Dr. Felicia Antohe | Health Professions | Excellence in Research

Head of Proteomics Department at Inst. Cellular Biology and Pathology NS, Romania

Dr. Felicia Antohe, a distinguished researcher and Head of the Proteomics Department at the Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology, Romanian Academy, is a highly suitable candidate for the Excellence in Research Award. With a Ph.D. in Cellular Biology and over 170 scientific publications, including 90 indexed in Web of Science and over 2,500 citations, she has made significant contributions to biomedical sciences. Her expertise spans proteomics, vascular biology, monoclonal antibody technology, and molecular mechanisms of macromolecular transport. Dr. Antohe has led over 44 national and international research projects, mentored numerous Ph.D. students, and held key roles in prestigious European scientific committees, including as an expert evaluator for EC Framework Programs. Recognized globally with multiple international awards and fellowships, her work has advanced knowledge in atherosclerosis, immune disorders, and endothelial cell biology. Her strong leadership, innovative research, and dedication to scientific excellence make her an exemplary candidate for this honor.

Professional Profile 

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Education🎓

Dr. Felicia Antohe holds a robust academic background in the life sciences, beginning with a Master’s degree in Biophysics from the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, completed between 1972 and 1977. She later pursued her doctoral studies at the Romanian Academy’s Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology (IBPC N. Simionescu), where she earned a Ph.D. in Cellular Biology between 1985 and 1994. In 2000, she was accredited as a Ph.D. Coordinator in Cellular Biology by the Romanian Academy and the Ministry of Education and Research. Her education has been complemented by extensive international training and research fellowships at prestigious institutions such as McGill University (Canada), University of Alberta (Canada), Max Planck Institute (Germany), and Université René Descartes (France), among others. This rich educational foundation has equipped Dr. Antohe with interdisciplinary expertise spanning biophysics, molecular biology, immunology, and proteomics, laying the groundwork for her prolific and impactful scientific career.

Professional Experience📝

Dr. Felicia Antohe has an extensive and distinguished professional background in biomedical research, currently serving as Head of the Proteomics Department at the Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “N. Simionescu” of the Romanian Academy. She has also led the Monoclonal Antibody Laboratory and serves as a Ph.D. Coordinator in Cellular Biology. With over four decades of experience, she has acted as Principal Investigator on more than 44 nationally and internationally funded research projects and has mentored numerous Ph.D. and postgraduate students. Her international experience includes research fellowships and visiting scientist roles at top institutions such as McGill University, University of Alberta, Max Planck Institute, and Université René Descartes. She has served as an expert evaluator for EU Framework Programs (FP6, FP7), contributed to national research councils, and held leadership roles in international scientific networks like COST and the Central and Eastern European Proteomic Conferences. Her work integrates academic leadership with pioneering research.

Research Interest🔎

Dr. Felicia Antohe’s research interests lie at the intersection of cellular biology, molecular biology, and biomedical sciences, with a particular focus on the vascular endothelium. Her work explores the molecular mechanisms of macromolecule transport across endothelial cells, including transcytosis and endocytosis, in both healthy and pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and immune disorders. She is deeply engaged in the study of membrane microdomains—lipid rafts and caveolae—and their structural and functional roles in cellular signaling and transport. Dr. Antohe is also an expert in proteomics, utilizing mass spectrometry and bioinformatics to analyze endothelial cell proteins in health and disease. Her research extends into the biotechnology of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. With a strong foundation in immunochemistry, molecular diagnostics, and nanostructured materials, her interdisciplinary investigations contribute to advancing biomedical knowledge and improving clinical strategies for vascular and systemic inflammatory diseases.

Award and Honor🏆

Dr. Felicia Antohe has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of her outstanding contributions to biomedical research. Internationally, she was awarded the EURESCO Prize for her work on membrane dynamics, and received the BIO-RAD Laboratories Prize for valuable scientific contributions. Her research has been recognized with the IIIrd Award at the International Congress of Medical Sciences in Bulgaria, and the Best Poster Award at the 8th International Conference on Vascular Endothelium in Greece. She has also earned fellowships, including the ESF grant for EURESCO Conferences and a Summer School Fellowship in Scotland. Nationally, she received the esteemed Emil Racoviță Prize from the Romanian Academy and eight other awards from institutions such as the University of Bucharest and CNCSIS. Additionally, she has been an invited speaker at numerous global conferences and authored monographs featured in over 1,900 international libraries, cementing her influence in the scientific community.

