Professor Sassan Asgari
Professor

Sassan Asgari

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52043

Background

Insect host-pathogen interactions

In the evolutionary arm race between insects and their pathogens, insects as hosts continuously evolve traits to inhibit pathogen replication, and in turn pathogens evolve mechanisms to evade their hosts’ immune responses. In the Asgari Lab, we are interested in exploring these evolutionary adaptations, in particular in regards to mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue virus. The major areas of research in the lab are:

  1. Exploring pro- and anti-viral factors in mosquitoes using molecular approaches, including next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analyses
  2. Investigating the role of non-coding RNAs (including microRNAs) in insect biology and host-pathogen interactions
  3. Understanding the effect of insect microbiome on replication of viruses

Availability

Professor Sassan Asgari is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, Isfahan University of Technology
  • Masters (Coursework) of Agricultural Studies, University of Adelaide
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide
  • Graduate Certificate, The University of Queensland

Search Professor Sassan Asgari’s works on UQ eSpace

181 works between 1994 and 2024
All (181) Journal Article (166) Book Chapter (13) Conference Publication (2)

41 - 60 of 181 works

2019

Journal Article

Induction of DNA methyltransferase genes in Helicoverpa armigera following injection of pathogenic bacteria modulates expression of antimicrobial peptides and affects bacterial proliferation

Baradaran, Ehsan, Moharramipour, Saeid, Asgari, Sassan and Mehrabadi, Mohammad (2019). Induction of DNA methyltransferase genes in Helicoverpa armigera following injection of pathogenic bacteria modulates expression of antimicrobial peptides and affects bacterial proliferation. Journal of Insect Physiology, 118 103939, 103939. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103939

Induction of DNA methyltransferase genes in Helicoverpa armigera following injection of pathogenic bacteria modulates expression of antimicrobial peptides and affects bacterial proliferation

2019

Journal Article

The microRNA pathway is involved in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells antiviral immune defense against Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection

Karamipour, Naeime, Fathipour, Yaghoub, Talebi, Ali Asghar, Asgari, Sassan and Mehrabadi, Mohammad (2019). The microRNA pathway is involved in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells antiviral immune defense against Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 112 103202, 103202. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103202

The microRNA pathway is involved in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells antiviral immune defense against Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection

2019

Journal Article

The major oligosaccharyl transferase complex genes are not involved in dengue virus replication in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Perdomo, Hugo D. and Asgari, Sassan (2019). The major oligosaccharyl transferase complex genes are not involved in dengue virus replication in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Archives of Virology, 164 (11), 2789-2792. doi: 10.1007/s00705-019-04376-w

The major oligosaccharyl transferase complex genes are not involved in dengue virus replication in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

2019

Journal Article

The microRNA pathway core genes are differentially expressed during the development of Helicoverpa armigera and contribute in the insect's development

Rahimpour, Hamed, Moharramipour, Saeid, Asgari, Sassan and Mehrabadi, Mohammad (2019). The microRNA pathway core genes are differentially expressed during the development of Helicoverpa armigera and contribute in the insect's development. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 110, 121-127. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.05.005

The microRNA pathway core genes are differentially expressed during the development of Helicoverpa armigera and contribute in the insect's development

2019

Journal Article

Discovery of novel crustacean and cephalopod flaviviruses: insights into evolution and circulation of flaviviruses between marine invertebrate and vertebrate hosts

Parry, Rhys and Asgari, Sassan (2019). Discovery of novel crustacean and cephalopod flaviviruses: insights into evolution and circulation of flaviviruses between marine invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Journal of Virology, 93 (14) e00432. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00432-19

Discovery of novel crustacean and cephalopod flaviviruses: insights into evolution and circulation of flaviviruses between marine invertebrate and vertebrate hosts

2019

Journal Article

Combination of label-free quantitative proteomics and transcriptomics reveals intraspecific venom variation between the two strains of Tetrastichus brontispae, a parasitoid of two invasive beetles

Tang, Bao-Zhen, Meng, E., Zhang, Hua-Jian, Zhang, Xiao-Mei, Asgari, Sassan, Lin, Ya-Ping, Lin, Yun-Ying, Peng, Zheng-Qiang, Qiao, Ting, Zhang, Xia-Fang and Hou, You-Ming (2019). Combination of label-free quantitative proteomics and transcriptomics reveals intraspecific venom variation between the two strains of Tetrastichus brontispae, a parasitoid of two invasive beetles. Journal of Proteomics, 192, 37-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.08.003

Combination of label-free quantitative proteomics and transcriptomics reveals intraspecific venom variation between the two strains of Tetrastichus brontispae, a parasitoid of two invasive beetles

