Overview
Background
I am a Lecturer in Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland whose research combines molecular biology, biotechnology (synthetic proteins), extracellular vesicle biology, and immunology to develop innovative approaches for improving animal and human health. My work focuses on translating discoveries in molecular biology into practical diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine technologies for biomedical and veterinary applications.
My research integrates molecular genetics, cell biology, and host–pathogen interactions to better understand infectious diseases and immune regulation. I have contributed to the development of novel gene expression systems in Toxoplasma gondii and have experience investigating extracellular vesicles as immunomodulators in lab animals and as platforms for therapeutic and vaccine development.
Current areas of research include:
- Extracellular vesicle biology and intercellular communication
- Molecular parasitology and host–pathogen interactions
- Veterinary infectious diseases and immunology
- Gene regulation and functional genomics
- Translational biotechnology for animal health
- Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker discovery
I welcome opportunities to collaborate with researchers, industry partners and government organisations interested in veterinary biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, infectious diseases, and translational biomedical research. I am also keen to supervise Honours, Masters and PhD students with interests in molecular biology, parasitology, extracellular vesicle research, and biotechnology.
Availability
- Dr Mohammad Farouq Sharifpour is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Professional Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University
- Doctor of Philosophy of Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide
Research interests
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Extracellular vesicles for vaccines and therapeutics
I investigate extracellular vesicles as natural carriers of proteins and other bioactive molecules, with applications in vaccines, immunotherapies and drug delivery. My work includes vesicles derived from parasites and Spirulina, examining how they influence immune responses and how they can be developed into scalable, biologically derived platforms for improving animal and human health.
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Molecular parasitology and parasite genetics
My research explores the molecular biology, gene regulation and functional genetics of parasites, particularly Toxoplasma gondii. I develop genetic tools that allow parasite genes to be controlled or switched off, helping researchers identify essential biological pathways and potential targets for new antiparasitic drugs, diagnostics and vaccines.
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Host–pathogen interactions and immune regulation
I study how parasites and their secreted molecules interact with host cells and alter immune responses. This includes investigating how helminth-derived extracellular vesicles regulate T-cell function and inflammation. The aim is to identify mechanisms that contribute to infection, immune evasion and chronic disease, and to translate these findings into new therapeutic strategies.
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Translational biotechnology and molecular diagnostics
I am interested in transforming molecular and cellular discoveries into practical technologies for animal health. My research applies biotechnology, biomarker discovery and rapid assay development to improve disease detection, prevention and treatment. This includes developing diagnostic platforms based on extracellular vesicles and exploring technologies that can be adapted for veterinary, agricultural and biomedical use.
Research impacts
My research aims to turn discoveries in parasite biology and extracellular vesicles into practical tools for animal and human health, including new vaccine components, controllable genetic systems and diagnostic technologies.
One demonstrated outcome is the first isolation and characterisation of extracellular vesicles from Spirulina as a vaccine-adjuvant platform. In a preclinical mouse study, these vesicles increased antigen-specific antibody responses by more than 500-fold compared with antigen alone, supporting the development of scalable, biologically derived vaccine technologies. This work also attracted national media coverage, helping communicate the potential of extracellular-vesicle biotechnology to broader audiences.
I also developed a highly responsive genetic switch for Toxoplasma gondii that allows parasite genes to be turned off in a controlled and reversible manner. The technology received competitive commercial-acceleration funding and was protected while its translational potential was assessed. It provides a platform for identifying drug and vaccine targets and may support the development of safer live-attenuated vaccines.
Across these programs, my impact is centred on creating enabling technologies that can shorten the path from laboratory discovery to improved disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment in animals, while building collaborations across veterinary science, biotechnology and biomedical research.
