Morteza Aslanzadeh - A short interview before the defense
On August 22, Morteza Aslanzadeh will publicly defend his doctoral thesis, Exploring non-coding RNA biology: from gene regulation to evolutionary features. The defense will take place at Gamma 2 at SciLifeLab, and all are warmly welcome to attend. We have had a short interview with Morteza before the defense.
What do you examine in your thesis?
"My research focuses on non-coding RNAs — a diverse group of RNA molecules that do not produce proteins but play key roles in controlling gene activity. I studied the function of the long non-coding RNA Malat1 in stem cells, examined how microRNA features have changed across evolution in animals, and investigated how neuronal microRNAs in extracellular vesicles are altered during infection by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Additionally, I evaluated how well single-cell RNA sequencing can be used to map gene regulatory networks."
What were the key findings of the thesis?
"In my work, I showed that the long non-coding RNA Malat1 regulates gene expression in mouse embryonic stem cells at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. I analysed microRNAs from over a hundred animal species, examining key features such as their structure, processing, and expression, and showed how these patterns have been shaped over the course of evolution. I assessed how well single-cell RNA sequencing can predict gene regulatory networks by comparing RNA- and protein-based predictions against gold standard datasets. Finally, I showed that Toxoplasma gondii infection alters the profile of neuronal microRNAs released in extracellular vesicles, potentially affecting neuronal function and host–pathogen interactions."
What do you hope your research can lead to?
"I hope it adds to our understanding of how non-coding RNAs shape cellular identity, change through evolution, and participate in disease processes. My work on single-cell methods may also help scientists choose the right tools and interpret results more accurately when studying gene regulation."
What will you do after your defense?
"After my defense, I plan to pursue job opportunities, possibly outside academia, in the biotech industry or in roles that combine my scientific expertise with work on new technologies and their legal protection. And of course, I will celebrate this milestone with friends, family, and colleagues."
Last updated: August 12, 2025
Source: MBW