Dr Mihai Lomora

B.Eng., M.Eng., PhD

Contact Details

Lecturer in (Bio)material Chemistry
E: mihai.lomora@universityofgalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Mihai is a Lecturer in (Bio)material Chemistry at the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland. Mihai is also a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Funded Investigator (FI) at the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), University of Galway, Ireland. He received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Basel, Switzerland (2017). Previously, Mihai was a Lecturer in Physical Chemistry at the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland. Through CÚRAM, University of Galway, Ireland, Mihai gained extensive experience in managing the EPSRC-SFI Joint Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineered Tissues for Discovery, Industry, and Medicine (lifETIME CDT): https://lifetime-cdt.org/     

Research Interests

Mihai's research interests include nature-inspired (bio)materials for the design of drug delivery systems and their interaction with (brain) organoids and organ-on-chip devices. 


Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2023) 'Natural killer cell-mimic nanoparticles can actively target and kill acute myeloid leukemia cells'
Zeinabad, A.H., Yeoh, W.J., Arif, M., Lomora, M., Banz, Y., Riether, C., Krebs, P., Szegezdi, E. (2023) 'Natural killer cell-mimic nanoparticles can actively target and kill acute myeloid leukemia cells'. Biomaterials, 298 [DOI] [Details]
(2023) 'Mechanoresponsive Drug Delivery Systems for Vascular Diseases'
Navarro, J.F., Lomora, M. (2023) 'Mechanoresponsive Drug Delivery Systems for Vascular Diseases'. Macromolecular Bioscience, [DOI] [Details]
(2021) 'An engineered coccolith-based hybrid that transforms light into swarming motion'
Lomora, M.; Larranaga, A.; Rodriguez-Emmenegger, C.; Rodriguez, B.; Dinu, IA; Sarasua, J-R.; Pandit, A. (2021) 'An engineered coccolith-based hybrid that transforms light into swarming motion'. Cell Reports Physical Science, 2 (3) [DOI] [Details]
(2021) 'AQP1 Is Up-Regulated by Hypoxia and Leads to Increased Cell Water Permeability, Motility, and Migration in Neuroblastoma'
Huo, Zihe; Lomora, Mihai; Kym, Urs; Palivan, Cornelia; Holland-Cunz, Stefan G.; Gros, Stephanie J. (2021) 'AQP1 Is Up-Regulated by Hypoxia and Leads to Increased Cell Water Permeability, Motility, and Migration in Neuroblastoma'. Frontiers In Cell And Developmental Biology, [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Biomaterial based strategies to reconstruct the nigrostriatal pathway in organotypic slice co-cultures'
Ucar B;Kajtez J;Foidl BM;Eigel D;Werner C;Long KR;Emnéus J;Bizeau J;Lomora M;Pandit A;Newland B;Humpel C; (2020) 'Biomaterial based strategies to reconstruct the nigrostriatal pathway in organotypic slice co-cultures'. Acta Biomaterialia, [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'Therapeutic Applications of Phytoplankton, with an Emphasis on Diatoms and Coccolithophores'
Lomora, M.; Shumate, D.; Rahman, A.A.; Pandit, A. (2019) 'Therapeutic Applications of Phytoplankton, with an Emphasis on Diatoms and Coccolithophores'. Advanced Therapeutics, 2 (2) [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Therapeutic Applications of Phytoplankton, with an Emphasis on Diatoms and Coccolithophores'
Mihai Lomora and David Shumate and Asrizal Abdul Rahman and Abhay Pandit (2018) 'Therapeutic Applications of Phytoplankton, with an Emphasis on Diatoms and Coccolithophores'. Advanced Therapeutics, [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Antioxidant functionalized polymer capsules to prevent oxidative stress'
Larranaga, A,Isa, ILM,Patil, V,Thamboo, S,Lomora, M,Fernandez-Yague, MA,Sarasua, JR,Palivan, CG,Pandit, A (2018) 'Antioxidant functionalized polymer capsules to prevent oxidative stress'. Acta Biomaterialia, 67 :21-31 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Bio-catalytic nanocompartments for in situ production of glucose-6-phosphate'
Lomora, M.; Gunkel-Grabole, G.; Mantri, S.; Palivan, C.G. (2017) 'Bio-catalytic nanocompartments for in situ production of glucose-6-phosphate'. Chemical Communications, 53 (73):10148-10151 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Polymer capsules as micro-/nanoreactors for therapeutic applications: Current strategies to control membrane permeability'
Larrañaga, A.; Lomora, M.; Sarasua, J.R.; Palivan, C.G.; Pandit, A. (2017) 'Polymer capsules as micro-/nanoreactors for therapeutic applications: Current strategies to control membrane permeability'. Progress In Materials Science, 90 :325-357 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Active surfaces engineered by immobilizing protein-polymer nanoreactors for selectively detecting sugar alcohols'
Zhang, X.; Lomora, M.; Einfalt, T.; Meier, W.; Klein, N.; Schneider, D.; Palivan, C.G. (2016) 'Active surfaces engineered by immobilizing protein-polymer nanoreactors for selectively detecting sugar alcohols'. Biomaterials, 89 :79-88 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Artificial Organelles: Reactions inside Protein--Polymer Supramolecular Assemblies'
Garni, M.; Einfalt, T.; Lomora, M.; Car, A.; Meier, W.; Palivan, C.G. (2016) 'Artificial Organelles: Reactions inside Protein--Polymer Supramolecular Assemblies'. Chimia, 70 (6):424-427 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Does membrane thickness affect the transport of selective ions mediated by ionophores in synthetic membranes?'
Lomora, M.; Dinu, I.A.; Itel, F.; Rigo, S.; Spulber, M.; Palivan, C.G. (2015) 'Does membrane thickness affect the transport of selective ions mediated by ionophores in synthetic membranes?'. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 36 (21):1929-1934 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Polymersomes with engineered ion selective permeability as stimuli-responsive nanocompartments with preserved architecture'
