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)

161 - 180 of 184 works

2004

Journal Article

Induction and transmission of Bacillus thuringiensis tolerance in the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella

Rahman, M. M., Roberts, H. L. S., Sarjan, M., Asgari, S. and Schmidt, O. (2004). Induction and transmission of Bacillus thuringiensis tolerance in the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, 101 (9), 2696-2699. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0306669101

Induction and transmission of Bacillus thuringiensis tolerance in the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella

2004

Conference Publication

A serine proteinase homolog venom protein inhibits activation of prophenoloxidase in insect haemolymph

Asgari, S., Zhang, G., Lu, Z. and Jiang, H.L. (2004). A serine proteinase homolog venom protein inhibits activation of prophenoloxidase in insect haemolymph. Entomology Strength in Diversity, Brisbane, Australia, 15-21 August. Australia: Carillon Conference Management Pty Ltd.

A serine proteinase homolog venom protein inhibits activation of prophenoloxidase in insect haemolymph

2004

Journal Article

Isolation of an imaginal disc growth factor homologue from Pieris rapae and its expression following parasitization by Cotesia rubecula

Asgari, S. and Schmidt, O. (2004). Isolation of an imaginal disc growth factor homologue from Pieris rapae and its expression following parasitization by Cotesia rubecula. Journal of Insect Physiology, 50 (8), 687-694. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2004.05.003

Isolation of an imaginal disc growth factor homologue from Pieris rapae and its expression following parasitization by Cotesia rubecula

2004

Journal Article

Isolation and characterization of a Cotesia rubecula bracovirus gene expressed in the lepidopteran Pieris rapae

Glatz, R., Schmidt, O. and Asgari, S. (2004). Isolation and characterization of a Cotesia rubecula bracovirus gene expressed in the lepidopteran Pieris rapae. Journal of General Virology, 85 (10), 2873-2882. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.80307-0

Isolation and characterization of a Cotesia rubecula bracovirus gene expressed in the lepidopteran Pieris rapae

2004

Journal Article

Lectin-induced haemocyte inactivation in insects

Glatz, R., Roberts, H. L. S., Li, D. M., Sarjan, M., Theopold, U. H., Asgari, S. and Schmidt, O. (2004). Lectin-induced haemocyte inactivation in insects. Journal of Insect Physiology, 50 (10), 955-963. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2004.07.009

Lectin-induced haemocyte inactivation in insects

2003

Journal Article

A serine proteinase homolog venom protein from an endoparasitoid wasp inhibits melanization of the host hemolymph

Asgari, S., Zhang, G. M., Zareie, R. and Schmidt, O. (2003). A serine proteinase homolog venom protein from an endoparasitoid wasp inhibits melanization of the host hemolymph. Insect Biochemistry And Molecular Biology, 33 (10), 1017-1024. doi: 10.1016/S0965-1748(03)00116-4

A serine proteinase homolog venom protein from an endoparasitoid wasp inhibits melanization of the host hemolymph

2003

Journal Article

Is cell surface calreticulin involved in phagocytosis by insect hemocytes?

Asgari, S. and Schmidt, O. (2003). Is cell surface calreticulin involved in phagocytosis by insect hemocytes?. Journal of Insect Physiology, 49 (6), 545-550. doi: 10.1016/S0022-1910(03)00025-8

Is cell surface calreticulin involved in phagocytosis by insect hemocytes?

2003

Journal Article

Isolation and characterization of a novel venom protein from an endoparasitoid, Cotesia rubecula (Hym : Braconidae)

Asgari, Sassan, Zareie, Reza, Zhang, Guangmei M. and Schmidt, Otto (2003). Isolation and characterization of a novel venom protein from an endoparasitoid, Cotesia rubecula (Hym : Braconidae). Archives of Insect Biochemistry And Physiology, 53 (2), 92-100. doi: 10.1002/arch.10088

Isolation and characterization of a novel venom protein from an endoparasitoid, Cotesia rubecula (Hym : Braconidae)

2003

Journal Article

Characterization of a novel protein with homology to C-type lectins expressed by the Cotesia rubecula bracovirus in larvae of the lepidopteran host, Pieris rapae

Glatz, Richard, Schmidt, Otto and Asgari, Sassan (2003). Characterization of a novel protein with homology to C-type lectins expressed by the Cotesia rubecula bracovirus in larvae of the lepidopteran host, Pieris rapae. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278 (22), 19743-19750. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M301396200

Characterization of a novel protein with homology to C-type lectins expressed by the Cotesia rubecula bracovirus in larvae of the lepidopteran host, Pieris rapae

2003

Journal Article

Polydnavirus particle proteins with similarities to molecular chaperones, heat-shock protein 70 and calreticulin

