Next generation method for studying redox signalling in plants and screening biostimulant potential formulations applied to plants: bimodal sensors
PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-1966 (66PED/2025)
The EC-SER(o)S project aims to combine two analytical techniques for the development of bimodal sensors, in order to detect some of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), in correlation with the redox changes that occur in plants (before and after applying plant treatments with biostimulant potential, in the presence or in the absence of abiotic stress). The two techniques (Electrochemistry and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) are complementary and allow the online, in real time and on the field detection of the molecules for which the model was designed. The EC-SER(o)S project proposes to create a modified surface which is compatible with both techniques, in order to offer future united benefits of the two techniques. The research of this project comes as a possible solution for the general deficiencies of the current agricultural approaches (especially in the climate changes and growing population conditions).
Project goal
The final aim of the EC-SER(o)S project is to offer another possibility of plant treatment screening/evaluation before and/or after their application to plants. This is performed through the same surface integrated bimodal sensor, which could be subsequently integrated into a precise agriculture platform (through other funding resources). The long-term impact of the project is crop loss mitigation, through the determination of oxidative stress levels (which can control if the crop loss occurs or not).
Contracting authority: Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI)
Implementation period: 30/01/2025-31/12/2026
Total budget: 814.726 lei
Value from the state budget: 750.000 lei
Co-financing: 64.726 lei
Project director: Dr. Ioana Silvia Hosu
Coordinator:
National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry – ICECHIM Bucharest
Project director: Dr. Ioana Silvia Hosu
Partner:
Project responsible: biol. Andrei Ionut Coca
The general objective of the project called „Next generation method for studying redox signalling in plants and screening biostimulant potential formulations applied to plants: bimodal sensors – EC-SER(o)S” is to develop sensitive, selective for specific ROS, rapid and low-cost sensors (when compared to other biostimulant effect screening methods), by adapting existing sensors to two complementary techniques. Creating such a powerful tool can be used to detect oxidative stress and redox signalling in plants.
The development of the EC-SERS dual sensors for ROS/PON and the „in-vitro” testing of these sensors (first part).
Implementation period: 30/01/2025 – 31/12/2025
Activities:
- A1.1. DFT analysis of the ROS/RNS and/or other interfering species.
- A.1.2. Adapting of the existing electrochemical sensors for the SERS method.
- A.1.3. Calibration of the EC-SERS sensors.
- A.1.4. Quantification of PON/ROS on the same surface.
- A.1.5. Formulation of the fertilizer/biostimulant compositions.
- A.1.6. Growing plants in controlled media.
- A.1.7. Study of the plant extracts.
- A.1.8. Dissemination and communication of the project results.
„In-vitro” testing ot the sensors (second part) and “in-vivo” validation of the developed sensors.
Implementation period: 01/01/2026 – 31/12/2026
Activities:
- A.2.1. Study of the plant extracts – second part.
- A.2.2. The correlation of the EC-SERS with biomass accumulation/biotests.
- A.2.3. Formulation of the fertilizer/biostimulant compositions.
- A.2.4. Studying entire parts of plants/plants.
- A.2.5. Growing model or culture plants in controlled media.
- A.2.6. The correlation of the EC-SERS with biomass accumulation/biotests (second part).
- A.2.7. One Patent application.
- A.2.8. Dissemination and communication of the project results.
- 6 participations in international conferences.
- 3 scientific papers submitted for publication in Web of Science/Clarivate journals.
- Organization of one workshop on the project.
- One patent application.
1. Hosu Ioana Silvia, Sobaszek Michal, Ficek Mateusz, Bogdanowicz Robert, Coffinier Yannick, “Boron-doped carbon nanowalls as effective electrodes for non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose detection: A novel bimodal EC-SALDI-MS approach”, Materials Today Nano, Volume 30, June 2025, 100635
1. ‘Traian Vuia’ International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations, Timisoara, Romania – 03rd-05th October 2025, with the work: “Bimodal sensors: Next generation method for studying redox signaling in plants and screening biostimulant potential formulations applied to plants – EC-SER(o)S” – Ioana Silvia HOSU*, Anda Maria BAROI, Irina FIERĂSCU, Radu-Claudiu FIERĂSCU, Ionuț COCA. The following rewards were received:
• Diploma and Gold Medal – from the invention salon.
• Certificate of Appreciation –Justin Capra Association
• Diploma of Excellence DFR Systems SRL
• Diploma of excellence and Gold Medal – INOE 2000.
2. EURO POLITEHNICUS, Bucharest, 21st-23rd November 2025, with the work: « Bimodal sensors: next generation method for studying redox signaling in plants and screening biostimulant potential formulations applied to plants EC-SER(o)S » – Ioana Silvia Hosu*, Anda Maria Baroi, Irina Fierascu, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Ionut Coca. The following reward was received:
• Diploma and Gold Medal – from the invention salon.
3. FITT Muntenia, Târgoviște, Romania, 17-20th November, 2025, with the work: “Bimodal sensors: Next generation method for studying redox signaling in plants and screening biostimulant potential formulations applied to plants – EC-SER(o)S” – Ioana Silvia HOSU*, Anda Maria BAROI, Irina FIERĂSCU, Radu-Claudiu FIERĂSCU, Ionuț COCA. The following reward was received:
• Diploma and Gold Medal – from the invention salon.
4. “Priorities of chemistry for a sustainable development” PRIOCHEM – XXI, 15-17 Octombrie 2025, Bucharest, Romania, with the work: “Computational Density-Functional Theory (DFT) of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and interfering species – Comparison with Experimental Vibrational Spectroscopy – Andrei Ionut COCA, Paula CISMARU, Mircea COMAN, Martin MONDEK, Anda-Maria BAROI, Roxana Ioana MATEI (BRAZDIȘ), Toma FISTOȘ, Irina CHICAN, Irina FIERĂSCU, Radu-Claudiu FIERĂSCU, Ioana Silvia HOSU*.
5. Biostimulant World Congress, (BSWC), 1st-4th December 2025, Barcelona, Spain, with the work: “Next generation method for studying redox signaling in plants and screening biostimulant potential formulations applied to plants: bimodal sensors – EC-SER(o)S” – Ioana Silvia HOSU*, Anda Maria BAROI, Roxana Ioana MATEI (BRAZDIȘ), Toma FISTOȘ, Irina CHICAN, Irina FIERĂSCU, Radu-Claudiu FIERĂSCU, Andrei Ionuț COCA.
The organization on the workshop took place as a satellite event in the framework of The International Symposium “Priorities of chemistry for a sustainable development”, PRIOCHEM 2025, Bucharest, Romania. This workshop was intitled: „Next generation method for studying redox signalling in plants and screening biostimulant potential formulations applied to plants: bimodal sensors” by Ioana Silvia Hosu and took place on 14th October 2025, at 09.00 AM, at ICECHIM – Book of Abstracts No. 21/2025, ISSN 2601 – 419X and ISSN-L 2601 – 4181, pp. 127;
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