Fa
  • Ph.D. (2013)

    Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA

  • M.Sc. (2007)

    Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  • B.Sc. (2003)

    Zoology

    Biology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

  • Insect Genetics and Cytogenetics
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Genome variation and population structure among 1142 mosquitoes of the African malaria vector species Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii

CS Clarkson, A Miles, NJ Harding, ER Lucas, CJ Battey, ...
Journal Paper , , {Pages }

Abstract

Evolutionary superscaffolding and chromosome anchoring to improve Anopheles genome assemblies

Robert M Waterhouse, Sergey Aganezov, Yoann Anselmetti, Jiyoung Lee, Livio Ruzzante, Maarten JMF Reijnders, Romain Feron, S?verine B?rard, Phillip George, Matthew W Hahn, Paul I Howell, Maryam Kamali, Sergey Koren, Daniel Lawson, Gareth Maslen, Ashley Pee
Journal PaperbioRxiv , 2019 January 1, {Pages 434670 }

Abstract

New sequencing technologies have lowered financial barriers to whole genome sequencing, but resulting assemblies are often fragmented and far from 9finished9. Updating multi-scaffold drafts to chromosome-level status can be achieved through experimental mapping or re-sequencing efforts. Avoiding the costs associated with such approaches, comparative genomic analysis of gene order conservation (synteny) to predict scaffold neighbours (adjacencies) offers a potentially useful complementary method for improving draft assemblies. We employed three gene synteny-based methods applied to 21 Anopheles mosquito assemblies to produce consensus sets of scaffold adjacencies. For subsets of the assemblies we integrated these with additional supporting d

Genome variation and population structure among 1,142 mosquitoes of the African malaria vector species Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii

Chris S Clarkson, Alistair Miles, Nicholas J Harding, Eric R Lucas, CJ Battey, Jorge Edouardo Amaya-Romero, Jorge Cano, Abdoulaye Diabate, Edi Constant, Davis C Nwakanma, Musa Jawara, John Essandoh, Joao Dinis, Gilbert Le Goff, Vincent Robert, Arlete D Tr
Journal PaperbioRxiv , 2019 January 1, {Pages 864314 }

Abstract

Mosquito control remains a central pillar of efforts to reduce malaria burden in sub-Saharan Africa. However, insecticide resistance is entrenched in malaria vector populations, and countries with high malaria burden face a daunting challenge to sustain malaria control with a limited set of surveillance and intervention tools. Here we report on the second phase of a project to build an open resource of high quality data on genome variation among natural populations of the major African malaria vector species Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii. We analysed whole genomes of 1,142 individual mosquitoes sampled from the wild in 13 African countries, and a further 234 individuals comprising parents and progeny of 11 lab crosses. The data r

Leveraging evolutionary relationships to improve Anopheles genome assemblies

Robert M Waterhouse, Sergey Aganezov, Yoann Anselmetti, Jiyoung Lee, Livio Ruzzante, Maarten JMF Reijnders, S?verine B?rard, Romain Feron, Phillip George, Matthew W Hahn, Paul I Howell, Maryam Kamali, Sergey Koren, Daniel Lawson, Gareth Maslen, Ashley Pee
Journal PaperBioRxiv , 2018 January 1, {Pages 434670 }

Abstract

While new sequencing technologies have lowered financial barriers to whole genome sequencing, resulting assemblies are often fragmented and far from 9finished9. Subsequent improvements towards chromosomal-level status can be achieved by both experimental and computational approaches. Requiring only annotated assemblies and gene orthology data, comparative genomics approaches that aim to capture evolutionary signals to predict scaffold neighbours (adjacencies) offer potentially substantive improvements without the costs associated with experimental scaffolding or re-sequencing. We leverage the combined detection power of three such gene synteny-based methods applied to 21 Anopheles mosquito assemblies with variable contiguity levels to produ

Leveraging evolutionary relationships to improve Anopheles genome assemblies

Robert M Waterhouse, Sergey Aganezov, Yoann Anselmetti, Jiyoung Lee, Livio Ruzzante, Maarten JMF Reijnders, S?verine B?rard, Romain Feron, Phillip George, Matthew W Hahn, Paul I Howell, Maryam Kamali, Sergey Koren, Daniel Lawson, Gareth Maslen, Ashley Pee
Journal PaperbioRxiv , 2018 January 1, {Pages 434670 }