Works
Search Professor Mohammad Farouq Sharifpour’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
A New Conditional Transcription Factor for Use in Toxoplasma Gondii
Sharifpour, Mohammad Farouq, Khadiv, Shadi, Uboldi, Alessandro D., Jayawickrama, Amalie A., Manning, Sarah, Whittall, Jonathan, Bottema, Cynthia D. K., Ellis, John T., Howe, Daniel K., Wilson, Danny W., Hemmatzadeh, Farhid, Tonkin, Christopher J. and McAllister, Milton M. (2026). A New Conditional Transcription Factor for Use in Toxoplasma Gondii. Biotechnology Journal, 21 (5) e70240, 1-11. doi: 10.1002/biot.70240
2025
Journal Article
Lipoprotein Association Fluorometry (LAF) as a semi‐quantitative characterization tool to assess extracellular vesicle‐lipoprotein binding
Ghebosu, Raluca, Goncalves, Jenifer Pendiuk, Fitri, Nur Indah, Iannotta, Dalila, Sharifpour, Mohammad Farouq, Coleborn, Elaina, Loukas, Alex, Souza‐Fonseca‐Guimaraes, Fernando and Wolfram, Joy (2025). Lipoprotein Association Fluorometry (LAF) as a semi‐quantitative characterization tool to assess extracellular vesicle‐lipoprotein binding. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 14 (10) e70172, e70172. doi: 10.1002/jev2.70172
2025
Journal Article
Helminth extracellular vesicles co-opt host monocytes to drive T cell anergy
Borup, Anne, Sharifpour, Mohammad Farouq, Rossen, Litten S., Whitehead, Bradley, Boysen, Anders T., Olesen, Rikke, Bohn, Anja B., Ridolfi, Andrea, Brucale, Marco, Valle, Francesco, Paolini, Lucia, Radeghieri, Annalisa, Bergese, Paolo, Miles, Kim, Veitch, Margaret, Thomas, Tamara, Ruscher, Roland, Wangchuk, Phurpa, Giacomin, Paul, Loukas, Alex and Nejsum, Peter (2025). Helminth extracellular vesicles co-opt host monocytes to drive T cell anergy. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 14 (1) e70027, 1-18. doi: 10.1002/jev2.70027
2025
Conference Publication
Probing extracellular vesicle interactions with lipoproteins in healthy and disease contexts
Ghebosu, Raluca, Pendiuk Goncalves, Jenifer, Fitri, Nur Indah, Iannotta, Dalila, Sharifpour, Mohammad Farouq, Coleborn, Elaina, Loukas, Alex, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando and Wolfram, Joy (2025). Probing extracellular vesicle interactions with lipoproteins in healthy and disease contexts. International Society for Extracellular Vesicles Annual Meeting, Vienna, Austria, 23-27 April 2025.
2024
Journal Article
Characterization of Spirulina-derived extracellular vesicles and their potential as a vaccine adjuvant
Sharifpour, Mohammad Farouq, Sikder, Suchandan, Wong, Yide, Koifman, Na'ama, Thomas, Tamara, Courtney, Robert, Seymour, Jamie and Loukas, Alex (2024). Characterization of Spirulina-derived extracellular vesicles and their potential as a vaccine adjuvant. Journal of Extracellular Biology, 3 (12) e70025. doi: 10.1002/jex2.70025
2021
Journal Article
A GRA2 minimal promoter improves the efficiency of TATi/Tet-Off conditional regulation of gene expression in Toxoplasma gondii
Sharifpour, Mohammad Farouq, Khadiv, Shadi, Meissner, Markus and McAllister, Milton M. (2021). A GRA2 minimal promoter improves the efficiency of TATi/Tet-Off conditional regulation of gene expression in Toxoplasma gondii. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 244 111384, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111384
2020
Journal Article
Genetic characterization of Lactococcus garvieae isolated from farmed rainbow trout by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR in Iran
Fadaeifard, F., Rabiei, M. and Sharifpour, M. F. (2020). Genetic characterization of Lactococcus garvieae isolated from farmed rainbow trout by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR in Iran. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 71 (1), 2023-2030. doi: 10.12681/jhvms.22970
2016
Journal Article
Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from gut of honeybees (Apis mellifera) from West Azerbaijan, Iran
Sharifpour, Mohammad Farouq, Mardani, Karim and Ownagh, Abdulghaffar (2016). Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from gut of honeybees (Apis mellifera) from West Azerbaijan, Iran. Veterinary Research Forum, 7 (4), 287-294.
2014
Journal Article
Squamous cell carcinoma in a black tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Boulenger)
Sharifpour, M. F., Hobbenaghi, R., Alyali, P. and Morvaridi, A. (2014). Squamous cell carcinoma in a black tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Boulenger). Journal of Fish Diseases, 37 (11), 985-987. doi: 10.1111/jfd.12191
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Mohammad Farouq Sharifpour is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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