Georgescu Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Dr Teodora Georgescu

Email teodora.georgescu@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 556 5460

Research interests

My research group focuses on the adaptations to autonomic functions that occur during pregnancy and lactation, driven by changes in maternal hormone levels. These physiological adaptations are crucial for both maternal health and the development of the offspring. Pregnancy induces significant elevations in hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, and lactogenic hormones. We aim to uncover how these pregnancy hormones act on their receptors in the brain to regulate autonomic functions, such as fever, breathing, and cardiovascular responses during pregnancy. Inadequate adaptations in these systems can lead to pregnancy complications like gestational hypertension and dyspnoea, highlighting the need to understand these mechanisms.

Our laboratory employs techniques such as radio telemetry, ex vivo and in vivo calcium imaging, viral manipulation of neuronal circuits, and immunohistochemistry to investigate how maternal hormones impact the brain to regulate physiological functions. By investigating these processes, we aim to ultimately improve maternal and foetal health.

Clinical conditions

Infections & fevers
Dyspnoea
Preeclampsia

Georgescu Laboratory staff and students

Isaac Tripp, Assistant Research Fellow Isaac Tripp image
Email isaac.tripp@otago.ac.nz

Andy Stewart, MSc student
Email stean207@student.otago.ac.nz

Lydia Fay, Honours student
Email fayly593@student.otago.ac.nz

Andrew Habin Lee, Honours student
Email leean098@student.otago.ac.nz

Anita Jessie Clark, Summer student
Email claan252@student.otago.ac.nz

Temoe Neuffer, Summer student
Email neute585@student.otago.ac.nz

Research Funders

Publications

Georgescu, T., Sawyer, I., Gillett, M., Stewart, A., Ladyman, S. R., & Grattan, D. R. (2023, August). Suppression of fever, but not sickness behaviours in late pregnancy in mice [Award lecture]. Verbal presentation at the Brain Health Research Centre (BHRC) Annual Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Georgescu, T. (2023, November-December). Suppression of fever, but not sickness behaviours in late pregnancy in mice. Verbal presentation at the Centre for Neuroendocrinology (CNE) 20^th Anniversary Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Stewart, A. M., Grattan, D. R., & Georgescu, T. (2023). The role of lactogenic hormones in suppression of fever responses during late pregnancy. In T. Milne, M. Anwar, L. Burga, H. Harcombe, M. Garelja, A. Middleton, D. C. Ribeiro, N. Fleming, K. Ogbuehi & A. Bahn (Eds.), Proceedings of the 268th Otago Medical School Research Society (OMSRS) Meeting: Masters/Honours/Postgraduate Diploma Student Speaker Awards. Dunedin, New Zealand: OMSRS. Retrieved from https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/handle/10523/12839 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Georgescu, T. (2023). The role of maternal hormones in regulating autonomic functions during pregnancy. Journal of Neuroendocrinology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jne.13348 Journal - Research Other

Papaioannou, P., Yip, J., Georgescu, T., & Bunn, S. (2022). Lactation-induced desynchronization of the hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons. In L. Wilson, H. Harcombe, P. Jayakaran, L. Burga, J. Antony, K. Morgaine, M. Garelja, A. Middleton, M. Anwar & T. Milne (Eds.), Proceedings of the 263rd Otago Medical School Research Society (OMSRS) Meeting: PhD Student Speaker Awards. Dunedin, New Zealand: OMSRS. Retrieved from https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/handle/10523/12839 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Journal - Research Other

Georgescu, T. (2023). The role of maternal hormones in regulating autonomic functions during pregnancy. Journal of Neuroendocrinology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jne.13348

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2022

Journal - Research Article

Georgescu, T., Khant Aung, Z., Grattan, D. R., & Brown, R. S. E. (2022). Prolactin-mediated restraint of maternal aggression in lactation. PNAS, 119(6), e2116972119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2116972119

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Georgescu, T., Khant Aung, Z., Grattan, D. R., & Brown, R. S. E. (2022). Prolactin-mediated restraint of maternal aggression in lactation. In L. Wilson, H. Harcombe, P. Jayakaran, L. Burga, J. Antony, K. Morgaine, M. Garelja, A. Middleton, M. Anwar & T. Milne (Eds.), Proceedings of the 262nd Otago Medical School Research Society (OMSRS) Meeting: Research Staff Speaker Awards. Dunedin, New Zealand: OMSRS. Retrieved from https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/handle/10523/12839

