معرفی
Dr. Samira Kiani serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in the Division of Experimental Pathology. Her research integrates synthetic biology with therapeutic gene editing to develop clinically viable tools for disease modulation.
Her laboratory pioneers three synergistic research thrusts: engineering controllable genetic circuits for immune modulation in mammalian systems; advancing in vivo CRISPR-based gene and epigenetic therapies using nanoparticle/AAV delivery; and developing human-relevant microphysiological platforms like Liver-on-Chip to assess editor safety. This work employs high-throughput genomic and proteomic assays to translate genetic circuits into clinically applicable therapeutics with enhanced safety profiles.
Analysis of her 2009-2019 publications reveals consistent innovation in CRISPR tool engineering, with increasing focus on immune compatibility (e.g., immunosilenced Cas9) and complex circuit design. Her research bridges molecular biology, immunology, and tissue engineering, targeting therapeutic applications in liver disease and immune disorders through interdisciplinary approaches.
Dr. Kiani maintains active grant-supported research with recent high-impact publications, though specific funding details aren't provided. She mentors students in gene editing and synthetic biology while expanding scientific impact through documentary filmmaking—co-producing 'The Human Game' and directing the 'Tomorrow.life' public engagement initiative.
Her research group operates at the intersection of gene therapy and microphysiological systems, utilizing patient-derived Liver-on-Chip models to pioneer predictive biomarkers for gene editor toxicity. Current efforts focus on overcoming immune barriers to clinical translation through engineered editors and real-time response monitoring in human tissue contexts.
