Overview
Background
Dr Abbas Shafiee is leading a multidisciplinary program in Regenerative Dermatology and Biofabrication. His research integrates stem cell biology, organoid technology, and bioengineering to develop advanced human models and regenerative therapies for skin repair and disease.
Dr Shafiee completed his PhD in stem cell biology, discovering a previously unknown vascular stem cell population, termed the Meso-Endothelial Bipotent Progenitor, and mapping its molecular signatures (Stem Cell Reports 2018). This seminal discovery advanced the understanding of human vascular development and regeneration.
He subsequently joined Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher’s group, where he developed humanised tissue-engineered bone and tumour models that mimic cancer metastasis and tumor–stroma interactions. These models (International Journal of Cancer (2018), Biomaterials (2018, 2020), and Bone Research (2019), Acta Biomaterialia (2020), Bone (2022)) provided unprecedented insights into human-specific cancer biology and preclinical drug testing.
Dr Shafiee joined Metro North Health (MNH) in 2020 to lead a research program and develop, implement, and evaluate the applications of 3D printing, scanning, cell therapies, and biofabrication technologies in skin wound settings, and dermatology research. His team has developed vascularised and immune-integrated skin organoids and 3D-printed bioengineered grafts that accelerate wound closure with minimal scarring (Biomaterials 2021; Advanced Healthcare Materials (2022; 2025); Small 2024; Burns & Trauma 2025). These breakthroughs underpin new patient-specific skin therapies, disease models, and drug screening platforms. This work led to the establishment of the International Consortium for Organoid Research in Dermatology, to accelerate discovery and translation in skin biology, rare genetic skin diseases, and regenerative dermatology.
Dr Shafiee has supervised more than 10 PhD, Masters, honours students and actively contributes to multiple professional and editorial roles. He has authored 82+ peer-reviewed publications (>4,600 citations, h-index 37) and delivered more than 40 presentations worldwide. He serves on multiple professional and editorial boards, including Australian Wound & Tissue Repair Society (AWTRS), and Burns & Trauma. He is the 2025 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award Winner for his pioneering contributions to regenerative medicine and science communication.
He actively engages with the media, schools, and community programs to inspire future scientists and raise public awareness of regenerative medicine and organoid technologies. His outreach has reached millions nationwide through major media coverage (e.g., The Australian, 7NEWS, ABC NEWS) .
Research areas:
- Human iPSC-derived skin organoids and skin-on-chip models
- Vascularization and immune integration in skin tissue engineering
- Rare genetic skin diseases and personalized regenerative therapies
- Translational biofabrication and wound healing technologies
- Organoid-based preclinical drug discovery platforms
Honours, Masters, and PhD opportunities are available for motivated students interested in regenerative dermatology, biofabrication, and organoid biology.
Availability
- Dr Abbas Shafiee is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
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Hydrogels, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
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Stem Cell Bioengineering
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Wound care
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Vascular development and homeostasis
Research impacts
Dr Abbas Shafiee’s research is driving innovation in regenerative medicine and skin health, improving how we treat wounds, burns, and genetic skin disorders. By combining stem cell biology, organoid technology, and 3D biofabrication, his work is enabling the development of safer, more effective, and ethically sound therapies that can transform patient care.
His team has created the world’s first vascularised and immune-integrated skin organoids, living “mini-skins” that mimic real human tissue (The Australian). These organoids are being used to test new drugs, understand rare genetic conditions, and design personalised skin grafts, reducing dependence on animal testing and speeding up the path from discovery to treatment (7NEWS).
Dr Shafiee’s research directly benefits society by:
- Advancing wound healing technologies that promote faster, scar-free recovery for patients.
- Supporting pharmaceutical and biotech industries in developing reliable preclinical testing platforms aligned with new international regulations (e.g., FDA Modernization Act 2.0).
- Building global collaborations through the International Consortium for Organoid Research in Dermatology to accelerate therapies for skin diseases.
- Training the next generation of researchers in regenerative medicine and bioengineering.
