Alireza Mashaghi
| Alireza Mashaghi | |
|---|---|
| File:Alireza Mashaghi.tifAlireza Mashaghi.tif | |
| Born | |
| 🎓 Alma mater | Harvard University, Delft University of Technology, ETH Zurich, University of Tehran |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Single-molecule analysis of protein folding Circuit topology Organ chips for viral hemorrhagic syndromes Immunomechanics |
| 🏅 Awards | KIA Laureate (2025) |
Alireza Mashaghi is a physician-scientist and biophysicist at Leiden University.[1] He has worked on single-molecule analysis of chaperone assisted protein folding, molecular topology, mechanochemistry, and mechanopathology. He has also been involved in promoting interdisciplinary research and education across the physical sciences, engineering, and medicine.
Early life and education
Alireza Mashaghi was born in Babol, where he completed his early education. He pursued a dual degree in chemistry and medicine at University of Tehran, earning a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemistry. His MD thesis focused on the immunogenetics of vitiligo. He subsequently undertook graduate studies in physics, where his master's research applied network theory to biomolecular systems. He later completed postgraduate studies in materials and surface science at ETH Zurich, followed by a PhD at Delft University of Technology, where he graduated cum laude.[2]
Career and Research
A significant part of Mashaghi’s research focuses on biomolecular folding and molecular topology. Mashaghi observed chaperone involvement during folding of a protein, using a single molecule force spectroscopy method.[3] In 2017, he reported a new model for chaperone DnaK function that, according to Ans Hekkenberg, "overturns the decades-old textbook model of action for a protein that is central for many processes in living cells".[4] He and his co-workers found that chaperone DnaK can recognise natively folded protein parts and thereby promotes protein folding directly. His lab used optical tweezers to study folding of a single protein molecule in a cytosol, revealing the collective contribution of chaperones to folding.[5] Mashaghi and his team developed a topology framework, termed circuit topology, which enabled studying folded molecular chains, beyond what knot theory can offer.[6] The approach allows for topological barcoding of proteins and cellular genomes for medical applications.[7][8] In recent years, the group introduced multi-chain circuit topology framework applicable to biomolecular condensate[9] and developed a scanning probe microscopic assay for condensate analysis.[10]
Mashaghi also contributed to other areas in biophysics and bioengineering, with a particular focus in recent years on organ-on-a-chip technology and single-cell force spectroscopy, following earlier work on membrane biophysics and membrane based lab-on-a-chip biosensing[11][12]. His group Mashaghi was one of the first to introduce Organ Chip technology to the field of virology.[13] His team developed a chip-based disease model for Ebola hemorrhagic shock syndrome, and later extended the applicability of the platform to various viral haemorrhagic syndromes.[14] Mashaghi's team developed optical tweezers and acoustic force spectroscopy based assays to probe mechanical alterations at the single cell level, including those associated with viral haemorrhagic syndromes.[15]
In 2017, he and colleagues at Harvard developed an immunotherapy strategy to improve survival of high-risk corneal grafts.[16] They were among the first to use stem cells to reprogram innate immune cells, including neutrophils and macrophages.[17] Finally, Mashaghi’s group is linking statistical physics and medical diagnostics; this unprecedented link between physics and medicine may allow for early and efficient diagnosis of certain diseases.[18]
Recognition
Mashaghi was involved in the development of dual-degree higher education programs in Iran, enabling students to pursue studies in multiple disciplines across institutions, and was noted for this contribution to interdisciplinary education.[19][20] He has received the Khwarizmi Award and was named a KIA Laureate in 2025.[21][22]
In 2018, Mashaghi was named as "Discoverer of the Year" by Leiden University.[23]
References
- ↑ The Mashaghi group, LACDR, Leiden University
- ↑ "Profile - Principal Investigator Alireza Mashaghi Tabari". Leiden University.
- ↑ "A Rubik's cube at the nanoscale: proteins puzzle with amino acid chains". Archived from the original on 2019-01-06. Retrieved 2017-12-13.
