Overview
Background
Dr Abbas Shafiee is a tissue engineering & regenerative medicine scientist interested in translational cell-based and tissue engineering strategies to treat human diseases.
Dr Shafiee completed his PhD in Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani’s laboratory on stem cell biology. His research career during his PhD had key contributions to delineating endothelial niche and vascular stem cells in the human placental tissues, including the seminal discovery of an entirely new stem cell population, coined as ‘Meso-Endothelial Bipotent Progenitor’ and the identification of key driver signatures for endothelial and bipotential progenitor function (Stem Cell Reports 2018; The FASEB Journal 2017; Stem Cells 2016; Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2015).
In 2016, he joined Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher’s team and conducted multiple projects on cancer and bone tissue engineering. Dr Shafiee has developed innovative tissue engineered models intersecting concepts from stem cell biology, cancer, and tissue engineering to study species-specific cancer bone metastasis at an unprecedented level of detail. The results of his research have been published in: International Journal of Cancer 2018; Cancers 2018; Biomaterials 2018; Bone Research 2019; Biomaterials 2019; Applied Materials Today 2020; Biomaterials 2020; and Advanced Therapeutics 2020. Utilizing the tissue engineering concept, he was able to better understand the mechanisms of human cancer bone metastasis. Additionally, he was successful in obtaining project grants, including a project grants from Cooperative Research Centers (CRC), and developed a biomimetically designed scaffolds and investigated the interactions of multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cell and skin progenitors with 3D printed scaffolds. The application of 3D printed constructs in acute wound models decreased wound contracture and led to a significantly improved skin regeneration.
Dr Shafiee joined Metro North Health (MNH, Queensland Health) in 2020 and started a research program to develop, implement, and evaluate the applications of 3D printing, scanning, cell therapies, and biofabrication technologies in skin wound settings, and dermatology research. Using the 3D printing and organoid technologies he could develop new approaches to enhances physiological wound closure with reduced scar tissue formation (Biomaterials 2021, Small 2021, Advanced Healthcare Materials 2021, Advanced Healthcare Materials 2022) and advance the deramtology research (Advanced healthcare materials 2022, and Small 2024). Dr Shafiee is part of a national program, aiming to develop biofabrication technology to treat skin wounds (funded by MRFF, NHMRC). His groundbreaking organoid research resulted in establishing an international Consortium of Organoid Research in Dermatology, leveraging organoid technology to advance the understanding and treatment of genetic skin diseases. Dr Shafiee has supervised over 10 Masters and PhD students. Honours, Masters and PhD projects are available, please feel free to contact him.
Availability
- Dr Abbas Shafiee is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
-
Hydrogels, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
-
Stem Cell Bioengineering
-
Wound care
-
Vascular development and homeostasis
Research impacts
My research program has been devoted to understanding human tissue development to develop advanced technologies for tissue regeneration.
- I discovered and developed a novel isolation strategy for a unique population, called "Meso-Endothelial Bipotent Progenitor," and published the first paper of its kind detailing the molecular signature of human placental vascular stem cells (lead author: Stem Cell Reports 2018, PMID: 29478891).
- Cancer biology studies often rely on xenografted models where the patient derived cancer cells do not interact with the microenvironment as they would in the patient. My innovative tissue engineered models developed via convergence of stem cell biology, and tissue engineering concepts provided an important platform to study fundamental aspects of bone development and cell-cell interactions in cancer by providing an environment with human hematopoietic and human bone cells. The results of my research have been published in several outstanding journals (Lead author: Int J Cancer 2018, PMID: 29659011. Senior Author: Bone 2022, PMID: 34023543; and Acta Biomater 2020, PMID: 33039595). Utilising the tissue engineering concept, I was able to better understand the molecular mechanism of cancer bone metastasis (Biomaterials 2020, PMID: 32109589 and Bone Res 2019, PMID: 31646018, Senior Author).
- In my current role, I applied this same concept in skin wound healing using cell therapies, and biofabrication technologies, of direct relevance to the current project. By combining 3D-printed biomimetic constructs and precursor cell delivery, I enhanced physiological wound closure with reduced scar tissue formation (Biomaterials 2021, PMID: 33307369, Lead/Senior author) attracting much interest from the research community. Additionally, I was successful in obtaining a research grant from the MRFF for skin bioprinting through combinations of stem/progenitors and extracellular matrix derivatives. Using human pluripotent stem cells and an organoid culture system I generated skin organoids, providing a foundation for future studies of human skin development, and reconstructive surgeries (Australian Provisional Patent).
Together, my research program has made significant contributions to the field of tissue development and regeneration, as evidenced by my publications in high-impact journals (>74 publications and > 100 conference abstracts, > 40 talks, >10 Invited talks) and citation record (Google Scholar: > 2700 citations, h-index > 31), and invitation to contribute papers or participate as guest editor (e.g., Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol), associate editor (in Interdisciplinary Medicine (Wiley), and Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine (Springer Nature)), and successful grant applications from top-tier funding agencies.
