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Geena Paramel

Position: Researcher School/office: School of Medical Sciences

Email: Z2VlbmEucGFyYW1lbDtvcnUuc2U=

Phone: +46 19 303801

Room: X2101

Geena Paramel
Research subject

About Geena Paramel

Geena Paramel received her PhD in Medical science with specialization in biomedicine at Örebro University, Sweden on a thesis titled ‘Innate Immunity in Human Atherosclerosis and Myocardial Infarction: Role of CARD8 and NLRP3’ in 2017. After conducting postdoctoral studies in metabolism lab at Dalhousie University, Canada, Geena returned to Örebro University and is actively involved both in research and teaching.

Research

Geena Paramel is an active member of the Cardiovascular Research Center (CVRC) at Örebro University, where her research focuses on understanding the roles of both endogenous and exogenous factors in atherosclerosis. Her studies investigate how these factors regulate molecular and clinical changes in key innate immunity proteins, such as CARD8, NLRP3, and IL-1β, which contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
In addition to investigating molecular mechanisms, she conducts collaborative research with industries to develop innovative strategies, including drugs and small molecule inhibitors, to reduce inflammation, thrombosis, and vascular fibrosis. Genetic variation studies relevant to inflammatory diseases are also a significant aspect of her research. Geena’s research extends to understanding the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in atherosclerosis, as NETs can promote inflammation and thrombosis within atherosclerotic plaques. She also explores how cholesterol crystals, a hallmark of vulnerable plaques, contribute to inflammation and damage in vascular cells. Additionally, her studies involve examining serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2B receptor, which has been implicated in vascular inflammation and fibrosis, to understand its potential as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases. In addition, she examines the role of platelets, which are critical in thrombosis and hemostasis, exploring their contribution to inflammatory processes and their interaction with other immune components, such as NETs and cholesterol crystals, in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

Uptake-of-cholesterol-crystals

Uptake of cholesterol crystals in human aortic smooth muscle cells (cholesterol crystals, white; cell marker, Red; nucleus, blue) (A);  Expression of CARD8 protein (DAB/brown) in the endothelial cells (vWF/Red) of human carotid atherosclerotic plaque (B); Neutrophil extracellular traps formation in response to IL33 (NETs, green; neutrophils, red) (C); Expression of serotonin receptor, HTR2B in human carotid atherosclerotic plaque (HTR2B, green; nucleus, blue; cell markers, vWF, SMA, CD68 in order top to bottom in red) (D).

Her research also utilizes cardiac spheroids to bridge the gap between traditional in vitro studies and complex human physiology, offering a unique platform to study heart disease mechanisms in a highly controlled yet biologically relevant environment. By leveraging these models, she is investigating the effects of various disease causing factors on cardiac health, unraveling how they induce pathological changes and disrupt normal heart function.

CS_Geena Paramel Video: Cultured human cardiac spheroid composed of cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts, and coronary endothelial cells.


Teaching

Geena Paramel is involved in teaching advanced level courses both at the School of Health and sciences and Medical sciences. She is the course coordinator for the Master level course, Research overview and design course (MC2034/BL2009/MC036A) and semester 7 in the medical program. Her teaching responsibilities in the International master program in the department of medical science includes literature review writing, lectures and holding Problem based learning (PBL) sessions.

Collaborations

Geena Paramel has ongoing collaboration with Dalhousie University, Canada, Karolinska Institute and Swedish biotech companies.

Publications

Articles in journals |  Articles, reviews/surveys |  Conference papers |  Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries |  Manuscripts | 

Articles in journals

Articles, reviews/surveys

Conference papers

Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries

Manuscripts