Associate Member
B.Sc. (Mashad University), M.Sc. (Shaheed Beheshti University), Ph.D (Shaheed Beheshti University), Postdoctoral Fellowship (Kyorin University School of Medicine)
Professor Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Research Interests
Axons; Myelin; Neurodegeneration; Neurophysiology; Neuroprotection; RegenerationDr. Javan is interested in myelin protection, myelin repair, and neurodegeneration following nerve diseases and traumatic neural injuries. Gliosis, or heightened activity of the cells that form myelin, called glia, is a frequent result of spinal cord injury and traumatic head injury, and it impedes neural repair. Dr. Javan’s research involves converting astrocytes and other glial cells located in the injured brain and spinal cord into neurons and OPCs, cells that can become oligodendrocytes. These, in turn, provide insulation to axons, which conduct electrical impulses from nerves. Dr. Javan uses transcription factors and microRNAs to generate neurons and OPCs in order to help repair damaged neural tissue.
Recent collaborations
Dr. Javan is collaborating with Dr. Wolfram Tetzlaff on a research project examining the mechanisms of demyelination-induced axon damage and the possible benefits of antioxidants in this context.
Techniques employed in the lab:
- Cell fate conversion studies
- In vivo gene delivery
- Chemical demyelination models
Affiliation with organizations and societies:
- International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
- International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
- Council Member, Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
- Iranian Cell Death Society
- Iranian Neuroscience Society
- Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology
Current Opportunities in the Lab
Please contact Dr. Javan with inquiries.
Recent publications
- Mosaddeghi, P, Mesbah-Namin, SA, Javan, M. 2025. Evaluating the Protective Effects of Silymarin Along with a Cholesterol-Supplemented Diet Against Demyelination in an EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis: Lipidomic and Inflammatory Aspects.. Mol Neurobiol. doi: 10.1007/s12035-025-04903-8.
- Kalaki-Jouybari, F, Shirzad, M, Javan, M, Ghasemi-Kasman, M, Pouramir, M. 2025. Co-administration of Naringin and NLRP3 Inhibitor Improves Myelin Repair and Mitigates Oxidative Stress in Cuprizone-Induced Demyelination Model.. Curr Neuropharmacol. doi: 10.2174/1570159X23666241206102022.
- Salimi, M et al.. 2024. Olfactory bulb stimulation mitigates Alzheimer's-like disease progression.. CNS Neurosci Ther. doi: 10.1111/cns.70056.
- Shiri, H, Javan, M. 2024. Sox2-mediated transdifferentiation of hAT-MSCs into induced neural progenitor-like cells for remyelination therapies.. Tissue Cell. doi: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102553.
- Rayatpour, A, Foolad, F, Javan, M. 2025. Deferiprone promoted remyelination and functional recovery through enhancement of oligodendrogenesis in experimental demyelination animal model.. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. doi: 10.1007/s00210-024-03314-1.