His discoveries have led to a patent filing, CRC and MRFF-funded projects, and collaborations with major industry partners. With more than 4,600 citations (h-index 37) and recognition as a 2025 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award winner, his work is positioning Australia as a global leader in human organoid and biofabrication innovation, contributing to improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and creating new opportunities for the biotechnology sector.
Works
Search Professor Abbas Shafiee’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2025
Journal Article
Coordinated development of immune cell populations in vascularized skin organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Mostina, Mitchell, Sun, Jane, Sim, Seen Ling, Ahmed, Imaan A., Souza-Fonesca-Guimaraes, Fernando, Wolvetang, Ernst J., Brown, Jason, Kumari, Snehlata, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Shafiee, Abbas (2025). Coordinated development of immune cell populations in vascularized skin organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Advanced Healthcare Materials e02108, e02108. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202502108
Featured
2025
Journal Article
The empowering influence of air-liquid interface culture on skin organoid hair follicle development
Sun, Jane, Ahmed, Imaan, Brown, Jason, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Shafiee, Abbas (2025). The empowering influence of air-liquid interface culture on skin organoid hair follicle development. Burns and Trauma, 13 tkae070, tkae070-13. doi: 10.1093/burnst/tkae070
Featured
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
Featured
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
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Engineering bioactive scaffolds for skin regeneration
Hosseini, Motaharesadat and Shafiee, Abbas (2021). Engineering bioactive scaffolds for skin regeneration. Small, 17 (41) 2101384, 2101384. doi: 10.1002/smll.202101384
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Wound healing: from passive to smart dressings
Farahani, Mojtaba and Shafiee, Abbas (2021). Wound healing: from passive to smart dressings. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10 (16) 2100477, 2100477. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202100477
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Convergence of 3D printed biomimetic wound dressings and adult stem cell therapy
Shafiee, Abbas, Cavalcanti, Amanda S., Saidy, Navid T., Schneidereit, Dominik, Friedrich, Oliver, Ravichandran, Akhilandeshwari, De-Juan-Pardo, Elena M. and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2021). Convergence of 3D printed biomimetic wound dressings and adult stem cell therapy. Biomaterials, 268 120558, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120558
Featured
2020
Journal Article
A 3D-printed biomaterials-based platform to advance established therapy avenues against primary bone cancers
Lahr, Christoph A., Landgraf, Marietta, Sanchez-Herrero, Alvaro, Dang, Hoang Phuc, Wagner, Ferdinand, Bas, Onur, Bray, Laura J., Tran, Phong, Holzapfel, Boris M., Shafiee, Abbas, McGovern, Jacqui and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2020). A 3D-printed biomaterials-based platform to advance established therapy avenues against primary bone cancers. Acta Biomaterialia, 118, 69-82. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.10.006
Featured
2019
Journal Article
Humanized bone facilitates prostate cancer metastasis and recapitulates therapeutic effects of zoledronic acid in vivo
Landgraf, Marietta, Lahr, Christoph A., Sanchez-Herrero, Alvaro, Meinert, Christoph, Shokoohmand, Ali, Pollock, Pamela M., Hutmacher, Dietmar W., Shafiee, Abbas and McGovern, Jacqui A. (2019). Humanized bone facilitates prostate cancer metastasis and recapitulates therapeutic effects of zoledronic acid in vivo. Bone Research, 7 (1) 31, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41413-019-0072-9
Featured
2018
Journal Article
Meso-Endothelial Bipotent Progenitors from Human Placenta Display Distinct Molecular and Cellular Identity
Shafiee, Abbas, Patel, Jatin, Hutmacher, Dietmar W., Fisk, Nicholas M. and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2018). Meso-Endothelial Bipotent Progenitors from Human Placenta Display Distinct Molecular and Cellular Identity. Stem Cell Reports, 10 (3), 890-904. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.01.011
2025
Journal Article
Advancing dermatology with skin equivalents and organoids in pathophysiology and drug testing
Lakeh, Bahar and Shafiee, Abbas (2025). Advancing dermatology with skin equivalents and organoids in pathophysiology and drug testing. Acta Biomaterialia. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2025.10.008
2025
Journal Article
Chitosan hydrogel reinforced with decellularized umbilical cord extracellular matrix and carbon nanotubes: a new trend for cartilage regeneration
