Institute of Medical Biotechnology
Director: Dr.Alireza Zomorodipour (zomorodi@nigeb.ac.ir)
The IMB was launched in March 2014 by merging three active research departments of the NIGEB, (i.e. Medical Genetics Department, Basic Sciences Department and Stem Cell Department). The IMB has 26 full-time faculty members, including 1 full professor, 6 associate professors, 19 assistant professors and 5 research assistants.
The research departments of the IMB include:
· Medical Genetics
· Molecular Genetics
· Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
The faculty members of the IMB contribute to pave the way to solve the problems and meet the needs of the country through implementing the mission-oriented projects in the area of cancer, genetics of multiple sclerosis (MS), stem cell and various research projects in the area of medical biotechnology. The IMB provides training opportunities to the guest students of other Iranian universities in the framework of internship or conducting M.Sc. theses and Ph.D. dissertations.
Besides, the IMB independently provides education opportunities in medical biotechnology areas.
Departments
1. Medical Genetics Department
Head: Dr. Mehdi Sadeghi
Research Interests
Genetics of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Study of Genetic Mitochondrial Diseases
Study of Molecular Pathology of Genetic-Based Immune Diseases
Molecular and Genetic Diagnosis of Cancer
Chromosomal Abnormality in Human Disease
Neuro-ImmunoOnco Psychogenetic Studies
Bioinformatics and Modeling
Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases (single-gene and multi-factorial disorders)
MicroRNA and Gene Expression Profiling
Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases
Genetics of Hyperthyroidism
Cardiovascular and Diabetes Treatment Studies
Pharmacogenetics
Application of FISH Technique in Cancer
2. Molecular Medicine Department
Head: Dr. Azita Parvaneh Tafreshi
Research Interests
Molecular Mechanisms and Cell Signaling pathways in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disease
Isolation and Study of Anti-cancer and Anti-inflammatory Compounds from Iranian Folk Plants
Differentiation-Therapy Approaches in Cancer
Application of Nanophotocatalysts and the Role of Genes in Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer
Non-coding RNAs and Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression
Gene Expression Patterns in Cancer and Development of Diagnostic Kits
Roles of miRNAs in Development and Human Diseases
Neuroinflammatory Factors and Cell Therapy in Neuronal Damage Diseases
Establishment of Drug Delivery Systems and Nanobiopharmaceutics
Gene Transfer Systems Based on AAV and Lentiviral Vectors
Novel strategies in Production of Recombinant Medicinal Proteins
Study the Mechanisms of Angiogenesis and Plant-derived antiangiogenic Inhibitors
Production of an Angiogenesis Inhibitor for Gene Therapy of Cancer, Blindness and Metastasis
Molecular Mechanisms and Cell Signaling Pathways in Stem Cell Differentiation toward Neural Cells
Molecular Mechanisms and Cell Signaling Pathways in Neuroglial Cells Using Blocks and Inducers of Defined Pathway
Evaluation of Therapeutic Strategies in Animal Models of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Mechanisms of Toxins Secreted from Colonized Bacteria in Large Intestine in Colorectal Cancer
The Role of Apoptosis and Autophagy in Cancer Modulation
Gene Expression Profiling in Cancer
Living Organisms' Natural Products as Valuable Sources of Anti-cancer Drugs
Gene-expression Tools for Metabolic Engineering of Diseases
Cell Replacement Therapy in Neurodegenerative Disease
3. Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Department
Head: Dr. Maryam Kabir Salmani
Research Interests
Spermatogonial Stem Cells and Fertility
Characterization of in vivo/in vitro Models for Cancer Stem Cells
Genomic-free Induced Pluripotency and their Differentiation
Cardiac/Neural Differentiation of Adipose Tissue Stem Cells
Production of Chimeric Antibodies
Fabrication of Deep Brain Implantable Scaffold for Parkinson Disease Treatment using Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Fabrication and Characterization of Bulk Metallic Glasses ( BMGs) for Biomedical Applications
Nanostructured Platforms for Gene/Protein Therapy and Tissue Engineering
Human Resources
Full Professors: 1
Associate Professors: 6
Assistant Professors: 19
Research Assistants: 5
Post-graduate Students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.): 62
Guest Students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.): 32
Mission
Regarding the fact that cancer is among the leading causes of death in Iran and in the world, and due to the fact that the statistics prognosticate its growing rates for the developing countries in the coming years, the main mission of the IMB has focused on the development of new methods for diagnosis and treatment of cancer through:
v Cancer genetics studies for technical knowledge and rapid detection
v Genomics studies for developing the knowledge on cancer pathogens
v Personalized medicine against cancers
v Application of stem cells in cancer therapy
v Cancer gene therapy