🎓 Thesis Defense – Teodora Lupoi will defend her PhD thesis: development of nanostructured platforms for electrochemical sensors for the detection of environmental pharmaceutical pollutants
📅 Wednesday December 10th 2025 at 9:00 at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu” in Cluj-Napoca – Romania
This thesis is supervised by Dr. Florence Geneste – CNRS / Rennes University / ISCR and Dr. Cecilia Cristea – UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj Napoca
Examining Committee :
➖ Dr. Elisabeth Lojou – CNRS / Aix Marseille University – Reviewer
➖ Prof. Charles Henry – Colorado State University – Reviewer
➖ Prof. Daniela-Luiza Baconi – UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Bucharest – Examiner
➖ Prof. Radu Nicolae Oprean – UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj Napoca – Examiner
➖ Dr. Yann Leroux – CNRS / Rennes University – Invited Member
➖ Prof. Bela Kiss – UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj Napoca – Invited Member
This thesis is supported by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”
📄 Abstract: This thesis focuses on the development of new electrochemical sensors for the detection of two analytes: erythromycin (ERY) and diclofenac (DCF). In the first approach, detection relied on the integration of recognition elements based on single-stranded DNA molecules, known as aptamers. An aptamer specific to ERY was immobilized via self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation on a gold substrate. The surface functionalization protocol was thoroughly optimized to ensure stable baseline signals and avoid false positives. In a more unconventional approach, a DCF-specific aptamer was immobilized on a carbon electrode through click chemistry. The electrode surface was pre-functionalized by electrochemical reduction of the protected diazonium salts. The same strategy was then adapted to a graphene field-effect transistor (GFET), yielding an electronic sensor with improved analytical performance. Finally, a photolithographed ultramicroelectrode array was developed and coupled with the sampled-current voltammetry (SCV) technique. The array was characterized by both optical and electrochemical methods. Coupling with SCV led to lower limits of detection and higher sensitivity compared to its macroelectrode counterpart. Moreover, this approach enabled efficient direct detection of DCF, mitigating the electrode passivation typically associated with its electrochemical oxidation.
🎓 Soutenance de Thèse – Teodora Lupoi soutiendra sa thèse intitulée : conception et développement de plateformes nanostructurées pour capteurs électrochimiques destinés à la détection des contaminants pharmaceutiques dans l’environnement
📅 Mercredi 10 Décembre 2025 à 9h à l’Université de Médecine et de Pharmacie “Iuliu Hatieganu” à Cluj-Napoca – Roumanie
Cette thèse est dirigée par Dr. Florence Geneste – CNRS / Rennes University / ISCR et par Dr. Cecilia Cristea – UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj Napoca
Jury :
➖ Dr. Elisabeth Lojou – CNRS / Aix Marseille University – Raporteur
➖ Prof. Charles Henry – Colorado State University – Raporteur
➖ Prof. Daniela-Luiza Baconi – UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Bucharest – Examinatrice
➖ Prof. Radu Nicolae Oprean – UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj Napoca – Examinateur
➖ Dr. Yann Leroux – CNRS / Rennes University – Membre invité
➖ Prof. Bela Kiss – UMF “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj Napoca – Membre invité
Cette thèse est soutenue par l’Université de Médecine et de Pharmacie “Iuliu Hatieganu”