- ↑ Universal clamping protein stabilizes folded proteins: New insight into how the chaperone protein Hsp70 works
- ↑ University, Leiden. "Biological origami at molecular level: Cytosolic interactome protects against protein unfolding". phys.org.
- ↑ Mashaghi, Alireza; Van Wijk, Roeland J.; Tans, Sander J. (2014). "Circuit Topology of Proteins and Nucleic Acids". Structure. 22 (9): 1227–1237. doi:10.1016/j.str.2014.06.015. PMID 25126961.
- ↑ Yasuyuki Tezuka, Tetsuo Deguchi, Topological Polymer Chemistry: Concepts and Practices (2022) ISBN 978-981-16-6807-4 Search this book on
.
- ↑ Leiden scientists develop topological barcodes for folded molecules
- ↑ Heidari, Maziar; Moes, Duane; Schullian, Otto; Scalvini, Barbara; Mashaghi, Alireza (November 2022). "A topology framework for macromolecular complexes and condensates". Nano Research. 15 (11): 9809–9817. doi:10.1007/s12274-022-4355-x.
- ↑ University, Leiden. "From liquid to solid: New technique uncovers disease-related changes in tiny droplets within our cells". phys.org.
- ↑ "Conformation Activity Relationships - Why Do Molecules Change Shape?". 14 February 2010.
- ↑ Mashaghi, S.; Jadidi, T.; Koenderink, G.; Mashaghi, A. (2013). "Lipid Nanotechnology". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 14 (2): 4242–4282. doi:10.3390/ijms14024242. PMC 3588097. PMID 23429269.
- ↑ Tang, Huaqi; Abouleila, Yasmine; Si, Longlong; Ortega-Prieto, Ana Maria; Mummery, Christine L.; Ingber, Donald E.; Mashaghi, Alireza (2020). "Human Organs-on-Chips for Virology". Trends in Microbiology. 28 (11): 934–946. doi:10.1016/j.tim.2020.06.005. PMC 7357975 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 32674988 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Junaid, Abidemi; Tang, Huaqi; Van Reeuwijk, Anne; Abouleila, Yasmine; Wuelfroth, Petra; Van Duinen, Vincent; Stam, Wendy; Van Zonneveld, Anton Jan; Hankemeier, Thomas; Mashaghi, Alireza (2020). "Ebola Hemorrhagic Shock Syndrome-on-a-Chip". iScience. 23 (1). Bibcode:2020iSci...23j0765J. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2019.100765. PMC 6941864 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 31887664. Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ Evers, Tom M.J.; Sheikhhassani, Vahid; Haks, Mariëlle C.; Storm, Cornelis; Ottenhoff, Tom H.M.; Mashaghi, Alireza (2022). "Single-cell analysis reveals chemokine-mediated differential regulation of monocyte mechanics". iScience. 25 (1). Bibcode:2022iSci...25j3555E. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2021.103555. PMC 8693412 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 34988399 Check|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ "Preventing graft rejection in high-risk corneal transplant patients".
- ↑ Mashaghi-Tabari, Alireza; Dana, Reza; Chauhan, Sunil (June 2015). "Mesenchymal stem cells suppress innate immune response to corneal injury". Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 56 (7): 4356.
- ↑ Diagnosing patients with the help of statistical physics (2018)
- ↑ "Exclusive G Plus interview with Alireza Mashaghi - the discoverer of the 2018 model". Jamaran News Agency (in فارسی). 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Iranian scientist nominated for discoverer of year 2017". Mehr News Agency. 1 January 2018.
- ↑ "COMSATS' Centre of Excellence, IROST successfully holds the 38th Khwarizmi International Award and 26th Khwarizmi Youth Award in Tehran". COMSTATS.
- ↑ "Winners of 38th Khwarizmi Intl. Award (KIA) honored". Mehr News Agency. 23 February 2025.
- ↑ Our Talents & Discoveries 2017 - Universiteit Leiden
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