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Papaioannou, P., Yip, J., Georgescu, T., & Bunn, S. (2022, August-September). Real-time Ca2+ imaging of the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neuronal in virgin and lactating rats. Poster session presented at the 16th New Zealand Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Georgescu, T. (2022, August-September). Preparing for motherhood: From maternal behaviours to temperature regulation. Verbal presentation at the 16th New Zealand Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

2021

Journal - Research Other

Georgescu, T., Swart, J. M., Grattan, D. R., & Brown, R. S. E. (2021). The prolactin family of hormones as regulators of maternal mood and behavior. Frontiers in Global Women's Health, 2, 767467. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.767467

Georgescu, T., Lyons, D., & Heisler, L. K. (2021). Role of serotonin in body weight, insulin secretion and glycaemic control. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 33(4), e12960. doi: 10.1111/jne.12960

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Aye, W., Georgescu, T., & Bunn, S. (2021). Ca²⁺-imaging in rat adrenal slices reveal chromaffin cell heterogeneity. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1537), (pp. 105-106). Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

2020

Journal - Research Article

Georgescu, T., Ladyman, S. R., Brown, R. S. E., & Grattan, D. R. (2020). Acute effects of prolactin on hypothalamic prolactin receptor expressing neurones in the mouse. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 32, e12908. doi: 10.1111/jne.12908

Georgescu, T., Lyons, D., Doslikova, B., Garcia, A. P., Marston, O., Burke, L. K., … Heisler, L. K. (2020). Neurochemical characterization of brainstem pro-opiomelanocortin cells. Endocrinology, 161(4), bqaa032. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa032

2019

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Georgescu, T., & Grattan, D. R. (2019). Characterisation of the acute effects of prolactin upon prolactin receptor-expressing neurones in the mouse hypothalamus. Brain & Neuroscience Advances, 3, PT096. doi: 10.1177/2398212819855490

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Aye, W., Georgescu, T., & Bunn, S. J. (2019, August-September). Analysis of Ca²⁺ imaging in rat adrenal medullary slices. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Georgescu, T., Ladyman, S. R., Brown, R. S. E., & Grattan, D. R. (2019, August-September). Investigating the acute effects of prolactin upon hypothalamic prolactin-receptor expressing neurons. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2018

Journal - Research Article

D’Agostino, G., Lyons, D., Cristiano, C., Lettieri, M., Olarte-Sanchez, C., Burke, L. K., … Georgescu, T., … Heisler, L. K. (2018). Nucleus of the solitary tract serotonin 5-HT_2C receptors modulate food intake. Cell Metabolism, 28(4), 619-630.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.07.017

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Georgescu, T., Olarte-Sánchez, C., Lyons, D. J., & Heisler, L. K. (2018). Dorsal raphe serotonin neurones respond to dietary nutrients. Proceedings of the 9th International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (ICN). (pp. 347). Retrieved from http://www.icn2018.org/

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Georgescu, T., & Grattan, D. R. (2018, August). Characterisation of the acute effects of prolactin upon prolactin receptor-expressing neurones in the mouse hypothalamus. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

Yip, S. H., Georgescu, T., York, J., Kokay, I., Araujo-Lopes, R., Szawka, R. E., Hyland, B. I., Grattan, D. R., & Bunn, S. J. (2018, August). Adaptation of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons to estrous cycle and lactation. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

Other Research Output

Georgescu, T. (2018, May). Melanocortin and serotonin interactions in the central regulation of energy balance. Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].

