Farzaneh Sedighian, MSc
Staff Research Associate • Microbiology & Molecular Biology
Detail-oriented Staff Research Associate (MSc in Microbiology and BSc in Microbiology-Cell & Molecular Biology) with 10+ years of experience in data collection, basic and medical microbiology, cell and molecular research, lentiviral vector packaging and tittering for gene therapy research, handling CRISPR-modified and various mammalian cell culture, primary cell isolation including fibroblasts and expansion. Experienced in working with human and mouse specimens, small animal surgery, Droplet Digital PCR, with a strong track record of independently executing experiments, troubleshooting, and contributing to high-impact research. Skilled in collaboration and project management, with multiple publications, patents, and leadership roles in microbiology and molecular biology labs.
Molecular & Cellular Biology
Microbiology & Immunology
Animal Handling
Analytical Techniques
Bioinformatics
Staff Research Associate II & Co-Lab Manager
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | MIMG Department
- Independently packaged hundreds of high titer lentiviral vectors for gene therapy research projects
- Made engineered immunomodulatory lentiviral vectors to increase CD8+ T-cell activity against Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Cultured and maintained CRISPR-modified HEK293T cells; performed tittering on HT-29 cells via DDPCR
- Served as co-lab manager with inventory oversight and reagent procurement responsibilities
Lab Manager & Staff Research Associate
University of Southern California (USC) | Biomedical Engineering Department
- Produced recombinant blood-brain-penetrating AAV viruses encoding genetically engineered neurotransmitter sensors
- Performed mammalian cell culture and transfection for AAV production
- Led in vivo studies via stereotactic surgery and retro-orbital delivery
- Conducted mouse genotyping, retina dissection, and immunofluorescence labeling
Staff Research Associate
UCLA | Division of Digestive Diseases, VA Medical Center, Jacob Lab
- Assessed intestinal crypt morphology and immunohistochemistry on hundreds of transgenic mice intestine slides
- Performed Picrosirius Red staining to evaluate fibrosis and collagen deposition
- Successfully isolated and maintained pure cultures of fibroblasts from transgenic mice
- Processed human endoscopy and colonoscopy tissues for future experiments
Staff Research Associate
UCLA Microbiome Core | Division of Digestive Diseases
- Analyzed IHC-stained tissues for T-cell infiltration in colorectal cancer patient biopsies
- Performed DNA extraction from hundreds of fecal and tissue samples for microbiome research
- Maintained gnotobiotic and conventionally colonized mouse colonies
Lab Manager & Staff Research Associate
UCLA | Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, Gunsalus Lab
- Cultured strict anaerobic archaea/bacteria to investigate metabolic pathways
- Analyzed microbial growth curves under multiple substrates
- Cloned and purified cell-envelope proteins for structural studies
- Conducted in vivo experiments with specialized bacterial strains
ISME Journal (2024)
Microbiome biogeography along the GI tract is reproducibly observed in specific pathogen-free mice
Yang J, Lagishetty V, Arias-Jayo N, Chang C, Yi Z, Katzka W, Sedighian F, et al.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024)
Ambient Particulate Matter (PM) Exposure Alters the Gut Microbiome of Hyperlipidemic Mice
Chang C, Gupta R, Sedighian F, Baek K, O'Donnell RP, et al.
Nature Communications (2023)
Hierarchical organization and assembly of the archaeal cell sheath from an amyloid-like protein
Wang H, Zhang J, Toso D, Liao S, Sedighian F, Gunsalus R, Zhou ZH.
Nutrients (2023)
Fecal and Tissue Microbiota are Associated with Tumor T-Cell Infiltration in Colorectal Cancer
Luu K, Ye JY, Lagishetty V, Liang F, Hauer M, Sedighian F, et al.
Frontiers in Nutrition (2021)
The Intestinal Microbiome Predicts Weight Loss on a Calorie-Restricted Diet
Dong TS, Luu K, Lagishetty V, Sedighian F, Woo SL, Dreskin B, et al.
Translational Vision Science & Technology (2021)
The Ocular Microbiome Is Altered by Sampling Modality and Age
Katzka W, Dong TS, Luu K, Lagishetty V, Sedighian F, Arias-Jayo N, et al.
Nutrients (2020)
A High Protein Calorie Restriction Diet Alters the Gut Microbiome in Obesity
Dong TS, Luu K, Lagishetty V, Sedighian F, Woo SL, Dreskin BW, et al.
10 total publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, ISME Journal, and specialized research publications.
Education
Master of Science in Microbiology
Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Bachelor of Science in Cell & Molecular Biology (Microbiology)
Azad University, Tehran, Iran