Assist Prof Dr. Zaruhi Karabekian | Immunology

Academician/Research Scholar

Congratulations, Assist Prof Dr. Zaruhi Karabekian – Immunology, on winning the esteemed Best Researcher Award from Sfconference! Your dedication, innovative research, and scholarly contributions have truly made a significant impact in your field. Your commitment to advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of research is commendable. Here’s to your continued success in shaping the future of academia and making invaluable contributions to your field. Well done!

Wishing you continued success and many more milestones in your illustrious research journey. Your impact on the field is truly commendable and serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring researchers.

Warmest congratulations once again on this well-deserved recognition!

Professional Profiles:

• Orcid
• Google scholar
• scopus

• ACADEMIC BACKGROUND:
  1995-2001 Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Science, Biomedical Sciences Program (Cell Biology and
  Molecular Pathogenesis Track), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
  Supervisor: Ann. E. Campbell, Ph.D.
• 1988-1989 Masters of Science. Dept. of Botany and Mycology
  Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia. Supervisor: L.L. Osipyan, Ph.D.
• 1983-1987 Bachelors of Science. Dept. of Botany and Mycology
  Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia. Supervisor: A.G. Yesayan, Ph.D.

Major accomplishments:

•  Recipient of Yervant Terzian Armenian National Science & Education Fund (ANSEF) 2022,
  “Characteristics and comparative analysis of porcine SIS as a scaffold and human skin”. Grant Number
  NS-Biotech-2981. June 2023-May 2024.
•  Recipient of State Committee of Science of RA Collaborative Research Grant with Belarusian State
  Committee of Science, “Biocompatibility of multicomponent allogeneic cells with decellularized liver
  scaffold”, Grant Number 18BL-028. July 2019-June 2021
•  Recipient of State Committee of Science of RA Research Grant, “Engineered skin via natural
  recourses”, Grant Number 18T-1F275. September 2018- August 2020

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE:

> Generation of recombinant proteins.
> Expression of chimeric proteins in baculovirus system and in mammalian cells (hybridoma,.
myeloma, fibroblasts and epithelial cells).
> Affinity purification of recombinant antibodies.
> Plasmid and viral DNA isolation.
> Transformation of E.coli by electroporation and chemical techniques.
 > Recombinant DNA techniques and cloning.
 > Transfection of mammalian cells by electroporation and chemical techniques.
 > Generation and purification of recombinant viruses.
 >  In vitro transcription/translation.
 >  Random DNA labeling.
 >  Southern blot analysis.

HONORS & OTHER SCIENTIFIC RECOGNITION:
* 2011 – 2014 Scientist Development Grant from American Heart Association, “Creating immune-silent
donor cells for cardiac repair.”
* 2010 –2011 Beginning Grant-in Aid from American Heart Association, “Preventing immune rejection of
stem cell derived cardiac grafts”.
* 2007-2010 NIH/NHLBI F32 Research Fellowship Award,” The role of N-cadherin in stem cell engraftment
to cardiac muscle”. Grant Number 1F32HL087529-01A1,
*  2001-2003 Intramural Research Fellowship, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
*  2000 Virology Focal Group Award, Research Day, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
*  1997 Graduate Student Research Paper Award, American Society for Microbiology, Virginia Branch
Annual Meeting. Charlottesville, VA, USA
* 1997 Best Graduate Student Poster Presentation, Research Day, Eastern Virginia Medical School,
Norfolk, VA, USA
*  1997 Travel Award, Research Day, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
*  1996-97 Eastern Virginia Medical School graduate student scholarship, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
*  1996 Awarded American Society of Microbiology membership
*  1986-89 Yerevan State University fellowship for academic excellence, Yerevan, Armenia

PUBLICATIONS

• Breakdown of immune privilege and spontaneous autoimmunity in mice expressing a transgenic T cell receptor specific for a retinal autoantigen
•  A humanized model of experimental autoimmune uveitis in HLA class II transgenic mice

• Replication of murine cytomegalovirus in differentiated macrophages as a determinant of viral pathogenesis

• Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties of Origanum vulgare essential oil, rich with β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene oxide

• Exposure to phthalates affects calcium handling and intercellular connectivity of human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

•  Immunological barriers to stem-cell based cardiac repair

•  Clinically relevant concentrations of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) uncouple cardiac syncytium

• HLA class I depleted hESC as a source of hypoimmunogenic cells for tissue engineering applications