Sanda Boca-Farcău

Dr. Sanda Boca-Farcău is a Principal Researcher (R4) at the Department of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She leads the Molecular and Biomolecular Technologies Research Group and has over 13 years of research experience in nanotechnology applications for medical diagnosis and therapy.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Physics (2011) - Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca
• MSc in Biophysics and Medical Physics (2008) - Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca
• BSc in Medical Physics (2006) - Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

Dr. Boca-Farcău's research focuses on the development and application of nanotechnology for medical purposes. Her primary areas of interest include nanomedicine, theranostic nanoparticles, optical and vibrational spectroscopy, and plasmonic hyperthermia. She specializes in synthesizing noble metal nanoparticles, conjugating them with biomolecules for targeted drug delivery, and characterizing their physico-chemical properties. Her work in cellular imaging through Raman/SERS spectroscopy has significant implications for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Boca-Farcău has led multiple significant research projects funded by national programs, focusing on innovative approaches to cancer detection and treatment using nanotechnology. Her work bridges physics, chemistry, and biomedical applications, with particular emphasis on gold nanoparticle-based therapies.

As a research leader, Dr. Boca-Farcău has coordinated several major projects including:

• NanoMEDLeuKemist: Implementation of multifunctional nanomaterials for leukemia detection and treatment
• GLANCE: Nano-gap arrays for controlling light emission processes
• RetStem: Stem cell therapies for retinal diseases using nanotechnology
• NanoDetCTC: Detection and treatment of circulating tumor cells

She is affiliated with the Molecular and Biomolecular Technologies Research Group at the Department of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, where she conducts cutting-edge research at the intersection of nanotechnology and medical applications.