Professor Navid Dinparast Djadid, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.,
Head of Department

Tel/Fax: ++98 21 6648049


E-mails: navidmvrg@gmail.com    ,    navid@pasteur.ac.ir

Background
Navid Dinparast Djadid has got his M.Sc. degree from Public Health School of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1989 and received his PhD in Molecular Entomology from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in 1998. Soon after return to home country, as a faculty member in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and since 2001 in Pasteur institute of Iran, he has been engaged in a variety of national and international R&D and training activities related to main vector born disease (VBDs), especially malaria in Iran and also as WHO temporary advisor in countries of EMR. He provided the opportunity for training of public health staff and PhD students from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq in MVRG, in order to assist the National control programs of those countries against VBDs. He was awarded a re-entry grant from WHO/TDR in 2000, followed by 6 other grants from WHO/EMR and 16 national grants from CDC/MOH, PII and other resources. Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG) co-established by him and Professor Sedigheh Zakeri in 2005, in Biotechnology Research Center.  

Areas of Interest & Research Activities:
The world of arthropods and insects vectors that transmit the diseases is amazing in both field and laboratory levels, but in practice, an entomologist should assist the control/elimination programs by providing the applied data on how to minimize the fitness and life span of all stages of vectors species, not allowing the vector-pathogen interaction leading to transmission to human host occur. Accordingly, in last 20 years, the main activities were directed in a way to respond the demands of control/elimination programs in Iran, countries of EMR, and worldwide.

Current Main Activities:

Molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance: This area of our research is a breakthrough in vector control strategy, as we managed to develop a molecular kit for detection of resistance/susceptibility to different generations of insecticides within vector species. Now, we are improving the specificity and sensitivity of developed kit by using new and field-friendly techniques.

Paratrangenics in malaria control: This strategy is one of those "edge of knowledge" research areas in MVRG, as when we started it in about 2007. We had no idea on the composition of different agents within the mosquito that might be used as paratransgenic agent. Now, by publishing partial results of our extensive field and laboratory studies in PLOS One (2011), we deployed the target bacteria (Asaia) species in Anopheles-Plasmodium model. Detection of two types of Wolbachia and Denso virus in Iranian Culicidae species also pave the way to use these agents in paratransgenics strategy and/or designing new gene driving systems.

Molecular modeling of Culicidae mosquito- Plasmodium parasite interaction in human and bird malaria model: Detection of Plasmodium spp. within different vector species will verify the role of each species in disease transmission. Our results through collaboration with neighboring countries revealed the presence of P. falciparum and P. vivax in Anopheles species from Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Also, working on detection of plasmodium species within different birds, especially migratory birds provided new insight on the circulation of different plasmodium in mammalian and bird hosts. Besides, by using an advanced technology, we expect to detect other pathogens, mainly viruses and bacteria that interact in this model.

Genetic composition of vector species: working on this subject provides the essential data on geographical distribution of main vectors, their subpopulations and vectorial status. Our studies so far led to development of a molecular key to Iranian Anopheles species, and detection of new members within main malaria vectors in Iran and Afghanistan.

Developing vaccines that interrupt VBDs transmission (TBV/VIMT): Having access to malaria and other VBDs endemic areas and the construction of National Insectarium in MVRG, we were able to challenge the role of anti-WARP, Lectin, and CPB in blocking the P. falciparum and P. vivax sexual stage within An. stephensi in field and insectary, while the out coming results were promising and published in Malaria Journal and Infection & Immunity journals.

Transmission Blocking Vaccine (TBV) development for emerging and re-emerging arboviral infectious disease: Nowadays, through the un-expected dispersal of vector species, especially mosquitoes, a worldwide emergence and re-emergence of arboviral diseases is treating all countries. Accordingly, MVRG as a national infrastructure for the study of VBDs is embarking on 1) establishment of different populations of Culex and Aedes species, 2) detection of viral infections within the mosquito vectors, 3) characterizing vaccine candidate genes, 4) production of recombinant proteins and 4) challenging those Rec-proteins as TBV. 

 

R&D Activities: 

1. NASBA-ELISA kit for detection of Plasmodium species by using nano-gold particles (US-Patent)
2. Molecular kit for detection of insecticide resistance in vector species (Available for use)
3. Production of LarvPack for Larvae therapy (Available for use)
4. Production of recombinant collagenase from Lucilia sericata (US-Patent)

Field Activities:

Despite the fact that Navid's PhD was in molecular genetics of vector species, but as an entomologist, he never left the field and field work in his career during the last 30 years. In fact, he believe that an entomologist without personal attendance in field, never will fulfill the requirements for understanding the proper picture of what is happening naturally in vector biology, ecology, population, response to control measures and last but not least, the mechanisms underlying the vector-pathogen interactions. 

