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University of Connecticut Health Center - Know Better Care Richard D. Berlin
Center for Cell Analysis & Modeling

CCAM Faculty

Ion I. Moraru

Associate Professor of Cell Biology


Contact Information
Dr.Ion I. Moraru
University of Connecticut Health Center
Center for Cell Analysis & Modeling
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-6406
Phone: 860-679-2908
Fax: 860- 679-1039
moraru@panda.uchc.edu

 
Research Interests
Biology

My general research interests center on understanding signal transduction mechanisms, in particular related to calcium and phosphoinositides. Examples are quantitative experimental and modeling studies of signaling networks in neuronal cells, such as the nonlinear response and spatial modulation of calcium signaling, and the regulation of IP3 receptor activity.

Computer Science
My general interest is focused on the design and development of computational cell biology software tools geared towards the biologist, non-mathematical expert, user. I have been involved since 1998 in theVirtual Cell project, and I am currently responsible for the design and development of the biological user interface and data export and analysis tools. Another recent project, in collaboration with Bill Mohler, is automated and/or interactive processing and VR visualization of 4D fluorescence microscopy data (gene expression during C. elegans embryonic development).

I oversee our Computational Facility, which provides High Performance Computing support to the National Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, the Technology Center for Polarity in Networks and Pathways, the CCAM Microscopy Facility, and other research projects of individual CCAM faculty members.

CCAM

CCAM Events Calendar

Director

Dr. Leslie Loew
les@volt.uchc.edu
860-679-3568

Deputy-Director

Dr. Ann Cowan
acowan@nso2.uchc.edu
860-679-1449

Administrative Contact

Karen Zucker
zucker@nso2.uchc.edu
Center for Cell Analysis & Modeling
Phone: 860- 679-1452
Fax: 860-679-1039
Selected Publications
C.C. Fink, B. Slepchenko, I.I. Moraru, J. Watras, J.C. Schaff, and L.M. Loew: An image-based model of calcium waves in differentiated neuroblastoma cells, Biophys. J. (2000) 79, 163-183.

C.A. Mannella, D.R. Pfeiffer, P.C. Bradshaw, I.I. Moraru, B. Slepchenko, L.M. Loew, C.E. Hsieh, K. Buttle, and M. Marko. Topology of the mitochondrial inner membrane: dynamics and bioenergetic implications, IUBMB Life (2001) 52:93-100.

I.I. Moraru, J.C. Schaff, B.M. Slepchenko, and L.M. Loew. The Virtual Cell: An Integrated Modeling Environment for Experimental and Computational Cell Biology, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. (2002) 971: 589-594.

J. Wagner, C.P.Fall, F. Hong, C.E. Sims, N.L. Allbritton, R.A. Fontanilla, I.I. Moraru, L.M. Loew, and R. Nuccitelli. Wave of IP3 production accompanies the fertilization Ca2+ wave in the egg of the frog, Xenopus laevis: theoretical and experimental support, Cell Calcium (2004) 35:433-447.

I.I. Moraru and L.M. Loew. Intracellular signaling: Spatial and Temporal Control, Physiology (2005) 20, 169-179.

 

Honors, Awards, and Professional Activities
1981 First Prize, International Mathematical Competition (Germany)

1981 Third Prize, International Mathematical Olympiad (USA)

1985-88 National Scholarship (Romania)

1986 Senate Award, National Conference on Student Medical Research (Davila University)

1988 Mariana Constantinescu Memorial Award for Medical Excellence (Davila University)

1991-93 John E. Fogarty Research Fellowship (NIH)

1996 Young Investigator Award, Scientific Conference on the Molecular Biology of the Normal, Hypertrophied, and Failing Heart (AHA)