ALI BORDBAR HAGHIGHI SABET PhD
Palo Alto,CA
Summary
Scientist with 15+ years of research experience in immunology, cellular biology, and translational biomedical research, including postdoctoral training at Stanford University School of Medicine and NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Expertise in immune cell biology, inflammatory signaling, and development of cell-based functional assays using primary human immune cells. Extensive experience in multi-parameter flow cytometry, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate molecular mechanisms of immune activation and disease pathogenesis. Proven track record of independently designing and executing in vitro experiments, generating mechanistic insights into immune pathways, and translating findings into therapeutic hypotheses. Skilled in integrating experimental and computational approaches to support target identification and early-stage drug discovery.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Scholar in Immunology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Palo Alto, CA
05.2025 - Current
- Lead mechanistic studies to investigate immune pathways driving inflammatory and autoimmune disease
- Designed and optimized cell-based functional assays using primary human immune cells (PBMCs) to study immune activation and signaling
- Performed multi-parameter flow cytometry to characterize immune cell populations and functional responses
- Applied CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to generate knockout cell lines and evaluate gene function in immune pathways
- Conducted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and transcriptomic analysis to define gene expression programs associated with immune responses
- Integrated multi-omics data to identify disease-relevant pathways and potential therapeutic targets
- Developed experimental systems to investigate antigen processing and immune-mediated disease mechanisms
- Utilized organoid and co-culture systems to model immune-tissue interactions in physiologically relevant environments
- Generated mechanistic insights linking immune cell function to disease biology and therapeutic hypotheses
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
New York, NY
12.2021 - 05.2025
- Conducted independent research on molecular and cellular mechanisms of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
- Designed and executed in vitro functional assays to study immune signaling and T cell activation
- Performed multi-parameter flow cytometry to assess immune phenotypes and functional responses
- Applied RNA-seq and computational analysis to identify disease-associated transcriptional programs
- Investigated relationships between genetic variation and immune-mediated disease mechanisms
- Developed and optimized experimental workflows for immunological and molecular assays
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to support translational research projects
- Contributed to peer-reviewed publications and presented findings at scientific meetings
Associate Researcher / Co-Investigator
Pasteur Institute of Iran
Tehran, Iran
01.2009 - 12.2021
- Led research in immunology, molecular biology, and infectious disease programs
- Designed and conducted in vivo and in vitro studies to investigate immune responses and disease mechanisms
- Performed molecular and cellular assays including PCR, cloning, and immune profiling
- Conducted cytokine analysis and immunogenicity studies in rodent models (BALB/c mice and rats)
- Applied phylogenetic and sequence analysis to study genetic variation and pathogen biology
- Supported vaccine development and host-pathogen interaction research
- Contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and collaborative research projects
Education
PhD - Biomedical Sciences
Pasteur Institute of Iran
01.2020
MSc - Cellular & Molecular Biology (Microbiology)
Islamic Azad University of Lahijan
01.2011
BSc - Cellular & Molecular Biology (Microbiology)
Islamic Azad University of Lahijan
01.2006
Skills
- Immunology & Inflammation Biology
- Primary human immune cell isolation
- T cell biology
- Immune activation
- Signaling pathway analysis
- Multi-parameter flow cytometry
- Cytokine assays
- Development of cell-based assays
- Molecular & Cellular Biology
- CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing
- Mammalian cell culture
- Molecular cloning
- DNA/RNA extraction
- PCR/qPCR
- Western blotting
- Immunoprecipitation
- Protein analysis
- Functional Assays & Drug Discovery Support
- Design and optimization of in vitro functional assays
- Target validation
- Assay development
- Omics & Data Analysis
- RNA sequencing
- Transcriptomic analysis
- Multi-omics data integration
- Bioinformatics using R
- TCR repertoire sequencing
- Advanced Models
- Ex vivo immune-organoid co-culture systems
- Human embryonic stem cell culture
- Organoid-based modeling
- Confocal microscopy
- 3D imaging
Selected Publications
- Biology of HLA class I-associated inflammatory diseases, Bordbar A, Manches O, Nowatzky J, Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 2024
- Cloning, high-level gene expression, and bioinformatics analysis of SP15 and LeIF as a novel fusion protein: A potential vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis, Bordbar A, Amanlou M, et al., Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, 2020
- Bioinformatics analyses of immunogenic T-cell epitopes of LeIF and PpSP15 for multi-epitope vaccine design against leishmaniasis, Bordbar A, Pooshang Bagheri P, et al., Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 2020
Vaccinology Fellowship
Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, 01/01/18, 12/31/18, Intensive training in immunology, vaccine development, and translational vaccinology
Orcid
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5984-7287
Pubmed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Ali+Bordbar
Additional Scholarly Activity
Preparing multiple manuscripts for submission to high-impact peer-reviewed journals focused on immunology, inflammatory disease biology, and translational autoimmunity research.
Core Technical Expertise
Primary human immune cell isolation (PBMC) and immune profiling, T cell biology, immune activation, and signaling pathway analysis, Multi-parameter flow cytometry (immune phenotyping and functional readouts), Cytokine assays (ELISA) and immune signaling analysis, Development of cell-based assays for inflammatory and immune pathways, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing (gene knockout in human cell systems), Mammalian cell culture (primary and immortalized cells), Molecular cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and protein analysis, Design and optimization of in vitro functional assays, Target validation through genetic perturbation and phenotypic analysis, Assay development for pathway interrogation and therapeutic hypothesis testing, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and transcriptomic analysis, Multi-omics data integration and pathway analysis, Bioinformatics using R (data analysis, visualization, statistical modeling), TCR repertoire sequencing and immune profiling analysis, Ex vivo immune-organoid co-culture systems, Human embryonic stem cell (hESC, H9) culture and differentiation, Organoid-based modeling of tissue-immune interactions, Confocal microscopy and 3D imaging
Timeline
Postdoctoral Scholar in Immunology
Stanford University School of Medicine
05.2025 - Current
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
12.2021 - 05.2025
Associate Researcher / Co-Investigator
Pasteur Institute of Iran
01.2009 - 12.2021
PhD - Biomedical Sciences
Pasteur Institute of Iran
MSc - Cellular & Molecular Biology (Microbiology)
Islamic Azad University of Lahijan
BSc - Cellular & Molecular Biology (Microbiology)
Islamic Azad University of Lahijan