 

Teaching & Training

September 2000- onwards: lectures on

• Cellualr and Molecular Biology
• Advanced Molecular Biology
• Advanced Research Methods
• Biotechnology
• Medical & Molecular Entomology
• Running workshop and training on insecticide resistance and population genetics in Afghanistan
  
   

Supervision of M. Sc. and PhD thesis

• Supervisor to 17 M.Sc. and PhD thesis
• Advisor to 20 M.Sc. and PhD thesis

 National & International Grants

• Since 2000 Prof. N.D. Djadid awarded more than $1,200,000 grant from WHO/TDR/EMRO, Joint Iran-Karolinska project, Iranian MOH, PII and other resources.

Administrative Experiences:

•  Head of Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), PII. 2018-onward
•  Deputy Director for Development of Management and Resources, PII (Oct 2013-March 2015)
•  Deputy for Research, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (2004-2017)
•  Head, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MMVRG), 2006-2013
•  Head, National Insectarium, MVRG, Pasteur Institute of Iran
•  Member, National Board on Medical Entomology, Ministry of Health (MOH)
•  Member, National Advisory Committee on Urban Pest, MOH
•  Member, National Advisory Committee on Prevention of Accidents, MOH
•  Member, Advisory Committee for Strategy Planning in PII and other organizations
•  Member, Education Council, Pasteur Institute of Iran
•  Member, Research Council, Pasteur Institute of Iran
•  Chair, National Committee on Strategy Planning for Environmental Biotechnology (2001-2003) 

International and National Advisory Committees and Training:

•  March 2016: E-Workshop for EMGENE/EMRO on: "Application of biotechnology in malaria studies"
• Jan. 2011: Lecturing in a WHO/HPRO/MOH (Afghanistan) workshop on “Detection of insecticide resistance in Asian mosquitoes” in the frame of a course entitled “advanced diagnostic techniques for biomedical community in Afghanistan”.
•  Dec 2007: Acting as Temporary Advisor to WHO/EMRO in running workshop on "Field sampling methods", Kabul, Afghanistan
• April 2007: Acting as Temporary Advisor to WHO/EMRO in running Capacity Building workshop in Vector Control and preparing the "Afghanistan National program for malaria and leishmania control" Kabul, Afghanistan
•  November 2006: Coordinator for WHO-PII course on Medical Entomology for 3 Afghani trainees
•  September 2001: Acting as Temporary Advisor to WHO/EMRO in reviewing and finalizing the Small Grant research proposals

Recent Publications (Since 2015)

