Biomacromolecules and Biomolecular Interactions

Head of Department

Prof. Sashka Krumova, PhD

  • E-mail: sashka.b.krumova@gmail.com
  • Phone: 02 979 2608
  • Address: “Acad. G. Bonchev” Str., Block 21, Room 218,
    Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

Staff

Main research topics

See detailed information >

  • Microcalorimetric screening of serum proteome and erythrocytes in various pathologies. Application in biomedicine
  • Nanomechanical and morphological properties of platelets and erythrocytes as biophysical markers for pathologies
  • Interaction of nanomaterials with biological molecules and membranes
  • Biofunctionalization of hard surfaces and optimization of their biocompatibility for medical applications

Research projects

Current projects

Infrastructure projects

  • Research Infrastructure for Advanced Studies of Biomolecules, Biomembranes and Biosignals (BioMMS)
    Leader: Prof. T. Pencheva
  • National Centre on Biomedical Photonics,
    Leader: Prof. Lachezar Avramov, Coordinator for IBPhBME: Prof. Galia Staneva

Scientific projects

  • New potential therapeutics for chronic lymphocytic leukemia – effect on blood cells
    Bulgarian Science Fund, КП-06-Н73/3
    Project leader: Prof. Svetla Todinova
  • Generation of a database of pathological pregnancy and extraction of new knowledge in order to identify diagnostic markers
    № PVU-13/29.05.2024 /BG-RRP-2.011-0025-C01/, „Increasing the innovation capacity of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) in the field of green and digital technologies“
    Project leader:  Prof. Tania Pencheva
  • Potential of betulinic acid-based ionic liquids as a modulator of Toll-like receptors in mononuclear cells and breast cancer cell lines
    Bulgarian Science Fund, КП-06-Н69/2
    Project leader:  Assoc. Prof. Maya Guncheva, Institute of Organic Chemistry with Center of Phytochemistry
  • Influence of polysaccharide-based polyelectrolyte complex systems on the biophysical properties of human erythrocytes
    Bulgarian Science Fund, КП-06-ПМ63/7
    Project leader: Sen. Assist. Prof. Avgustina Danailova

Past projects

  • Modifications in the morphometric, nanomechanical and thermodynamic parameters of peripheral blood cells – a source of new diagnostic markers for neurodegenerative diseases, КП-05-Н31/8
    National Science Fund
    Project leader: Prof. Stefka Taneva
  • Study of the interactions between innovative nanomaterials and higher plants – a basis for the development of sustainable nanoagronomic practices
    Bulgarian Science Fund, КП-06-Н36/8, 2019-2022,
    Project leader: Prof. Sashka Krumova
  • New biophysical markers for diagnosis of disorders in the coagulation system in high-risk pregnancies,
    Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, KP-06-Н21/4,
    Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Svetla Todinova
  • Construction of hybrid biodegradable microcapsules with controlled properties for use in biomedicine, КP-06-M21/4, 12.12.2018
    National Science Fund
    Project leader: Sen. Assist. Svetozar Stoichev
  • Project for future career development of Sen. Assist. Prof. Avgustina Danailova, National Research Programme “Young scientists and postdoctoral students” of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, Module: Young Scientists, 2020-2021
  • Project for future career development of Assist. Prof. Maria Ganova, National Research Programme “Young scientists and postdoctoral students” of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, Module: Young Scientists, 2020-2021
  • Project for future career development of Sen. Assist. Prof. Nia Petrova, National Research Programme “Young scientists and postdoctoral students” of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, Module: Young Scientists, 2020-2021
  • Thin biocompatible hybrid coatings for protein and cell/surface interactions
    Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary, Bilateral cooperation – 2019-2021
    Coordinator: Prof. Stefka Taneva
  • Role of photosystem II ordering in thylakoid membranes of higher plants for their resistance towards drought stress, ДФНП-17-138, 2017
    Coordinator: Assist. Prof. Nia Petrova
  • Calorimetric Plasma Proteome Assay for Early Diagnosis of Malignant Diseases. In vivo experimental models of colorectal carcinoma, ДФНП 17-133/2017
    Coordinator:PhD student Avgustina Danailova
  • Evaluation of the effect of autologous stem cell transplantation on the status of patients with multiple myeloma by microcalorimetry, project № ДФНП 140/2016
    PhD student Avgustina Danailova
  • Optimizing the biocompatibility of polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings made of hyaluronic acid and chitosan by introducing graphene oxide into the polymer matrix, project ДФНП 139/2016
    Аssist. Prof. Svetozar Stoichev
  • Human erythrocyte’s ageing in healthy and pathological subjects, studied by differential scanning calorimetry, atomic force microscopy and biochemical patterns
    Italy, Institute for the Structure of Matter, Italian National Research Council, Rome, Italy, Bilateral cooperation – 2016-2018
    Coordinator: Prof. Stefka Taneva
  • Factors modulating the structural organization, stability and oxidative stress resistance of cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes
    Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Hungary
    Bilateral cooperation – 2016-2018
    Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Sashka Krumova
  • Surface biofunctunalization of solid surfaces for bioelectronic applications,
    Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary, Bilateral cooperation – 2016-2018
    Coordinator: Prof. Stefka Taneva
  • Optimized polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings for biofunctionalization of coronary stents
    2014-2016 National Science Fund, № ДНТС 01/9
    Project leader: Prof. Stefka G. Taneva
    Collaborator: NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

