Research Professor of Microbiology
| Address: | Bevill Research Bldg, r. 744 UAB Birmingham, AL 35294 |
| Telephone: | (205) 934-4215 |
| Email: | zinam@uab.edu |
| Publications |
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Education
M.S. (Biochemistry), University of Bucharest, Romania
Ph.D. (Biochemistry), University of Bucharest, Romania
Fullbright Scholar, Institute of Dental Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Visiting Fellow, Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Research Interests
Dr. Moldoveanu’s work in mucosal immunology focuses on vaccine development, IgA synthesis and transport, IgA receptor expression, and the role of innate factors in immune complex disease. She has pioneered studies of alternative routes of mucosal and systemic vaccine administration in animal models (mice, monkeys) and in humans. She and her colleagues are currently involved in the evaluation of immune responses to vaccine antigens administered with systemic or mucosal adjuvants, as well as vaccine antigens administered in biodegradable microspheres, liposomes, block polymers, encapsidated poliovirus replicons or encoded in recombinant vaccinia- and baculo- viruses. She was also evaluating the humoral and cellular responses induced by HIV-1 candidate vaccines in human volunteers enrolled in Phase I trials. Currently, besides studies on the defective glycosylation of IgA pertinent to IgA nephropathy, Dr. Moldoveanu is investigating immunization parameters, including type of antigen, adjuvants and route of administration, for effective induction of mucosal and systemic humoral responses and tolerance in human volunteers. She is also evaluating the role of oral epithelial cells in HIV-1 transmission.