Lomora, M.; Garni, M.; Itel, F.; Tanner, P.; Spulber, M.; Palivan, C.G. (2015) 'Polymersomes with engineered ion selective permeability as stimuli-responsive nanocompartments with preserved architecture'. Biomaterials, 53 :406-414 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Polymeric 3D nano-architectures for transport and delivery of therapeutically relevant biomacromolecules'
Gunkel-Grabole, G.; Sigg, S.; Lomora, M.; Lörcher, S.; Palivan, C.G.; Meier, W. (2015) 'Polymeric 3D nano-architectures for transport and delivery of therapeutically relevant biomacromolecules'. Biomaterials Science, 3 (1):25-40 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Selective ion-permeable membranes by insertion of biopores into polymersomes'
Lomora, M.; Itel, F.; Dinu, I.A.; Palivan, C.G. (2015) 'Selective ion-permeable membranes by insertion of biopores into polymersomes'. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 17 (24):15538-15546 [DOI] [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2018) 'Engineering Smart Polymeric Materials With Complex Architectures For Biomedical Applications'
Dinu, I.A; Dinu, M.V.; Lomora, M.; Palivan, C.G.; Meier, W. (2018) 'Engineering Smart Polymeric Materials With Complex Architectures For Biomedical Applications' In: Smart Materials: Integrated Design, Engineering Approaches, and Potential Applications. :31-92 USA: Apple Academic Press. [Details]
(2016) 'Bionanoreactors: from confined reaction spaces to artificial organelles'
Postupalenko, V.; Einfalt, T.; Lomora, M.; Dinu, I.A.; Palivan, C.G. (2016) 'Bionanoreactors: from confined reaction spaces to artificial organelles' In: Organic nanoreactors: From molecular to supramolecular organic compounds. :341-371 USA: Academic Press, Elsevier. [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2019) Charles Rodolphe Brupbacher Symposium 2019 Breakthroughs in Cancer Research and Therapy,
Lomora, M.; Huo, Z.; Kym, U.; Holland-Cunz, S.; Gros, S. (2019) Potential of the water channel aquaporin 1 for detecting migrating tumor cells. [Published Abstract], Charles Rodolphe Brupbacher Symposium 2019 Breakthroughs in Cancer Research and Therapy, Switzerland , 29-JAN-19. [Details]
(2018) Gordon Research Conference,
Lomora, M.; Pandit, A. (2018) Light-driven coccolith micro-wheels. [Poster Presentation], Gordon Research Conference, Les Diablerets, Switzerland , 24-JUN-18. [Details]
(2018) N.I.C.E. 2018,
Lomora, M.; Shumate, D.; Pandit, A. (2018) Mussel-bioinspired polydopamine coated coccoliths as novel therapeutic carriers. [Oral Presentation], N.I.C.E. 2018, Nice, France , 14-OCT-18. [Details]
(2016) 3rd International Conference on Analytical Chemistry (ROICAC'2016),
Lomora M., Dinu I.A., Garni, M.; Einfalt, T.; Rigo, S.; Itel, F.; Zhang, X.; Meier, W.; Palivan, C.G. (2016) Polymersomes with engineered selective membrane permeability as novel biosensing nanodevices. [Keynote Address], 3rd International Conference on Analytical Chemistry (ROICAC'2016), Iasi, Romania , 28-AUG-16. [Details]
(2016) Peroxisystem,
Lomora, M.; Itel, F.; Dinu, I.A.; Garni, M.; Spulber, M.; Rigo, S.; Palivan, C.G. (2016) Engineering robust stimuli-responsive bio-mimetic polymer compartments. [Oral Presentation], Peroxisystem, Weizmann Institute of Israel, Rehovot, Israel , 22-FEB-16. [Details]
(2016) N.I.C.E. 2016,
Lomora, M.; Zhang, X.; Garni, M.; Einfalt, T.; Dinu, I.A.; Stolarov, S.; Gunkel-Grabole, G.; Klein, N.; Schneider, D.; Meier, W.; Palivan, C.G. (2016) 'Smart' surfaces as sensors for detection of pH changes. [Oral Presentation], N.I.C.E. 2016, Nice, France , 16-OCT-16. [Details]
(2016) 29th International Symposium on Pediatric Surgical Research,
Lomora, M.; Kim, U.; Pfeifle, V.; Palivan, C.; Holland-Cunz, S.; Gros, S.J. (2016) Aqp1 influences cell water permeability and mobility. [Oral Presentation], 29th International Symposium on Pediatric Surgical Research, Frankfurt, Germany , 08-OCT-16. [Details]
(2016) 252nd ACS National Meeting,
Lomora, M.; Garni, M.; Einfalt, T.; Itel, F.; Dinu, I.A.; Meier, W.; Palivan, C.G. (2016) Biopores inside synthetic membranes of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) as model of cell membranes. [Oral Presentation], 252nd ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, US , 24-AUG-16. [Details]
(2016) 252nd ACS National Meeting,
Lomora, M.; Spulber, M.; Najer, A.; Dinu, I.A.; Garni, M.; Mantri, S.; Palivan, C.G. (2016) Cascade reactions in confined spaces at the nanoscale for replacing part of an impaired metabolic pathway. [Oral Presentation], 252nd ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, US , 24-AUG-16. [Details]
(2015) 11th International Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical Polymers (FBPS),
Dinu, I.A.; Lomora, M.; Itel, F.; Meier, W.; Palivan, C.G. (2015) Biomimetic nano-compartments with ion-selective membrane permeability. [Oral Presentation], 11th International Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical Polymers (FBPS), Riva del Garda, Italy , 08-JUL-15. [Details]
(2015) NCCR Lunch Meeting Presentations,
Lomora, M. (2015) Stimuli-responsive nanocompartments with preserved architecture. [Oral Presentation], NCCR Lunch Meeting Presentations, Basel, Switzerland , 20-MAY-15. [Details]
(2014) Nanosmat-9,
Lomora, M.; Palivan, C.G. (2014) Controlled reactions in confined nanocompartments: at the threshold of extraordinary advances in nanomedicine. [Oral Presentation], Nanosmat-9, Dublin, Ireland , 08-NOV-14. [Details]
(2014) N.I.C.E. 2014,
Lomora, M.; Tanner, P.; Lörcher, S.; Palivan, C.G. (2014) Outward and inward passive proton transport through bio-mimetic membranes. [Oral Presentation], N.I.C.E. 2014, Nice, France , 15-OCT-14. [Details]

