Romanian Academy
Costin-Ioan Popescu, PhD
Group: Viral Glycoproteins
Department: Viral GlycoproteinsScientific Researcher II
Research interests: The HCV group has been working on several research directions:
a) virus- host interaction using a proteomic approach;
b) drug discovery using high throughput screening;
c) HCV vaccine design
d) optimization of pathogen diagnostic methods.
Biography
Dr. Costin-Ioan Popescu is leading the Hepatitis C Virus group in the Department of Viral Glycoproteins of the Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy. Costin-Ioan Popescu defended his PhD thesis at University of Oxford studying the maturation and processing of viral and endogenous transmembrane glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Costin completed his postdoc training at Institute Pasteur of Lille where he studied the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) morphogenesis process in ER.
Papers
Grants
Identification of host factors involved in hepatitis C virus assembly and characterization of their potential role in vivo
2014
Acronym: HCVASSEMBLY
Project director: Costin-Ioan Popescu
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important human pathogen that infects the liver and establishes chronic infection in the majority of cases, leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma over the course of many years. Despite recent progress, details of the HCV life cycle are still missing, with the HCV assembly process being particularly poorly understood.
EEA Grants (2014-2021): Next Generation Viral Hepatitis B and C vaccine development in plants and algae using advanced biotechnological tools; ‘’Dezvoltare de vaccinuri de ultima generatie anti Virusurile Hepatice B si C in plante si alge, utilizand metode biotehnologice avansate’’
2019-2023
Acronym: SmartVac; Budget: 1.500.000 EUR
Project director: Norica Nichita
We aim to produce high yields of novel HBV/HCV antigens with superior immunogenic properties in plants and mammalian cells, based on innovative molecular design and establish in premiere an advanced biotechnological platform for production of best vaccine candidates antigens in algae.