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


Qualifications:
Postdoc (Mitochondrial Medicine) - 2013-2017 
Cardioprotection Team, INSERM U1060,  Civil Hospital of Lyon, France

PhD (Molecular Medicine) - 2009-2013
Institute of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Austria

MPhil (Biochemistry/Mol. Biology) - 2008-2009
Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

MSc (Biochemistry) - 2003-2005
Department of Biochemistry,  PMAS Arid Agricultural University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan 

BSc (Medical Lab Technology) - 2000-2002
College of Medical Lab Technology, National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan 


Phone: +92-51 9064-3016
Email: mralam@qau.edu.pk
Status: On Job
Other Weblink: https://scholar.google.com.pk/citations?user=kWIeftcAAAAJ&hl=en


Research Interests Publications Conferences Research Projects

Cell Biology Lab 

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 in platelet physiology.
  • Mitochondrial calcium homeostasis in neutrophil activation.
  • Mitochondria-ER-Contact-Sites (MERCs) in the function of T-Lymphocytes in health and disease.
  • Discovery and exploration of novel biomarkers for psychological disorders.
  • Targeting/using mitochondria as a therapeutic strategy for attenuating cardiovascular disorders.

  1. Aloesin-loaded chitosan/cellulose-based scaffold promotes skin tissue regeneration.  A Hameed,  M Tariq,  S Sadia,  MR Alam,  A Haider, HM Wahedi. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. Vol.273(1)-133030 (2024). IF: 7.7
  2. Inhibition of mitochondrial calcium transporters alters adp-induced platelet responses. D Shehwar, S Barki, A Aliotta, L Veuthey, D Bertaggia Calderara, L Alberio, MR Alam.  Molecular Biology Reports. Vol. 41, Article 177 (2024). IF: 2.7
  3. A loss of function variant in AGPAT3 underlies intellectual disability and retinitis pigmentosa (IDRP) syndrome. MA Malik, MAN Saqib, E Mientjes, A Acharya, MR Alam, I Wallaard, I Schrauwen, MJ Bamshad, RLP Santos-Cortez, Y Elgersma, SM Leal, M Ansar.  European Journal of Human Genetics. 31, pages1447–1454  (2023). IF: 5.2
  4. Hepatitis C virus replication requires integrity of mitochondria-associated ER membranes. S Duponchel, L Monnier, J Molle, N Bendridi, MR Alam, A Gaballah, B Grigorov, A Ivanov, M Schmiel, M Odenthal, M Ovize, J Rieusset, F Zoulim, B Bartosch. JHEP Reports (09-12-2022). IF: 9.917
  5. Asymmetric Opening of Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in Mouse Brain Hemispheres - A Link to Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Complex. M Batool, H Fayyaz, MR Alam. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 58, 2022. IF: 1.21
  6. Lapachol-Induced Upregulation of Sirt1/Sirt3 is linked with Improved Skin Wound Healing in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice. S Bibi, F Ahmed, MR Alam, M Ansar, KS Yeou, HM Wahedi. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 
  7. 20 (3):419-430 
    8. (2021). IF: 1.96
  8. Mitoxantrone Inhibits FMLP-Induced Degenerative Changes in Human Neutrophils. SG Ali, D Shehwar, MR Alam. Molecular Biology (2021). IF: 1.54
  9. ANT2-Mediated ATP Import into Mitochondria Protects against Hypoxia Lethal Injury. Y Gouriou, MR Alam, Z Harhous, CCD Silva, D Baetz, S Badawi, E Lefai, J Rieusset, Durand, R Harisseh, A Gharib, M Ovize, G Bidaux. Cells. 9(12), 2542  (2020). IF: 7.66
  10. Expression analysis of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- alpha) and alkaline phosphatase in occupational workers exposed to low dose of x-radiation; a case-control study. K Rehman, G Mustafa, H Ayub, IrfanUllah, MR Alam, MA Khan. Journal Of Pakistan Medical Association 70 (11), 1887-1895 (2020). IF: 0.781
  11. Naphthoquinones from Handroanthus impetiginosus promote skin wound healing through Sirt3 regulation. F Ahmad, S Bibi, M Kang, M Anees, M Ansar, MR Alam, SY Kim, HM Wahedi. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences 23 (9), 1139 (2020): IF: 2.53
  12. 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 (2018). IF: 5.12
  13. 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. (2016). IF: 8.18
  14. 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. IF: 3.75
  15. 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; IF: 6.43
  16. 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; IF: 12.06.
  17. 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; IF: 5.76.
  18. Cyclophilin D and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: A fresh perspective. Alam MR, Baetz D, Ovize M. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 10/2014; IF: 5.76.
  19. 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. Impact Factor 0.40.
  20. Metabolism-Secretion Coupling and Mitochondrial Calcium Activities in Clonal Pancreatic β-Cells. Groschner LN, Alam MR, Graier WF. Vitamins & Hormones 02/2014; IF: 2.24.
  21. 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; IF: 4.45
  22. 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. IF: 5.48.
  23. 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. IF: 5.23.
  24. 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. IF: 3.24.
  25. 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. IF: 5.48.
  26. 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. IF: 5.48.
  27. 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. IF: 4.36
  28. 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. 11/2008. IF: 3.95.

