Formulation and Characterization of Hydrogel Based on Pectin, Collagen, Alginate and Myrtus communis Essential Oil for Applications in Skin Regeneration Maria Minodora Marin, Janina-Ersilia Iancu, Petru Alexandru Vlaicu, Durmus Alpaslan Kaya, Madalina Georgiana Albu Kaya, et al. Applied Sciences Switzerland, 2026 This paper proposes a potential solution to the current issue of developing advanced, biocompatible biomaterials with integrated therapeutic functionality, which would contribute to improving the treatment of skin defects. This study aimed to develop, characterize and evaluate hydrogels based on type I collagen, pectin, alginate and myrtle essential oil, in order to obtain biomaterials with potential in skin regeneration applications. Hydrogels incorporating alginate, pectin, type I collagen and Myrtus communis essential oil were prepared via a multistep procedure comprising homogenization, crosslinking and lyophilization. The obtained hydrogels were characterized by physicochemical and structural methods, such as FTIR spectroscopy, to identify interactions between components; micro-computed tomography, to evaluate internal morphology and porosity; antibacterial tests, for evaluating the ability of the hydrogel to prevent infections at the application site; and in vitro cellular tests, such as the XTT test or cytotoxicity tests, such as LDH, essential for evaluating the biocompatibility of the hydrogel. The highest viability value was recorded for sample J4 (99.53 ± 11.88%), indicating an exceptional compatibility with the cells used, almost identical to that of the untreated control. The samples showed encouraging results, supporting their potential for applications in wound treatment and skin regeneration.
Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Enhanced Osteogenesis in Bone Tissue Engineering G. Vlăsceanu, Cătălina Ionela Zamfir, C. Baltă, H. Herman, Alina Ciceu, et al. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2025 This study presents the development of nanocomposite hydrogels that integrate functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) derivatives carboxylated (CBX) and aminated (AMN) in combination with gellan gum, gelatin, and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) to enhance osteogenesis for bone tissue engineering. Their synthesis involves ultrasound exfoliation, genipin crosslinking, and freeze-drying. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) reveals highly porous, interconnected architectures facilitating nutrient diffusion and cell infiltration. CBX/AMN scaffolds exhibit superior hydration capacity and a biphasic degradation profile. Spectroscopically, enhanced interfacial interactions were confirmed, contributing to the overall structural stability of the hydrogels. In vitro, all scaffolds are cytocompatible, sustain cell viability, and promote osteogenic differentiation consistent with adaptive cellmaterial interactions. Subcutaneous implantation in mice confirms scaffold biocompatibility, showing no signs of inflammation or foreign body response. Histological and immunofluorescence analyses reveal osteogenic potential, with enhanced mineralization and elevated expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin. µCT imaging of explants quantifies ectopic mineralization, spatial deposition patterns, and bone mineral density, correlating scaffold architecture and composition with osteogenic performance. These findings suggest that the synergistic integration of functionalized rGO, CNFs, and biopolymers results in scaffolds with enhanced structural and biological properties, highlighting their potential for design optimization and clinical translation in bone regenerative medicine.
Suitability of Mg-Nd and Mg-Zn Alloys to Obtain Biodegradable Structures for Bone Defects Veronica Manescu (Paltanea), Aurora Antoniac, Maria Cristina Moraru, Iulian Antoniac, Cosmin Mihai Cotrut, et al. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 2025 Mg-based alloys are one of the most promising materials used in regenerative medicine for bone tissue engineering. Considering the increasing prevalence of a continuously aging population, as well as the high incidence of accidents and bone cancers, it is crucial to explore biomaterials that can serve as bone substitutes. After carefully analyzing the literature in the introduction section, we proposed two Mg-based alloys as suitable for obtaining biodegradable structures for bone defect treatment. To achieve trustworthy results, the alloys’ microstructure was investigated using microscopic techniques coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The obtained results were comparable with those described in references on similar Mg alloys. Then, the mechanical compression properties were highlighted, and the in vitro corrosion behavior proved that Mg-Zn exhibited a reduced corrosion rate compared to the Mg-Nd alloy, as tested using electrochemical methods. However, the in vivo tests showed good biocompatibility for both magnesium alloys. In conclusion, both alloys are suitable for use as potential bone substitute applications, but it must be taken into consideration that Mg-Zn alloys present lower biodegradation and mechanical properties. For future investigations, we aim to develop bone substitutes made from these materials, specifically designed for small bone defect treatment and with patient-adapted geometry. Due to the differences mentioned above, various designs will be tested.