Abstract

While new sequencing technologies have lowered financial barriers to whole genome sequencing, resulting assemblies are often fragmented and far from ‘finished’. Subsequent improvements towards chromosomal-level status can be achieved by both experimental and computational approaches. Requiring only annotated assemblies and gene orthology data, comparative genomics approaches that aim to capture evolutionary signals to predict scaffold neighbours (adjacencies) offer potentially substantive improvements without the costs associated with experimental scaffolding or re-sequencing. We leverage the combined detection power of three such gene synteny-based methods applied to 21 Anopheles mosquito assemblies with variable contiguity levels to

Highly evolvable malaria vectors: the genomes of 16 Anopheles mosquitoes

Daniel E Neafsey, Robert M Waterhouse, Mohammad R Abai, Sergey S Aganezov, Max A Alekseyev, James E Allen, James Amon, Bruno Arc?, Peter Arensburger, Gleb Artemov, Lauren A Assour, Hamidreza Basseri, Aaron Berlin, Bruce W Birren, Stephanie A Blandin, Andr
Journal PaperScience , Volume 347 , Issue 6217, 2015 January 2, {Pages 1258522 }

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Control of mosquito vectors has historically proven to be an effective means of eliminating malaria. Human malaria is transmitted only by mosquitoes in the genus Anopheles, but not all species within the genus, or even all members of each vector species, are efficient malaria vectors. Variation in vectorial capacity for human malaria among Anopheles mosquito species is determined by many factors, including behavior, immunity, and life history.RATIONALE This variation in vectorial capacity suggests an underlying genetic/genomic plasticity that results in variation of key traits determining vectorial capacity within the genus. Sequencing the genome of Anopheles gambiae, the most important malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa, has

Highly evolvable malaria vectors: the genomes of 16 anopheles mosquitoes

Tania Dottorini, Daniel E Neafsey, Robert M Waterhouse, Mohammad R Abai, Sergey S Aganezov, Max A Alekseyev, James E Allen, James Amon, Bruno Arc?, Peter Arensburger, Gleb Artemov, Lauren A Assour, Hamidreza Basseri, Aaron Berlin, Bruce W Birren, Stephani
Journal PaperScience , Volume 347 , Issue 6217, 2015 January 2, {Pages }

Abstract

Variation in vectorial capacity for human malaria among Anopheles mosquito species is determined by many factors, including behavior, immunity, and life history. To investigate the genomic basis of vectorial capacity and explore new avenues for vector control, we sequenced the genomes of 16 anopheline mosquito species from diverse locations spanning ~100 million years of evolution. Comparative analyses show faster rates of gene gain and loss, elevated gene shuffling on the X chromosome, and more intron losses, relative to Drosophila. Some determinants of vectorial capacity, such as chemosensory genes, do not show elevated turnover but instead diversify through protein-sequence changes. This dynamism of anopheline genes and genomes may contr

Multigene phylogenetics reveals temporal diversification of major African malaria vectors

Maryam Kamali, Paul E Marek, Ashley Peery, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio, Cyrille Ndo, Zhijian Tu, Frederic Simard, Igor V Sharakhov
Journal PaperPloS one , Volume 9 , Issue 4, 2014 April 4, {Pages e93580 }

Abstract

The major vectors of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa belong to subgenus Cellia. Yet, phylogenetic relationships and temporal diversification among African mosquito species have not been unambiguously determined. Knowledge about vector evolutionary history is crucial for correct interpretation of genetic changes identified through comparative genomics analyses. In this study, we estimated a molecular phylogeny using 49 gene sequences for the African malaria vectors An. gambiae, An. funestus, An. nili, the Asian malaria mosquito An. stephensi, and the outgroup species Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. To infer the phylogeny, we identified orthologous sequences uniformly distributed approximately every 5 Mb in the five chromosomal arms.

Multigene Phylogenetics Reveals Temporal Diversification of Major African Malaria

M Kamali, PE Marek, A Peery, C Antonio-Nkondjio, C Ndo
Journal Paper , 2014 January , {Pages }

Abstract

The major vectors of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa belong to subgenus Cellia. Yet, phylogenetic relationships and temporal diversification among African mosquito species have not been unambiguously determined. Knowledge about vector evolutionary history is crucial for correct interpretation of genetic changes identified through comparative genomics analyses. In this study, we estimated a molecular phylogeny using 49 gene sequences for the African malaria vectors An. gambiae, An. funestus, An. nili, the Asian malaria mosquito An. stephensi, and the outgroup species Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. To infer the phylogeny, we identified orthologous sequences uniformly distributed approximately every 5 Mb in the five chromosomal arms.

