Our research focuses on the vascular mechanisms that regulate endothelial function and dysfunction in cardiopulmonary diseases. We study how endothelial signaling pathways, lipid-derived mediators, and cellular signaling contribute to vascular remodeling, impaired vasodilation, inflammation, and disease progression. A central interest of the lab is the role of bioactive oxylipins and PUFA-derived lactones in restoring vascular homeostasis, including their effects on GPCR-mediated signaling. Using cellular systems, animal models, human tissue platforms, functional vascular assays, metabolomics, and transcriptomic tools, we aim to uncover mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and identify new therapeutic opportunities for cardiopulmonary diseases.
Education
Post-Doctoral, 2009, Vascular Biology Group, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Hospital, NSW. Australia. Host: Dr. Paul Witting. In collaboration with The Heart Research Institute, Sydney. Australia. Host: Prof. Michael Davies.
Ph.D. 2006, Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel.
M.Sc. 2000, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
B.Sc. 1994, Haifa University, Oranim College, Department of Biology
Academic and research positions-
2023-present - Head of the Nutrition Sciences M.Sc. program at Tel-Hai University
2023-2026- Head of the Nutrition and Natural Compound Department, MIGAL Research Institute
2021-2024- Member of the Gender Equity Unit, Tel Hai College.
2017-2021 Head of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the Tel-Hai College.
Research Grants
2025-2029 Bioactive PUFA-lactones as endogenous metabolic regulators of cellular dysfunction in pulmonary vascular disease. ISF-Israel Science Foundation research fellowship.
2025-2027 EPA-L oxylipin as a potential therapeutic for pulmonary hypertension. Ministry of Science & Vatat
2021-2022 Arterial dilating activity of an EPA metabolite, a novel endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), as an anti-hypertensive drug candidate.Third-year continuation of the Kamin project from the Israel Innovation Authority.
2018-2020 Arterial dilating activity of an EPA metabolite, a novel endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), as an anti-hypertensive drug candidate.Israel Innovation Authority.
2016-2018 PON1 regulates blood pressure via EDHF.BSF- start-up grant.
2015-2018 The regulation of 5,6-DHTL, a new endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor, by paraoxonase 1 in the modulation of vascular tone. ISF- Israel Science Foundation research fellowship.
2012-2015 Novel pathway for blood pressure regulation involving paraoxonase 1 and epoxygenase arachidonic acid metabolites. ISF- Israel Science Foundation research fellowship.
2012-2013 Novel pathway for blood pressure regulation involves paraoxonase 1 and epoxygenase arachidonic acid metabolites.The Israeli Society for Research, Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis.
Publications
Dhananjayan K, Szuchman-Sapir A. Chapter 5 - Recent advances in oxylipin-driven repair mechanisms in vascular dysfunction-related diseases. In: Attaur R, editor. Studies in Natural Products Chemistry. 84: Elsevier; 2025. p. 193-234.
Ministry of Sciences and Technology