rAAV vectors, as well the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations containing rAAV. Finally, the rAAV formulations will be used for in vitro, in vivo rAAV transduction routes of cancer cells.

3) Gut microbiota metabolism of plant materials traditionally used in the treatment of urinary tracts disorders

Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phytotherapy
Supervisor: Sebastian Granica, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor; email: sgranica@wum.edu.pl

The project will be focused on analysis of evaluation of gut microbiota metabolism of chosen plant materials. Raw extracts will be incubated with health donor gut microbiota cultures. The effect of biotransformation will be evaluated with UHPLC-DAD-MS methodology. Metabolites will be isolated with chromatographic techniques and their structure will be elucidated using NMR and MS methodology.

4) Standardization and isolation of major compounds present in extracts from aerial parts of Porophyllum ruderale.

Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of PhytotherapySsupervisor: Sebastian Granica, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor: email: sgranica@wum.edu.pl

The project will be focused on the phytochemical analysis of constitutes present in Bolivian coriander (Porophyllum ruderale) aerial parts using UHPLC-DAD-MS method. Compounds present in the analyzed plant material will be quantified with validated method. Major compounds of prepared extracts will be isolated and their structure will be elucidated with NMR method. The bioactivity of purified compounds will be evaluated with cell based model.

5) Synthesis and characterization of molecularly imprinted polymers for selective separation of biomolecules

Department of Organic Chemistry
Supervisor: Piotr Luliński, Ph.D., Pharm.D. e-mail: piotr.lulinski@wum.edu.pl

The objective of project is development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the purpose of selective separation of pharmacologically important biomolecules. The project is focused on the theoretically and experimentally optimized synthesis of MIPs and their characterization. The application of MIPs as efficient stationary phase for various types of solid phase extraction (dispersive, magnetic) of selected analytes from complex real samples (biological, environmental, food) will be proved after optimization of the extraction protocols.

6) Design of molecularly imprinted sensors

Department of Organic Chemistry
Supervisors: Piotr Luliński, Ph.D., Pharm.D. e-mail: piotr.lulinski@wum.edu.pl
                   Monika Sobiech, Ph.D. e-mail: monika.sobiech@wum.edu.pl

The objective of this project is to design advanced sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and to apply them for detection and quantification of selected biomolecules in various complex samples. The designing process of MIPs will employ molecular modelling for optimization. MIPs will be used and evaluated as a receptor part of sensors combined with various transducers for different modes of detection (e.g. optical based on quantum dots) of chosen analytes in real samples.

7) Evaluation of potential imprinted drug delivery vehicle

Department of Organic Chemistry
Supervisor: Piotr Luliński, Ph.D., Pharm.D. e-mail: piotr.lulinski@wum.edu.pl

The objective of this project is development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs)  and their application as potential drug delivery systems. The project is focused on different synthesis approaches of the formation of imprinted drug carriers, their detailed characterization as well as the analysis of release profiles for selected drugs with limited bioavailability in model environment.