Collaborations

National collaboration

  • National Specialized Hospital for Hematologic Diseases, Sofia
  • University Specialized Oncology for active treatment of oncological diseases, Sofia
  • Multiprofile hospital for active treatment in neurology and psychiatry “St. Naum”
  • Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Obstetrics and Gynecology “Maichin Dom”
  • Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
  • Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Institute of Optical Materials and Technologies “Acad. Yordan Malinovski”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Institute of Mechanics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Medical University – Pleven

International collaboration

  • HUN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
  • NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
  • Italian National Research Council, Institute of Structure of Matter, Rome, Italy

Lecture courses

  • Photosynthetic membranes. Approaches for structural an functional analysis – specialized course for PhD students, certified by the PhD Training Center – BAS; lecturer: Prof. S. Krumova
  • Model membranes – seminar series and laboratory exercises for master students, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
  • Biophysics – laboratory exercises for master students, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

Selected publications (last 5 years)

  1. Anika Alexandrova-Watanabe, Emilia Abadjieva, Ina Giosheva, Ariana Langari, Tihomir Tiankov, Emil Gartchev, Regina Komsa-Penkova, Svetla Todinova. Assessment of Red Blood Cell Aggregation in Preeclampsia by Microfluidic Image Flow Analysis—Impact of Oxidative Stress on Disease Severity. Int J Mol Sci ., 25, MDPI, 2024, DOI:10.3390/ijms25073732
  2. Danailova A., Todinova S., Gartcheva L., Bogdanova D., Zlatareva E., Kalaydzhiev N., Milanov I., Krumova S., Taneva S.G.. Thermodynamic Signatures of Blood Plasma Proteome in Neurodegenerative Pathologies. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24, 2023
  3. Giosheva I, Strijkova V, Komsa-Penkova R, Krumova S, Langari A, Danailova A, Taneva SG, Stoyanova T, Topalova L, Gartchev E, Georgieva G, Todinova S. Membrane Lesions and Reduced Life Span of Red Blood Cells in Preeclampsia as Evidenced by Atomic Force Microscopy. Int J Mol Sci ., 24, 8, MDPI, 2023, DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087100
  4. Krumova S., Petrova A., Koleva D., Petrova S., Stoichev S., Petrova N., Tsonev T., Petrov P., Velikova V. Priming of Pisum sativum seeds with stabilized Pluronic P85 nanomicelles: effects on seedling development and photosynthetic function. Photosynthetica, 61 (SI), 2023, DOI:10.32615/ps.2023.033, 28-36.
  5. Krumova, S., Petrova, A., Petrova, N., Stoichev, S., Ilkov, D., Tsonev, T., Petrov, P., Koleva, D., Velikova V. Seed Priming with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Grafted with Pluronic P85 Preserves the Functional and Structural Characteristics of Pea Plants. Nanomaterials, 13, MDPI, 2023, DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/ nano13081332, 1332.
  6. Petrova N., Todinova S., Petrov P., Velikova V., Krumova S.. Foliar application of Pluronic P85 grafted single walled carbon nanotubes induces thylakoid membrane structural remodeling. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 45, 12, 2023, 133.
  7. Petrova S., Mazhdrakova N., Todinova S., Strijkova V., Zhiponova M., Krumova S.. Nepeta nuda L. Plant Extract Preserves the Morphology of Red Blood Cells Subjected to Oxidative Stress. Med. Sci. Forum, 21, 1, MDPI, 2023, 35
  8. Taneva Stefka G., Todinova Svetla, Andreeva Tonya. Morphometric and Nanomechanical Screening of Peripheral Blood Cells with Atomic Force Microscopy for Label-Free Assessment of Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24, Elsevier, 2023, DOI:https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814296, 14296.
  9. Alexandrova A., Strijkova V., Abadjieva E., Todinova S., Giosheva I., Langari A., Tiankov T. Evaluation of the erythrocyte aggregation index in women with preeclampsia by the usage of the microfluidic device and specially developed rheological software. International Scientific Journal Industry 4.0, 5, Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering, 2023, 159-163
