Dr. Ranran Li | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

Ranran Li , Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , China

Dr. Ranran Li is an associate researcher at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in Shanghai, China. She earned her Ph.D. from the University Medical Center of Groningen, Netherlands, in 2015, before returning to Shanghai to focus on critical care medicine. Her research centers on sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Over the years, Dr. Li’s work has provided valuable insights into the role of metabolic disorders and post-translational modifications in regulating endothelial inflammation and coagulation during sepsis. She has published extensively in reputable journals and holds several patents. Her recent findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of sepsis and related complications, including endothelial dysfunction and organ injury.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

Dr. Ranran Li is a distinguished researcher with notable expertise in the mechanisms of sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction. Her work in identifying the role of metabolic disorders and post-translational modifications in sepsis has been pivotal in advancing the understanding of vascular inflammation and coagulation during critical illness. Her research has led to several high-impact publications and patents, showcasing her contributions to the field. Furthermore, Dr. Li’s interdisciplinary approach, combining metabolic biology, cell signaling, and translational medicine, has provided valuable therapeutic targets for the treatment of sepsis and endothelial dysfunction. Her collaborations with international experts enhance her work’s impact and broaden the scope of her research.

Areas for Improvements:

While Dr. Li’s research has been extensive and groundbreaking, future improvements could include increased collaborations with industry partners to accelerate the translation of her findings into clinical therapies. Expanding her professional network through international collaborations in other areas of critical care medicine could also provide new perspectives and avenues for innovation. Additionally, engaging in larger-scale clinical studies might help further validate her findings in human models.

Education

Dr. Ranran Li obtained her Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from the University Medical Center of Groningen, Netherlands, from 2011 to 2015. During her doctoral studies, she focused on the molecular mechanisms of sepsis and its impact on vascular endothelial dysfunction. Her Ph.D. research laid the foundation for her ongoing investigations into the pathophysiology of sepsis and endothelial injury. Following her Ph.D., she joined Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in 2016 as an associate researcher in the Department of Critical Care Medicine. Here, Dr. Li furthered her research into sepsis, vascular inflammation, and metabolic disorders. She has developed an expertise in endothelial dysfunction and coagulation, specifically in the context of sepsis-induced organ injuries. Dr. Li’s comprehensive academic training, both in Europe and China, has significantly contributed to her innovative research work and international collaborations.

Experience:

Dr. Ranran Li has been serving as an associate researcher at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, since 2016. Prior to this, she earned her Ph.D. from the University Medical Center of Groningen in the Netherlands, where she focused on sepsis and endothelial dysfunction. In her current position, Dr. Li has worked extensively on understanding the mechanisms underlying sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction, with a particular focus on metabolic disorders and post-translational modifications. Her work has provided critical insights into the role of fatty acid metabolism, insulin resistance, and histone modifications in regulating endothelial inflammation and coagulation activation in sepsis. Dr. Li’s research has led to multiple publications in high-impact journals and the filing of patents for innovative therapeutic approaches. She collaborates with leading researchers in the Netherlands and has contributed significantly to the understanding of vascular injury and its therapeutic targets in sepsis.

Research Focus:

Dr. Ranran Li’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction, with a particular emphasis on metabolic disorders and post-translational modifications. She has been exploring how fatty acid metabolism, glucose-lipid metabolism, and protein acetylation influence endothelial cells during sepsis, leading to organ injury. Her research has highlighted the role of metabolic shifts, including the activation of pathways like AMPK/PKA, in endothelial inflammation and coagulation activation. Dr. Li has also studied the role of histone modifications, including lactylation, in promoting endothelial ferroptosis and dysfunction during sepsis-induced lung injury. She has been pioneering the exploration of metabolic signaling pathways and their potential as therapeutic targets for managing sepsis-related endothelial damage. Her work aims to identify novel strategies to prevent or mitigate vascular injury in septic patients. Dr. Li’s findings have led to both patents and high-impact publications in critical care and translational medicine.

Publications Top Notes:

1. Shiyuan He et al., Fatty acid synthesis promotes mtDNA release via ETS1-mediated oligomerization of VDAC1 facilitating endothelial dysfunction in sepsis-induced lung injury 🧬🫁 Cell Death and Differentiation, 2025
2. Ranran Li et al., ATP-citrate lyase controls endothelial gluco-lipogenic metabolism and vascular inflammation in sepsis-associated organ injury 💉🧪 Cell Death and Disease, 2023
3. Jie Liu et al., Designed microchannel-based lipid nanoparticles encapsulated siRNA targeting gasdermin D for sepsis management via pulmonary delivery 🧬💉 Nano Today, 2025
4. Fangchen Gong et al., H3K14la drives endothelial dysfunction in sepsis-induced ARDS by promoting SLC40A1/transferrin-mediated ferroptosis 🧬🔥 MedComm, 2025
5. Jiayin Cui et al., Herbal-based Xuebijing injection ameliorated vascular endothelial dysfunction via inhibiting ACLY/MYB/RIG-I axis in sepsis-associated lung injury 🌱💊 Phytomedicine, 2025
6. Shasha Lu et al., GDF15 ameliorates sepsis-induced lung injury via AMPK-mediated inhibition of glycolysis in alveolar macrophage 💨🧪 Respiratory Research, 2024
7. Rui Tian et al., Shenfu injection ameliorates endotoxemia-associated endothelial dysfunction and organ injury via inhibiting PI3K/Akt-mediated glycolysis 💉🫀 Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2024
8. Yupeng Zhao et al., H3K18 lactylation-mediated VCAM1 expression promotes gastric cancer progression and metastasis via AKT-mTOR-CXCL1 axis 🎗️🧬 Biochemical Pharmacology, 2024
9. Rui Tian et al., Metformin ameliorates endotoxemia-induced endothelial pro-inflammatory responses via AMPK-dependent mediation of HDAC5 and KLF2 💊💉 BBA-Molecular basis of disease, 2019
10. Lei Pei et al., MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate sepsis-associated liver dysfunction by inhibiting macrophage glycolysis-mediated inflammatory response 🧬🩸 International Immunopharmacology, 2024

Conclusion:

Dr. Ranran Li is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award due to her outstanding contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis-related endothelial dysfunction. Her innovative research has not only provided deep insights into the pathophysiology of sepsis but has also uncovered potential therapeutic targets for treating this devastating condition. Her exceptional track record of high-quality publications, patents, and collaborative research, combined with her dedication to advancing critical care medicine, makes her an excellent candidate for this prestigious award.