Team
Head of the department
Dr. Anca Violeta Gafencu
| Author ID | 6506192688 |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1290-1346 |
| Habilitation | Biology (2021) |
| h-index | 17 (Scopus) · 20 (Google Scholar) |
| Citations | 1600 (Scopus) · 2250 (Google Scholar) |
Other positions
- Member of the Scientific Council of ICBP (since 2014)
- President of the Commission 19 (Biology) of the National Council for Accreditation of University Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates (CNATDCU) (2020-2024)
- Member of the Management Committee of COST Action AtheroNet CA 21153 (2023-2026)
- Member of the Management Committee of COST Action CardioPharmaGenet (2025-2028)
- Member of the National Scientific Research Council (CNCS)
- Member of the Management Committee of COST Action HDLNet BM 0904 (2010-2014)
- Executive Manager of two projects coordinated by Acad. Maya Simionescu and supported by the European Commission: “Centre of Excellence”, FP5 Grant ICA-CT-2000-70020 (2000-2004) and “Strengthening the European Research Area by Reinforcement of Romanian Research Competency in Genomics and Proteomics of Major Global Risk Diseases: Atherosclerosis, Diabetes and its Complications”, FP6 Grant 016873 (2004-2007)
Reviewer for various scientific papers in international journals (Atherosclerosis, Cell and Tissue Research, Gene, Gordon Immunopharmacology, JoVE, Molecules, MDPI, Nutrition and Metabolism, Pharmaceuticals, BBA, etc.).
Reviewer for project applications (UEFISCDI, Research Foundation Flanders–FWO).
Awards
- 2025 – Nicolae Simionescu Prize of the Romanian Academy
- 2007 – CNCSIS Prize for the results obtained in the frame of the grant “Regulation of Apolipoprotein Gene Clusters – An Innovative Therapeutic Approach of Neurodegenerative and Cardiovascular Diseases”
- 2007 – Prize of Excellency, National Foundation for Science and Art
Experienced researchers
Dr. Radu Ioniță
| Author ID | 57192676499 |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-6944-7255 |
| Citations | 304 (Scopus) · 440 (Google Scholar) |
I have expertise in molecular biology techniques such as DNA and RNA isolation, quantification of gene expression (PCR and qPCR), immunological assays (ELISA, Western Blot), cell culture, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence microscopy, skills in laboratory animal experimentation, as well as assessing the behavior of animal models in various experimental conditions.
Dr. Irina Tudorache
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5692-1560 |
I have expertise in arterial disease research, using molecular biology techniques such as molecular cloning, transfection, PCR, and Western blotting. In recent years, involvement in the development and optimization of lentiviral production and transduction for in vivo and in vitro studies.
Dr. Violeta Bivol (Trușcă)
Scientific researcher III
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2980-3811 |
Awards
- 2012 – Special prize of the Jury awarded by L’Oréal, Competition “Women in Science”
- 2009 – Best Prize for the Poster entitled: “The interaction between the promoter and distal regulatory elements modulates the apoE expression in macrophages”
PhD students
Mădălin Ghinea
PhD Thematics: New metabolomic markers associated with cardiovascular diseases and their complications
Oana Mirancea
PhD Thematics: Apolipoprotein E – Apolipoprotein A2 interactions
Marius Muțescu
PhD Thematics: The effect of apolipoproteins on energy metabolism
During my PhD, I am focusing on the impact of different apolipoproteins, such as ApoAI, ApoAII, and ApoE, on energy metabolism. In my research, I use both in vitro and in vivo models. I overexpress the apolipoproteins mentioned above through adenoviral-mediated gene transfer. I have experience in cell culture and in producing and purifying lentiviruses for both in vitro and in vivo applications. I am familiar with molecular biology techniques, including DNA and RNA isolation, molecular cloning, PCR, Western blot, transfection, and viral transduction. My work with laboratory animals includes maintaining breeding lines, performing intraperitoneal injections, and isolating organs and tissues. I have experience in lipoprotein subfraction tests using the Lipoprint Subfractions Testing System from Quantimetrix. I am trained in high-resolution respirometry with the O2k system from Oroboros Instruments.
Technical Staff
Gene regulation and molecular therapies