Mansour Akbari

Mansour Akbari is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medical Biology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø. He has held academic positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Copenhagen and NTNU, with expertise spanning molecular biology, DNA repair, and aging research.

Dr. Akbari received his Doctor Philosophiae (Dr. Philos.) from NTNU, Norway in 2006. His academic career includes:

• 2007-2010: Postdoc at the Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU
• 2011-2014: Assistant Professor at the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2015-2021: Associate Professor at ICMM, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2022-Present: Senior Lecturer at the Department of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Dr. Akbari's research focuses on the intersection of aging, inflammation, DNA repair mechanisms, and their implications for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. His work particularly examines mitochondrial DNA maintenance, the role of DNA repair enzymes in preventing age-related pathologies, and the connection between genomic instability and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. His research employs various model systems including human cell cultures, C. elegans, and mouse models of tauopathy to elucidate fundamental mechanisms linking DNA damage response to age-related diseases.

Analysis of Dr. Akbari's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the connections between DNA repair pathways, mitochondrial function, and neurodegenerative diseases. His work demonstrates how deficiencies in DNA repair mechanisms contribute to age-related pathologies, particularly through the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage and subsequent inflammatory responses. A significant portion of his research examines the cGAS-STING pathway, which connects cytosolic DNA sensing to inflammatory responses in aging. His publications span high-impact journals across molecular biology, neuroscience, and aging research, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work.

Dr. Akbari has been actively involved in teaching courses including:

• MBI-2103: Immunology and Transfusion Medicine
• TPL-1004: Biochemistry
• MBI-2011: DNA Repair and Recombination
• MBI-3004: Genomic Integrity and Cancer