• Bakhshi H., Raz AA, Failloux A, Zakeri S, Djadid ND (2018). Mosquito-borne Viral Diseases and Potential Transmission Blocking Vaccine Candidates. Infection, Genetics and Evolution (in press).
  Rami A, Raz AA, Djadid ND, Zakeri S. (2018). Isolation and identification of Asaia sp. in Anopheles spp. Mosquitoes collected from Iranian malaria settings: steps toward applying paratransgenic tools against malaria. Parasites & Vectors (in press).
• Nazeri S, Zakeri S, Mehrizi AA, Djadid ND, Snounou G, AndolinaC, Nosten F (2018). Vaccine adjuvants CpG (oligodeoxynucleotides ODNs), MPL (3-O-decylated monophosphoryl lipid A) and naloxone enhanced Th1 immune response to the Plasmodium vivax recombinant thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP) in mice. Med. Microbiol. Immunol. (In press).
  Gholizadeh S, Karimi NN, Zakeri S, Djadid ND (2018). The Role of Molecular Techniques on Malaria Control and Elimination Programs in Iran: Systematic Review. Iranian Journal of Parasitology (in press).
  Pirahmadi S, Zakeri S, Mehrizi AA, Djadid ND. (2018). Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of gene encoding cell-traversal protein for ookinetes and sporozoites (CelTOS) vaccine candidate antigen in global Plasmodium falciparum populations.Infect Genet Evol. 59:113-125.
  Shabani SH, Zakeri S, Salmanian AH, Amani J, Mehrizi AA, Snounou G, Nosten F, Andolina C, Mourtazavi Y, Djadid ND. (2017). Biological, immunological and functional properties of two novel multi-variant chimeric recombinant proteins of CSP antigens for vaccine development against Plasmodium vivax infection. Mol Immunol. 90:158-171.
  Mehrizi AA, Torabi F, Zakeri S, Djadid ND.(2017). Limited genetic diversity in the global Plasmodium vivax Cell traversal protein of Ookinetes and Sporozoites (CelTOS) sequences; implications for PvCelTOS-based vaccine development.Infect Genet Evol. 53:239-247.
• Nazeri S, Zakeri S, Mehrizi AA, Djadid ND. (2017). Naturally acquired immune responses to thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (TRAP) of Plasmodium vivax in patients from areas of unstable malaria transmission.Acta Trop.173:45-54.
• Solgi R, Djadid ND, Eslamifar A, Raz A, Zakeri S. ( 2017). Morphological and Molecular Characteristic of Megaseliascalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) Larvae as the Cause of Urinary Myiasis.J Med Entomol. 54(3):781-784.
  Afrouzan H, Zakeri S, Abouie Mehrizi A, Molasalehi S, Tahghighi A, Shokrgozar MA, Es-Haghi A, Dinparast Djadid N. (2017). Anti-Plasmodial Assessment of Four Different Iranian Propolis Extracts. Arch Iran Med. 20(5):270-281.
  Helen Hoosh-Deghati, Navid Dinparast-Djadid, VahidehMoin-Vaziri, Hoda Atta, Abbas Ali Raz, SeyyedJavadSeyyed-Tabaei, Naseh Maleki-Ravasan, Hamzeh Alipour, Sedigheh Zakeri, EznollahAzar-Gashb. (2017). Composition of Anopheles Species Collected from Selected Malarious Areas of Afghanistan and Iran. J Arthropod-Borne Dis. 11(2):
  Leila Nourani, Mansour Aliabadian, Navid Dinparast-Djadid, Omid Mirshamsi. (2017). New Host Records for Haemoproteus Spp. (Apicomplexa: Haemosporidiasina) in Passeriformes from North-West of Iran. J Arthropod-Borne Dis. 11(2): 236–241.
  Ménard D, Khim N, Beghain J, Adegnika AA, Shafiul-Alam M, Amodu O, Rahim-Awab G, Barnadas C, Berry A, Boum Y, Bustos MD, Cao J, Chen JH, Collet L, Cui L, Thakur GD, Dieye A, Djallé D, Dorkenoo MA, Eboumbou-Moukoko CE, Espino FE, Fandeur T, Ferreira-da-Cruz MF, Fola AA, Fuehrer HP, Hassan AM, Herrera S, Hongvanthong B, Houzé S, Ibrahim ML, Jahirul-Karim M, Jiang L, Kano S, Ali-Khan W, Khanthavong M, Kremsner PG, Lacerda M, Leang R, Leelawong M, Li M, Lin K, Mazarati JB, Ménard S, Morlais I, Muhindo-Mavoko H, Musset L, Na-Bangchang K, Nambozi M, Niaré K, Noedl H, Ouédraogo JB, Pillai DR, Pradines B, Quang-Phuc B, Ramharter M, Randrianarivelojosia M, Sattabongkot J, Sheikh-Omar A, Silué KD, Sirima SB, Sutherland C, Syafruddin D, Tahar R, Tang LH, Touré OA, Tshibangu-wa-Tshibangu P, Vigan-Womas I, Warsame M, Wini L, Zakeri S, Kim S, Eam R, Berne L, Khean C, Chy S, Ken M, Loch K, Canier L, Duru V, Legrand E, Barale JC, Stokes B, Straimer J, Witkowski B, Fidock DA, Rogier C, Ringwald P, Ariey F, Mercereau-Puijalon O; KARMA Consortium. (2016). A Worldwide Map of Plasmodium falciparum K13-Propeller Polymorphisms.N Engl J Med. 374(25):2453-64.
• Mehrizi AA, Dodangeh F, Zakeri S, Djadid ND. (2016). Worldwide population genetic analysis and natural selection in the Plasmodium vivax Generative Cell Specific 1 (PvGCS1) as a transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. Infect Genet Evol. 43:50-7.