  1. Falak A, Ali SG, Tariq M, Zahoor F, Alam MR (2023), Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling Drives Neutrophil Activation (Oral), National Conference on Recent Trends in Biosciences (BioCon-2023), University of Swat, 21-23 June, 2023. 
  2. Falak A, Ali SG, Tariq M, Zahoor F, Alam MR (2023), Mitochondrial Calcium Contributes to Neutrophil Activation (Oral). International Conference on Advances in Biological Sciences (ICABS-2023), University of Punjab, Lahore, 06-08 March, 2023.
  3. Shehwar D, Aliotta A, Barki S, D. Bertaggia Calderara, L. Veuthey, C. Pereira Portela, Alam MR, Alberio L (2023), The Role of Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter in Platelet Signaling (poster). 31st Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), Montreal, Quebec , Canada, 24-28 June 2023.
  4. Alam MR (2022), Impact of Cyclophilin D Deficiency on Cellular Ca2+ Homeostasis in International Symposium on Aging Across Organelles, Medical University of Graz, AUSTRIA, February 27, 2023.
  5. Shehwar D, Aliotta A, Barki S, D. Bertaggia Calderara, L. Veuthey, C. Pereira Portela, Alam MR, Alberio L (2023), The Role of Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter in Platelet Signaling (poster). 67th Annual Meeting of the Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research (GTH-2023), Frankfurt, Germany, 21-24 February 2023.
  6. Ali SG, Falak A, Tariq M, Zahoor F, Alam MR (2022),  Modulation of Mitochondrial Calcium Transport Alters Neutrophil Activation  (Oral). 1st International Conference on Innovations in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (ICBBB-2022).Islamia University Bahawalpur, December 15-17, 2022.
  7. Shireen R, Shahid H, Mubeen M, Alam MR (2022), Correlation of the Metabolic Activity of Oral Epithelial Cells with Body Iron Stores and Cognitive Functions (Poster). 1st International Conference on Innovations in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (ICBBB-2022). Islamia University Bahawalpur, December 15-17, 2022.
  8. Alam MR (2022), Mitochondrial Calcium Homeostasis in Cell Physiology (Oral), 1st International Conference on Innovations in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (ICBBB-2022) organized by Islamia University Bahawalpur, PAKISTAN. December 15-17, 2022.
  9. Shehwar D, Aliotta A, Barki S, D. Bertaggia Calderara, L. Veuthey, C. Pereira Portela, Alberio L, Alam MR (2022), The Contribution of Mitochondrial Calcium Homeostasis in ADP-Evoked Platelet Responses (poster). 5th Swiss Oncology & Hematology Congress 2022 (SOHC-2022). Basel Switzerland, 22-24 November, 2022
  10. Ali SG, Tariq M, Zahoor F, Alam MR (2022), Mitochondrial Calcium Fluxes Orchestrate Neutrophil Activation  (Poster), Fourth international conference on Emerging trends in bioinformatics and biosciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 15-17 September, 2022.
  11. Mubeen M, Shireen R, Fatima A, Alam MR (2022), Impact of Dietary pattern on Cognitive Efficiency in Young Females (oral), Fourth international conference on Emerging trends in bioinformatics and biosciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 15-17 September, 2022.
  12. Rasool M, Shehwar D, Fatima S, Alam MR (2022),  Mitochondrial DNA Enhances Adrenaline-induced Platelet Activation in Type-II Diabetes Mellitus (Poster). Fourth international conference on Emerging trends in bioinformatics and biosciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 15-17 September, 2022.
  13. Tariq M, Ali SG, Alam MR (2022), Investigation of Mitochondrial Calcium Exchange in Ionomycin-Induced Neutrophil Degeneration (Oral Presentation). International Conference "Revamped Scientific Outlook of 21st Century". Rawalpindi Women University, 12th October, 2022.
  14. Barki S, Khan S, Alam MR (2022), Mitochondrial transplantation attenuates ischemia reperfusion injury (poster). First International Conference "Revamped Scientific Outlook of 21st Century". Rawalpindi Women University Rawalpindi, 12th October, 2022.
  15. Alam MR, Fayyaz H, Mehvish B (2021), Asymmetric Opening of MPTP in Cerebral Hemispheres-A link to Mitochondrial Calcium. 2nd International Conference on Advances in Drug Discovery & Development organized by Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, PAKISTAN. March 14, 2022.
  16. Shehwar D, Alam MR  (2021), Mitochondrial Calcium Contributes to Adrenaline-evoked responses in Human Platelets (poster). 2nd International Conference on Advances In Drug Discoveries and Development, AWKUM, Mardan.
  17. Shah SD, Ashraf M, Ullah H, Fatima S, Alam MR (2021), Pathophysiological Impact of Metabolic Stresses on Human Platelets (oral). Fourth International Conference on Biosciences (ICBS-2021). Department of Plant Sciences QAU.
