Norica Nichita, Dr.

Norica Nichita
Group: Viral Glycoproteins
Department: Viral Glycoproteins

Head of Department, Deputy Director

Research interests: HBV/HCV interaction with the host cell and development of improved antiviral strategies.

Biography

Dr. Nichita received her PhD at the Institute of Biochemistry in 2000, working on the role of N-glycosylation on protein folding. This study was performed in close collaboration with the University of Oxford, where she spent 3 months/year working in the Department of Biochemistry (1997-2000, as a beneficiary of a NATO fellowship). Dr. Nichita has shown for the first time the strict dependence of a cellular protein, tyrosinase, on the presence of N-linked glycans for native folding and biological activity. Following the award of a Royal Society Fellowship, Dr. Norica Nichita started her post-doctoral studies at the University of Oxford in 2000. Using her competence in protein folding, she investigated in premiere the biosynthesis and assembly of the envelope proteins of a pestivirus - BVDV (used at the time as a surrogate model for HCV) and the possibility to use these host cell- dependent processes as novel antiviral targets. In 2001, Dr. Nichita was the recipient of an International Research Development Award from the Wellcome Trust (UK), to start an independent group (the Viral Glycoproteins) and establish a completely new direction of research (molecular virology) at the Institute of Biochemistry in Romania. The results obtained by the group during 2001-2003 have clarified molecular features of pestivirus morphology, have answered how these properties could be exploited to design new therapeutic strategies targeting the envelope proteins and were published in important peer-reviewed journals in the field. As recognition of the impact of her work on pestiviruses, Dr. Nichita received the “Emanoil Teodorescu” prize of the Romanian Academy in 2003. These achievements and the ongoing collaboration with the former laboratory at the University of Oxford have secured the award of a second Collaborative Research International Grant from the Welcome Trust (2004-2008) as well as an IDEI grant from the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research-UEFISCDI (2008-2011) to extend the investigation of protein folding and viral morphology to the Human Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The group has also focused on prophylaxis antiviral strategies, owing to the award of a EEA grant developed together with Norwegian partners from NIBIO, aiming to develop novel HBV and HCV antigens in plants (2014-2017). During these 15 years of research on hepatic viruses, Dr. Nichita and her team have been investigating the life-cycles of HBV and HCV and their interaction with the host cells and have significantly contributed to the discovery of novel cellular targets for alternative antiviral strategies against these human pathogens. Dr. Nichita was a member of the Romanian National Research Council and the President of the Biology Commission (2011-2013); she was the Secretary of the Romanian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2007-2015) and is a Member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) (since 2013). She was the Vice-President of the Biology Commission of the National Council for Attesting University Titles, Diplomas and Certificates in Romania (2016-2019). Dr. Nichita has been a peer reviewer for Autophagy, Antiviral Research, Current HIV Research, DNA and Cell Biology, Gene, Hepatology, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liver International, Molecules, Melanoma Research, Molecular Biology Reports, PlosOne, Proteome Science, Trends in Biotechnology, Virology, etc. Dr. Nichita has supervised 7 PhD thesis (5 defended, 2 in process); Published ISI Papers > 45 with a cumulated impact factor >160 and > 1200 citations (ISI Web of Knowledge). She published 2 Book chapters and has 2 International patents (H-index 22).

