New insights into organic–inorganic hetero-nano-interfaces based electrochemical sensors for biomarkers monitoring
Abstract: This project proposal aims to develop organic-inorganic hetero-nano-interfaces (OIHNIs) based on electrochemical sensors for detecting biomarkers and small signaling molecules, which can be used with portable devices and are suitable for point-of-care applications. Bio/sensors with stable, conductive, and regenerable surfaces that allow the temporary binding of ligands for affinity assays and exhibit nanozyme activity will be developed. The study will focus on the functionalization of gold surfaces with OIHNI based on Cu/Cu2O/alkyl thiols and Cu/Cu2O/peptide nanocomposites, which exhibit conductive and electrocatalytic properties. Additionally, it will investigate GO/rich histidine peptides and rGO/rich histidine peptides capable of binding Cu2+ through coordination chemistry.
Project cod : PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-0198
Contract no.: PCE 151/2025
Project Acronym: EL-SENS
Starting date: 01.07.2025
End date: 30.06.2028
Project duration: 36 months
Project director
Prof. univ. dr. Camelia BALA
e-mail: camelia.bala@chimie.unibuc.ro
Team members:
Assoc.Prof. Mihaela Puiu
CS. dr. Oana-Maria Dumitrașcu (Istrate)
Master student Bianca Valentina Andrei
Objective: To design a proof-of-concept sensors combining nanozyme activity and molecular recognition, using organic–inorganic nano-hetero-interfaces on gold screen-printed electrodes for portable electrochemical biomarker detection.
Estimated results:
-Report on the electrochemical behavior of hetero–nano–organic materials
-Report on GO/histidine-rich peptide and rGO/histidine-rich peptide systems
-Methodological report on the selection of sensors compatible with affinity assays
-Methodological report on enzyme- and affinity-based sensor formats
Budget: 1.147.368 RON
Dissemination:
- Publications
Multifunctional graphene–peptide hybrid interfaces for sustainable electrochemical biosensing, Oana-Maria Istrate, Mihaela Puiu, Valentin Mirceski, Camelia Bala, Microchemical Journal, volume 218, November 2025, 115365
- Conference participation
Composite engineered platforms for analytical and biosensing applications, Camelia Bala (Invited Lecture) The 23rd International Balkan Workshop on Applied Physics and Materials Science, Constanta, Romania | July 09-12, 2025
- Outreach