  18. Ali SG, Tariq M, Siddique K, Alam MR (2021), FMLP-Induced Degenerative Changes in Human Neutrophils are Inhibited by Mitoxantrone (oral). Fourth International Conference on Biosciences (ICBS-2021). Department of Plant Sciences QAU.
  19. Barki S, Shehwar D, Shireen R, Alam MR (2021), ADP-Induced Platelet Activation is Regulated by Mitochondrial Ca+2 Influx (oral). Fourth International Conference on Biosciences (ICBS-2021). Department of Plant Sciences QAU.
  20. Shehwar D, Akmal Z, Tanoli A, Ullah F, Alam MR (2021), Role of Mitochondrial Calcium in Platelet aggregation and procoagulant platelet formation through adrenergic signaling (oral). Fourth International Conference on Biosciences (ICBS-2021). Department of Plant Sciences QAU.
  21. Ali SG, Alam MR (2020), The Contribution of Mitochondrial Calcium Homeostasis to Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Formation (E-poster) 3rd International Conference on Applied Zoology (ICAZ-2020). Department of Zoology GCU Faisalabad.
  22. Shehwar D, Batool M, Fayyaz H, Barki S, Alam MR (2020), Cross-talk of Mitochondrial Calcium Homeostasis with mPTP Opening in Mouse Brain Hemispheres (E-poster). 3rd International Conference on Applied Zoology (ICAZ-2020). Department of Zoology GCU Faisalabad.
  23. Ali SG, Alam MR (2019), Investigation of FMLP-Induced Netosis in Human Neutrophils (oral). 7th international Conference on biological and computational sciences (C-BICS 2019). Department of Bioinformatics and Biosciences CUST
  24. Barki S, Shehwar D, Hussain K, Ullah S, Alam MR (2019). Mitochondrial Calcium contributes to purinergic signalling in human platelets (oral). 7th international Conference on biological and computational sciences (C-BICS 2019). Department of Bioinformatics and Biosciences CUST
  25. Fayyaz H, Batool M, Alam MR (2019). Differential opening of mPTP in the cortex and medulla of Kidney is not linked to MCU expression oral). 3rd International Conference on innovative biological and Health Research (IBPHR-2019). Department of Zoology GCU Lahore.
  26. Batool M, Fayyaz H, Alam MR (2019). Permeability transition pore opening in mice cerebral hemisphere Correlates with altered EMRE expression (oral). 3rd International Conference on innovative biological and Health Research (IBPHR-2019). Department of Zoology GCU Lahore.
  27. Shehwar D, Imdadullah F, Shafique H, Akram Z, Fayyaz H, Batool M, Satti TM, Alam MR (2019). Adrenergic Signaling in Platelet Activation: Role of Mitochondria and Tyrosine Phosphorylation (oral). 1st International Conference on Advancement in Biotechnology and Biocomputing (Ab2). Department of Biological Sciences IIUI.
  28. 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]
  29. 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]
  30. 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]
  31. Alam MR, Ovize M. Mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis: The role of Cyclophilin D. OPERA Scientific Day, Hospices Civil de Lyon, Lyon France. 2014 [Oral communication].
  32. 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]
  33. 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]
  34. 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]
  35. 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]
  36. 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]
  37. 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]
  38. 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]
  39. 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]
  40. 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]

Research Grants

1. 2024-2025- Swiss Heart Foundation, Switzerland Research Grant of 80,000 CHF (PKR 24.3 Millions) as International Collaborator on “The Role of Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA in Platelet Hyperactivation: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes Mellitus.

2. 2024-2026- PSF CRP Research Grant of 4.1 Millions PKR as Principal Investigator on “Development, Validation and Commercialization of a Viral Nucleic Acid Isolation Assay-A Product with Enormous Potential in Clinical Diagnostic Sector of Pakistan. ”

3. 2022-2025- HEC NRPU Research Grant of 12.15 million Received in June 2022 as Co-Principal Investigator on “Elucidation of Sirtuin Targets with Therapeutic Potential in Diabetic Wound Healing.

4. 2018-2021- HEC NRPU Research Project of 3.2 million Completed in July 2022 as Principal Investigator: “Post-translational modification of Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter – A potential biomarker for coronary heart disease”.

5. 2018-2019- Project Grant (HEC, ISULL), of PKR 1.9 million completed as Principal Investigator, Therapeutic potential of natural compounds on the inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore.

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