Papers

Year
  • Hammel A, Cucos, LM, Caras I, Popescu CI, Stavaru C, Nichita N, Bock R.Hammel A et al . "The red alga Porphyridium as a host for molecular farming: Efficient production of immunologically active hepatitis C virus glycoprotein", PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 121(24), (2024)
    doi: DOI10.1073/pnas.2400145121
    IF: 9.40AI: 4.30
  • Hang Su, André van Eerde, Espen Rimstad, Ralph Bock, Norica Nichita, Igor A Yakovlev, Jihong Liu ClarkeHang Su et al . "Plant-made vaccines against viral diseases in humans and farm animals", Frontiers in Plant Science(14:1170815), (2023)
    doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1170815
    IF: 6.20AI: 1.10
  • David PATRICHE, Mirela POPESCU, Costin-Ioan POPESCU, Norica NICHITADavid PATRICHE et al . "CLASS II PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 3-KINASE 2ß IS A NOVEL TARGET FOR THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIVIRAL DRUGS AGAINST THE HEPATITIS B VIRUS", Farmacia 70(2): 266-271, (2022)
    IF: 1.40
  • Dobrica MO, van Eerde A, Tucureanu C, Onu A, Paruch L, Caras I, Vlase E, Steen H, Haugslien S, Alonzi D, Zitzmann N, Bock R, Dubuisson J, Popescu CI, Stavaru C, Liu Clarke J, Branza-Nichita NDobrica MO et al . "Hepatitis C virus E2 envelope glycoprotein produced in Nicotiana benthamiana triggers humoral response with virus-neutralizing activity in vaccinated mice", Plant Biotechnology Journal: 1-13, (2021)
    IF: 13.20
  • Craciunescu O, Icriverzi M, Florian PE, Roseanu A, Trif M.Craciunescu O et al . "Mechanisms and Pharmaceutical Action of Lipid Nanoformulation of Natural Bioactive Compounds as Efficient Delivery Systems in the Therapy of Osteoarthritis", Pharmaceutics 8(13): 1108, (2021)
    IF: 6.32
  • Nedelcu I, Jipa R, Vasilescu R, Băicuș C, Popescu CI, Manea E, Stoichițoiu L, Pinte L, Damalan A, Simulescu O, Stoica I, Stoica M, Hristea ANedelcu I et al . "Long-Term Longitudinal Evaluation of Six Commercial Immunoassays for the Detection of IgM and IgG Antibodies against SARS CoV-2", Viruses 6(13): 1244, (2021)
    IF: 5.00
  • Pantazica AMM, Cucos LM, Stavaru C, Liu Clarke J, Branza-Nichita NPantazica AMM et al . "Challenges and Prospects of Plant-Derived Oral Vaccines against Hepatitis B and C Viruses", Plants 10(10): 1-17, (2021)
    IF: 4.60
  • Riva L, Spriet C, Barois N, Popescu CI, Dubuisson J, Rouillé YRiva L et al . "Comparative Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Dynamics and Localization in Assembly-Deficient Mutants", Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) 10(2), (2021)
    IF: 3.49
  • Dobrica MO, Lazar C, Nichita N*Dobrica MO et al . "N-Glycosylation and N-Glycan Processing in HBV Biology and Pathogenesis", Cells 6(9), (2020)
    IF: 5.60
  • Codruta C. Popescu, Marius C. Stoian, Lia-Maria Cucos, Anca G. Coman, Antonio Radoi, Anca Paun, Niculina D. H˘adade, Arnaud Gautier, Costin-Ioan Popescu and Mihaela MatacheCodruta C. Popescu et al . "A polycarboxylic chelating ligand for efficient resin purification of His-tagged proteins expressed in mammalian systems", RSC Advances(10): 23931–23935, (2020)
    IF: 3.04
  • Dobrica Mihaela-Olivia, Catalin Lazar, Norica NichitaDobrica Mihaela-Olivia et al . "Production of Chimeric Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigens in Mammalian Cells", Methods in Molecular Biology, Blaine Pfeifer and Andrew Hill (eds.). Springer Science. 2183(Vaccine Delivery Technology: Methods and Protocols), (2020)
  • Ion GND, Nitulescu GM, Popescu CI.Ion GND et al . "Targeting TRAIL", Bioorg Med Chem Lett 18(29): 2527-2534, (2019)
    IF: 2.45
  • Dobrica MO, Lazar C, Paruch L, van Eerde A, Clarke JL, Tucureanu C, Caras I, Ciulean S, Onu A, Tofan V, Branzan A, Urban S, Stavaru C, Branza-Nichita NDobrica MO et al . "Oral administration of a chimeric Hepatitis B Virus S/preS1 antigen produced in lettuce triggers infection neutralizing antibodies in mice", Vaccine 36(38): 5789-5795, (2018)
    IF: 3.27
  • Dobrica MO, Lazar C, Nichita N*Dobrica MO et al . "N-Glycosylation and N-Glycan Processing in HBV Biology and Pathogenesis", Cells 6(9): https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9061404, (2017)
    IF: 5.60
  • Uta M, Sima LE, Hoffmann P, Dinca V, Branza-Nichita NUta M et al . "Development of a DsRed-expressing HepaRG cell line for real-time monitoring of hepatocyte-like cell differentiation by fluorescence imaging, with application in screening of novel geometric microstructured cell growth substrates", Biomedical microdevices 19(1): 3, (2017)
    IF: 2.08AI: 0.70
  • Vlaicu O, Selescu T, Pastrama F, Munteanu C, Riva L, Dubuisson J, Rouille Y, Popescu CIVlaicu O et al . "Novel replicons and trans-encapsidation systems for Hepatitis C Virus proteins live imaging and virus-host interaction proteomics", Journal of virological methods 246: 42-50, (2017)
  • Clarke JL, Paruch L, Dobrica MO, Caras I, Tucureanu C, Onu A, Ciulean S, Stavaru C, Eerde A, Wang Y, Steen H, Haugslien S, Petrareanu C, Lazar C, Popescu CI, Bock R, Dubuisson J, Branza-Nichita NClarke JL et al . "Lettuce-produced hepatitis C virus E1E2 heterodimer triggers immune responses in mice and antibody production after oral vaccination", Plant biotechnology journal 15(12): 1611-1621, (2017)
  • Lazar C, Uta M, Petrescu SM, Branza-Nichita NLazar C et al . "Novel function of the endoplasmic reticulum degradation-enhancing α-mannosidase-like proteins in the human hepatitis B virus life cycle, mediated by the middle envelope protein", Cellular microbiology 19(2), (2017)
  • Florian PE, Rouillé Y, Ruta S, Nichita N, Roseanu AFlorian PE et al . "Recent advances in human viruses imaging studies", Journal of basic microbiology 56(6): 591-607, (2016)
  • Florian PE, Macovei A, Lazar C, Milac AL, Sokolowska I, Darie CC, Evans RW, Roseanu A, Branza-Nichita NFlorian PE et al . "Characterization of the anti-HBV activity of HLP1-23, a human lactoferrin-derived peptide", Journal of medical virology 85(5): 780-8, (2013)
    IF: 2.22AI: 0.70
  • Lazar C, Macovei A, Petrescu S, Branza-Nichita NLazar C et al . "Activation of ERAD pathway by human hepatitis B virus modulates viral and subviral particle production", PloS one 7(3): e34169, (2012)
    IF: 3.73AI: 1.50
  • Florian P, Macovei A, Sima L, Nichita N, Mattsby-Baltzer I, Roseanu AFlorian P et al . "Endocytosis and trafficking of human lactoferrin in macrophage-like human THP-1 cells (1)", Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire 90(3): 449-55, (2012)
    IF: 2.92
  • Pollock S, Nichita NB, Böhmer A, Radulescu C, Dwek RA, Zitzmann N.Pollock S et al . "Polyunsaturated liposomes are antiviral against hepatitis B and C viruses and HIV by decreasing cholesterol levels in infected cells", Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 104(40): 17176-81, (2008)
    IF: 9.50
  • Raducanu A, Stoica C, Icriverzi M, Lazar C, Nichita N, Roseanu A.Raducanu A et al . "Antiviral activity of lactoferrin against bovine viral diarrhea virus", Romanian Jornal of Biochemistry(42): 21-29, (2005)
  • Branza-Nichita N, Petrescu AJ, Negroiu G, Dwek RA, Petrescu SMBranza-Nichita N et al . "N-glycosylation processing and glycoprotein folding-lessons from the tyrosinase-related proteins", Chemical reviews 100(12): 4697-712, (2000)
  • Petrescu SM, Branza-Nichita N, Negroiu G, Petrescu AJ, Dwek RAPetrescu SM et al . "Tyrosinase and glycoprotein folding: roles of chaperones that recognize glycans", Biochemistry 39(18): 5229-37, (2000)
  • Branza-Nichita N, Negroiu G, Petrescu AJ, Garman EF, Platt FM, Wormald MR, Dwek RA, Petrescu SMBranza-Nichita N et al . "Mutations at critical N-glycosylation sites reduce tyrosinase activity by altering folding and quality control", The Journal of biological chemistry 275(11): 8169-75, (2000)
  • Negroiu G, Branza-Nichita N, Costin GE, Titu H, Petrescu AJ, Dwek RA, Petrescu SMNegroiu G et al . "Investigation of the intracellular transport of tyrosinase and tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1. The effect of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-glucosidases inhibition", Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France) 45(7): 1001-10, (1999)
  • Negroiu G, Branza-Nichita N, Petrescu AJ, Dwek RA, Petrescu SMNegroiu G et al . "Protein specific N-glycosylation of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1 in B16 mouse melanoma cells", The Biochemical journal 344 Pt 3: 659-65, (1999)
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Grants

