Topics of Bachelor's, Engineer's and Master's theses
1. Analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination in herbal extracts using LC-MS/MS
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Ph.D., D.Sc. Elżbieta U. Stolarczyk, National
Institute of Medicines in Warsaw
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) is the name of a large group of natural substances produced mainly by plants, but also by fungi and bacteria. Some plant species produce these compounds to protect themselves from herbivores. Herbal plants that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, such as: coltsfoot, butterbur and comfrey, are either prohibited for internal use or their dosage is limited depending on the alkaloid content. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can have a mutagenic, genotoxic and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effect on living organisms. Therefore, there is a need to develop methods for testing contamination of herbal preparations with pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the point of view of the adverse effect on the human body. The aim of the work is to develop a method for determining pyrrolizidine alkaloid impurities in selected herbal extracts using the LC-MS/MS technique.
2. Study of N-nitrosamines and N-nitroso impurities in active substances and medicinal products
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Ph.D., D.Sc. Elżbieta U. Stolarczyk, National Institute of Medicines in Warsaw
A large group of nitrosamines is classified as carcinogenic substances in food products (dietary supplements) and pharmaceutical products. They can originate from the synthesis process, storage of active substances, as well as the manufacturing process and storage of the pharmaceutical product. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use requires that holders of marketing authorisations for medicinal products for human use review their medicines for the possible presence of N-nitrosamines and test all products at risk. In the event that N-nitrosamines are detected in any of their medicinal products, the Responsible Entities must immediately inform the authorities so that appropriate procedures for purification, control and regulatory action can be taken. There have been many cases of product withdrawals from the market, which shows how important it is to monitor and predict these impurities in advance. The key point to reduce or eliminate the risk they pose to humans is their early detection and removal of these impurities. It is therefore justified to develop analytical methods that allow monitoring and determination of these compounds at low concentration levels. The aim of the work is to study N-nitrosamines and N-nitroso impurities in active substances and medicinal products
3. Development of a method for determining nitrates and nitrites in medicinal products using the GC-MS/MS technique
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Ph.D., D.Sc. Elżbieta U. Stolarczyk, National Institute of Medicines in Warsaw
Nitrates and nitrites are chemical compounds that have been used as food additives for many years, mainly due to their ability to preserve food, extend its shelf life and give it a fresh and appetizing appearance. Their main task is to prevent the growth of bacteria, as well as viruses, fungi and molds. Nitrates themselves do not have a harmful effect on the body, but in the process of heating or as a result of reaction with stomach acids, they can be transformed into nitrites. In turn, nitrites, as a result of reaction with proteins (amines and amides) in the stomach, can nitrosate compounds (especially secondary amines) to nitrosamines, of which as many as 90% have a potential carcinogenic effect. The aim of the work is to develop a method for determining nitrates and nitrites in medicinal products using the GC-MS/MS technique.
4. The effect of gold nanoparticle shape (spheres, stars and flowers) in combination with a selected bioflavonoid on antimicrobial activity".
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Ph.D., D.Sc. Elżbieta U. Stolarczyk, National Institute of Medicines in Warsaw
Gold nanostructures are of great interest in scientific research due to their wide application in photonics, electronics, catalysis, optical detection and imaging, photothermal or photodynamic therapy and in the delivery of active substances. Physicochemical and biological properties of gold nanostructures vary depending on their size, shape, porosity and surface modification, and many other properties. Gold nanoparticles have antibacterial and anticancer properties. Plant extracts containing bioflavonoids have antioxidant potential preventing DNA damage and anticancer activity, widely documented in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, having at our disposal two such different and at the same time having such broad therapeutic spectrums building blocks as gold nanoparticles and bioflavonoid, one can predict their synergistic effect on microorganisms. The aim of the work is to investigate the effect of the shape of gold nanoparticles (spheres, stars and flowers) in combination with a selected bioflavonoid on their antimicrobial activity.
5. Study of oxidation and reduction processes of pharmaceutical substances in the process of predicting drug stability using the Roxy technique combined with QTOF
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Ph.D., D.Sc. Elżbieta U. Stolarczyk, National Institute of Medicines in Warsaw
Knowledge of degradation and metabolism pathways of drugs is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of drug therapy in patients. The global crisis related to the contamination of medical products with carcinogenic N-nitrosamines and impurities related to nitrosamine drug substances (NDSRIs), ongoing since 2018, has highlighted the urgent need to develop new methods to predict potentially toxic impurities in drugs and control them using appropriate techniques. Introduction of a drug product to the market requires extensive stability studies to confirm its quality, safety, efficacy and stated shelf life. Electrochemistry (EC) is a rapidly developing analytical tool in the field of prediction of oxidation/reduction and degradation products of drugs, thus supporting the assessment of drug stability. Prediction of drug degradation using electrochemical methods coupled with mass spectrometry (EC-MS) can help identify new, potentially concerning impurities, such as nitroso compounds. The aim of this work is to investigate the oxidation and reduction processes of selected pharmaceutical substances in the process of predicting drug stability using the Roxy technique combined with QTOF.