Advanced Nanobiocomposite Hydrogels Incorporating Organofunctionalized LDH for Soft Tissue Engineering Applications Ionut-Cristian Radu, Eugenia Tanasa, Sorina Dinescu, George Vlasceanu, Catalin Zaharia Polymers, 2025 Nanocomposite hydrogels are gaining significant attention for biomedical applications in soft tissue engineering due to the increasing demand for highly flexible and durable soft polymer materials. This research paper focused on investigating and optimizing a procedure for the development of novel nanocomposite hydrogels based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-co-(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) (HEMA/AMPSA) copolymers. These hydrogels were synthesized through a grafting-through process, where the polymer network was formed using a modified clay crosslinker. The layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay modified with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (ATPM) was synthesized using a novel recipe through a two-step procedure. The nanocomposite hydrogel compositions were optimized to achieve soft hydrogels with high flexibility. The developed materials were analyzed for their mechanical and morphological properties using tensile and compressive tests, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The swelling behavior, network density, and kinetic diffusion mechanism demonstrated the specific characteristics of the materials. The modified LDH-ATPM was further characterized using Thermogravimetry (TGA), FTIR-ATR and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Biological assessments on human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) were essential to evaluate the biocompatibility of the nanocomposite hydrogels and their potential for soft tissue applications.
Dual nanofiber and graphene reinforcement of 3D printed biomimetic supports for bone tissue repair Elena Cojocaru, Mădălina Oprea, George Mihail Vlăsceanu, Mădălina-Cristina Nicolae, Roxana-Cristina Popescu, et al. Rsc Advances, 2024 Replicating the intricate architecture of the extracellular matrix by designing anisotropic biomimetic scaffolds with dual reinforcement of graphene oxide and electrospun nanofibers.
Nanocellulose Sponges Containing Antibacterial Basil Extract Gabriela Mădălina Oprică, Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Catalina Diana Usurelu, George Mihai Vlăsceanu, Paul Octavian Stanescu, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023
Physico-chemical enhancements of natural biopolymer matrices by reinforcing with complex carbonaceous-oxidic fillers UPB Scientific Bulletin Series B Chemistry and Materials Science, 2021
Quantum dots for bioimaging and therapeutic applications George Vlasceanu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Irina Gheorghe, Mariana C. Chifiriuc, Alina M. Holban Nanostructures for Novel Therapy Synthesis Characterization and Applications, 2017
Understanding dental implants Georgiana Dolete, Cristina Florina Ilie, Irina Florentina Nicoară, George Mihail Vlăsceanu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu Nanobiomaterials in Dentistry Applications of Nanobiomaterials, 2016
Silver nanoparticles in cancer therapy George Mihail Vlăsceanu, Ştefania Marin, Roxana Elena Ţiplea, Ioana Raluca Bucur, Mădălina Lemnaru, et al. Nanobiomaterials in Cancer Therapy Applications of Nanobiomaterials, 2016
3D printing of multicomponent polymeric inks enables hierarchical hybrid architectures for bone tissue regeneration E Cojocaru, EA Chiticaru, GM Vlăsceanu, MC Nicolae, RC Popescu, ... Materials Today Advances 29, 100683 , 2026 2026
Formulation and Characterization of Hydrogel Based on Pectin, Collagen, Alginate and Myrtus communis Essential Oil for Applications in Skin Regeneration MM Marin, JE Iancu, PA Vlaicu, DA Kaya, MGA Kaya, RR Constantinescu, ... Applied Sciences 16 (1), 186 , 2025 2025
