Anna Blumental-Perry

Anna Blumental-Perry is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cellular stress responses in lung diseases, particularly in the context of cigarette smoke exposure, aging, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She leads a multidisciplinary research program integrating protein chemistry, cell and molecular biology, advanced microscopy, and animal models.

Research Interests:

• Apoptosis and cell death
• Cell growth, differentiation, and development
• Metabolism
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Molecular Basis of Disease
• Protein Folding and Function
• Pulmonary Biology
• RNA Biology
• Stem Cells
• Mitochondrial and ER stress responses

Her recent publications highlight groundbreaking work on mitochondrial non-coding RNAs, especially mito-ncR-805, which mediates retrograde signaling between mitochondria and the nucleus to preserve bioenergetics under stress. She has also made significant contributions to understanding how cigarette smoke disrupts protein folding via oxidation of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), triggering ER stress and fibrosis in COPD. Her work bridges basic science with therapeutic development, including patented innovations targeting mitochondrial signaling.

Scientific Awards:

• Science Daily mentioning (2016)
• Dr Shmerler Foundation Award for Msc Thesis with distinction (1995)
• The Golda Meir Foundation Award for Master Students with distinction (1993)
• Rigas Medical School Dean List Scholarship (1990)

Grants and Advising: Dr. Blumental-Perry has served as Principal Investigator on multiple grants from the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute, American Thoracic Society, and American Heart Association. She actively mentors students and researchers in her lab, though specific advisees are not listed. She is deeply involved in university service, including peer review, editorial board membership, and leadership roles in the Faculty Senate.

Labs and Teams: Her laboratory investigates proteostasis networks in lung aging and disease, with a focus on mitochondrial-ER crosstalk. She collaborates widely across institutions and contributes to national scientific panels and conferences.