Works
Search Professor Abbas Shafiee’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Towards the development of sensation-enabled skin substitutes
Moradikhah, Farzad, Farahani, Mojtaba and Shafiee, Abbas (2024). Towards the development of sensation-enabled skin substitutes. Biomaterials Science, 12 (16), 4024-4044. doi: 10.1039/d4bm00576g
2024
Journal Article
Distinct roles of SOX9 in self-renewal of progenitors and mesenchymal transition of the endothelium
Zhao, Jilai, Sormani, Laura, Jacquelin, Sebastien, Li, Haiming, Styke, Cassandra, Zhou, Chenhao, Beesley, Jonathan, Oon, Linus, Kaur, Simranpreet, Sim, Seen-Ling, Wong, Ho Yi, Dight, James, Hashemi, Ghazaleh, Shafiee, Abbas, Roy, Edwige, Patel, Jatin and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2024). Distinct roles of SOX9 in self-renewal of progenitors and mesenchymal transition of the endothelium. Angiogenesis, 27 (3), 1-16. doi: 10.1007/s10456-024-09927-7
2024
Journal Article
An optimized protocol for generating appendage-bearing skin organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells
Ahmed, Imaan, Sun, Jane, Brown, Jason, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Shafiee, Abbas (2024). An optimized protocol for generating appendage-bearing skin organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells. Biology Methods and Protocols, 9 (1) bpae019, bpae019. doi: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae019
2023
Journal Article
Development of physiologically relevant skin organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Shafiee, Abbas, Sun, Jane, Ahmed, Imaan A., Phua, Felicia, Rossi, Gustavo R., Lin, Cheng‐Yu, Souza‐Fonseca‐Guimaraes, Fernando, Wolvetang, Ernst J., Brown, Jason and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2023). Development of physiologically relevant skin organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Small, 20 (16) e2304879, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/smll.202304879
2023
Journal Article
Metamorphosis of topical semisolid products—understanding the role of rheological properties in drug permeation under the “in use” condition
Jin, Xuping, Alavi, Seyed Ebrahim, Shafiee, Abbas, Leite-Silva, Vania Rodrigues, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Mohammed, Yousuf (2023). Metamorphosis of topical semisolid products—understanding the role of rheological properties in drug permeation under the “in use” condition. Pharmaceutics, 15 (6) 1707, 1707. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061707
2023
Conference Publication
Dox- loaded mpeg nanoparticles as a promising treatment in a humanized mouse model for breast cancer bone metastasis
Frankenbach, Tina, Landgraf, Marietta, Fletcher, Nicholas, Howard, Christopher, Ravichandran, Akhilandeshwari, Akhter, Dewan, Shafiee, Abbas, Holzapfel, Boris M., Thurecht, Kristofer, McGovern, Jacqui and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2023). Dox- loaded mpeg nanoparticles as a promising treatment in a humanized mouse model for breast cancer bone metastasis. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS), Krakow, Poland, 28 June - 1 July 2022. New Rochelle, NY, United States: Mary Ann Liebert.
2023
Conference Publication
1439 Development of a complex skin organ in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids
Shafiee, A., Sun, J., Ahmed, I., Brown, J. and Khosrotehrani, K. (2023). 1439 Development of a complex skin organ in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids. 1st International Societies for Investigative Dermatology Meeting, Tokyo, Japan, 10 - 13 May 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.03.1455
2023
Conference Publication
PDGFRA-expressing endovascular progenitors contribute to differentiated endothelium of aorta and wounds
Styke, C., Kaur, S., Sim, S., Zhao, J., Shafiee, A., Zhou, C., Wong, H. and Khosrotehrani, K. (2023). PDGFRA-expressing endovascular progenitors contribute to differentiated endothelium of aorta and wounds. 1st International Societies for Investigative Dermatology Meeting, Tokyo, Japan, 10 - 13 May 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.03.1476
2023
Book Chapter
Vascularization of cutaneous wounds by stem cells
Hosseini, Motaharesadat and Shafiee, Abbas (2023). Vascularization of cutaneous wounds by stem cells. Stem Cell in Medicine. (pp. 327-350) San Diego, CA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.03.002
2023
Journal Article
Exosome engineering in cell therapy and drug delivery
Sadeghi, Somaye, Tehrani, Fahimeh Ramezani, Tahmasebi, Safa, Shafiee, Abbas and Hashemi, Seyed Mahmoud (2023). Exosome engineering in cell therapy and drug delivery. Inflammopharmacology, 31 (1), 145-169. doi: 10.1007/s10787-022-01115-7
2022
Journal Article
Convergence of biofabrication technologies and cell therapies for wound healing
Hosseini, Motaharesadat, Dalley, Andrew J. and Shafiee, Abbas (2022). Convergence of biofabrication technologies and cell therapies for wound healing. Pharmaceutics, 14 (12) 2749, 2749. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122749
2022
Journal Article
Biofabrication of human skin with its appendages
Hosseini, Motaharesadat, Koehler, Karl R. and Shafiee, Abbas (2022). Biofabrication of human skin with its appendages. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 11 (22) 2201626, 1-17. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202201626
