History of the group
The group was founded in 1975 by Prof. Dr. Mihail Lucian Pascu , within the Institute of Physics – Bucharest (IFB) which belonged to the Romanian Academy of Sciences. It functioned between 1975 and 1977 as part of IFB, between 1977 and 1996 within the Institute of Physics and Technology of Radiation Devices (IFTAR)-Laser Department and from 1996 to-date as part of the National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR)- Laser Department. The scientific activity developed by the group includes:
research on development of tunable dye lasers and tunable semiconductor lasers basic research on laser active media: chaotic emission of laser beams research and development of laser medical equipment basic research on atomic, molecular and bio-molecular spectroscopy research and development of laser equipment to monitor environment (air, water, soil) pollution basic research on complex molecules related to environment pollution basic research on laser beam interaction with tissues, cells and medicines laser based methods to develop new medicines for use to fight the multiple drug resistance developed by bacteria and tumor tissues. unresonant and resonant interaction of the laser beams with micro- and nano-droplets Optofluidics related to nanosciences.
Research directions
The main characteristics of the group scientific activity is the approach of multidisciplinary studies using tunable lasers, optics and optical spectroscopy methods to investigate fields such as: molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy, laser optofluidics, laser pharmacology for development new methods to fight multiple drug resistance (MDR) , environment pollution control, laser equipment to monitor pollutants in air, water and soil, laser biomedicine (laserology), methods and related equipment to develop transmission procedures using chaotic properties of the laser beams. The group receives students, both undergraduate and masterands, to perform scientific research and elaborate diploma (to graduate and to obtain master degree) in the fields of: optics, laser and spectroscopy, biophysics, pollution control using optical methods and means, laser physical medicine, laser pharmacology, laser based chemistry. It also receives PhD students for the specialty optics, laser, spectroscopy, under the coordination of the Physics Faculty, University of Bucharest (PhD head: Prof. Dr. Mihail Lucian Pascu). The group cooperates closely with leading Romanian research institutions to develop its projects, such as: University of Bucharest (Faculty of Physics, Faculty of Biology), National institute for Materials and Nanotechnologies- Magurele/Bucharest, Institute of Optoelectronics–Magurele/Bucharest, Central Military Clinic Emergency Hospital/ Bucharest (several clinics), Academy of Economy Studies/ Bucharest, Laser Optics/ Bucharest, National Institute for Cerebrovascular Diseases/Bucharest, National Institute for Infectious diseases/Bucharest, University of Medicine and Pharmacy ” Carol Davila”/Bucharest etc. The group develops International cooperation activities along: bilateral cooperation programs, European networks (COST networks included), organizing national and/or international scientific conferences. Bilateral cooperation program with: -France 1992-1999 (2 programs type “ Formation Recherche”); 2009- 2010 un program Constantin Brancusi -Italy: one program under evaluation.
Colaborations
Within the International cooperation projects, the group received and continues receiving scientists for abroad to work within it , particularly on the topics related to the laser physics and laser methods to develop new medicines conceived to fight multiple drug resistance of bacteria and cancer tumors. The foreign guests are: - Dr. Jan Barcal (within the Bucharest University CEEPUS program), Czech Republic, February 2009. - Prof. Leonard Amaral (within the COST BM0701- ATENS program), Portugal, May , 2010; November 2011 – February 2012. - Dr. Jette Kristiansen (within the COST BM0701- ATENS program), Denmark, September , 2010. - Dr. Attila Huniady (within the COST CM0808), Hungary, November 2011, January 2012. - Drd. (PhD student) Balazs Danko within the COST BM0701–ATENS program), Hungary, November 2011 – February 2012.