Development of a cost effective Romania-Norway joint plant-based technology platform for production of vaccines against Human Hepatitis viruses B (HBV) and C (HCV) 2014-2017
Acronym: GREENVAC
Project director: Norica Nichita

Hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) are important human pathogens resulting in more than 500 million people being currently carriers. Sadly, Romania has the highest prevalence of HBV/HCV infections among the EU countries (up to 7% of the population). Chronically infected patients of HBV and HCV are at high risk to develop severe liver diseases, such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

EEA Grants (2014-2021): Next Generation Viral Hepatitis B and C vaccine development in plants and algae using advanced biotechnological tools; ‘’Dezvoltare de vaccinuri de ultima generatie anti Virusurile Hepatice B si C in plante si alge, utilizand metode biotehnologice avansate’’ 2019-2023
Acronym: SmartVac
Budget: 1.500.000 EUR
Project director: Norica Nichita

We aim to produce high yields of novel HBV/HCV antigens with superior immunogenic properties in plants and mammalian cells, based on innovative molecular design and establish in premiere an advanced biotechnological platform for production of best vaccine candidates antigens in algae.

Human lactoferrin-derived peptides with broad spectrum antiviral activity 2017-2018
Acronym: PEPTIVIR
Budget: 133.300 Euro
Project director: Catalin Lazar

Lactoferrin (Lf), an immunomodulatory glycoprotein was shown to interfere with the life-cycles of many viruses. Our group has rationally designed and characterized the anti-HBV activity of an Lf-derived peptide containing one of the cationic clusters. This project proved the concept that the development of non-toxic, small Lf-derived molecule(s) with a broad-spectrum anti-viral activity may constitute a valuable, cheaper alternative to the current standard of care.