Asgari, Sassan, Zhang, Guangmei M. and Schmidt, Otto (2003). Polydnavirus particle proteins with similarities to molecular chaperones, heat-shock protein 70 and calreticulin. Journal of General Virology, 84 (5), 1165-1171. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.19026-0

Polydnavirus particle proteins with similarities to molecular chaperones, heat-shock protein 70 and calreticulin

2003

Journal Article

Persistence and expression of Cotesia congregata polydnavirus in host larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

Le, N. T., Asgari, S., Amaya, K., Tan, F. F. and Beckage, N. E. (2003). Persistence and expression of Cotesia congregata polydnavirus in host larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Journal of Insect Physiology, 49 (5: Polydnaviruses of Insects: Evolution and Physiological Functions), 533-543. doi: 10.1016/S0022-1910(03)00052-0

Persistence and expression of Cotesia congregata polydnavirus in host larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

2003

Journal Article

Virus or not? Phylogenetics of polydnaviruses and their wasp carriers

Whitfield, James B. and Asgari, Sassan (2003). Virus or not? Phylogenetics of polydnaviruses and their wasp carriers. Journal of Insect Physiology, 49 (5), 397-405. doi: 10.1016/S0022-1910(03)00057-X

Virus or not? Phylogenetics of polydnaviruses and their wasp carriers

2002

Journal Article

Isolation and characterization of a neprilysin-like protein from Venturia canescens virus-like particles

Asgari, S., Reineke, A., Beck, M. and Schmidt, O. (2002). Isolation and characterization of a neprilysin-like protein from Venturia canescens virus-like particles. Insect Molecular Biology, 11 (5), 477-485. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2583.2002.00356.x

Isolation and characterization of a neprilysin-like protein from Venturia canescens virus-like particles

2002

Journal Article

Sequence analysis and expression of a virus-like particle protein,VLP2, from the parasitic wasp Venturia canescens

Reineke, A., Asgari, S., Ma, G., Beck, M. and Schmidt, O. (2002). Sequence analysis and expression of a virus-like particle protein,VLP2, from the parasitic wasp Venturia canescens. Insect Molecular Biology, 11 (3), 233-239. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2583.2002.00330.x

Sequence analysis and expression of a virus-like particle protein,VLP2, from the parasitic wasp Venturia canescens

2002

Journal Article

A coiled-coil region of an insect immune suppressor protein is involved in binding and uptake by hemocytes

Asgari, S. and Schmidt, O. (2002). A coiled-coil region of an insect immune suppressor protein is involved in binding and uptake by hemocytes. Insect Biochemistry And Molecular Biology, 32 (5), 497-504. doi: 10.1016/S0965-1748(01)00127-8

A coiled-coil region of an insect immune suppressor protein is involved in binding and uptake by hemocytes

2001

Journal Article

Promoter studies of a polydnavirus gene from Cotesia rubecula (Hym : Braconidae)

Asgari, S. and Schmidt, O. (2001). Promoter studies of a polydnavirus gene from Cotesia rubecula (Hym : Braconidae). Archives of Virology, 146 (10), 1979-1989. doi: 10.1007/s007050170046

Promoter studies of a polydnavirus gene from Cotesia rubecula (Hym : Braconidae)

2001

Journal Article

Expression of growth factors in Dictyostelium discoideum

Asgari, S., Arun, S., Slade, M. B., Marshall, J., Williams, K. L. and Wheldrake, J. F. (2001). Expression of growth factors in Dictyostelium discoideum. Journal of Molecular Microbiology And Biotechnology, 3 (3), 491-497.

Expression of growth factors in Dictyostelium discoideum

2000

Book Chapter

Host defence manipulation by parasitoid wasps and the problem of assessing host specificity

Schmidt, Otto, Asgari, Sassan, Beck, Markus and Theopold, Ulrich (2000). Host defence manipulation by parasitoid wasps and the problem of assessing host specificity. The Hymenoptera: evolution, biodiversity and biological control. (pp. 29-37) edited by Andrew Austin and Mark Dowton. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: CSIRO.

Host defence manipulation by parasitoid wasps and the problem of assessing host specificity

1999

Journal Article

Sequence analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia: alterations after its release

Asgari, S, Hardy, JRE and Cooke, BD (1999). Sequence analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia: alterations after its release. Archives of Virology, 144 (1), 135-145. doi: 10.1007/s007050050490

Sequence analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia: alterations after its release

1998

Journal Article

Field evidence for mechanical transmission of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) by flies (Diptera : Calliphoridae) among wild rabbits in Australia

Asgari, S, Hardy, JRE, Sinclair, RG and Cooke, BD (1998). Field evidence for mechanical transmission of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) by flies (Diptera : Calliphoridae) among wild rabbits in Australia. Virus Research, 54 (2), 123-132. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1702(98)00017-3

Field evidence for mechanical transmission of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) by flies (Diptera : Calliphoridae) among wild rabbits in Australia

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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