2022
Journal Article
Skin biomechanics: a potential therapeutic intervention target to reduce scarring
Hosseini, Motaharesadat, Brown, Jason, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Bayat, Ardeshir and Shafiee, Abbas (2022). Skin biomechanics: a potential therapeutic intervention target to reduce scarring. Burns and Trauma, 10 tkac036, tkac036. doi: 10.1093/burnst/tkac036
2022
Journal Article
In vivo evaluation of skin integration with ventricular assist device drivelines
Cavalcanti, Amanda S., Diaz, Raquel Sanchez, Bolle, Eleonore C.L., Bartnikowski, Nicole, Fraser, John F., McGiffin, David, Savi, Flavia Medeiros, Shafiee, Abbas, Dargaville, Tim R. and Gregory, Shaun D. (2022). In vivo evaluation of skin integration with ventricular assist device drivelines. The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 41 (8), 1032-1043. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.03.014
2022
Journal Article
Cell loaded hydrogel incorporating Ag‐doped bioactive glass‐ceramic nanoparticles as skin substitute: antibacterial properties, immune response and scarless cutaneous wound regeneration
Sharifi, Esmaeel, Sadati, Seyede Athar, Yousefiasl, Satar, Sartorius, Rossella, Zafari, Mahdi, Rezakhani, Leila, Alizadeh, Morteza, Nazarzadeh Zare, Ehsan, Omidghaemi, Shadi, Ghanavatinejad, Fatemeh, Jami, Mohammad‐Saeid, Salahinejad, Erfan, Samadian, Hadi, Cláudia Santos, Ana, De Berardinis, Piergiuseppe, Shafiee, Abbas, R Tay, Franklin, Pourmotabed, Samiramis and Makvandi, Pooyan (2022). Cell loaded hydrogel incorporating Ag‐doped bioactive glass‐ceramic nanoparticles as skin substitute: antibacterial properties, immune response and scarless cutaneous wound regeneration. Bioengineering and Translational Medicine, 7 (3) e10386, 1-19. doi: 10.1002/btm2.10386
2022
Journal Article
High-yield isolation of pure fetal endothelial colony forming cells and mesenchymal stem cells from the human full-term placenta
Nano, Rachel, Sim, Seen Ling, Shafiee, Abbas, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Patel, Jatin (2022). High-yield isolation of pure fetal endothelial colony forming cells and mesenchymal stem cells from the human full-term placenta. STAR Protocols, 3 (2) 101354, 101354. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101354
2022
Journal Article
A humanised rat model reveals ultrastructural differences between bone and mineralised tumour tissue
Lahr, Christoph A., Landgraf, Marietta, Wagner, Ferdinand, Cipitria, Amaia, Moreno-Jiménez, Inés, Bas, Onur, Schmutz, Beat, Meinert, Christoph, Mashimo, Tomoji, Miyasaka, Yoshiki, Holzapfel, Boris M., Shafiee, Abbas, McGovern, Jacqui A. and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2022). A humanised rat model reveals ultrastructural differences between bone and mineralised tumour tissue. Bone, 158 116018, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.116018
2022
Conference Publication
Repair versus regeneration - cell delivery via a 3d printed biomimetic wound dressing
Shafiee, Abbas (2022). Repair versus regeneration - cell delivery via a 3d printed biomimetic wound dressing. TERMIS World Conference, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 15-19 November 2021. New Rochelle, NY, United States: Mary Ann Liebert.
2022
Journal Article
Strategies to induce blood vessel ingrowth into skin grafts and tissue-engineered substitutes
Hosseini, Motaharesadat, Brown, Jason and Shafiee, Abbas (2022). Strategies to induce blood vessel ingrowth into skin grafts and tissue-engineered substitutes. Tissue Engineering. Part C. Methods, 28 (3), 113-126. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEC.2021.0213
2021
Journal Article
A humanized orthotopic tumor microenvironment alters the bone metastatic tropism of prostate cancer cells
McGovern, Jacqui A., Bock, Nathalie, Shafiee, Abbas, Martine, Laure C., Wagner, Ferdinand, Baldwin, Jeremy G., Landgraf, Marietta, Lahr, Christoph A., Meinert, Christoph, Williams, Elizabeth D., Pollock, Pamela M., Denham, Jim, Russell, Pamela J., Risbridger, Gail P., Clements, Judith A., Loessner, Daniela, Holzapfel, Boris M. and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2021). A humanized orthotopic tumor microenvironment alters the bone metastatic tropism of prostate cancer cells. Communications Biology, 4 (1) 1014, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02527-x
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Abbas Shafiee is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Low temperature plasma for sterilisation and wound healing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal, Dr Negareh Ghasemi, Dr Carolyn Jacobs
-
Doctor Philosophy
Simultaneous absorption and evaporation PBPK models for topical drugs and inactive agents
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yousuf Mohammed
-
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting epigenetic regulation to overcome immunotherapy resistance in cutaneous melanoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nikolas Haass, Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani, Associate Professor Jason Lee
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Abbas Shafiee directly for media enquiries about:
- 3D Printing
- Biomaterials
- Dermatology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Skin
- Stem cell
- Wound Healing
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: