About Us

MAJOR RESEARCH INTERESTS of the DEPARTMENT

•Lipid metabolism in atherogenesis, diabetes and obesity (dyslipidemia markers): cellular and molecular biology of lipoproteins (Lp), dysfunctional HDL, dysregulation of entero-hepatic lipid metabolism (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – NAFLD), Lp transport across the vascular endothelium (transcytosis process), cellular cholesterol efflux.

• Cellular and biochemical alterations in atherogenesis, diabetes and obesity: heart and cardiac valves, oxidized lipids, pro- and anti-oxidant enzymes in lipid metabolism, inflammatory mediators in lipid metabolism, experimental animal models and cardiovascular disease patients (CVD).

• Novel biomarkers CVD and NAFLD: oxidized lipids, anti-oxidant enzymes, inflammatory mediators, epigenetic markers [circulating and tissue-specific non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs)].

• Genetic and epigenetic factors of atherosclerosis and diabetes: epigenetic factors (functional analysis of miRNAs, identification and validation of specific miRNAs target genes), gene polymorphisms.

• Pharmacological approaches to treat atherosclerosis and diabetes: caffeic acid, probiotics, bioactive compounds from ginger rhizomes and rosehips formulated in phytosomes, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated activation of endogenous genes to stimulate antioxidant enzymes and cholesterol efflux

Infrastructure link in ERRIS platform:

https://eertis.eu/erlb-2200-000e-0709

CURRENT and PAST COLLABORATIONS

Main International Collaborations

2023-present Enhancing the endogenous anti-oxidant and cholesterol removal potential by gene editing in fatty liver disease; pre-clinical studies, Prof. Shlomo Sasson, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

2017-present Bioinformatic analysis of miRNAs distribution in hyperlipidemic animals - Dr. Yvan Devaux, Luxembourg Institute of Health and COST Action CA17129 2018-2022 “Catalysing transcriptomics research in cardiovascular disease” (CardioRNA), resulting 2 published articles (Barbalata et. al., Sci. Rep. 2020: Barbalata et al., Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020);

2012 - 2015 Molecular interactions of oxidized lipoproteins with vascular endothelial cells - Prof. Shlomo Sasson, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, resulting 1 published article (Stancu CS, et al., Molec Nutr Fodd Res, 2015).

2008 - 2011 HDL associated enzymes in cardiovascular disease - Dr. Marius R. Robciuc, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finlanda, resulting 1 published article (Niculescu LS, et al., A.V. Sima, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2011).

2003 - 2007 APOA5 mechanisms in triglyceride metabolism - Prof. Jean-Charles Fruchart and Dr. Jamila Fruchart-Najib, Institute Pasteur din Lille and University Lille 2, Lille, France, resulting 2 published articles (Fruchart-Najib et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2004; Niculescu et al., A.V. Sima, Clin Chem Lab Med, 2007).

Main National Collaborations

2019-2022 Cardiology Clinic of Emergency Clinic Hospital Bucharest (Partnership PED grant EPITERAMI, Prof. dr. Maria Dorobanțu), resulting 8 published articles;

2019-2022 Hofigal SA (Partnership PED grant NANOGINROSA, Ing. chim. Georgeta Alexandru), resulting 1 patent and 1 published article;

2012-2016 University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Carol Davila” and Cardiology Clinic of University Emergency Hospital Elias (Partnerships grant BIOMARCAD, Prof. dr. Doina R. Dimulescu), resulting 3 published articles.

2007-2010 University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Carol Davila” (Prof. dr. Denisa Margină) and National Institute for Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases „N. Paulescu” (Dr. Maria Vlădică) (Partnerships grant LIPIDERI), resulting 2 published articles;

2006-2008 University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Carol Davila” and Cardiology Clinic of University Emergency Hospital Floreasca (CEEX OBEDIAGEN grant, Prof. dr. Maria Dorobanţu);

2006-2008 National Endocrinology Institute „C.I. Parhon” (CEEX GENAGE grant, Dr. Olga Ianăş), resulting 2 published articles and a book.

PERSPECTIVES

The understanding of the molecular mechanisms revealed by our projects will help decipher the complexity of gene regulation and signaling mechanisms modulated by atherogenic lipids, highlight new biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases and identify new therapeutic molecules to improve the life of people affected by atherosclerosis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity.