The Department of Genomics pursues translational biomedical research focused on identifying novel biomarkers across a wide range of conditions — including oncology, neurology, cardiology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, ENT, pulmonology, and infectious diseases, among others — along with diagnostic and functional evaluations in support of precision therapies.
Building on state-of-the-art infrastructure and a highly qualified team, the department offers the UMFIH community and its collaborators the opportunity to perform genomic and transcriptomic analyses within a collaborative, multidisciplinary framework (bedside-to-bench-to-bedside), covering the entire workflow from biological sample processing through data generation, validation, and interpretation, to the dissemination of research results.
The department’s team consists of researchers with doctoral and/or postdoctoral training from prestigious centers in Romania and abroad, who lead or take part in postdoctoral, multidisciplinary, and collaborative research projects. Together with the Institute’s other departments, we work to integrate advanced bioinformatics and biostatistics methods through a “multi-omics” approach, enabling us to manage large volumes of data and deliver the robust analyses needed to understand the complex molecular mechanisms of disease and to develop personalized therapeutic strategies.
The department contributes actively to numerous national and international projects, supporting the training of early-career researchers and facilitating knowledge transfer in its field. Through extensive collaborations with other research centers and clinical partners, it develops and validates technologies and protocols that help improve medical practice and expand the research capabilities of the academic community.
The Department of Translational Hepatology and Liver Transplantation (DHT) represents an interdisciplinary platform for clinical and experimental research in chronic liver diseases (including liver cancer) and aims to identify new therapeutic targets and develop diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
In terms of research infrastructure, DHT benefits from “state of the art” equipment for invasive measurement of portal pressure for both animal models and human subjects, as well as cutting-edge ultrasound and elastography techniques.
The DHT team is made up of researchers with doctoral and/or postdoctoral training in prestigious centers in the country and abroad, who lead or participate in postdoctoral, multidisciplinary or collaborative research projects. In addition, DHT collaborates closely with the other departments of the institute and with other research structures within UMFIH.
The Department of Translational Immunology has the aim to accelerate the translation of knowledge from fundamental immunology into clinical applications with impact in immune-mediated diseases. We are a functional department combining immunology with molecular biology and genetics, with an overarching focus on interindividual variability in immune response and the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in immune-mediated diseases.
Our goal is to develop personalized immunotherapy strategies. We pursue this through: characterizing pathophysiological mechanisms, identifying biomarkers to define immunotypes, and developing therapeutic strategies tailored to individual immune profiles. We are actively seeking partners working on functional immunogenetics, with the aim of joining forces in shared research lines.
Functional genetics studies, focused on advanced phenotyping to understand interindividual variability in immune response, applied to:
The Department of Personalised Medicine and Rare Diseases (PMRD) aims to accelerate the translation of fundamental research into clinically meaningful applications. Its work integrates multi-omics technologies with molecular biology, focusing on the discovery and validation of diagnostic, prognostic and treatment-response biomarkers to support molecular patient stratification and the development of personalised therapies.
The department’s specific objectives are to elucidate disease mechanisms, identify biomarkers for the molecular characterisation of malignancies and rare diseases, and conduct drug-repurposing studies guided by molecular profiles.
Current activities include in vitro studies (cell culture and molecular biology), in vivo studies in immunocompromised mouse models, mass-spectrometry-based proteomics and metabolomics, and the analysis and integration of experimental data. The department aims to build a competitive team capable of attracting national and international funding, forging strategic partnerships and joining international networks of scientific excellence.
The NanoSciences Department carries out cutting-edge research in the field of nano(bio)technologies, with a particular emphasis on the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic solutions addressing current biomedical challenges.
The department’s research activities focus on the design and implementation of advanced diagnostic and screening platforms based on ultrasensitive Raman/SERS vibrational spectroscopy for liquid biopsy applications. Complementary research is conducted using state-of-the-art techniques for the investigation of nanobiostructures and intermolecular interactions at the nanoscale, including confocal fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dark-field microscopy.
A major research pillar of the department is the development of multifunctional hybrid nanostructures for advanced targeted drug delivery applications. In parallel, the department investigates the physicochemical properties and nanoscale behavior of a broad range of molecular systems, aiming to elucidate fundamental mechanisms and facilitate the translation of nanoscience into novel biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.
The department brings together a young, dynamic, and highly interdisciplinary research team composed of scientists with doctoral and postdoctoral training acquired at leading academic and research institutions in Romania and abroad. Through its expertise and collaborative approach, the department contributes to the advancement of nanoscience and nanomedicine by integrating fundamental research with translational and application-oriented studies.
The Department of Translational Neuroscience at MedFUTURE conducts translational and clinical research in neuroscience, comprehensively addressing neurological disorders from molecular and cellular mechanisms to clinical applications. The department focuses on biomarker identification, functional studies, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological assessments to enable personalized therapy and effective patient recovery.
Equipped with advanced infrastructure and interdisciplinary expertise—spanning neurobiology, neuroimaging, clinical neurology, bioinformatics, psychology, and neurorehabilitation—the department provides the UMFIH community and external collaborators with the tools to execute complex studies. The integrated workflow covers the complete research pipeline: from sample and data collection (biological, neuroimaging, neurophysiological) to processing, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination within a collaborative preclinical-to-clinical framework.
By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies—including 128-channel EEG/qEEG, high-performance eye-tracking, brain stimulation, and neuroimaging—the department investigates brain activity, functional connectivity, neuroplasticity, and therapeutic responses. This multimodal approach generates data essential for developing tailored treatment and recovery strategies.
The department actively contributes to education and training by engaging undergraduate students, residents, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers. It organizes training programs—such as workshops, summer schools, and international courses—and fosters national and international research collaborations to advance neuroscience and neurotechnologies.