2017

Journal - Research Article

Valencia-Torres, L., Olarte-Sánchez, C. M., Lyons, D. J., Georgescu, T., Greenwald-Yarnell, M., Myers, Jr, M. G., … Heisler, L. K. (2017). Activation of ventral tegmental area 5-HT_2C receptors reduces incentive motivation. Neuropsychopharmacology, 42, 1511-1521. doi: 10.1038/npp.2016.264

Burke, L. K., Ogunnowo-Bada, E., Georgescu, T., Cristiano, C., Martinez de Morentin, P. B., Valencia Torres, L., … Heisler, L. K. (2017). Lorcaserin improves glycemic control via a melanocortin neurocircuit. Molecular Metabolism, 6(10), 1092-1102. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.07.004

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Cristiano, C., Burke, L. K., D’Agostino, G., Georgescu, T., Valencia Torres, L., Rousselle, G., … Heisler, L. K. (2017). Obesity medication Lorcaserin promotes appetite-suppression via hypothalamic circuit. Proceedings of the Neurobiology of Obesity Symposium (NOS). S2/P18. Retrieved from https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/nos-aberdeen

D’Agostino, G., Lyons, D., Cristiano, C., Lettieri, M., Olarte-Sanchez, C., Georgescu, T., … Heisler, L. K. (2017). Nucleus of the solitary tract 5-HT_2C receptors modulate food intake. Proceedings of the Neurobiology of Obesity Symposium (NOS). S2/P12. Retrieved from https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/nos-aberdeen

Georgescu, T., Olarte-Sanchez, C., Lyons, D., & Heisler, L. (2017). Dorsal raphe 5-HT neurones respond to dietary nutrients. Proceedings of the Neurobiology of Obesity Symposium (NOS). S1/P31. Retrieved from https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/nos-aberdeen

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Georgescu, T., Lyons, D. J., & Heisler, L. K. (2017, May). Dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons respond to dietary nutrients. Poster session presented at the Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology Joint Meetings: Neuronal Control of Appetite, Metabolism and Weight and Gastrointestinal Control of Metabolism, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Georgescu, T., Olarte-Sanchez, C., Lyons, D., & Heisler, L. K. (2017, September). Dorsal raphe 5-HT neurones respond to dietary nutrients. Poster session presented at the British Society for Neuroendocrinology Annual Meeting, Nottingham, UK.

2016

Journal - Research Other

Burke, L. K., Doslikova, B., D’Agostino, G., Greenwald-Yarnell, M., Georgescu, T., Chianese, R., … Heisler, L. K. (2016). Sex difference in physical activity, energy expenditure and obesity driven by a subpopulation of hypothalamic POMC neurons [Brief communication]. Molecular Metabolism, 5(3), 245-252. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2016.01.005

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Georgescu, T., Lyons, D., & Heisler, L. (2016, July). Dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons respond to dietary nutrients. Poster session presented at the 10th Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum of Neuroscience, Copenhagen, Denmark.

2015

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Georgescu, T., D’Agostino, G., Chianese, R., Cansell, C., Lyons, D., & Heisler, L. (2015). 5-HT2CR agonist obesity medication increases the activity of appetitive brain stem neurons. Proceedings of the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Festival of Neuroscience. (pp. 708). Retrieved from https://www.bna.org.uk

D’Agostino, G., Lyons, D. J., Greenwald-Yarnell, M., Georgescu, T., Doslikova, B., Burke, L. K., … Heisler, L. K. (2015). 5-HT2CR activation of brainstem pro-opiomelanocortin neurons suppresses appetite. Proceedings of the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Festival of Neuroscience. (pp. 715). Retrieved from https://www.bna.org.uk

Valencia-Torres, L., Olarte-Sánchez, C., Lyons, D., Georgescu, T., Cansell, C., & Heisler, L. (2015). Ventral tegmental area 5-HT2C receptor activation reduces food reward. Proceedings of the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Festival of Neuroscience. (pp. 441). Retrieved from https://www.bna.org.uk

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Georgescu, T., D’Agostino, G., Chianese, R., Cansell, C., Lyons, D., & Heisler, L. K. (2015, September). 5-HT2CR agonist obesity medication increases the activity of appetitive brain stem neurons. Poster session presented at the 3rd Joint Meeting of the British and French Societies for Neuroendocrinology (BSN-SNE), Lille, France.

2014

Journal - Research Article

Rallis, C., López-Maury, L., Georgescu, T., Pancaldi, V., & Bähler, J. (2014). Systematic screen for mutants resistant to TORC1 inhibition in fission yeast reveals genes involved in cellular ageing and growth. Biology Open, 3, 161-171. doi: 10.1242/bio.20147245