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Name: Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Alam
Designation: Assistant Professor
Department: Biochemistry (BMB)


Qualifications:
Postdoc (Molecular Medicine) - 2017 - Civil Hospital of Lyon / UCBL, Lyon, France

PhD (Molecular Medicine) - 2013 - Medical University of Graz, Austria

MPhil (BMB) - 2009 - Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

MSc (Biochemistry) - 2005 - PMAS Arid Agricultural University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan 

BSc (Medical Lab Technology) - 2002 - National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan 


Phone: +92-51 9064-3016
Email: mralam@qau.edu.pk
Status: On Job
Other Weblink:


Research Interests Publications Conferences Research Projects

Mitochondrial Medicine Group of Cell Biology Laboratory 

Mitochondria are tiny organelles of the eukaryotic systems which play a fundamental role in cellular bioenergetics, calcium homeostasis and cell death. Scientific discoveries over the past few decades have established mitochondria as crucial partners in cell physiology and disease. Our research team is primarily involved in demystifying the contribution of mitochondria in human health and diseases with a particular emphasis on the:
  • Participation of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and its molecular toolkit in atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. 
  • Exploration of mitochondrial DNA and proteins as predictive and prognostic biomarkers in cardiovascular and neurological disorders.
  • Targeting mitochondria as a therapeutic strategy for attenuating ischemia-reperfusion injury.

  1. Biallelic missense variants in ZBTB11 can cause intellectual disability in human. Fattahi Z, Sheikh TI, Musante L, Rasheed M, Taskiran II, Harripaul R, Hu H, Kazeminasab S, Alam MR, Hosseini M, Larti F, Ghaderi Z, Celik A, Ayub M, Ansar M, Haddadi M, Wienker TF, Ropers HH, Kahrizi K, Vincent JB, Najmabadi H. Human Molecular Genetics 06/2018.
  2. Mitochondria - associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes allow adaptation of mitochondrial metabolism to glucose availability in liver. Pierre T, Tubbs E, Vial G, Jacquemetton J, Bendridi N, Chauvin M-A, Alam MR, Le-Romancer M, Vidal H, Rieusset J. Journal of Molecular Cell Biology. 02/2016.
  3. Protection of human pancreatic islets from lipotoxicity by modulation of translocon. Cassel R, Ducreux S, Alam MR, Dingreville F, Berlé C, Burda-Jacob K, Chauvin MA, Chikh K, Païta L, Al-Mawla R, Crola Da Silva C, Rieusset1 J, ThivoletC, Van Coppenolle F, Madec AM. PLoS ONE. 02/2016.
  4. Delayed Low-Pressure at Reperfusion: A New Approach for Cardioprotection. Ferrera R, Benhabbouche S, Da Silva C, Alam MR, Ovize M. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 08/2015.
  5. The SR/ER-mitochondria calcium crosstalk is regulated by GSK3β during reperfusion injury. Gomez L, Thiebaut P-A, Paillard M, Ducreux S, Abrial M, Da Silva CC, Durand A, Alam MR ,Van Coppenolle F, Sheu S-S, Ovize M. Cell Death and Differentiation 07/2015.
  6. Inhibition of myocardial reperfusion injury by ischemic postconditioning requires sirtuin 3-mediated deacetylation of cyclophilin D. Bochaton T, Da-Silva CC, Pillot B, Villedieu C, Ferreras L, Alam MR, Thibault H, Strina M, Gharib A, Ovize M, Baetz D. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 04/2015.
  7. Cyclophilin D and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: A fresh perspective. Alam MR, Baetz D, Ovize M. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 10/2014.
  8. Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among blood donors in local population. Mahmood R, Malik F, Hussain S, Ashfaq KM, Akhtar T, Alam MR, Malik SA, Mirza B, Khalid F, Chaudhry AH. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. 9/2014.
  9. Metabolism-Secretion Coupling and Mitochondrial Calcium Activities in Clonal Pancreatic β-Cells. Groschner LN, Alam MR, Graier WF. Vitamins & Hormones 02/2014.
  10. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU)-dependent and MCU-independent Ca2+ channels coexist in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Bondarenko AI, Jean-Quartier C, Parichatikanond W, Alam MR, Waldeck-Weiermair M, Malli R, Graier WF. Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 10/2013.
  11. Molecularly distinct routes of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake are activated depending on the activity of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA). Waldeck-Weiermair M, Deak AT, Alam MR, Malli R Graier. WF. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 05/2013.
  12. The endocannabinoid N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) inhibits store-operated Ca2+ entry by abrogating STIM1/Orai1 interaction. Deak AT, Groschner LN, Alam MR, Seles E, Bondarenko AI,  Graier WF, Malli R. Journal of Cell Science. 12/2012.
  13. Spatiotemporal correlations between cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ signals using a novel red-shifted mitochondrial targeted cameleon. Waldeck-Weiermair M, Alam MR, Khan MJ, Deak AT, Vishnu N, Karsten F, Imamura H, Graier WF, Malli R. PLoS One. 9/2012.
  14. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake 1 (MICU1) and mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) contribute to metabolism-secretion coupling in clonal pancreatic β-cells. Alam MR, Groschner LN, Parichatikanond W, Kuo L, Bondarenko AI, Rost R, Waldeck-Weiermair M, Malli R and Graier WF. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 08/2012.
  15. Inhibition of autophagy rescues palmitic acid induced necroptosis of endothelial cells. Khan MJ, Alam MR, Waldeck-Weiermair M, Karsten F, Groschner LN, Riederer M, Hallstroem S, Rockenfeller P, Konya V, Heinemann A, Madeo F, Graier WF, & Malli R. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 6/2012.
  16. Studying mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake - A revisit. Jean-Quartier C, Bondarenko AI, Alam MR, Waldeck-Weiermair M, Malli R, Graier WF. J Mol Cell Endocrinol. 11/2011.
  17. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori pathogenicity-associated cagA and vacA genotypes among Pakistani dyspeptic patients. Tanvir Ahmad, Khawar Sohail, Alam MR, Muhammad Mukhtar, Rakhshanda Bilal and Azra Khanum. FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology.

