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

184 works between 1994 and 2025
All (184) Journal Article (169) Book Chapter (13) Conference Publication (2)

101 - 120 of 184 works

2014

Journal Article

Genome sequence of a crustacean iridovirus, IIV31, isolated from the pill bug, Armadillidium vulgare

Piegu, Benoit, Guizard, Sebastien, Yeping, Tan, Cruaud, Corinne, Asgari, Sassan, Bideshi, Dennis K., Federici, Brian A. and Bigot, Yves (2014). Genome sequence of a crustacean iridovirus, IIV31, isolated from the pill bug, Armadillidium vulgare. Journal of General Virology, 95 (7), 1585-1590. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.066076-0

Genome sequence of a crustacean iridovirus, IIV31, isolated from the pill bug, Armadillidium vulgare

2014

Journal Article

Reply to Skalsky et al.: a microRNA-like small RNA from Dengue virus

Hussain, Mazhar and Asgari, Sasson (2014). Reply to Skalsky et al.: a microRNA-like small RNA from Dengue virus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111 (23), E2360-E2360. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1407176111

Reply to Skalsky et al.: a microRNA-like small RNA from Dengue virus

2014

Journal Article

Wolbachia infection modifies the profile, shuttling and structure of MicroRNAs in a mosquito cell line

Mayoral, Jamie G., Etebari, Kayvan, Hussain, Mazhar, Khromykh, Alexander A. and Asgari, Sassan (2014). Wolbachia infection modifies the profile, shuttling and structure of MicroRNAs in a mosquito cell line. PLoS One, 9 (4) e96107, e96107. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096107

Wolbachia infection modifies the profile, shuttling and structure of MicroRNAs in a mosquito cell line

2014

Journal Article

MicroRNA-like viral small RNA from Dengue virus 2 autoregulates its replication in mosquito cells

Hussain, Mazhar and Asgari, Sassan (2014). MicroRNA-like viral small RNA from Dengue virus 2 autoregulates its replication in mosquito cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Early Edition (7), 1-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1320123111

MicroRNA-like viral small RNA from Dengue virus 2 autoregulates its replication in mosquito cells

2014

Journal Article

Accuracy of microRNA discovery pipelines in non-model organisms using closely related species genomes

Etebari, Kayvan and Asgari, Sassan (2014). Accuracy of microRNA discovery pipelines in non-model organisms using closely related species genomes. PloS One, 9 (1) e84747, 1-10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084747

Accuracy of microRNA discovery pipelines in non-model organisms using closely related species genomes

2014

Journal Article

Concise review: harmonies played by MicroRNAs in cell fate reprogramming

Moradi, Sharif, Asgari, Sassan and Baharvand, Hossein (2014). Concise review: harmonies played by MicroRNAs in cell fate reprogramming. Stem Cells, 32 (1), 3-15. doi: 10.1002/stem.1576

Concise review: harmonies played by MicroRNAs in cell fate reprogramming

2014

Book Chapter

Epigenetic modifications underlying symbiont–host interactions

Asgari, Sassan (2014). Epigenetic modifications underlying symbiont–host interactions. Epigenetic shaping of sociosexual interactions: from plants to humans. (pp. 253-276) edited by Daisuke Yamamoto. Maryland Heights, MO, United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800222-3.00010-3

Epigenetic modifications underlying symbiont–host interactions

2013

Journal Article

Wolbachia interferes with the intracellular distribution of Argonaute 1 in the dengue vector Aedes aegypti by manipulating the host microRNAs

Hussain, Mazhar, O'Neill, Scott L. and Asgari, Sassan (2013). Wolbachia interferes with the intracellular distribution of Argonaute 1 in the dengue vector Aedes aegypti by manipulating the host microRNAs. RNA Biology, 10 (12), 1868-1875. doi: 10.4161/rna.27392

Wolbachia interferes with the intracellular distribution of Argonaute 1 in the dengue vector Aedes aegypti by manipulating the host microRNAs

2013

Journal Article

Regulation of Helicoverpa armigera ecdysone receptor by miR-14 and its potential link to baculovirus infection

Jayachandran, Balachandran, Hussain, Mazhar and Asgari, Sassan (2013). Regulation of Helicoverpa armigera ecdysone receptor by miR-14 and its potential link to baculovirus infection. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 114 (2), 151-157. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2013.07.004

Regulation of Helicoverpa armigera ecdysone receptor by miR-14 and its potential link to baculovirus infection

2013

Journal Article

"Megavirales", a proposed new order for eukaryotic nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses

Colson, Philippe, De Lamallerie, Xavier, Yutin, Natalya, Asgari, Sassan, Bigot, Yves, Bideshi, Dennis K., Cheng, Xiao-Wen, Federici, Brian A., Van Etten, James L., Koonin, Eugene V., La Scola, Bernard and Raoult, Didier (2013). "Megavirales", a proposed new order for eukaryotic nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses. Archives of Virology, 158 (12), 2517-2521. doi: 10.1007/s00705-013-1768-6

