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
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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
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
2018
Journal Article
Humanization of the prostate microenvironment reduces homing of PC3 prostate cancer cells to human tissue-engineered bone
McGovern, Jacqui A., Shafiee, Abbas, Wagner, Ferdinand, Lahr, Christoph A., Landgraf, Marietta, Meinert, Christoph, Williams, Elizabeth D., Russell, Pamela J., Clements, Judith A., Loessner, Daniela, Holzapfel, Boris M., Risbridger, Gail P. and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2018). Humanization of the prostate microenvironment reduces homing of PC3 prostate cancer cells to human tissue-engineered bone. Cancers, 10 (11) 438, 438. doi: 10.3390/cancers10110438
2018
Journal Article
Immunosuppression agent cyclosporine reduces self-renewal and vessel regeneration potentiation of human endothelial colony forming cells: deleterious effect of cyclosporine on ECFC
Sim, Seen-Ling, Alexis, Josue, Roy, Edwige, Shafiee, Abbas, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Patel, Jatin (2018). Immunosuppression agent cyclosporine reduces self-renewal and vessel regeneration potentiation of human endothelial colony forming cells: deleterious effect of cyclosporine on ECFC. STEM CELLS Translational Medicine, 8 (2), 162-168. doi: 10.1002/sctm.18-0103
2018
Journal Article
Modelomics to investigate cancer bone metastasis
Shafiee, Abbas and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2018). Modelomics to investigate cancer bone metastasis. Current Molecular Biology Reports, 4 (2), 88-100. doi: 10.1007/s40610-018-0094-x
2018
Journal Article
Humanization of bone and bone marrow in an orthotopic site reveals new potential therapeutic targets in osteosarcoma
Wagner, Ferdinand, Holzapfel, Boris M., McGovern, Jacqui A., Shafiee, Abbas, Baldwin, Jeremy G., Martine, Laure C., Lahr, Christoph A., Wunner, Felix M., Friis, Thor, Bas, Onur, Boxberg, Melanie, Prodinger, Peter M., Shokoohmand, Ali, Moi, Davide, Mazzieri, Roberta, Loessner, Daniela and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2018). Humanization of bone and bone marrow in an orthotopic site reveals new potential therapeutic targets in osteosarcoma. Biomaterials, 171, 230-246. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.04.030
2018
Journal Article
Immune system augmentation via humanization using stem/progenitor cells and bioengineering in a breast cancer model study
Shafiee, Abbas, McGovern, Jacqui A., Lahr, Christoph A., Meinert, Christoph, Moi, Davide, Wagner, Ferdinand, Landgraf, Marietta, De-Juan-Pardo, Elena, Mazzieri, Roberta and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2018). Immune system augmentation via humanization using stem/progenitor cells and bioengineering in a breast cancer model study. International Journal of Cancer, 143 (6), 1470-1482. doi: 10.1002/ijc.31528
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
2017
Journal Article
In vitro co-culture of mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial colony forming cells
Shafiee, Abbas and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2017). In vitro co-culture of mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial colony forming cells. Bio-Protocol, 7 (20) ARTN e2587, e2587. doi: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2587
2017
Journal Article
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells enhance engraftment, vasculogenic and pro-angiogenic activities of endothelial colony forming cells in immunocompetent hosts
Shafiee, Abbas, Patel, Jatin, Lee, James S, Hutmacher, Dietmar W, Fisk, Nicholas M and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2017). Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells enhance engraftment, vasculogenic and pro-angiogenic activities of endothelial colony forming cells in immunocompetent hosts. Scientific reports, 7 (1) 13558, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-13971-3
2017
Journal Article
Fetal Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Enhance Humanization and Bone Formation of BMP7 Loaded Scaffolds
Shafiee, Abbas, Baldwin, Jeremy G., Patel, Jatin, Holzapfel, Boris M., Fisk, Nicholas M., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Hutmacher, Dietmar W. (2017). Fetal Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Enhance Humanization and Bone Formation of BMP7 Loaded Scaffolds. Biotechnology Journal, 12 (12) 1700414, 1700414. doi: 10.1002/biot.201700414
2017
Journal Article
Avoidance of maternal cell contamination and overgrowth in isolating fetal chorionic villi mesenchymal stem cells from human term placenta
Sardesai, Varda S., Shafiee, Abbas, Fisk, Nicholas M. and Pelekanos, Rebecca A. (2017). Avoidance of maternal cell contamination and overgrowth in isolating fetal chorionic villi mesenchymal stem cells from human term placenta. Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 6 (4), 1070-1084. doi: 10.1002/sctm.15-0327
2017
Journal Article
Priming of endothelial colony-forming cells in a mesenchymal niche improves engraftment and vasculogenic potential by initiating mesenchymal transition orchestrated by NOTCH signaling
Shafiee, Abbas, Patel, Jatin, Wong, Ho Yi, Donovan, Prudence, Hutmacher, Dietmar W., Fisk, Nicholas M. and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2017). Priming of endothelial colony-forming cells in a mesenchymal niche improves engraftment and vasculogenic potential by initiating mesenchymal transition orchestrated by NOTCH signaling. The FASEB Journal, 31 (2), 610-624. doi: 10.1096/fj.201600937