  10. Dinarelli S., Longo G., Taneva S.G., Todinova S., Krumova S., Girasole M.. Surprising Structural and Functional Properties of Favism Erythrocytes Are Linked to Special Metabolic Regulation: A Cell Aging Study. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24(1), 2023, 637
  11. Komsa-Penkova R., Krumova S., Langari A., Giosheva I., Gartcheva L., Danailova A., Topalova L., Stoyanova T., Strijkova V., Savov A., Todinova S.. Blood Plasma Calorimetric Profiles of Women withPreeclampsia: Effect of Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants, 12, 5, MDPI, 2023, DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12051032
  12. Krumova S., Todinova S., Taneva S. G.. Calorimetric Markers for Detection and Monitoring of Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel), 14, 16, MDPI, 2022, DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14163884, 3884.
  13. Langari, Ariana, Strijkova, Velichka, Komsa-Penkova, Regina, Danailova, Avgustina, Krumova, Sashka, Taneva, Stefka G., Giosheva, Ina, Gartchev, Emil, Kercheva, Kamelia, Savov, Alexey, Todinova, Svetla. Morphometric and Nanomechanical Features of Erythrocytes Characteristic of Early Pregnancy Loss. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, 9, MDPI, 2022, ISSN:1661-6596, DOI:10.3390/ijms23094512
  14. Stoichev, S., Danailova, A., Iliev, I., Sulikovska, I., Strijkova, V., Mladenova, K., Andreeva, T.. Fabrication and Biocompatibility of Layer-by-layer Assembled Composite Graphene Oxide-polysaccharide Microcapsules. Int. J. BIOautomation, 26, 3, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, 2022, ISSN:1314-1902, DOI:10.7546/ijba.2022.26.3.000843, 225-240.
  15. Strijkova V., Todinova S., Andreeva T., Langari A., Bogdanova D., Zlatareva E., Kalaydzhiev N., Milanov I., Taneva S.G.. Platelets’ Nanomechanics and Morphology in Neurodegenerative Pathologies. Biomedicines, 10(9):2239, 2022, DOI:10.3390/biomedicines10092239
  16. Strijkova-Kenderova V., Todinova S., Andreeva T., Bogdanova D., Langari A., Danailova A., Krumova S., Zlatareva E., Kalaydziev N., Milanova I., Taneva S.G.. Morphometry and stiffness of red blood cells – signatures of neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Int. J. Biological Macromolecules, 23, 1, MDPI, 2022, DOI:10.3390/ijms23010227, 227.
  17. Todinova S., Nikolova B., Iliev I., Semkova S., Krumova S., Taneva S.G.. Thermodynamic behavior of breast cancer cell lines after miltefosine and cisplatin treatment. J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 147, 14, Springer, 2022, ISSN:1388-6150, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-021-11094-6, 7819-7828.
  18. Komsa-Penkova R., Danailova A., Krumova S., Georgieva G., Giosheva I., Gartcheva L., Iliev I., Gartchev E., Kercheva K., Savov A., Todinova S.. Altered Thermal Behavior of Blood Plasma Proteome Related to Inflammatory Cytokines in Early Pregnancy Loss. Int J Mol Sci ., 23, 15, MDPI, 2022, DOI:doi: 10.3390/ijms23158764.
  19. Andreeva T., Komsa-Penkova R., Langari A., Krumova S., Golemanov G., Georgieva G.B., Taneva S.G., Giosheva I., Mihaylova N., Tchorbanov A., Todinova S.. Morphometric and Nanomechanical Features of Platelets from Women with Early Pregnancy Loss Provide New Evidence of the Impact of Inherited Thrombophilia. International Journal o f Molecular Sciences, 22, MDPI, 2021, DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22157778
  20. Petrova N., Paunov M., Petrov P., Velikova V., Goltsev V., Krumova S.. Polymer-Modified Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Affect Photosystem II Photochemistry, Intersystem Electron Transport Carriers and Photosystem I End Acceptors in Pea Plants. Molecules, 26, MDPI, 2021, DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195958, 5958.
  21. Stoichev, S., Taneva, S.G., Danailova, A., Toca-Herrera, J.L., Andreeva, T.. Encapsulation of opiorphin in polymer coated alginate beads for controlled delivery and pain killing. International Journal of Bioautomation, 25, 1, 2021, ISSN:13141902, DOI:10.7546/ijba.2021.25.1.000746, 101-111.</li
  22. Taneva S.G., Krumova S., Bogár F., Kincses A., Stoichev S., Todinova S., Danailova A., Horváth J., Násztor Z., Kelemen L., Dér A., Insights into graphene oxide interaction with human serum albumin in isolated state and in blood plasma, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2021, 175, 19-29.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813021001938?via%3Dihub