"Megavirales", a proposed new order for eukaryotic nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses

2013

Journal Article

Conserved microRNA miR-8 blocks activation of the Toll pathway by upregulating Serpin 27 transcripts

Etebari, Kayvan and Asgari, Sassan (2013). Conserved microRNA miR-8 blocks activation of the Toll pathway by upregulating Serpin 27 transcripts. RNA Biology, 10 (8), 1356-1364. doi: 10.4161/rna.25481

Conserved microRNA miR-8 blocks activation of the Toll pathway by upregulating Serpin 27 transcripts

2013

Journal Article

Wolbachia uses a host microRNA to regulate transcripts of a methyltransferase, contributing to dengue virus inhibition in Aedes aegypti

Zhang, Guangmei, Hussain, Mazhar, O'Neill, Scott L. and Asgari, Sassan (2013). Wolbachia uses a host microRNA to regulate transcripts of a methyltransferase, contributing to dengue virus inhibition in Aedes aegypti. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110 (25), 10276-10281. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1303603110

Wolbachia uses a host microRNA to regulate transcripts of a methyltransferase, contributing to dengue virus inhibition in Aedes aegypti

2013

Journal Article

MicroRNAome of Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9) and its alteration following baculovirus infection

Mehrabadi, Mohammad, Hussain, Mazhar and Asgari, Sassan (2013). MicroRNAome of Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9) and its alteration following baculovirus infection. Journal of General Virology, 94 (Part 6), 1385-1397. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.051060-0

MicroRNAome of Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9) and its alteration following baculovirus infection

2013

Journal Article

Cloning and characterization of a Dim1-like mitosis gene of Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9) induced by Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus

Mehrabadi, Mohammad, Hussain, Mazhar and Asgari, Sassan (2013). Cloning and characterization of a Dim1-like mitosis gene of Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9) induced by Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 113 (2), 152-159. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2013.02.005

Cloning and characterization of a Dim1-like mitosis gene of Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9) induced by Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus

2013

Journal Article

An insect trypsin-like serine protease as a target of miRNA: utilization of miRNA mimics and inhibitors by oral feeding

Jayachandran, Balanchandran, Hussain, Mazhar and Asgari, Sassan (2013). An insect trypsin-like serine protease as a target of miRNA: utilization of miRNA mimics and inhibitors by oral feeding. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 43 (4), 398-406. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2012.10.004

An insect trypsin-like serine protease as a target of miRNA: utilization of miRNA mimics and inhibitors by oral feeding

2013

Journal Article

Identification of microRNAs from Plutella xylostella larvae associated with parasitization by Diadegma semiclausum

Etebari, Kayvan, Hussain, Mazhar and Asgari, Sassan (2013). Identification of microRNAs from Plutella xylostella larvae associated with parasitization by Diadegma semiclausum. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 43 (4), 309-318. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.01.004

Identification of microRNAs from Plutella xylostella larvae associated with parasitization by Diadegma semiclausum

2013

Journal Article

MicroRNA functions in insects

Asgari, Sassan (2013). MicroRNA functions in insects. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 43 (4), 388-397. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2012.10.005

MicroRNA functions in insects

2013

Journal Article

Blood meal induced microRNA regulates development and immune associated genes in the Dengue mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti

Hussain, Mazhar, Walker, Thomas, O'Neill, Scott L. and Asgari, Sassan (2013). Blood meal induced microRNA regulates development and immune associated genes in the Dengue mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 43 (2), 146-152. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2012.11.005

Blood meal induced microRNA regulates development and immune associated genes in the Dengue mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti

2013

Conference Publication

Utilization of Host Micrornas by Wolbachia to Facilitate Colonization of the Dengue Vector Aedes Aegypti

Asgari, Sassan (2013). Utilization of Host Micrornas by Wolbachia to Facilitate Colonization of the Dengue Vector Aedes Aegypti. EMBO Conference on Molecular and Population Biology of Mosquitoes and Other Disease Vectors: From Basic Vector Biology to Disease Control, Kolymbari, Greece, 15 -19 July 2013. Leeds, W Yorks, United Kingdom: Maney Publishing. doi: 10.1179/2047772413Z.000000000160

Utilization of Host Micrornas by Wolbachia to Facilitate Colonization of the Dengue Vector Aedes Aegypti

2013

Journal Article

Effect of Wolbachia on replication of West Nile Virus in mosquito cell line and adult mosquitoes

Hussain, Mazhar, Lu, Guangjin, Torres, Shessy, Edmonds, Judith H., Kay, Brian H., Khromykh, Alexander A. and Asgari, Sassan (2013). Effect of Wolbachia on replication of West Nile Virus in mosquito cell line and adult mosquitoes. Journal of Virology, 87 (2), 851-858. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01837-12

Effect of Wolbachia on replication of West Nile Virus in mosquito cell line and adult mosquitoes

Past funding

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