Laboratory of Animal biology

Laboratory of Animal Biology

Research Directions

Modulation of humoral- and cell-mediated immunity in farm animals through various bioactive dietary compounds (e.g., polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibers, minerals, vitamins), including alternative feed sources (agri-food residues/by-products, natural additives, etc.).
Assessment of the effects of feed contaminants (e.g., mycotoxins) on animal and human health, providing support for the development of national and European legislation on maximum tolerable levels of mycotoxins in feeds intended for farm animals.
Investigation of metabolic diseases (obesity/inflammatory bowel disease—IBD) using the pig as an animal model; studies on underlying mechanisms and the development of nutritional strategies for prevention and control; interrelationships between nutrition and intestinal physiological functions.
Research on intestinal physiology—the first barrier for absorption and immune defense; understanding the effects of various nutritional factors at the intestinal level to develop new nutritional strategies and feed formulas. Work includes in vitro (intestinal, blood, kidney, liver cell cultures, etc.), in vivo (pig, poultry, etc.), and ex vivo (intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes, Peyer’s patches) studies, as well as nutrigenomics and proteomics.
Adaptation and development of new methods/techniques to evaluate key markers of cellular physiology and integrity, and to assess how various treatments affect cell morphology and function.

Cell Culture Unit

Conducts in vitro experiments using:

Primary cells (lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils) from blood and immune organs (spleen, lymph nodes)
Intestinal, renal, and hepatic epithelial cell lines from pig (IPEC-1, IPEC-J2, LLCPK) and human (CaCO2, Colo, HepG2)

https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000n-8798

Molecular Biology Unit

Analyzes gene expression of diverse biomarkers with key roles in cellular metabolic and physiological processes across cells and tissues (blood, organs, muscle, milk). PCR/qPCR/qPCR array applications for determining the expression of cytokines/enzymes/signaling molecules/proteins/receptors, etc.

https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000p-8801

Biochemistry (Proteomics) Unit

Investigates, via biochemical techniques (electrophoresis, Western blot, ELISA), the profile and concentration of various proteins/glycoproteins/phosphoproteins in blood, cells, and tissues—for example immunoglobulins, cytokines, signaling molecules, milk proteins, and others.

https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000k-8803

Immunology Unit

Investigates the effects of various bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols, fibers, vitamins, minerals) from natural extracts and feed sources on immunological markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000f-8805

Laboratory for Animal Genetic Resources Management

Carries out the characterization, classification, and utilization of animal genetic resources; studies in quantitative genetics of animal populations; marker-assisted selection; evaluation of meat/milk production in sheep/goats by determining polymorphisms in relevant genes; and conservation models for small or declining animal populations.

https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000q-9106

Animal Biology Laboratory — Veterinary-Sanitary Feed Quality Assessment
Mycotoxicological analyses — rapid mycotoxin screening

Test name	Method (STAS)
Total aflatoxins	ELISA
Aflatoxin B1	ELISA
Ochratoxin A	ELISA
Zearalenone	ELISA
Total fumonisins	ELISA
Fumonisin B1	ELISA
Deoxynivalenol (DON)	ELISA

Product testing with biological potential conducted by the Animal Biology Laboratory:

In vitro on porcine and human cells
In vivo on pigs, poultry, and goats at the IBNA Experimental Farm (AnimBio)
Parameters: performance, general health status, and immune response (cytotoxicity; cell-mediated and humoral responses; intestinal barrier integrity; markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, etc.).

Personal stiintific

Dr. biochimist Gina PistolCS I, Șef laborator

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. ing. Iulian GrosuCS III

Curriculum Vitae

AnaMaria PerțeaCS

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. biol. Ionelia ȚăranuCS I, Director Științific

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Ing. Mihail Alexandru GrasCS III

Curriculum Vitae

Andrei Cristian AnghelCS

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. biol. Daniela MarinCS I, Secretar Științific

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Ing. Cristina Van (Lazăr)CS II

Curriculum Vitae

Loredana CălinAsistent

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. ing. Valeria Cristina Procudin (Bulgaru)CS III

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Ing. Rodica Ștefania PelmușCS II

Curriculum Vitae

Mariana StancuTehnician

Curriculum Vitae

Research Equipment

Corbett PCR System	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008l-9627
ESCO Real-Time PCR	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008x-9630
NanoDrop Spectrophotometer	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008d-9633
2100 Bioanalyzer	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008k-9636
Sigma Centrifuge	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008e-9624
BS-130 Biochemistry Analyzer	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008f-9638
GelDoc Imaging System	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008s-9641
BIOSAN Microplate Washer	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008y-9644
Tecan Infinite® 200 PRO NanoQuant	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008e-9647
Mini-PROTEAN Electrophoresis System	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008x-9653
ECOCELL Drying Oven	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008k-9659
Varioskan Lux Microplate Reader	- https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000k-8803
Precision INB 400 Incubator	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008w-9662
Microflow Peroxide Microbiological Cabinet	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008c-96651
Class II ABS	-
GelDoc Imaging System	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008b-9674
UltiMate 3000 HPLC & UHPLC Systems	- https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000f-8805
SPECORD® 250 Spectrophotometer	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008x-9676
2-18 Vacuum Concentrator	- https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000f-8805
LyoQuest Laboratory Lyophilizer	- https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000f-8805
ROTINA 380 Bench-Top Centrifuge	- https://eertis.eu/erlb-2300-000f-8805
FLV Laminar Flow Hood	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008a-9603
VT-T2 Inverted Microscope	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008g-9606
Memmert INC 108 CO₂ Incubator	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008n-9609
2-16K Centrifuge	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008z-9612
MC100 Microscope	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008f-9615
Millicell-ERS Voltmeter (MERS000 01)	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008m-9618
NIKON Eclipse Ts2R Microscope	- https://eertis.eu/ereq-2300-008y-9621