Nanostructured gelatin-gellan inks double reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils and graphene derivatives for 3D printing in bone regeneration applications MR Dobrisan, AG Toader, EA Chiticaru, GM Vlasceanu, RC Popescu, ... Materials Today Advances 28, 100621 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide‐Based Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Enhanced Osteogenesis in Bone Tissue Engineering GM Vlăsceanu, CI Zamfir, C Baltă, H Herman, A Ciceu, ... Advanced Healthcare Materials 14 (31), e01941 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Processing and characterization of Ca3ZrSi2O9 ceramics doped with Ag+ ions for bone tissue engineering applications S Caramarin, C Ilie, RC Popescu, GM Vlăsceanu, RD Truşcă, OC Oprea, ... Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 185099 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Suitability of Mg-Nd and Mg-Zn Alloys to Obtain Biodegradable Structures for Bone Defects V Manescu, A Antoniac, MC Moraru, I Antoniac, CM Cotrut, S Gradinaru, ... Journal of Functional Biomaterials 16 (11), 423 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Correction: Balahura et al. Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Hydrogels Embedding 5-FU Promote Pyroptosis Activation in Breast Cancer Cells and Support Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell … LR Balahura, S Dinescu, M Balaș, A Cernencu, A Lungu, GM Vlasceanu, ... Pharmaceutics 17 (9), 1122 , 2025 2025
Comprehensive Appraisal of Graphene-Oxide Ratio in Porous Biopolymer Hybrids Targeting Bone-Tissue Regeneration (vol 10, 1444, 2020) GM Vlasceanu, A Selaru, S Dinescu, C Balta, H Herman, S Gharbia, ... NANOMATERIALS 15 (15) , 2025 2025
Correction: Vlasceanu et al. Comprehensive Appraisal of Graphene–Oxide Ratio in Porous Biopolymer Hybrids Targeting Bone-Tissue Regeneration. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 1444 GM Vlasceanu, A Șelaru, S Dinescu, C Balta, H Herman, S Gharbia, ... Nanomaterials 15 (15), 1207 , 2025 2025
Advanced Nanobiocomposite Hydrogels Incorporating Organofunctionalized LDH for Soft Tissue Engineering Applications IC Radu, E Tanasa, S Dinescu, G Vlasceanu, C Zaharia Polymers 17 (4), 536 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON CERAMIC SCAFFOLDS BASED ON PRISTINE AND ZINC-DOPED MERWINITE APPLIED TO TISSUE ENGINEERING FG Ioniță, GM Vlăsceanu, C Busuioc Book of Abstracts, 87 , 2024 2024
Fabrication of k-carrageenan/alginate/carboxymethyl cellulose basedscaffolds via 3D printing for potential biomedical applications C Stavarache, A Ghebaur, A Serafim, GM Vlăsceanu, E Vasile, SA Gârea, ... Polymers 16 (11), 1592 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
Three-dimensional-printed sodium alginate and k-carrageenan-based scaffolds with potential biomedical applications C Stavarache, SA Gȃrea, A Serafim, E Olăreț, GM Vlăsceanu, MM Marin, ... Polymers 16 (3), 305 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
Dual nanofiber and graphene reinforcement of 3D printed biomimetic supports for bone tissue repair E Cojocaru, M Oprea, GM Vlăsceanu, MC Nicolae, RC Popescu, ... RSC advances 14 (44), 32517-32532 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Advances in therapeutic contact lenses for the management of different ocular conditions M Ioniță, GM Vlăsceanu, AG Toader, M Manole Journal of personalized medicine 13 (11), 1571 , 2023 2023 Citations: 26
Advances in Therapeutic Contact Lenses for Different Ocular Condition Management M Ioniță, GM Vlăsceanu, GA Toader, M Manole Preprints , 2023 2023
Human bone-marrow-derived stem-cell-seeded 3D chitosan–gelatin–genipin scaffolds show enhanced extracellular matrix mineralization when cultured under a perfusion flow in … G Boretti, E Giordano, M Ionita, GM Vlasceanu, ÓE Sigurjónsson, ... Materials 16 (17), 5898 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
Nanoclay-reinforced alginate/salecan composite inks for 3D printing applications R Ianchis, MM Marin, RL Alexa, IC Gifu, E Alexandrescu, GG Pircalabioru, ... International Journal of Bioprinting 10 (1), 0967 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
Double-reinforced fish gelatin composite scaffolds for osteochondral substitutes AG Toader, GM Vlasceanu, A Serafim, A Banciu, M Ionita Materials 16 (5), 1815 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
3D double-reinforced graphene oxide–nanocellulose biomaterial inks for tissue engineered constructs AI Cernencu, GM Vlasceanu, A Serafim, G Pircalabioru, M Ionita RSC advances 13 (34), 24053-24063 , 2023 2023 Citations: 21
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Applications and toxicity of silver nanoparticles: a recent review S Marin, G Mihail Vlasceanu, R Elena Tiplea, I Raluca Bucur, M Lemnaru, ... Current topics in medicinal chemistry 15 (16), 1596-1604 , 2015 2015 Citations: 318