Abstract

  Year Publication
(2022) Generation Natural Killer Cell-Mimic Nanoparticles for Active Targeting of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Zeinabad, H. A., Yeoh, W.J., Krebs, P., Riether, C., Lomora, M., Banz, Y., Szegezdi, E. (2022) Generation Natural Killer Cell-Mimic Nanoparticles for Active Targeting of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Blood Abstract [Details]

Article

  Year Publication
(2011) Intermediary compounds in advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment.
Lomora, M; Draghici, C; Enesca, A.l. (2011) Intermediary compounds in advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov Article [Details]

Correction

  Year Publication
(2017) Correction: Bio-catalytic nanocompartments for in situ production of glucose-6-phosphate.
Lomora M., Gunkel-Grabole, G.; Mantri, S.; Palivan, C.G. (2017) Correction: Bio-catalytic nanocompartments for in situ production of glucose-6-phosphate. Correction [DOI] [Details]

Media

  Year Publication
(2018) Nanocompartments - Synthetic Cell Organelles for Bio-catalyzed Metabolic Reactions.
Gunkel-Grabole, G.; Lomora, M.; Palivan, C. (2018) Nanocompartments - Synthetic Cell Organelles for Bio-catalyzed Metabolic Reactions. Media [Details]
(2017) Nanocapsules Enable Cell-Inspired Metabolic Reactions.
Lomora M., Gunkel-Grabole, G.; Mantri, S.; Palivan, C.G. (2017) Nanocapsules Enable Cell-Inspired Metabolic Reactions. Media [Details]