2019

Journal Article

Wolbachia induce cytoplasmic incompatibility and affect mate preference in Habrobracon hebetor to increase the chance of its transmission to the next generation

Bagheri, Zeynab, Asghar Talebi, Ali, Asgari, Sassan and Mehrabadi, Mohammad (2019). Wolbachia induce cytoplasmic incompatibility and affect mate preference in Habrobracon hebetor to increase the chance of its transmission to the next generation. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 163, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.02.005

Wolbachia induce cytoplasmic incompatibility and affect mate preference in Habrobracon hebetor to increase the chance of its transmission to the next generation

2019

Journal Article

Density-dependent enhanced replication of a densovirus in Wolbachia-infected Aedes cells is associated with production of piRNAs and higher virus-derived siRNAs

Parry, Rhys, Bishop, Cameron, De Hayr, Lachlan and Asgari, Sassan (2019). Density-dependent enhanced replication of a densovirus in Wolbachia-infected Aedes cells is associated with production of piRNAs and higher virus-derived siRNAs. Virology, 528, 89-100. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.12.006

Density-dependent enhanced replication of a densovirus in Wolbachia-infected Aedes cells is associated with production of piRNAs and higher virus-derived siRNAs

2018

Journal Article

Upregulation of Helicoverpa armigera core RNAi genes by bacterial infections and its effect on the insect-bacteria interaction

Baradaran, Ehsan, Moharramipour, Saeid, Asgari, Sassan and Mehrabadi, Mohammad (2018). Upregulation of Helicoverpa armigera core RNAi genes by bacterial infections and its effect on the insect-bacteria interaction. Insect Molecular Biology, 28 (2), 290-299. doi: 10.1111/imb.12551

Upregulation of Helicoverpa armigera core RNAi genes by bacterial infections and its effect on the insect-bacteria interaction

2018

Journal Article

Small interfering RNA pathway contributes to antiviral immunity in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells following Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection

Karamipour, Naeime, Fathipour, Yaghoub, Talebi, Ali Asghar, Asgari, Sassan and Mehrabadi, Mohammad (2018). Small interfering RNA pathway contributes to antiviral immunity in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells following Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 101, 24-31. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.07.004

Small interfering RNA pathway contributes to antiviral immunity in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells following Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection

2018

Journal Article

Involvement of microRNA miR-2b-3p in regulation of metabolic resistance to insecticides in Plutella xylostella

Etebari, K., Afrad, M. H., Tang, B., Silva, R., Furlong, M. J. and Asgari, S. (2018). Involvement of microRNA miR-2b-3p in regulation of metabolic resistance to insecticides in Plutella xylostella. Insect Molecular Biology, 27 (4), 478-491. doi: 10.1111/imb.12387

Involvement of microRNA miR-2b-3p in regulation of metabolic resistance to insecticides in Plutella xylostella

2018

Journal Article

Aedes Anphevirus: an insect-specific virus distributed worldwide in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that has complex interplays with Wolbachia and dengue virus infection in cells

Parry, Rhys and Asgari, Sassan (2018). Aedes Anphevirus: an insect-specific virus distributed worldwide in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that has complex interplays with Wolbachia and dengue virus infection in cells. Journal of Virology, 92 (17) e00224-18, JVI.00224-18. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00224-18

Aedes Anphevirus: an insect-specific virus distributed worldwide in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that has complex interplays with Wolbachia and dengue virus infection in cells

2018

Journal Article

Wolbachia-induced transcription factor GATA4 suppresses ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D and imaginal disc growth factor

Osei-Amo, S, Hussein, M, Asad, S, Hugo, L and Asgari, S (2018). Wolbachia-induced transcription factor GATA4 suppresses ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D and imaginal disc growth factor. Insect Molecular Biology, 27 (3), 295-304. doi: 10.1111/imb.12371

Wolbachia-induced transcription factor GATA4 suppresses ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D and imaginal disc growth factor

2018

Journal Article

A comparative analysis of corpora allata-corpora cardiaca microRNA repertories revealed significant changes during mosquito metamorphosis

Nouzova, Marcela, Etebari, Kayvan, Noriega, Fernando G. and Asgari, Sassan (2018). A comparative analysis of corpora allata-corpora cardiaca microRNA repertories revealed significant changes during mosquito metamorphosis. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 96, 10-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.03.007

A comparative analysis of corpora allata-corpora cardiaca microRNA repertories revealed significant changes during mosquito metamorphosis

2018

Journal Article

Suppression of the pelo protein by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus in Aedes aegypti