2016
Journal Article
IFPA meeting 2015 workshop report IV: placenta and obesity; stem cells of the feto-maternal interface; placental immunobiology and infection
Abumaree, M. H., Almutairi, A., Cash, S., Boeuf, P., Chamley, L. W., Gamage, T., James, J. L., Kalionis, B., Khong, T. Y., Kolahi, K. S., Lim, R., Liong, S., Morgan, T. K., Motomura, K., Peiris, H. N., Pelekanos, R. A., Pelzer, E., Shafiee, A., Lash, G. E. and Natale, D. (2016). IFPA meeting 2015 workshop report IV: placenta and obesity; stem cells of the feto-maternal interface; placental immunobiology and infection. Placenta, 48 (S1), S17-S20. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.08.001
2016
Journal Article
Self-renewal and high proliferative colony forming capacity of late-outgrowth endothelial progenitors is regulated by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors driven by notch signaling
Patel, Jatin, Wong, Ho Yi, Wang, Weili, Alexis, Josue, Shafiee, Abbas, Stevenson, Alexander J., Gabrielli, Brian, Fisk, Nicholas M. and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2016). Self-renewal and high proliferative colony forming capacity of late-outgrowth endothelial progenitors is regulated by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors driven by notch signaling. Stem Cells, 34 (4), 902-912. doi: 10.1002/stem.2262
2016
Journal Article
A three-dimensional scaffold-based system for modeling the bone marrow tissue
Gheisari, Yousof, Vasei, Mohammad, Shafiee, Abbas, Soleimani, Masoud, Seyedjafari, Ehsan, Omidhkoda, Azadeh, Langroudi, Ladan and Ahmadbeigi, Naser (2016). A three-dimensional scaffold-based system for modeling the bone marrow tissue. Stem Cells and Development, 25 (6), 492-498. doi: 10.1089/scd.2015.0182
2016
Journal Article
D, l-sulforaphane loaded Fe3O4@ gold core shell nanoparticles: A potential sulforaphane delivery system
Kheiri Manjili, Hamidreza, Ma'mani, Leila, Tavaddod, Sharareh, Mashhadikhan, Maedeh, Shafiee, Abbas and Naderi-Manesh, Hossein (2016). D, l-sulforaphane loaded Fe3O4@ gold core shell nanoparticles: A potential sulforaphane delivery system. PLoS One, 11 (3) e0151344, 1-20. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151344
2016
Journal Article
Evaluation and comparison of the in vitro characteristics and chondrogenic capacity of four adult stem/progenitor cells for cartilage cell-based repair
Shafiee, Abbas, Kabiri, Mahboubeh, Langroudi, Lida, Soleimani, Masoud and Ai, Jafar (2016). Evaluation and comparison of the in vitro characteristics and chondrogenic capacity of four adult stem/progenitor cells for cartilage cell-based repair. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 104 (3), 600-610. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.35603
2016
Book Chapter
Perinatal tissue-derived endothelial progenitor cells
Shafiee, Abbas and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2016). Perinatal tissue-derived endothelial progenitor cells. Perinatal tissue-derived stem cells: alternative sources of fetal stem cells. (pp. 65-80) edited by Babak Arjmand. Cham, Switzerland: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-46410-7_4
2015
Journal Article
MiR-371-373 cluster acts as a tumor-suppressor-miR and promotes cell cycle arrest in unrestricted somatic stem cells
Langroudi, Lida, Jamshidi-Adegani, Fatemeh, Shafiee, Abbas, Rad, Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Keramati, Farid, Azadmanesh, Kayhan, Arefian, Ehsan and Soleimani, Masoud (2015). MiR-371-373 cluster acts as a tumor-suppressor-miR and promotes cell cycle arrest in unrestricted somatic stem cells. Tumor Biology, 36 (10), 7765-7774. doi: 10.1007/s13277-015-3519-7
2015
Journal Article
Overexpression of microRNA-16 declines cellular growth, proliferation and induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells
Mobarra, Naser, Shafiee, Abbas, Rad, Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Tasharrofi, Nooshin, Soufi-zomorod, Mina, Hafizi, Maryam, Movahed, Marjan, Kouhkan, Fatemeh and Soleimani, Masoud (2015). Overexpression of microRNA-16 declines cellular growth, proliferation and induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology-Animal, 51 (6), 604-611. doi: 10.1007/s11626-015-9872-4
2015
Journal Article
Neuroregenerative effects of olfactory ensheathing cells transplanted in a multi-layered conductive nanofibrous conduit in peripheral nerve repair in rats
Kabiri, Mahboubeh, Oraee-Yazdani, Saeed, Shafiee, Abbas, Hanaee-Ahvaz, Hana, Dodel, Masumeh, Vaseei, Mohammad and Soleimani, Masoud (2015). Neuroregenerative effects of olfactory ensheathing cells transplanted in a multi-layered conductive nanofibrous conduit in peripheral nerve repair in rats. Journal of Biomedical Science, 22 (35) 35, 35. doi: 10.1186/s12929-015-0144-0
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Abbas Shafiee is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Low temperature plasma for sterilisation and wound healing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal, Dr Negareh Ghasemi, Dr Carolyn Jacobs
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Doctor Philosophy
Simultaneous absorption and evaporation PBPK models for topical drugs and inactive agents
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yousuf Mohammed
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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