Nicanor Moldovan, Ph.D.
Assisstant Professor
Education
M.S., Biophysics, University of Bucharest, 1981
Ph.D., Cell Biology, University of Bucharest, 1995
Contact Information
310 Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute
473 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-247-4385
Office Phone: 614-247-7801
Email: Nicanor.Moldovan@osumc.edu
Professional Experience
Post-doctoral, SUNY at Buffalo, NY, Department of Biochemistry, 1995-1996
Post-doctoral, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Department of Cardiology, 1996-1997
Research Scientist, DHLRI, OSU, 1997-2000
Research Interests
We are studying intercellular cooperation, cellular plasticity and role of biomechanical factors in progression of angiogenesis, in two instances:
- Role of inflammatory cells (monocytes/macrophages) in processing of the extracellular matrix (the tunneling model)
- Mechanisms of endothelial progenitor cells engraftment
The long-term objective of our research is:
- to understand contribution to angiogenesis of other cell types (besides endothelium), and thus provide additional means to control this vital process;
- to improve the efficiency of cell-based therapies of ischemic diseases, by manipulating the properties if infused cells, as well as those of the recipient.
Current Projects
- Contribution of monocytes/macrophages to formation of capillary-like structures.
- Biomechanical factors controlling endothelial progenitor cells engraftment.
- Improvement of implant biocompatibility by controlled in vitro neovascularization using angiogenic stimulation and stem cells coating.
- Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems.
Teaching
BME 701: SURVEY OF CARDIOVASCULAR BIOENGINEERING
Cardiovascular applications represent a main domain of
Biomedical Engineering. In this introductory class we present
the bases of cardiovascular physiology and pathology, as well as
the Biomedical Engineering applications as used in real life by
the cardiovascular physicians in diagnosis, imaging and
treatment, as well as elements of current research in the field.
BME 721: BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT, PART II
In conjunction with the theoretical background, this part
entitled "Phenomenology of Mass Transport" presentrs the
cellular structures and processes involved in biological mass
transport. The focus is placed on cells and organisms as a
dynamical systems. This part of the course also served over the
years as an "Introduction in Cell Biology" for Biomedical
Engineering students.
Members of Angiogenesis Laboratory
Nicanor I. Moldovan, Principal Investigator
Leni Moldovan, Ph. D. Research Scientist
Mirela Anghelina, M.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
Omar Butt, BME Ph.D. Candidate
Sumant Kulkarni, BME Ph.D. Candidate
Robert Carruth, BME Ph.D. Candidate
Recent Publications
- Butt OI, Krishnan P, Kulkarni SS, Moldovan L, Moldovan NI. Quantification and functional analysis of chemotaxis by laser scanning cytometry. Cytometry A. 2005 Mar;64(1):10-5. [link]
- Anghelina M, Moldovan L, Moldovan NI. Preferential activity of Tie2 promoter in arteriolar endothelium. J Cell Mol Med. 2005 Jan-Mar;9(1):113-21. [link]
- Anghelina M, Krishnan P, Moldovan L, Moldovan NI. Monocytes and macrophages form branched cell columns in Matrigel: implications for a role in neovascularization. Stem Cells Dev. 2004 Dec;13(6):665-76. [link]
- Orosz KE, Gupta S, Hassink M, Abdel-Rahman M, Moldovan L, Davidorf FH, Moldovan NI. Delivery of antiangiogenic and antioxidant drugs of ophthalmic interest through a nanoporous inorganic filter. Mol Vis. 2004 Aug 18;10:555-65. [link]
- Kulkarni SS, Orth R, Ferrari M, Moldovan NI. Micropatterning of endothelial cells by guided stimulation with angiogenic factors. Biosens Bioelectron. 2004 Jun 15;19(11):1401-7. [link]