  1. Alam MR, Ovize M. Modulation of Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake – A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. 1st International conference on advances in drug discovery and development PARC Islamabad Pakistan. 2018 [Oral communication]
  2. Alam MR, Ovize M. Mitochondrial Calcium as A Therapeutic Target In Myocardial Ischemia - reperfusion Injury. 5th conference on biological and computational sciences, Capital University of Science and Technology. 2017 [Oral communication]
  3. Da Silva CC, Bochaton T, Alam MR, Pillot B, Villedieu V, Ovize M, Baetz D. Sirtuin 3 deacetylates Cyclophilin D and protects the heart from lethal ischemia-reperfusion injury. 33rd meeting of the European Section of International Society of Heart Research At: Bordeaux, France. 2015 [Poster]
  4. Alam MR, Ovize M. Mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis: The role of Cyclophilin D. OPERA Scientific Day, Hospices Civil de Lyon, Lyon France. 2014 [Oral communication].
  5. Alam MR, Groschner LN, Parichatikanond W, Kuo L, Bondarenko AI, Rost R, Waldeck-Weiermair M, Malli R and Graier WF. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake 1 (MICU1) and mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) contribute to metabolism-secretion coupling in clonal pancreatic beta-cells. Medical University of Graz, Doctoral Day 2012, Abstract book. 2012; Dec 7; Graz, AUSTRIA. [Poster]
  6. Deak AT, Groschner LN, Alam MR, Seles E, Bondarenko AI, Graier WF, Malli R. The endocannabinoid N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) inhibits storeoperated Ca2+ entry by abrogating STIM1/Orai1 interaction. Medical University of Graz, Doctoral Day 2012, Abstract book. 2012; Dec 7; Graz, AUSTRIA. [Poster]
  7. Alam, MR; Groschner, LN; Kuo, L; Bondarenko, AI; Malli, R; Graier, WF.MICU1 and MCU Facilitate Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic Beta-Cells. Diabetes. 2012; 61 (suppl 1). 2012; -American Diabetes Association 72nd Scientific Sessions; JUN 8-12, 2012; PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA. [Poster]
  8. Alam, MR; Groschner, LN; Liang, K; Malli, R; Graier, WF. Identification of MICU1 and MCU as crucial players for a biphasic role of mitochondrial Ca2+ in metabolism-secretion coupling in pancreatic beta-cells. Medical University of Graz, Doctoral Day 2011, Abstract book. 2011; NOV 4; Graz, AUSTRIA. [Oral Communication]
  9. Alam, MR; Khan, MJ; Malli, R; Graier, WF. Mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and its role insulin secretion in pancreatic -cells. Abstract Book. 2011; - Austrian Atherosclerosis Society Annual Meeting; MAY 6-7, 2011; St.Gilgen, AUSTRIA. [Oral Communication]
  10. Jean-Quartier, C; Bondarenko, AI; Trenker, M; Waldeck-Weiermair, M; Alam, MR; Malli, R; Graier, WF. Studying mitochondrial Ca2+ reveals distinct transfer routes. Scientific Retreat, Doktoratskolleg "Metabolic & Cardiovascular Disease"; OCT 20-22, 2011; Seggau, AUSTRIA. 2011.[Oral Communication]
  11. Jeanquartier, C, Vishnu N, Bodarenko, AI, Alam, MR, Trenker M, Waldeck-Weiermair, M, Malli, R, Graier, WF. Studying mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake reveals different transfer routes. Doctoral Day 2011; 4 November, 2011; Graz AUSTRIA. [Poster]
  12. Alam, MR, Khan, MJ, Safari, F, Malli, R, Graier, WF.SIRT3 knock-down increases susceptibility of endothelial cells to palmitic acid-induced damage ZMF and Doctoral day, Medical University of Graz; 5-6 November, 2010; Graz. AUSTRIA. [Oral Communication]
  13. Khan, MJ, Alam MR, Malli, R, Graier, WF. Palmitic acid induces Ca2+ dependent autophagic cell death in endothelial cells. ZMF and Doctoral day, Medical University of Graz,;5-6 November, 2010; Graz. AUSTRIA. [Poster]

1. Post-translational modification of Mitochondrial Calcium   Uniporter – A potential biomarker for coronary heart disease.
Funding agency: HEC-NRPU 2018-2021

2. Therapeutic potential of natural compounds on the inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore.
Funding agency: HEC-ISULL 2018-2019

Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
Tel: +92-51 9064 0000, Email:webmaster@qau.edu.pk