Professor Luminita Paraoan is a leading molecular and ocular cell biologist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) function, degeneration, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Her pioneering work integrates omics-based analyses, molecular genetics, and cell biology to uncover how cellular stress responses, proteostasis, and intercellular communication contribute to retinal aging and disease. Paraoan has made significant discoveries on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways, particularly the PERK/EIF2AK3 axis, and the regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy in RPE cells. Her studies have also revealed novel insights into p53/p63 effector PERP, Cystatin C, and visual cycle gene regulation in aging and disease contexts. Through collaborative research, she has explored stem cell protection mechanisms, PI3K/AKT signaling inhibition, and multi-omic signatures of aging across cancers and ocular tissues. Supported by over £4 million in external funding, her work has advanced understanding of molecular targets for retinal and neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Paraoan leads the Ocular Molecular Biology and Mechanisms of Disease Group, mentoring numerous postdoctoral and doctoral researchers internationally, and continues to shape the field of vision science and molecular ophthalmology.
Featured Publications:
Suwanmanee, G., Kheolamai, P., Tantrawatpan, C., Grimes, D., Matei, I. V., Paraoan, L., & Manochantr, S. (2025). Fucoxanthin protects placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by modulating genes involved in DNA damage repair, ER stress response, and p53-induced apoptosis. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 16(1), 497.
Jantalika, T., Manochantr, S., Kheolamai, P., Tantikanlayaporn, D., Pinlaor, S., Saijuntha, W., Paraoan, L., & Tantrawatpan, C. (2025). Human chorion and placental mesenchymal stem cells conditioned media suppress cell migration and invasion by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway in cholangiocarcinoma. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 31472.
Matei, I. V., & Paraoan, L. (2024). Aging retinal pigmented epithelium: Omics-based insights into vision decline. Aging (Albany NY), 16(12), 10201–10202.
Carlsson, E., Sharif, U., Supharattanasitthi, W., & Paraoan, L. (2023). Analysis of wild type and variant B cystatin C interactome in retinal pigment epithelium cells reveals variant B. Cells, 12(5), 713.
Dhirachaikulpanich, D., Lagger, C., Chatsirisupachai, K., de Magalhães, J. P., & Paraoan, L. (2022). Intercellular communication analysis of the human retinal pigment epithelial and choroidal cells predicts pathways associated with aging, cellular senescence, and age-related macular degeneration. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 14, 1016293.
Saptarshi, N., Porter, L. F., & Paraoan, L. (2022). PERK/EIF2AK3 integrates endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy responses in immortalised retinal pigment epithelial cells. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 13324.