Results

Scientific publications in ISI-indexed journals (selection)

Țăranu I., Bulgaru V.C., Pistol G.C., Gras M.A., Ciupitu A.M., Grosu I.A., Vlassa M., Filip M., Marin D.E. Mustard Meal Extract as an Alternative to Zinc Oxide for Protecting the Intestinal Barrier Against E. coli-Lipopolysaccharide Damage. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 273.
Marin D.E., Bulgaru V.C., Grosu I.A., Pertea A.M., Pistol G.C., Țăranu I. Alternariol monomethyl-ether induces toxicity via cell death and oxidative stress in swine intestinal epithelial cells. Toxins 2024, 16, 223. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16050223
Anghel A.C., Țăranu I., Orțan A., Marcu Spînu S., Drăgoi Cudalbeanu M., Roșu P.M., Băbeanu N.E. Polyphenols and Microbiota Modulation: Insights from Swine and Other Animal Models for Human Therapeutic Strategies. Molecules 2024, 29(24), 6026; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29246026
Grosu I.A., Pistol G.C., Marin D.E., Țăranu I. The Potential of Mustard Seed Meal to Alleviate LPS-Induced Microbial Shifts in Weaned Piglets. Agriculture 2024, 14(12), 2269; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14122269
Marin D.E., Țăranu I. Using In Silico Approach for Metabolomic and Toxicity Prediction of Alternariol. Toxins (Basel) 2023 Jul; 15(7): 421.
Grosu I.A., Bulgaru C.V., Pistol G.C., Cismileanu A., Marin D.E., Țăranu I. Effects of Exposure to Low Zearalenone Concentrations Close to the EU Recommended Value on Weaned Piglets’ Colon. Toxins 2023 Mar 9; 15(3):206. doi: 10.3390/toxins15030206
Pistol G.C., Marin D.E., Bulgaru V.C., Anghel A.C., Sărăcilă M., Vlassa M., Filip M., Țăranu I. Grape seed meal by-product is able to counteract oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide and dextran sulphate in IPEC cells and piglets after weaning. PLoS ONE 2023; 18(4): e0283607. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283607
Bulgaru V.C., Pertea A.M., Grosu I.A., Anghel A.C., Pistol G.C., Marin D.E., Dinischiotu A., Țăranu I. Effects and Underlying Mechanisms of Zearalenone Mycotoxin at Concentrations Close to the EC Recommendation on the Colon of Piglets after Weaning. Agriculture 2023, 13(7), 1372; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071372
Țăranu I., Pistol G.C., Anghel A.C., Marin D.E., Bulgaru C. Yeast-Fermented Rapeseed Meal Extract Is Able to Reduce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Caused by Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharides and to Replace ZnO in Caco-2/HTX29 Co-Culture Cells. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 11640. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijms231911640
Bulgaru C.V., Marin D.E., Pistol G.C., Țăranu I. Zearalenone and the Immune Response. Toxins 2021, 13(4):248; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13040248
Pistol G.C., Bulgaru C.V., Marin D.E., Oancea A.G., Țăranu I. Dietary Grape Seed Meal Bioactive Compounds Alleviate Epithelial Dysfunctions and Attenuate Inflammation in Colon of DSS-Treated Piglets. Foods 2021; 10(3):530. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10030530
Țăranu I., Hermenean A., Bulgaru C., Pistol G.C., Ciceu A., Grosu I.A., Marin D.E. Diet containing grape seed meal by-product counteracts AFB1 toxicity in liver of pig after weaning. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 2020 Oct 15; 203:110899. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110899.
Marin D.E., Bulgaru C.V., Anghel C.A., Pistol G.C., Dore M.I., Palade M.L., Țăranu I. Grape Seed Waste Counteracts Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity in Piglet Mesenteric Lymph Nodes. Toxins (Basel) 2020 Dec 15; 12(12):800. doi: 10.3390/toxins12120800.
Pistol G.C., Marin D.E., Rotar M.C., Ropota M., Țăranu I. Bioactive compounds from dietary whole grape seed meal improved colonic inflammation via inhibition of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling in pigs with DSS-induced colitis. Journal of Functional Foods 2020, 66, 103708.

Animal Biology Laboratory — Products

Complete compound feed with grape seed meal to diminish the effects of mycotoxin (aflatoxin B1) contamination in pigs.
Complete compound feed with grape pomace for piglets after weaning.
Complete compound feed with grape seed press cake to reduce post-weaning stress in piglets.
Complete compound feed with a blend of grape seed meal and sea buckthorn meal to mitigate the effects of mycotoxin contamination in pigs.
Complete compound feed with yeast-fermented rapeseed meal (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to replace zinc oxide and reduce post-weaning stress in piglets.
Complete compound feed with mustard meal to replace zinc oxide, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in piglets after weaning.
Feed additive combining flaxseed meal, grape seed meal, and sea buckthorn for piglets during the weaning crisis.
Feed product with black cumin (Nigella sativa) meal for piglets during the weaning crisis.
Feed additive with a blend of camelina meal, grape seed meal, and probiotics to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in piglets during the post-weaning crisis.

0040 21 351 20 81

0040 733 679 823

7:30 - 15:30

Balotesti Romania

INCDBNA-IBNA Balotești