Reviews

  Year Publication
(2017) Polymer capsules as micro-/nanoreactors for therapeutic applications: Current strategies to control membrane permeability.
Larranaga, A;Lomora, M;Sarasua, JR;Palivan, CG;Pandit, A (2017) Polymer capsules as micro-/nanoreactors for therapeutic applications: Current strategies to control membrane permeability. OXFORD: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2019) Therapeutic Applications of Phytoplankton, with an Emphasis on Diatoms and Coccolithophores.
Lomora, M;Shumate, D;Rahman, AA;Pandit, A (2019) Therapeutic Applications of Phytoplankton, with an Emphasis on Diatoms and Coccolithophores. HOBOKEN: WILEY Reviews [DOI] [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2019 Enterprise Ireland H2020 Co-ordinator Proposal Preparation Support Scheme Enterprise Ireland H2020
2019 Elsevier Reviewer Recognition Award Elsevier
2017 Early Postdoc.Mobility Swiss National Science Foundation
2016 Travel Fellowship The David Lopatie Conference Centre, Weizman Institute of Science, Israel
2015 Chemistry Travel Award SCNAT, SCS and SSFEC, CHIMIA
2009 Erasmus Scholarship EU

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
American Chemical Society Member 01-JAN-16 /
New York Academy of Sciences Science Alliance Membership 06-APR-21 /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Sustainable Labs Working Group Member 01-DEC-20 /
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group Member 01-DEC-20 /
College of Science and Engineering Member 01-MAY-19 /
CÚRAM Summit Member of the Organizing Committee 01-JUN-18 /
Postdoctoral Council President 01-JUN-18 / 01-JUN-19
Swiss Soft Days 14th edition Member of the Organizing Committee 01-JUN-14 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
University of Galway Lecturer in Physical Chemistry 01-JAN-21 /
NUI Galway Postdoctoral Researcher 01-AUG-17 /
Waters Corporation Research Engineer 01-APR-12 /
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Quality Analyst 01-SEP-11 / 01-APR-12
University of Basel, Switzerland Teaching Assistant 01-APR-13 / 01-APR-17

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2017 University of Basel, Switzerland Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry Chemistry
2011 Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania Masters in Sustainable Product Design and Environment Sustainable Product Design and Environment
2009 Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Environmental Engineering

Languages

  Language
English
Romanian

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Outreach Cell Explorer event: "Les Cellules Déambulent" 15-NOV-19 /
Outreach Teachers in Residence 23-OCT-19 /

Reviews

  Journal Role
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology Editoral Board
ACS Applied Bio Materials Reviewer
Advanced Functional Materials Reviewer
Biomaterials Science Reviewer
International Journal Of Pharmaceutics Reviewer
Molecular Pharmaceutics Reviewer
Plos One Editoral Board
Plos One Reviewer
Scientific Reports Reviewer
Small Reviewer

Teaching Interests

Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Organoids, Organ-on-chip - design, synthesis, and characterization. 
Analytical & Molecular Chemistry, Physical Chemistry in Life Sciences, (Bio)material Sciences, Advanced characterization techniques, Biochemistry, Green Chemistry.   
  

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
Josep Fumadó Navarro Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2023 CDT Lifetime Rotational Training PH6101 Specialised Training for PhD researchers
2023 Physical Chemistry II CH432 Lectures - Analysis of Biomaterials
2022 / 2023 Analytical Chemistry and & Molecular Structures CH326 Lectures on GC/HPLC
2022 / 2023 Computers and Chemical Research CH3101 Supervisor
2021 / 2022 / 2023 Research - Independent Investigation CH4101 Supervisor final year projects
2022 / 2023 Experimental Chemistry I CH333 Instructor - HPLC Lab Practical
2022 / 2023 Physical Chemistry CH203 Instructor / Lab practicals
2022 Techniques and Skills for Chemistry Research CH5102 Lectures - Liquid Chromatography
2022 Work Placement CH4111 Supervisor
2022 Physical & Biophysical Chemistry CH4103 Lectures - Physical Chemistry of the Cell
2022 Biopharmaceutical Chemistry Dissertation CH4110 Supervisor - dissertation projects
2022 Core Skills for Chemistry Research CH506 Lectures - Liquid Chromatography
2022 Analytical & Biophysical Chemistry CH4107 Lectures - Physical Chemistry of the Cell
2022 Physical Chemistry II CH432 Lectures - Physical Chemistry of the Cell
2022 Experimental Chemistry II CH334 Instructor - Physical Chemistry Lab Practical