Asad, Sultan, Hussain, Mazhar, Hugo, Leon, Osei-Amo, Solomon, Zhang, Guangmei, Watterson, Daniel and Asgari, Sassan (2018). Suppression of the pelo protein by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus in Aedes aegypti. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 12 (4) e0006405, e0006405. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006405

Suppression of the pelo protein by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus in Aedes aegypti

2018

Journal Article

Mapping the virome in wild-caught Aedes aegypti from Cairns and Bangkok

Zakrzewski, Martha, Rašić, Gordana, Darbro, Jonathan, Krause, Lutz, Poo, Yee S., Filipović, Igor, Parry, Rhys, Asgari, Sassan, Devine, Greg and Suhrbier, Andreas (2018). Mapping the virome in wild-caught Aedes aegypti from Cairns and Bangkok. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 4690, 4690. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-22945-y

Mapping the virome in wild-caught Aedes aegypti from Cairns and Bangkok

2018

Journal Article

Upregulation of Aedes aegypti Vago1 by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus replication

Asad, Sultan, Parry, Rhys and Asgari, Sassan (2018). Upregulation of Aedes aegypti Vago1 by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus replication. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 92, 45-52. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.11.008

Upregulation of Aedes aegypti Vago1 by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus replication

2018

Book Chapter

microRNAs as regulators of insect host–pathogen interactions and immunity

Asgari, Sassan (2018). microRNAs as regulators of insect host–pathogen interactions and immunity. Crop protection. (pp. 19-45) edited by Guy Smagghe. Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/bs.aiip.2018.07.004

microRNAs as regulators of insect host–pathogen interactions and immunity

2017

Journal Article

Global transcriptome analysis of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in response to Zika virus infection

Etebari, Kayvan, Hedge, Shivanand, Saldaña, Miguel A., Widen, Steven G., Wood, Thomas G., Asgari, Sassan and Hughes, Grant L. (2017). Global transcriptome analysis of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in response to Zika virus infection. MSphere, 2 (6) e00456-17, e00456-17. doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00456-17

Global transcriptome analysis of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in response to Zika virus infection

2017

Journal Article

Small RNA Sequencing Reveals Dlk1-Dio3 Locus-Embedded MicroRNAs as Major Drivers of Ground-State Pluripotency

Moradi, Sharif, Sharifi-Zarchi, Ali, Ahmadi, Amirhossein, Mollamohammadi, Sepideh, Stubenvoll, Alexander, Günther, Stefan, Hosseini Salekdeh, Ghasem, Asgari, Sassan, Braun, Thomas and Baharvand, Hossein (2017). Small RNA Sequencing Reveals Dlk1-Dio3 Locus-Embedded MicroRNAs as Major Drivers of Ground-State Pluripotency. Stem Cell Reports, 9 (6), 2081-2096. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.10.009

Small RNA Sequencing Reveals Dlk1-Dio3 Locus-Embedded MicroRNAs as Major Drivers of Ground-State Pluripotency

Current funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Viral and host RNA methylation in mosquitoes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2022
    Exploring the effect of human blood microRNAs on mosquito biology
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    A novel approach in understanding regulation of development in mosquitoes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Advanced imaging with wide spectrum molecular, quantitative and morphological applications in biological research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Integrative blood coagulation research core facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    In vitro production of Baculovirus
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Cross-kingdom communications via small non-coding RNAs
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Manipulation of regulatory microRNAs to supress insecticide resistance in the diamondback moth
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Wolbachia and West Nile virus in mosquitoes: friends or foes?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    High Throughput Genotyping using Paralleled and Miniaturized DNA amplification.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Role of flavivirus-encoded small regulatory RNAs in virus-mosquito vector interactions
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Targeting insects using novel inhibitors of development and physiology
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Cell-free immune reactions and suppression
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Regulatory cellular microRNAs and their role in insect anti-viral responses
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Tooling-up non-model organisms in the post-genomic era: equipment for the analysis of molecular and cellular processes in animals of evolutionary and commercial interest
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Identification of immune-suppressors of Diamond-back Moth (HAL Grant administered by SARDI)
    South Australian Research and Development Institute
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Cell-free immune reactions and suppression (ARC Discovery grant administered by the University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Building Capacity in Quantitative Genomics
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Investigating the potential of an ascovirus for biological control of Diamondback Moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella
    Horticulture Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Molecular Mechanism(s) Of Inhibition of Melanization by an Insect Parasitoid Venom Protein
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Isolation And Characterization of Venom Proteins From An Endoparasitoid Wasp
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Sassan Asgari is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Sassan Asgari directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biology - insects
  • Entomology
  • Host-parasitoid immune interactions
  • Insect immunity
  • Insect molecular biology
  • Insect parasites
  • Insect viruses
  • Insects
  • MicroRNA
  • Viruses - insect

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