Maral Rahimzadeh

Dr. Maral Rahimzadeh is a researcher at the Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering within the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). She is actively engaged in cutting-edge research related to gene therapy vector production and characterization.

Her research interests focus on the development and optimization of bioprocesses for viral vector production, particularly Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs) used in gene therapy applications. Her work bridges the gap between fundamental bioprocess engineering principles and practical applications in advanced therapeutic medicinal products. She specializes in separation techniques, characterization methodologies, and process optimization for viral vector manufacturing.

Her publication and presentation record demonstrates a strong focus on analytical techniques for viral vector characterization, specifically asymmetric field flow fractionation and Taylor Dispersion Analysis. These methods are critical for ensuring the quality and efficacy of gene therapy products.

Dr. Rahimzadeh is currently involved in the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Knowledge-based Production of Gene Therapy Vectors, a major research initiative funded by the Christian Doppler Research Association that runs from 2023-2029. This project involves collaboration between multiple institutes at BOKU including the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Statistics, and Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology.

She has presented her research at significant international conferences including the Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies conference in San Diego (2024) and the International Symposium on the Separation of Proteins, Peptides and Polynucleotides in Vienna (2023), demonstrating her active participation in the global gene therapy research community.