Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of degenerative eye diseases that can lead to progressive and irreversible vision loss. In current practice, these ocular conditions (e.g., cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration) do not benefit from efficient treatment and rely solely on invasive surgical interventions. The LUT-NANODEL project aims to optimize through innovative technologies, testing specially formulated eye drops based on a natural antioxidant (lutein) on two animal models for potential use as a simple, efficient, and non-invasive therapeutic tool in the prevention and control of the progression of these disabling ocular diseases. Preclinical results on mice have demonstrated a reduction in cataract severity by up to 70% and significant protection in the case of diabetic retinopathy, representing a very important step towards initiating clinical validation and introducing this therapeutic alternative into human therapy. The protection of a the generated IP is currently under processing through a national and international patent application.

Peer-reviewed articles:

1. Bodoki, A.E.; Iacob, B.-C.; Dinte, E.; Vostinaru, O.; Samoila, O.; Bodoki, E. Perspectives of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems in Ocular Therapy. Polymers 2021, 13, 3649. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213649 

2. Baraian, A.-I.; Iacob, B.-C.; Bodoki, A.E.; Bodoki, E. In Vivo Applications of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Drug Delivery: A Pharmaceutical Perspective. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2022, 23(22), 14071. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232214071

3. L. Samoilă, O. Voștinaru, E. Dinte, A.E. Bodoki, B.-C. Iacob, E. Bodoki, O. Samoilă. Topical treatment for retinal degenerative pathologies, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023, 24(9): 8045.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098045

OBS: Another 3 manuscripts on experimental data are awaiting  peer review upon the registration of the submitted patent

Invited lectures:

1. Polymeric drug delivery systems for ocular therapy, prof. Ede Bodoki, PhD - 10th of November 2021 within the frame of Nanodelivery class for PhD and MSc students - Louisiana State University, Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Scientific conferences:

1. Farcasanu, A.S.; Samoila, L.; Samoila, O.; Vostinaru, O.; Dinte, E.; Simon, S; Bodoki, E. Assessment of the ocular biodistribution profile of topically administered lutein by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Oral presentation, 12th International Symposium on Drug Analysis & 32nd International Symposium on Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 11-14.09.2022, Mons, Belgium

Patents:

1. Bodoki E.; Samoila, O.; Dinte, E.; Vostinaru, O.; Bodoki A.E.; Iacob B.C.; Pop M.; Iordache C.A.; Sabliov C.M.; Astete C.E. New forms of lutein and their uses, patenting in process