6. Flow microcells using metal nanoparticles
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
The aim of this project is to develop a prototype of a flow biofuel cell made of bioelectrodes based on metal nanoparticles and enzymes to power medical devices implanted in patients. The biofuel cell is to use energy sources naturally occurring in body fluids (glucose, dissolved oxygen, etc.) and convert them into electricity.
7. Oxygen sensor for monitoring the oxygen concentration in the human body
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
The latest research indicates the possibility of using biofuel as self-supplying devices that do not require an external energy source for operation, thanks to the use of chemical substances contained in the body, converting the chemical energy of redox reactions into electricity, which would be a breakthrough in medicine and implanted devices. A biofuel cell will be used for the construction of the sensor, consisting of a zinc anode and a cathode covered with nanomaterials and laccase, as a self-powered oxygen sensor implanted into the body.
8. Biofuel cells with the use of three-dimensional bioelectrodes
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
This project concerns the preparation of a biofuel cell with the use of three-dimensional electrodes. A novelty in the approach to the construction of such biofuel cells is the construction of electrodes consisting in immobilizing enzymes as biocatalysts on a spatial porous carbon material such as porous glassy carbon (RVC, Reticulated Vitreous Carbon). We plan to deposit Ru and Au nanoparticles on its surface as enzyme adsorption centers. Graphene nanotubes and nanoparticles will also be used as porous materials. The biofuel cell is to use energy sources naturally occurring in body fluids (glucose, dissolved oxygen, etc.) and convert them into electricity.
9. The use of gold nanoparticles as selective drug nanocarriers in the transport of anti-cancer active substances
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Ph.D., D.Sc. Elżbieta U. Stolarczyk, National
Institute of Medicines in Warsaw
Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, gold nanoparticles can be used for the transport and distribution of pharmaceuticals. They are used in gene therapy, in bactericidal and anti-cancer applications. The aim of this project is to develop a method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles with appropriate drugs and to characterize these systems using various techniques, e.g. voltammetric, spectroscopic, etc.
10. The use of platinum nanoparticles as nanozymes
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Taking advantage of the rapid development of nanotechnology and biotechnology, significant progress has been made in recent years in mimicking enzymatic activities with the use of high-performance nanomaterials, for example, by means of nanozymes with the participation of visible light, highly reactive oxygen species are created. These forms rapidly decompose and kill the bacteria. Therefore, artificial enzymes can one day be used to fight infections as well as treat various cancers. The aim of this project is to prepare nanozymes based on platinum nanoparticles and use them in specific chemical reactions.
11. Enzymatic glutamate biosensor based on gold nanostructured electrodes
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Ph.D., D.Sc., Eng. Marcin Urbanowicz (Laboratory of Biosensors and Analytical Microsystems Department I, Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering M. Nałęcza, Polish Academy of Sciences)
The aim of the thesis is to develop an electrochemical glutamate biosensor, the bioreceptor layer of which will be glutamate oxidase immobilized on the sensor surface. The design of the biosensor will be based on gold electrodes, the surface of which will be nanostructured to increase sensitivity. Various techniques of enzyme immobilization will be used for the biofunctionalization of the gold electrodes: covalent and cross-linking.
12. Hybrid enzymatic-inorganic micro - and nanoflowers
Ph.D., D.Sc. Krzysztof Stolarczyk
Ph.D., D.Sc., Eng. Kamila Sadowska (Laboratory of Biosensors and Analytical Microsystems Department I, Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering M. Nałęcza, Polish Academy of Sciences)
The aim of the project is to obtain and use enzymatic-metallic nanostructures as receptor materials. Such structures can be used as catalysts for various processes, as well as for the construction of biosensors or biofuel cells. Structural and electrochemical tests of the created systems will be carried out. On this basis, the influence of the shape and size of microflowers on the electro-catalytic ability of the system will be determined. As part of the diploma thesis, a method of obtaining nano-scale structures will be developed.