Omidi, Mehrdad, Basiri, Arefeh, Mohammadnejad, Javad, Karbasi, Saeed and shafiee, Abbas (2025). Chitosan hydrogel reinforced with decellularized umbilical cord extracellular matrix and carbon nanotubes: a new trend for cartilage regeneration. Materials Today Chemistry, 49 103094, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2025.103094
2024
Journal Article
Generating skin‐derived precursor‐like cells from human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived skin organoids
Ahmed, Imaan A., Sun, Jane, Kong, Min Jie, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Shafiee, Abbas (2024). Generating skin‐derived precursor‐like cells from human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived skin organoids. Experimental Dermatology, 33 (11) e70017, e70017. doi: 10.1111/exd.70017
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
Conference Publication
Evaluating the efficacy of targeted vs non-targeted dox nanoparticles in treating triple negative breast cancer bone metastases in a humanized mouse model
Mcgovern, J. A., Landgraf, M., Frankenbach, T., Fletcher, N., Howard, C., Ravichandran, A., Shafiee, A., Thurecht, K. and Hutmacher, D. W. (2024). Evaluating the efficacy of targeted vs non-targeted dox nanoparticles in treating triple negative breast cancer bone metastases in a humanized mouse model. 7th Termis World Congress, Seattle, WA USA, 25-28 June 2024. New Rochelle, NY USA: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers.
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, 1-10. doi: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae019
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
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
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Abbas Shafiee is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Skin stem cell biology
Stem cell-based therapies have been proposed to improve wound healing outcomes. Although epidermal stem/progenitor cells have shown potential to improve wound healing through re-epithelialization, they have limited ability to overcome the challenges of full skin regeneration. In this project, we are aiming to isolate and characterize different types of stem/progenitor cells from skin and use them to develop in vitro skin substitute, or utilize stem cells for cutaneous wound restoration. Projects are available for undergraduate, postgraduate (MPhil, MSc and PhD) or medical students.
In this project, we utilize following techniques: Cell and tissue culture; Immunostaining; Flow cytometry; Real time - PCR and other molecular biology assays; Animal experiment; Histology.
Keywords: Skin; Stem cell; Organoid; Pluripotent stem cells; Wound healing.
Relevant research:
1- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/smll.202304879
2- https://academic.oup.com/biomethods/article/9/1/bpae019/7633922?login=true
3- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adhm.202201626
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Improving Skin Regeneration through the Design and Development of New Skin Grafts
Treatment of cutaneous scar after wounding or trauma has a significant emotional and social impact on the patients and represents a major health burden, costing the economy billions of dollars annually. Using 3D printing and biofabrication technologies we are aiming to develop new dressings and skin grafts which favour skin wound healing. Projects are available for undergraduate, postgraduate (MPhil, MSc and PhD) or medical students.
In this project, we utilize following techniques: Cell and tissue culture; Scaffold fabrication; 3D printing; Immunostaining; Flow cytometry; Real time - PCR and other molecular biology assays; Animal experiment; Histology.
Keywords: Skin; Wound healing; Hydrogel; Polymers; 3D printing; Vascularization; Bioprinting; Stem cells; Keratinosyte, Dressing; Dermal grafts.
Relevant research:
1- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961220308048
2- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/smll.202101384
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Development of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for wound healing
The body's reparative response to skin wounds differs between different individuals. While some people's bodies simply respond to the treatment others do not. In this project we are aiming to understand the genetic factors which effect the wound healing and ultimately develop candidate biomarkers with potential clinical value. Using the genomics, and proteomics approaches we are aiming to discover novel therapeutic targets for skin regeneration. Projects are available for undergraduate, postgraduate (MPhil, MSc and PhD) or medical students.
In this project, we utilize genomics, proteomics and bioinformatic technologies.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Non-equilibrium atmospheric plasma for sterilisation and wound healing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nidhi Bansal, Associate Professor Rahul Sharma, Dr Negareh Ghasemi, Dr Carolyn Jacobs
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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
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