Dr Davina Camargo Madeira Simoes

Assistant Professor

School: Geography and Natural Sciences

Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

Dr. Davina C. M. Simoes' research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control skeletal muscle atrophy related to ageing and disease. The aim is to establish a foundation for interventions that can restore muscle homeostasis and prevent or reverse muscle atrophy in humans.

To achieve this, her team conducts detailed molecular and cellular analyses of skeletal muscle biopsies, integrating these findings with the clinical and functional characteristics of patients suffering from muscle wasting associated with lung cancer and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They are particularly interested in the role of therapeutic pulmonary rehabilitation in muscle regeneration. Dr Simoes’ team has demonstrated that the differential expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is associated with muscle atrophy. Additionally, skeletal muscle samples from the MASS_Lifecourse study are being analysed to examine the morphological changes throughout the lifespan using a Lifecourse Approach, furthering the understanding of the selective vulnerability of type II muscle fibres as we age.

Additionally, Dr Simoes's team has developed complex in 3D-muscle engineered vitro models to investigate the signalling pathways within and between cells that contribute to muscle atrophy and impaired muscle homeostasis. They are also evaluating potential intervention strategies. These experimental models are continuously optimised by incorporating the latest technological advancements, such as SPACE technology, AI-based non-invasive image analysis, and organ-on-chip approaches, all while maintaining a strong focus on their translational potential.

Dr. Simoes has several academic responsibilities, including leading modules and lecturing to a large group of students in the biomedical and medical programs at 51��. As a member of the EDI committee and the Women’s Network Steering Group, she actively supports and promotes gender equality in academia.

Key Publications

Distinct Intramuscular Extracellular Matrix Protein Responses to Exercise Training in COPD and Healthy Adults and Their Association with Muscle Remodeling, Camargo Madeira Simoes, D., Kritikaki, E., Terzis, G., Vogiatzis, I. 22 Oct 2025, In: Cells
Role of pulmonary rehabilitation in extracellular matrix protein expression in vastus lateralis muscle in atrophic and nonatrophic patients with COPD, Kritikaki, E., Terzis, G., Soundararajan, M., Vogiatzis, I., C. M. Simoes, D. 19 Jan 2025, In: ERJ Open Research
Expression of intramuscular extracellular matrix proteins in vastus lateralis muscle fibres between atrophic and non-atrophic COPD, Kritikaki, E., Terzis, G., Soudararajan, M., Vogiatzis, I., Simoes, D. May 2024, In: ERJ Open Research
Impaired training-induced myogenesis in COPD is due to blunt expression of extracellular matrix proteins, Kritikaki, E., Terzis, G., Vogiatzis, I., C M Simoes, D. 9 Sep 2023, In: European Respiratory Journal
Next generation organoid engineering to replace animals in cancer drug testing, Hockney, S., Parker, J., Turner, J., Todd, X., Todryk, S., Ger Gieling, R., Hilgen, G., Camargo Madeira Simoes, D., Pal, D. 1 Jul 2023, In: Biochemical Pharmacology
Sarcopenic muscle extracellular matrix dictates muscle adaptations in a 3D-engineered muscle model of COPD, Kritikaki, E., Vogiatzis, I., Terzis, G., C M Simoes, D. 9 Sep 2023, In: European Respiratory Journal
An integrin axis induces IFN-β production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells, Camargo Madeira Simoes, D., Paschalidis, N., Kourepini, E., Panoutsakopoulou, V. 25 Jul 2022, In: Journal of Cell Biology
Effects of cycling intensity on acute signaling adaptations to 8-weeks concurrent training in trained cyclists, Jones, T., Eddens, L., Kupusarevic, J., Camargo Madeira Simoes, D., Furber, M., Van Someren, K., Howatson, G. 23 Mar 2022, In: Frontiers in Physiology
The Role of Extracellular Matrix Proteins on Exercise Training-Induced Muscle Fibre Adaptations in COPD, Kritikaki, E., Padget, K., Terzis, G., Vogiatzis, I., C M Simoes, D. 1 Dec 2022, The European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2022
Aerobic exercise intensity does not affect the anabolic signaling following resistance exercise in endurance athletes, Jones, T., Eddens, L., Kupusarevic, J., Camargo Madeira Simoes, D., Fuber, M., Van Someren, K., Howatson, G. Dec 2021, In: Scientific Reports

PGR Supervision

Joseph Bacon Muscle-on-Chip Technologies for Space Flight Exploration Start Date: 01/10/2025 End Date: 17/10/2025
Joseph Bacon Muscle-on-Chip Technologies for Space Flight Exploration Start Date: 01/10/2025