  23. Todinova S., Krumova S., Bogdanova D., Danailova A., Zlatareva E., Kalaydzhiev N., Langari A., Milanov I., Taneva S. G.. Red Blood Cells’ Thermodynamic Behavior in Neurodegenerative Pathologies and Aging. Biomolecules, 11, MDPI, 2021, DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11101500
  24. Gospodinova Z., Zupko I., Noémi B., Manova V., Georgieva M., Todinova S. J., Taneva S.G., Ocsovszki I., Krasteva M.. Cotinus coggygria Scop. induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, genotoxic effects, thermodynamic and epigenetic events in MCF7 breast cancer cells. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung – Section C Journal of Biosciences, 76, 3, De Gruyter, 2021, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-2020-0087, 129-140.
  25. Velikova V., Petrova N., Kovács L., Petrova A., Koleva D., Tsonev T., Taneva S., Petrov P, Krumova S., Single-Walled carbon nanotubes modify leaf micromorphology, chloroplast ultrastructure and photosynthetic activity of pea plants, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22(9), 4878
    https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22094878
  26. Andreeva T.D., Dér A., Kelemen L., Krastev R., Taneva S.G., Modulation of the internal structure and surface properties of natural and synthetic polymer matrices by graphene oxide doping. Polymers Advanced Technology 2020, 31, 7, 1562-1570
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pat.4885
  27. Krumova S., Balansky R., Danailova A., Ganchev G., Djongov L., Gartcheva L., Taneva S.G., Todinova S., Calorimetric assay to follow colorectal cancer development in experimental rat models, Thermochimica Acta 2020, 691, 178723
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2020.178723
  28. Langari A., Danailova A., Krumova S., Komsa-Penkova R., Golemanov G., Giosheva I., Gartchev E., Taneva S.G., Todinova S., Aging-related changes in the calorimetric profile of red blood cells from women with miscarriages, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 2020, 142, 1919–1926
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-020-10112-3
  29. Dlouhý O., Kurasová I., Karlický V., Javornik U., Šket P., Petrova N.Z., Krumova S.B., Plavec J., Ughy B., Špunda V., Garab G., Modulation of non-bilayer lipid phases and the structure and functions of thylakoid membranes: effects on the water-soluble enzyme violaxanthin de-epoxidase, Scientific Reports 2020, 10, 11959
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-68854-x
  30. Vajravel S., Laczkó-Dobos H., Petrova N., Herman Е., Kovács T., Zakar Т., Todinova S., Taneva S., Kovács L., Gombos Z., Tóth T., Krumova S., Phycobilisome integrity and functionality in lipid unsaturation and xanthophyll mutants in Synechocystis, Photosynthesis Research 2020, 145, 79–188
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11120-020-00776-1
  31. Petrova N., Paunov N., Stoichev S., Todinova S., Taneva S.G., Goltsev V., Krumova S., Thylakoid membrane reorganization, induced by growth light intensity, affects the plants susceptibility to drought stress, Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI), 2020, ISSN:03003604, DOI:10.32615/ps.2019.165, 184-193
  32. Rudt A., Andreeva T.D., Taneva S.G., Krastev R., Composite polyelectrolyte multilayers for biofunctionalization of medical devices, Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering 2020, 6, 3, 2020-3110
    https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/cdbme-2020-3110/html
  33. Dlouhý, O., Kurasová, I., Karlický, V., Javornik, U., Šket, P., Petrova, N.Z., Krumova, S.B., Plavec, J., Ughy, B., Špunda, V., Garab, G.. Modulation of non-bilayer lipid phases and the structure and functions of thylakoid membranes: effects on the water-soluble enzyme violaxanthin de-epoxidase. Scientific Reports, 10, 2020, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68854-x, 11959.
  34. Vajravel S., Laczkó-Dobos H., Petrova N., Herman E., Kovács T., Zakar T., Todinova S., Taneva S.G., Kovács L., Gombos L., Tóth T., Krumova S.. Phycobilisome integrity and functionality in lipid unsaturation and xanthophyll mutants in Synechocystis. Photosynthesis Research, 145, 2020, 179-188.
  35. Zhiponova, M., Paunov, M., Anev, S., Petrova, N., Krumova, S., Raycheva, A., Goltsev, V., Tzvetkova, N., Taneva, S., Sapunov, K., Chaneva, G.. JIP-test as a tool for early diagnostics of plant growth and flowering upon selected light recipe. Photosynthetica, 58 (SI), 2020, 214-223.

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