Application of Chromosome Mapping to Understanding Evolutionary History of Anopheles Species

Maryam Kamali
Journal Paper , 2013 June 13, {Pages }

Abstract

Malaria is the main cause of approximately one million deaths every year that mostly affect children in south of Sub-Saharan Africa. The Anopheles gambiae complex consists of seven morphologically indistinguishable sibling species. However, their behavior, ecological adaptations, vectorial capacity, and geographical distribution differ. Studying the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the complex is crucial to understanding the genomic changes that underlie evolving traits. These evolutionary changes can be related to the gain or loss of human blood choice or to other epidemiologically important traits. In order to understand the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the members of the An. gambiae complex, break

An Integrated Chromosome Map of Microsatellite Markers and Inversion Breakpoints for an Asian Malaria Mosquito, Anopheles stephensi (vol 102, pg 719, 2011)

Maryam Kamali, Maria V Sharakhova, Elina Baricheva, Dmitrii Karagodin, Zhijian Tu, Igor V Sharakhov
Journal PaperJOURNAL OF HEREDITY , Volume 104 , Issue 5, 2013 September 1, {Pages 735-735 }

Abstract

Fluorescence in situ hybridization to the polytene chromosomes of anopheles mosquitoes

Ai Xia, Ashley Peery, Maryam Kamali, Jiangtao Liang, Maria V Sharakhova, Igor V Sharakhov
Journal PaperBio-protocol , Volume 3 , Issue 16, 2013 August 20, {Pages e860-e860 }

Abstract

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a method that uses a fluorescently labeled DNA probe for mapping the position of a genetic element on chromosomes. A DNA probe is prepared by incorporating Cy-3 or Cy-5 labeled nucleotides into DNA by nick-translation or a random primed labeling method. This protocol was used to map genes (Sharakhova et al., 2010) and microsatellite markers (Kamali et al., 2011; Peery et al., 2011) on polytene chromosomes from ovarian nurse cells and salivary glands of malaria mosquitoes. Detailed physical genome mapping performed on polytene chromosomes has the potential to link DNA sequences to specific chromosomal structures such as heterochromatin (Sharakhova et al., 2010). This method also allows comp

Fluorescence in situ hybridization to the polytene chromosomes of anopheles mosquitoes

Ai Xia, Ashley Peery, Maryam Kamali, Jiangtao Liang, Maria V Sharakhova, Igor V Sharakhov
Journal PaperPLOS Pathogens , 2012 October , {Pages }

Abstract

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a method that uses a fluorescently labeled DNA probe for mapping the position of a genetic element on chromosomes. A DNA probe is prepared by incorporating Cy-3 or Cy-5 labeled nucleotides into DNA by nick-translation or a random primed labeling method. This protocol was used to map genes (Sharakhova et al., 2010) and microsatellite markers (Kamali et al., 2011; Peery et al., 2011) on polytene chromosomes from ovarian nurse cells and salivary glands of malaria mosquitoes. Detailed physical genome mapping performed on polytene chromosomes has the potential to link DNA sequences to specific chromosomal structures such as heterochromatin (Sharakhova et al., 2010). This method also allows comparative

A new chromosomal phylogeny supports the repeated origin of vectorial capacity in malaria mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae complex

Maryam Kamali, Ai Xia, Zhijian Tu, Igor V Sharakhov
Journal PaperPLoS pathogens , Volume 8 , Issue 10, 2012 October 4, {Pages e1002960 }

Abstract

Understanding phylogenetic relationships within species complexes of disease vectors is crucial for identifying genomic changes associated with the evolution of epidemiologically important traits. However, the high degree of genetic similarity among sibling species confounds the ability to determine phylogenetic relationships using molecular markers. The goal of this study was to infer the ancestral–descendant relationships among malaria vectors and nonvectors of the Anopheles gambiae species complex by analyzing breakpoints of fixed chromosomal inversions in ingroup and several outgroup species. We identified genes at breakpoints of fixed overlapping chromosomal inversions 2Ro and 2Rp of An. merus using fluorescence in situ hybridization

A New Chromosomal Phylogeny Supports the Repeated Origin of Vectorial Capacity in Malaria Mosquitoes of

M Kamali, A Xia, Z Tu, IV Sharakhov
Journal Paper , 2012 January , {Pages }

Abstract

Understanding phylogenetic relationships within species complexes of disease vectors is crucial for identifying genomic changes associated with the evolution of epidemiologically important traits. However, the high degree of genetic similarity among sibling species confounds the ability to determine phylogenetic relationships using molecular markers. The goal of this study was to infer the ancestral–descendant relationships among malaria vectors and nonvectors of the Anopheles gambiae species complex by analyzing breakpoints of fixed chromosomal inversions in ingroup and several outgroup species. We identified genes at breakpoints of fixed overlapping chromosomal inversions 2Ro and 2Rp of An. merus using fluorescence in situ hybridization

