SVIBOR - Project code: 1-07-189

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

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Project code: 1-07-189


Processes and molecular interactions in heterogeneous systems


Main researcher: FUREDI-MILHOFER, HELGA (12650)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/93.
Papers on project (total): 190
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 75
Institution name: Institut "Ruđer Bošković", Zagreb (98)
Department/Institute: Department of Technology, Nuclear Energy and Protection Department of Physical Chemistry
Address: Bijenička 54, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Communication
Phone: 385 1 4561111
Fax: 385 1 425497
E-mail: IVANCIC@OLIMP.IRB.HR
Summary: The subject of the project are thermodynamic and kinetic studies of heterogeneous solid/liquid systems of importance in biomedicine, biotechnology and technology. The main areas of interest are: (i) the formation of assemblies of ions and molecules (i.e. complexes, micelles, liquid crystals, vesicles, lyposomes) in electrolyte solutions, (ii) sorption of ions and adsorption of proteins at the solid/liquid interfaces and (iii) thermodynamic and kinetic studies of solid phase formation with particular emphasis on the influence of additives thereon. The investigations comprise: Ad(i) complex formation and determination of stability constants in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, and the conditions leading to selfassembly of surfactant and phospholipid molecules, Ad(ii) a) sorption/desorption od radionuclides at clay surfaces as a model to study environmental pollution; b) the mechanisms of adsorption of proteins at well defined surfaces, including the conformation of the adsorbed macromolecules and the properties of thus modified surfaces; c) molecular recognition between macromolecules and specific surfaces of growing crystals, Ad(iii) a) synthesis and characterization of new and/or insufficiently characterized compounds including the determination of solubility product constants; b) the influence of small ions, macromolecules and supramolecules on the kinetics of the formation of biologically important precipitates (calcium oxalates and calcium phosphates). The results have been interpreted using theoretical models which were earlier developed by our group. The results of these basic investigations facilitate understanding of complex multicomponent systems important in biomedicine (normal and pathological mineralization), biotechnology (biosenzors), environmental science (precipitation in natural and waste waters, transport of pollutants) and chemical industry (crystallization and separation of materials, prevention of precipitation, detergency, pharm preparation, etc.). Applied research includes the development of several new analytical methods. In addition a method to be used in clinics for the discrimnation between the urines of kidney-stone formers and healthy persons (based on the determination of the calcium binding capacity of the urine) has been developed.

Keywords: adsorption, aggregation, biomineralization, biosensors, biopolymers, complexes, crystal growth, ionic equilibria, interfaces, liposomes, liquid crystals, macromolecules, micelles, molecular recognition, nucleation, proteins, solubility, supramolecules, surfactants, phase transformations

Research goals: The main goal of investigations has been to facilitate understanding of physico-chemical processes in heterogeneous, solid/liquid systems of importance in biomedicine, biotechnology and technology. The main areas of interest are: (i) association of ions and molecules in electrolyte solutions, (ii) processes at the solid/liquid interfaces, (iii) thermodynamic and kinetic investigations of solid phase formation from electrolyte solutions. Investigations include: Ad(i) complexes, molecular and supramolecular structures (micelles, liquid crystals, vesicles, liposomes), Ad(ii) the sorption/desorption of ions at clays and minerals and the adsorption of proteins at the solid surfaces, including growing crystals, Ad(iii) determination of equilibrium constants and phase transitions in heterogeneous systems and the influence of additives on the precipitation kinetics and the properties of the resulting precipitates. The results obtained may help in solving problems in medicine, biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Some of the mentioned applications are immplemented in two projects cosponsored by the European Community (optic biosenzors; risik and prevention of kidney stone formation). Investigations of possible uses of calcium phosphate in restorative materials for stomatology are underway. The results of the research have been published in international scientific journals and reported at international scientific meetings. The group has active collaboration with domestic and international scientific institutions and universities.

COOPERATION - PROJECTS


  1. Name of project: 5243/RB Radionuclide Migration Mechanisms in Geosphere
    Name of institution: International Atomic Energy Agency
    City: Beč, Austrija

  2. Name of project: CI1-CT 88-0345 Metabolic and Physico-Chemical Studies Underlying the Assessment of the Risk and the Prevention of Kidney Stone Formation
    Name of institution: Commission of the European Communities
    City: Brusseles, Belgija

  3. Name of project: CI1-CT 91-0888 Development of Optical Fiber Biosenzor Based on Immobilized Monoclonal Antibody on a Thin Gel Film Surfaces
    Name of institution: Commission of the European Communities
    City: Brusseles, Belgija

  4. Name of project: Primjena laserskog rasipanja svjetla na koloide
    Name of institution: Institut fur Physikalische Chemie der Universitat Graz
    City: Graz, Austrija

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: Institut za medicinska istraživanja
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  2. Name of institution: Opća bolnica Osijek
    Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: 31000 - Osijek, Croatia

  3. Name of institution: Universitat Gesamthochschule Essen, Institut fur Physiologische Chemie, Universitatklinikum
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Essen, Njemačka

  4. Name of institution: Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik , Klinikum der Philipps - Universitat Marburg
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: D-3550 - Marburg, Njemačka

  5. Name of institution: The Wiezmann Institute of Science, Department of Structural Biology
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: Rehovot, Israel

  6. Name of institution: The Hebrew University, Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied Sciences
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: Jerusalem, Izrael

  7. Name of institution: National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: Gaithersburg, USA

  8. Name of institution: Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  9. Name of institution: Šumarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  10. Name of institution: National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: Gaithersburg, USA

  11. Name of institution: The University of Utah, Bioengineering
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: Salt Lake City, USA

  12. Name of institution: Institut fur Physikalische Chemie der Universitat Graz
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Graz, Austrija

  13. Name of institution: Klinički bolnički centar Rebro
    Type of institution: International organization
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS


  1. Name: Metoda za upotrebu u dijagnostici i praćenju liječenja urolitijaze
    Type of achievement: Studies of conduct
    Authors: Helga Furedi-Milhofer, Frigita Kahana, Klara Kiss, Sara Sarig
Other information about the project.
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