Graphene and functionalized graphene: Extraordinary prospects for nanobiocomposite materials M Ioniţă, GM Vlăsceanu, AA Watzlawek, SI Voicu, JS Burns, H Iovu Composites Part B: Engineering 121, 34-57 , 2017 2017 Citations: 215
Graphene inks for the 3D printing of cell culture scaffolds and related molecular arrays GM Vlăsceanu, H Iovu, M Ioniţă Composites Part B: Engineering 162, 712-723 , 2019 2019 Citations: 70
3D printable composite biomaterials based on GelMA and hydroxyapatite powders doped with cerium ions for bone tissue regeneration R Leu Alexa, A Cucuruz, CD Ghițulică, G Voicu, LR Stamat, S Dinescu, ... International journal of molecular sciences 23 (3), 1841 , 2022 2022 Citations: 61
Versatile biomaterial platform enriched with graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes for multiple tissue engineering applications SR Ignat, AD Lazăr, A Şelaru, I Samoilă, GM Vlăsceanu, M Ioniţă, E Radu, ... International journal of molecular sciences 20 (16), 3868 , 2019 2019 Citations: 46
Silver nanoparticles in cancer therapy GM Vlăsceanu, Ş Marin, RE Ţiplea, IR Bucur, M Lemnaru, MM Marin, ... Nanobiomaterials in Cancer Therapy, 29-56 , 2016 2016 Citations: 46
Cellulose nanofiber-based hydrogels embedding 5-FU promote pyroptosis activation in breast cancer cells and support human adipose-derived stem cell proliferation, opening new … LR Balahura, S Dinescu, M Balaș, A Cernencu, A Lungu, GM Vlăsceanu, ... Pharmaceutics 13 (8), 1189 , 2021 2021 Citations: 45
Graphene oxide reinforcing genipin crosslinked chitosan-gelatin blend films GM Vlasceanu, LE Crica, AM Pandele, M Ionita Coatings 10 (2), 189 , 2020 2020 Citations: 45
5-Aminosalicylic acid loaded chitosan-carrageenan hydrogel beads with potential application for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease CE Stavarache, A Ghebaur, S Dinescu, I Samoilă, E Vasile, ... Polymers 13 (15), 2463 , 2021 2021 Citations: 39
Assessment of naturally sourced mineral clays for the 3D printing of biopolymer-based nanocomposite inks RL Alexa, H Iovu, B Trica, C Zaharia, A Serafim, E Alexandrescu, IC Radu, ... Nanomaterials 11 (3), 703 , 2021 2021 Citations: 38
Versatile graphene biosensors for enhancing human cell therapy GM Vlăsceanu, RM Amărandi, M Ioniță, T Tite, H Iovu, L Pilan, JS Burns Biosensors and Bioelectronics 117, 283-302 , 2018 2018 Citations: 37
Nanostructures for cancer therapy AM Grumezescu, A Ficai Elsevier , 2017 2017 Citations: 36
3D printing of alginate-natural clay hydrogel-based nanocomposites R Leu Alexa, R Ianchis, D Savu, M Temelie, B Trica, A Serafim, ... Gels 7 (4), 211 , 2021 2021 Citations: 34
Comprehensive appraisal of graphene–oxide ratio in porous biopolymer hybrids targeting bone-tissue regeneration GM Vlasceanu, A Șelaru, S Dinescu, C Balta, H Herman, S Gharbia, ... Nanomaterials 10 (8), 1444 , 2020 2020 Citations: 29
Graphene–oxide porous biopolymer hybrids enhance in vitro osteogenic differentiation and promote ectopic osteogenesis in vivo A Șelaru, H Herman, GM Vlăsceanu, S Dinescu, S Gharbia, C Baltă, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23 (1), 491 , 2022 2022 Citations: 28
3D POSS cages decorated 2D graphenic sheets: A versatile platform for silicon-carbonaceous nano-additives design A Lungu, AI Cernencu, GM Vlasceanu, NM Florea, M Ionita, H Iovu Composites Part B: Engineering 207, 108578 , 2021 2021 Citations: 28
Optical graphene-based biosensor for nucleic acid detection; influence of graphene functionalization and ionic strength DF Becheru, GM Vlăsceanu, A Banciu, E Vasile, M Ioniţă, JS Burns International Journal of Molecular Sciences 19 (10), 3230 , 2018 2018 Citations: 27
Advances in therapeutic contact lenses for the management of different ocular conditions M Ioniță, GM Vlăsceanu, AG Toader, M Manole Journal of personalized medicine 13 (11), 1571 , 2023 2023 Citations: 26
3D printed composite scaffolds of GelMA and hydroxyapatite nanopowders doped with Mg/Zn ions to evaluate the expression of genes and proteins of osteogenic markers R Leu Alexa, A Cucuruz, CD Ghițulică, G Voicu, LR Stamat, S Dinescu, ... Nanomaterials 12 (19), 3420 , 2022 2022 Citations: 24
Predicting the drug loading efficiency into hybrid nanocarriers based on PLGA-vegetable oil using molecular dynamic simulation approach and Flory-Huggins theory J Ghitman, R Stan, G Vlasceanu, E Vasile, H Iovu Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology 53, 101203 , 2019 2019 Citations: 24