• Shabani SH, Zakeri S, Mehrizi AA, Mortazavi Y, Djadid ND. (2016). Population genetics structure of Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein during the elimination process in low and unstable malaria transmission areas, southeast of Iran.Acta Trop. 160:23-34.
• Valizadeh V, Zakeri S, Mehrizi AA, Mirkazemi S, Djadid ND.Natural acquired inhibitory antibodies to Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP-II) equally block erythrocyte binding of homologous and heterologous expressed PvDBP-II on the surface of COS-7 cells. Med Microbiol Immunol. 2016; 205(1):85-95.
• Hamzeh Alipour, Abbasali Raz, Sedigheh Zakeri, Navid Dinparast Djadid (2016). Therapeutic applications of collagenase (metalloproteases): A review. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 6(11): 975–981.
• Nazeri S, Mehrizi AA, Djadid ND, Zakeri S.A comparative study on worldwide genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Plasmodium vivax thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (PvTRAP) and its implications for the vivax vaccine design.Infect Genet Evol.2015;36:410-23.
• Salavatifar M, Zakeri S, Hayati-Roodbari N, Djadid ND. High-Level Expression, Purification and Characterization of a Recombinant Plasmodium vivax Apical Membrane Antigen 1: Implication for vivax Malaria Vaccine Development.Cell J. 2015;17(3):520-31.
• Salavatifar M, Zakeri S, Abouie Mehrizi A, Mirkhazemi S, Dinparast Djadid N. (2015). Evaluation of Naturally Acquired Antibody Responses to Two Variant Forms of Plasmodium vivax Apical Membrane Antigen-1 in Individuals Living in Areas of Low and Unstable Malaria Transmission of Iran. Arch Iran Med. 18(12):834-43.
  Someabozorg MA, Mirkazemi S, Mehrizi AA, Shokri F, Djadid ND, Zakeri S.
  Administration of naloxone in combination with recombinant Plasmodium vivax AMA-1 in BALB/c mice induces mixed Th1/Th2 immune responses. Parasite Immunol. 2015, 37 (10): 521–532.
• Gholizadeh S, Firooziyan S, Ladonni H, Hajipirloo HM, Djadid ND, Hosseini A, Raz A.
  The Anopheles stephensi odorant binding protein 1 (AsteObp1) gene: A new molecular marker for biological forms diagnosis. Acta Trop. 2015, 146:101-113.
• Talha BA, Pirahmadi S, Mehrizi AA, Djadid ND, Nour BYM, Zakeri S. Molecular genetic analysis of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Eastern and Central Sudan using pvcsp and pvmsp-3α genes as molecular markers. Infect Genet Evol. 2015,23;32:12-22.
• Rouhani, M, Zakeri, S, Pirahmadi S, Raeisi A, Djadid ND. High prevalence of pfdhfr-pfdhps triple mutations associated with anti-malarial drugs resistance in Plasmodium falciparum isolates seven years after the adoption of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in combination with artesunate as first-line treatment in Iran. Infect Genet Evol. 2015, 31;31C:183-189.
  Rouhani M, Zakeri S, Mehrizi AA, Djadid ND. Comparative analysis of IgG subclass-specific responses profiles to Plasmodium falciparum apical memebran antigen-1 and (AMA-1) and merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) in naturally exposed individuals living in malaria hypoendemic settings, Iran. Malar J. 2015; 5;14(1):58.
  Alizadeh AM, Afrouzan H, Dinparast-Djadid N, Sawaya AC, Azizian S, Hemmati HR, Mohagheghi MA, Erfani S. Chemoprotection of MNNG-initiated Gastric Cancer in Rats Using IranianPropolis. Arch Iran Med. 2015; 18(1):18-23.
  Hamzeh Alipour, Seyed Mohammad Amin Mahdian, Abbas Rami, Mojgan Ojaghzadeh Khali Abad, Masoumeh Amin, Navid Dinparast Djadid and Abbasali Raz (2015). Excito-repellency effects of Pelargonium roseumwild (Geraniaceae) essential oil-treated bed netson the malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 3 (2): 87-91.
   

Books

•  Saber Gholizadeh S, Dinparast Djadid N, Basseri HR (2012) Malaria Transmission Blocking Vaccine Candidate in Iran: Regional Malaria Transmission Blocking Vaccine. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.
•  Djadid, ND et al. (2005) Integrated Vector Management: Strategic Framework for the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2004-2010. PII Publications (In Persian).
•  Djadid, ND et al. (2003) National Strategy of Biotechnology for Environment Science (Study of National section). NRCGEB, IR, Iran Publications.
•  Djadid, ND et al. (2004) National Strategy of Biotechnology for Environment Science (Study of International section), Two Volumes. NRCGEB, IR, Iran Publications.
   

Patents:

-          8 National patents

-          2 US-Patent