Research Skill🔬

Dr. Felicia Antohe possesses an exceptional array of research skills, developed through decades of pioneering work in cellular biology and proteomics. Her technical expertise encompasses a broad range of advanced methodologies, including immunological techniques such as monoclonal antibody production, FACS, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry. She is highly proficient in molecular biology tools, including PCR, RT-qPCR, in situ hybridization, and plasmid transfection. Dr. Antohe is also skilled in cell biology practices like cell culture, fluorescence and electron microscopy, and animal modeling. Her proteomics capabilities include 1D and 2D SDS-PAGE, protein radio-labeling, scintillation and gamma counting, and mass spectrometry, coupled with strong bioinformatics analysis. She has also applied her knowledge to complex systems such as lipid rafts, transcytosis, and membrane receptor function. In addition to hands-on techniques, she excels in mentoring young scientists and PhD students, reflecting her strong leadership in research training and laboratory development.

Conclusion💡

Dr. Felicia Antohe is highly suitable for an Excellence in Research Award, particularly one recognizing:

• Lifetime achievements

• Biomedical innovation

• Mentorship

• Leadership in research ecosystems

Her academic depth, scientific rigor, and institutional leadership align strongly with the core mission of such an award. While certain modern metrics (e.g., recent societal impact or innovation transfer) could be elaborated more, these are secondary when weighed against the breadth and depth of her contributions.

Publications Top Noted✍️

• Firan M., Bawdon R., Radu C., Ober R.J., Eaken D., Antohe F., Ghetie V., et al. (2001). The MHC class I-related receptor, FcRn, plays an essential role in the maternofetal transfer of γ-globulin in humans. International Immunology, 13(8), 993–1002.
  📌 Citations: 404

• Borvak J., Richardson J., Medesan C., Antohe F., Radu C., Simionescu M., et al. (1998). Functional expression of the MHC class I-related receptor, FcRn, in endothelial cells of mice. International Immunology, 10(9), 1289–1298.
  📌 Citations: 308

• Simionescu M., Gafencu A., Antohe F. (2002). Transcytosis of plasma macromolecules in endothelial cells: a cell biological survey. Microscopy Research and Technique, 57(5), 269–288.
  📌 Citations: 272

• Antohe F., Rădulescu L., Gafencu A., Gheţie V., Simionescu M. (2001). Expression of functionally active FcRn and the differentiated bidirectional transport of IgG in human placental endothelial cells. Human Immunology, 62(2), 93–105.
  📌 Citations: 204

• Van Gool A., Corrales F., Čolović M., Krstić D., Oliver-Martos B., Antohe F., et al. (2020). Analytical techniques for multiplex analysis of protein biomarkers. Expert Review of Proteomics, 17(4), 257–273.
  📌 Citations: 95

• Simionescu M., Antohe F. (2006). Functional ultrastructure of the vascular endothelium: changes in various pathologies. In: The Vascular Endothelium I, pp. 41–69.
  📌 Citations: 90

• Manduteanu I., Voinea M., Antohe F., Dragomir E., Capraru M., Radulescu L., et al. (2003). Effect of enoxaparin on high glucose-induced activation of endothelial cells. European Journal of Pharmacology, 477(3), 269–276.
  📌 Citations: 85

• Lixandru B.E., Cotar A.I., Straut M., Usein C.R., Cristea D., Ciontea S., Antohe F., et al. (2015). Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Romania: A Six-Month Survey. PLoS ONE, 10(11), e0143214.
  📌 Citations: 66

• Antohe F., Dobrila L., Heltianu C., Simionescu N., Simionescu M. (1993). Albumin-binding proteins function in the receptor-mediated binding and transcytosis of albumin across cultured endothelial cells. European Journal of Cell Biology, 60(2), 268–275.
  📌 Citations: 66

• Haraba R., Suica V.I., Uyy E., Ivan L., Antohe F. (2011). Hyperlipidemia stimulates the extracellular release of the nuclear high mobility group box 1 protein. Cell and Tissue Research, 346, 361–368.
  📌 Citations: 53