Processes and molecular interactions in heterogeneous systems
Main researcher
: FUREDI-MILHOFER, HELGA (12650) Assistants
VICKOVIĆ, ĐURĐICA (144592)
FILIPOVIĆ-VINCEKOVIĆ, NADA (11783)
HUS, MIHOVIL (78363)
ŠKRTIĆ, DRAGO (78251)
TOMAŠIĆ, VLASTA (49791)
MARKOVIĆ, MILENKO (28694)
HADŽIJA, OLGA (15043)
TONKOVIĆ, MAJA (50176)
MESARIĆ, ŠTEFICA (30455)
HORVATH, LASZLO (74311)
KOMUNJER, LJEPŠA (21916)
HLADY, VLADIMIR (15881)
BABIĆ-IVANČIĆ, VESNA (74063)
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.
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
Name of project
: 5243/RB Radionuclide Migration Mechanisms in
Geosphere Name of institution: International Atomic Energy Agency City: Beč, Austrija
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
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
Name of project
: Primjena laserskog rasipanja svjetla na
koloide Name of institution: Institut fur Physikalische Chemie der
Universitat Graz City: Graz, Austrija
COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS
Name of institution
: Institut za medicinska istraživanja Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Joint project City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Name of institution
: Opća bolnica Osijek Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar Type of cooperation: Joint project City: 31000 - Osijek, Croatia
Name of institution
: Universitat Gesamthochschule Essen,
Institut fur Physiologische Chemie, Universitatklinikum Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Joint project City: Essen, Njemačka
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
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
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
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
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
Name of institution
: Šumarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Joint project City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
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
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
Name of institution
: Institut fur Physikalische Chemie der
Universitat Graz Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Joint project City: Graz, Austrija
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
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.