Personal summary

I am currently in the final year of my PhD as part of the European Union Horizon 2020 consortium “TICARDIO.”

During my research I focused on the role of thrombin’s main receptor, PAR1, in phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, I successfully generated an PAR1 knockout iPSCs line to obtain induced VSMCs and explore this mechanism in detail.

As part of my secondment, I had the privilege of collaborating with the Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis in Mainz, Germany, and the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim in Biberach, Germany. Together, we investigated how PARs influence the release of extracellular vesicles and the microRNA loading processes in VSMCs during phenotype switching.

Additionally, my work has examined the effects of Rivaroxaban—an indirect inhibitor of PAR signaling—and Warfarin, a widely used anticoagulant, on vascular remodeling and the progression of atherosclerotic plaques.

Contact

If you have any questions or would like to connect, feel free to contact me via email: a.habibi@maastrichtuniversity.nl