A New Chromosomal Phylogeny Supports the Repeated Origin of Vectorial Capacity in Malaria Mosquitoes of

M Kamali, A Xia, Z Tu, IV Sharakhov
Journal Paper , 2012 January , {Pages }

Abstract

Understanding phylogenetic relationships within species complexes of disease vectors is crucial for identifying genomic changes associated with the evolution of epidemiologically important traits. However, the high degree of genetic similarity among sibling species confounds the ability to determine phylogenetic relationships using molecular markers. The goal of this study was to infer the ancestral–descendant relationships among malaria vectors and nonvectors of the Anopheles gambiae species complex by analyzing breakpoints of fixed chromosomal inversions in ingroup and several outgroup species. We identified genes at breakpoints of fixed overlapping chromosomal inversions 2Ro and 2Rp of An. merus using fluorescence in situ hybridization

An Integrated Chromosome Map of Microsatellite Markers and Inversion Breakpoints for an Asian Malaria Mosquito, Anopheles stephensi

Maryam Kamali, Maria V Sharakhova, Elina Baricheva, Dmitrii Karagodin, Zhijian Tu, Igor V Sharakhov
Journal PaperJournal of Heredity , Volume 102 , Issue 6, 2011 August 1, {Pages 719-726 }

Abstract

Anopheles stephensi is one of the major vectors of malaria in the Middle East and Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. Understanding the population genetic structure of malaria mosquitoes is important for developing adequate and successful vector control strategies. Commonly used markers for inferring anopheline taxonomic and population status include microsatellites and chromosomal inversions. Knowledge about chromosomal locations of microsatellite markers with respect to polymorphic inversions could be useful for better understanding a genetic structure of natural populations. However, fragments with microsatellites used in population genetic studies are usually too short for successful labeling and hybridization with chromosom

An Integrated Chromosome Map of Microsatellite Markers and Inversion Breakpoints for an Asian Malaria Mosquito, Anopheles stephensi

Maryam Kamali, Maria V Sharakhova, Elina Baricheva, Dmitrii Karagodin, Zhijian Tu, Igor V Sharakhov
Journal PaperJournal of Heredity , Volume 102 , Issue 6, 2011 November 1, {Pages 719-726 }

Abstract

Anopheles stephensi is one of the major vectors of malaria in the Middle East and Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. Understanding the population genetic structure of malaria mosquitoes is important for developing adequate and successful vector control strategies. Commonly used markers for inferring anopheline taxonomic and population status include microsatellites and chromosomal inversions. Knowledge about chromosomal locations of microsatellite markers with respect to polymorphic inversions could be useful for better understanding a genetic structure of natural populations. However, fragments with microsatellites used in population genetic studies are usually too short for successful labeling and hybridization with chromosom

CLONING OF THE BREAKPOINTS OF FIXED 2RO AND 2RP INVERSIONS IN THE ANOPHELES GAMBIAE COMPLEX

Maryam Kamali, Ai Xia, Zhijian Tu, Igor V Sharakhov
Conference PaperAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE , Volume 83 , Issue 5, 2010 November 1, {Pages 90-91 }

Abstract

CLONING OF THE BREAKPOINTS OF FIXED 2RO AND 2RP INVERSIONS IN THE ANOPHELES GAMBIAE COMPLEX

Maryam Kamali, Ai Xia, Zhijian Tu, Igor V Sharakhov
Conference PaperAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE , Volume 83 , Issue 5, 2010 November 1, {Pages 90-91 }

Abstract

Current Teaching

  • MS.c.

    Molecular Entomology

  • MS.c.

    Molecular Entomology

  • MS.c.

    Advanced Malariology

  • MS.c.

    Advanced Malariology

  • MS.c.

    Principles of Insect Systematics

Teaching History

  • MS.c.

    --

  • MS.c.

    General Leishmaniasis

  • MS.c.

    General Malariology

  • MS.c.

    Medical Entomology

  • 2020
    Naraki, Mehdi
    Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) species, and molecular identification of Leishmania isolated from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis and sand flies in Bandar-e Mahshahr, Khuzestan
  • 2021
    Tahernezhad, Zahra
  • 2022
    Bakhish, Ali
  • 2022
    Shabanipoor, Mehdi

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